Nurit Baron: According to her LinkedIn page, she's a graduate of Douglass College, where she majored in English Literature and Computer Science with a concentration in economics. She's been employed as an English teacher (in Japan), corporate trainer, upgrade analyst and business analyst.
She's quite political. She managed campaigns for both Mark Pinsley and Tara Zrinski, both of whom are far to the left of most Democrats. She was the Sec'y and Treasurer of Lehigh Valley For All (who agree with us) and is the Treasurer of the Northampton County Council of Democratic Women.
She told Council member John Goffredo that she is ethical and honest, and would be neutral with respect to Zrinski and John Cusick, both of whom are candidates for Contrtoller. "I'm quite a neutral person, anyway, I'm not an extreme person. I don't believe in blue team, red team."
Her association with Zrinski and Pinsley says differently.
When asked how she'd prepare a budget for her office, she said, "I would ask a lot of questions, especially of Mr. McClure and the Council ... ."
This answer tells me that, as accomplished as she is, she fails to understand that a Controller must be independent of both the Executive and Council. The Controller's Office is actually a separate branch of government under our Home Rule Charter. The last persons for whom she should have questions would be either the Executive or Council.
Altynay Kanatbekoff: She's definitely the total package. According to her LinkedIn page, she has a bachelor's degree in accounting from KIMEP University (Kazakhstan) as well as a Master's degree from Columbia in International and Public Affairs. She is a certified fraud examiner, and is currently working on getting her CIA and CPA licenses.
She a vet. Not just any vet, but served with the 82d Airborne, which is highly regarded by anyone who ever served in a combat unit. Her husband still serves in active duty, which would make a four-year commitment difficult for her. That's why she decided against running.
She and her husband have four daughters who are competitive swimmers.
Get this. She's fluent in English, Russian, French, Kazakh and Kyrgyz.
She should be working for the state department, not Northampton County. In fact, she did, as a freelancer. She says she's out now, but I don't believe it for a minute. She's clearly a secret agent brought in to keep an eye on Steve Barron.
Kanatbekoff is the only candidate who actually has experience in the private sector as a real financial analyst. When working for Seville Transactions, her job was to analyze high risk transactions to identify possible fraud. She also owned several businesses.
This is what you want in a Controller. She's already employed by Northampton County as a financial auditor in the Controller's office.
"Bucky was not just our colleague, he was a friend," she said of Bucky Szulborski, whose unfortunate death created the vacancy in the Controller's office. She obviously knows the office.
"We need super-qualified people like you in government," said Council member Ron Heckman. He pointed out that she is risking her career service position. She agreed, but said she would be happy to stay after the election if the newly elected Controller wants her. "The county would be foolish if they didn't hire you back," said Heckman.
She said she sees no need to hire a replacement for her. She has completed all her assignments.
Scott Parsons: He's a former member of County Council, where he served two terms. He also was employed by Public Works. He said he "could hit the job running." He said it would take other appointees three or four weeks just to figure out the phone system. He apparently was unaware of Kanatbekoff's application.
Nadeem Qayyum: He's a former Democratic Controller candidate, where he was rejected by 60% of the Democrats who voted. He pointed to his education in law. He indicated he would be transparent and would ensure that county funds are managed efficiently. he said he would bring "a positive impact on the community."
In response to a question from Zrinski, Qayyum said he would give up his position in the bar for five months. That should be easy because he has a law degree from Pakistan, but is not a lawyer in the US and is not a member of the bar. He likely misunderstood the question. I think his poor understanding of English is why.
Council will decide on an appointment tonight.
This should be a no-brainer.
23 comments:
“She said she sees no need to hire a replacement for her. She has completed all her assignments.”
Wow, you had me until the very end, but that statement makes no sense.
So we’re to believe that “she has completed all her assignments” until the end of the year when the new (elected) controller takes over?
That’s ridiculous!
Is the work that she’s done so unimportant that nobody needs to do it for the next six months?
Something doesn’t add up.
How long before He picks up his campaign signs , one got flush down street at Zucksville road.So that one is gone.
Heard it was a marathon meeting and Hefner ran it on for hours with constant comments and pauses.
Scott Parsons: He's a former member of County Council, where he served two terms
1 term he was not re-elected
It comes down to the veteran with lots of experience and the public works guy. Bernie is right about this one.
6:31, I stand corrected.
Yeah seriously Nadeem signs still around lol I don't think he picked any of them up,hopefully his wife doesn't give me verbal smackdown for saying that
"Heard it was a marathon meeting and Hefner ran it on for hours with constant comments and pauses." No, it was fairly brief considering the material covered. You are probably referring to the governance committee, which went on for over two hours. I am in the middle of watching that at this time.
12:16 am and Bernie, I read that last bit, too, and questioned it. Either she is superwoman and can get work done months in advance or she is in a position that is unnecessary and can be eliminated. Her assertion that a replacement doesn’t need to be hired to fill in for her makes me think she thinks very highly of herself, while not caring that others in her office will be doing their jobs, as well as hers. She is a hard pass for me because she comes across as an arrogant opportunist. Appoint Qayyum so his ineptitude can be on full display and we can then, hopefully, be rid of him.
Did Nadeem stop to pick up any of his campaign signs along the way to the meeting?
BO
Was he talking about the “ bar” in regards to legal or does he work at a bar? If he cant pick up his signs from May how can he be trusted to oversee county finances?
8:15 and 8:16, She indicated that the controller's office is in the process of hiring another accountant. Moreover, she discussed in advance with the office manager whether her role as Controller would interrupt work flow, and was assured it would not present a problem. She is clearly the best candidate, and I suspect the problems you are creating are bc you support a more political candidate like Zrinski's campaign manager.
"Was he talking about the “ bar” in regards to legal or does he work at a bar? If he cant pick up his signs from May how can he be trusted to oversee county finances?"
Whatever he was trying to say, he is not a licensed attorney. He was in Pakistan, but is not here. As I understand it, the law in Pakistan is based on the British system of common law that is the basis of our legal system. I respect his educational achievement and admire him for continuing his education here, but think his knowledge of English is a bit sub par bc he incorrectly stated he is a member of the bar when in fact he is not. As far as his signs are concerned, I understand the annoyance, but fail to see how his failure to collect them all are an indication that he would be a more controller. Perhaps you are suggesting he'd be sloppy. But I know many people who are outwardly sloppy but do excellent work in their fields.
Tony?
That should be a part time position then. What a dope to make a comment like that
Bernie I agree this is a no brainer, however never underestimate the stupidity of some elected members of council
I don’t know if there is a better candidate, but I think this issue needs more facts.
How long has the other position been vacant? Is the vacant position for someone that has the same experience level as she does?
It’s a very odd statement for any employee to make that there is no need to hire a replacement for the work that they do. To me, it greatly diminishes their importance to the office.
Overall, my point is less about who fills the temporary position and more that it is HIGHLY likely the controller’s office is overstaffed.
Which one of the candidates for the interim position - or the two candidly for the full-term position - are willing to look into the staffing level and trim the fat if needed?
Perhaps the candidate who currently works in the office applied to make sure that doesn’t happen, at least in the interim.
candidly = candidates. Stupid autocorrect!
They already had a vacant position probably for someone who retired/changed job.
They posted a vacancy in may 2023 and are still hiring for most likely the same position
Considering that Filling a position takes 2-3 months with all regulations that they have to follow, they won’t be able to fill her position for another 2-3 months
So with remaining controller term being around 4 months it will not make much difference even if they fill the position
I'm less concerned with a former Zirinski treasurer than a McClure rubber stamp. The Controller's office gas never been truly independent for years. Parsons and possibly the woman working there are probably McClure placeholders until Zirinski takes over. This is easy for you because of your McClure bias but there is no sure pick out of the bunch.
Bernie,
With full disclosure, is the Baron lady related to the Baron, with nice legs and a kilt, of the Admin?
Slainte
This is indeed a no-brainer. And the loser guy should clean up his trash. That carelessness and disrespect for county citizens is disgusting.
The good ole boy's club. She was the most qualified for the position, no wonder why the County can't keep good employees.
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