It's a strange world. There is a dearth of choices for President, but 25 people have applied for appointment to a vacancy on Northampton County Council. I have asked for a complete list, which will probably be supplied after the appointment, I know they include some highly credentialed candidates, some opportunists and a sprinkling of wingnuts. Council President Vargo-Heffner stated at the last County Council meeting that everyone who applied will get an interview. They start on Wednesday at the Personnel Committee and will likely continue during the regular County Council meeting on Thursday.
This large number of applicants is proof of a healthy democracy, at least on a local level. It could be argued that many people want to be part of a government led by Executive Lamont McClure. It could also be argued that many people perceive a problem.
"Part of a government led by Lamont McClure."
ReplyDeleteYou mean controlled by Lamont McClure. Wonder how many of the applicants are McClure plants. Been told at least a few are there at his command. Isn't the county council th government of the county?
It's the easiest $10K you'll ever steal. $10K is a lot to many people. And that's whom we get. People who could really use the scratch. Is Sultana in there? Mortgage is due. Public service calls.
ReplyDeleteBernie,
ReplyDeleteIf the County doesn't get you the names of the applicants until after the appointment, Linda Zembo needs to be fired.
The fix is in. This is all for show. But it will be entertaining to see council members make fools of themselves as usual.
ReplyDelete"The fix is in. This is all for show. But it will be entertaining to see council members make fools of themselves as usual."
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to argue that the fix is in when25 people apply for the job, and they all are guaranteed interviews.
No, it isn't.
DeletePat White, McClure has three allies on Council - Warren, Keegan and Kraft. I'm sure one or all of them have already shared the names. Zembo reports to Council, not the Exec. As a matter of courtesy, she should share the applicants and their information. Comity is a two-way street.
ReplyDelete"It's the easiest $10K you'll ever steal. $10K is a lot to many people. And that's whom we get. People who could really use the scratch. Is Sultana in there? Mortgage is due. Public service calls."
ReplyDeleteShe would be taking a pay cut. I believe Easton City Council members get health benefits and are paid about the same or more. But her husband may have applied. Northampton County has no Ambassador to Palestine and Israel.
I think people want to put a check on Lori Vargas/Haffner.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 7:50:
ReplyDeleteYou may be correct. Everyone will get an interview out of courtesy and in the name of transparency, but it's a safe bet that council already has it narrowed down to five or so. I'm guessing many of the applicants are known so council already knows their political leanings. Others will get Googled or researched on social media and opinions will formed before a face to face interview. And, the way these things work, with 25 applicants, it would not be surprising to see some withdraw before their interviews.
But, it's good to see so many apply. Hopefully, they don't appoint another McClure rubber stamp, but, I'm not holding my breath.
No ambassador to palestine..........YET. Is it safe to assume these interviews are held in a public forum? Could be quite entertaining!
ReplyDeleteDumbass
It because of Heckman. With that silver tongue singing of civility, the good people of Northampton County have responded.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless Lamont !
ReplyDeleteForget Lamont. People want to join the John Brown, Lori V Heffner Board of Commissioners.
ReplyDeleteDid Tricia Jenn apply ?
ReplyDeleteLori and Brown meet in the Presidential Office before every meeting to decide things. They will pick Tara’s replacement the same way.
ReplyDeleteRight now Tom, and the Johns have to figure out which Democrat they have to swallow hard and vote for. Whoever it is they are likely to be very Liberal. Not DSA left wing like Zarinski, but certainly more Liberal than Lamontster.
ReplyDeleteDid that loser Carrie Myers apply ?
ReplyDelete"You may be correct. Everyone will get an interview out of courtesy and in the name of transparency, but it's a safe bet that council already has it narrowed down to five or so. I'm guessing many of the applicants are known so council already knows their political leanings. Others will get Googled or researched on social media and opinions will formed before a face to face interview. And, the way these things work, with 25 applicants, it would not be surprising to see some withdraw before their interviews."
ReplyDeleteInterviews will occur publicly because if Council conducts interviews, they MUST be in public. This is not a mere matter of transparency. The Sunshine Act requires it. Council would be violating the law if it interviewed in the back room. It is not a personnel matter, but an appointment to an elected office.
"Did Tricia Jenn apply ?"
ReplyDeleteIf you mean Mezzacappa, I have been told that but have yet to see any of the letters or supporting resumes.
"Did that loser Carrie Myers apply ?"
ReplyDeleteIf you mean Kerry Myers, I've been told he was interested. I do not know whether he applies.
I don’t mind a liberal Conmissar. Keep McClure from cutting taxes again.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people have watched Lori Vargo-Heffner work her bi-partisan magic and want to join her team.
ReplyDeleteCan the 3 Republicans finally convince 2 Democrats to vote for a Republican. After all the Republicans had to vote to make the President of the Democratic Federation of Pennsylvania Women their President. Then they had to vote to make the single most union-friendly Democrat in Council history their Vice President. Then they voted to keep a Democratic operative as their Solicitor. What do they get out of this deal ?
ReplyDeleteLaughable…sunshine law..oh, you mean the back room upstairs meetings of 3 or 4 council members (not 5 or 6) deciding who they want before the vote? You mean that’s why Kraft went off the rails and Heffner and Heckman had beat them to the back door (3-5 members) restaurant meeting agreement first? You really think that there isn’t a fix in already, regardless of going through the motions of interviews? No one is going to buy that this group of 8 didn’t meet behind the scenes….they already have a winner!
ReplyDeleteI make ten large per year. You better address me as "commissioner." In fact, I should be addressed as, "Grand Favah." I agree that we should consider a county ambassador to places where people can't stop shooting each other. I'm referring to Allentown, of course.
ReplyDeletewhat if I apply for the job and get it. Then tell people I work in the Senate like our President did in Emmaus.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIf only the DA’s office had that must interest!
ReplyDelete"Did Jerry Seyfried apply? "
ReplyDeleteHe did not, to the consternation of many. But he is focused right now on his new career as a male model.
How can you allow the vile post at 3:42 to stand? It is not only sexist but filthy. Hefner may be a public official and a favorite target of the McClure thugs but that comment about a woman crossed the line. It is common knowledge that Kraft, Barron and some other McClure toadies post this crap, and you won't call them out, but that post should have never been allowed.
ReplyDeleteAlso heard the name of the bigtime union leader who got thousands of dollars to McClure and Kraft and wants to be their boy on council is Anthony.
1) I'm sorry but did not consider that comment either vile or filthy. I took it to mean that LVH was begging Jerry to apply. If I thought this was intended to denigrate her, I would have refused to publish it. I am sorry you drew such a negative inference from what I thought was a light-hearted comment. Maybe I'm getting old, but I saw no malice. I just thought Lori was begging Jerry.
ReplyDelete2) I have no idea who posted this comment. It could be any person who was at the ceremony. Since I did not think it slighted LVH, I did not think it was from a political foe.
3) Paul Anthony would be under Lamont's control. I'm sure Ken Kraft would like to see him appointed, but he won't get five votes.
12:34, I saw no sexism either. I happen to know LVH would like to see Jerry apply and was unsurprised to learn that she begged him to do so. I thought it was humorous, nothing more. Perhaps I am dense, but I did not think it insinuated what I am now beginning to think that you thought it implied.
ReplyDeleteThis could be because I am a stupid male, so I will take down the comment.
Sounds like you have at least one snowflake in this community. ❄️❄️❄️
Delete"Paul Anthony would be under Lamont's control. I'm sure Ken Kraft would like to see him appointed, but he won't get five votes."
ReplyDeleteDon't be too sure, heard the gang has already made threats. Three votes already in the bag.
4:52, Of course three votes are in the bag. McClure-controlled Council members Kraft, Keegan and Warren will do as they are told, but that's not five votes. And Kraft has all the finesse of a ledge hammer when he talks. But the bully tactics have backfired and just makes it impossible to get anything done. I suspect Council will replace Zrinski with a Dem, but it will be an independently-minded Dem. I happen to agree that an appointed position should be the same party as the person who resigned, even though that is not required by the HRC. Deb Hunter is such a Democrat. She would probably be the most liberal member of Council, but unlike Zrinski, she would be a true liberal and a person willing to think for herself. She would not be under anyone's thumb. She proved that when she supported paper ballots over the Express Vote XL that I and a majority of Council preferred. She did her homework, presented well and made it a very close vote. I disagreed with her view but respected her and her arguments. Though she's familiar with county government, I believe she has a fresher approach than I've seen from other voices. At least 90% of what a County Council does is not political, so her Democratic views should be no obstacle to Rs if they truly want an independent voice. I say this without knowing who all the candidates are. Out of 25, someone might even be a better choice.
ReplyDeletePaul Anthony is a liable and hard-working member of the GPA. But he will do as he is told and would be part of what currently is a three-person voting block that will provide no oversight.
I tossed my hat in the ring.
ReplyDelete@Bernie - any updates on the full list?
ReplyDeleteI wish we’d see democracy return to Upper Mount Bethel, perhaps before it’s too late.. We need a true leader… then again where don’t we need a true leader! I hope the county selects a truly qualified person for the chair..
ReplyDelete