At last week's meeting, Northampton County Council voted 5-4 against a bond that would have financed a new parking deck, a new county office building at the courthouse campus and other projects that include improvements at the jail and a new communication system for first responders. During discussion before the vote, it was pretty clear that a majority of Council, if not all nine, support the new parking deck. But members like Jeff Corpora and Lori Vargo Heffner were unsold on the need for a county office building. They suggested delaying the vote and reviewing options that included a delay on the county office building while the parking deck gets built. But Jeff Warren insisted on a vote then and there, knowing damn well the votes were inadequate. So instead of getting a badly needed parking deck that is actually a matter of public safety, the county gets nothing. Why would Warren insist on a vote he knows would lose? The answer is simple. Politics. Instead of acting in the best interests of the county, he is hoping to make this bonding as well as the employee health center a political issue in next year's election.
As if acting on cue, Warren ally Kelly Keegan blasted other Council members the day after the vote, reminding everyone that there will be an election next year. On her public Facebook page, she tells her followers, "You don't have to read the newspaper. A lot of people just don't read any more." Then she provides this assessment of other Council members.
Jeff Corpora: "says and does nothing."
Tom Giovanni: "says and does nothing."
John Goffredo: "thinks he can literally solve every single problem that there ever was. That's how arrogant he is."
John Brown: "didn't know that when interest rates go down, bond rates go up, so Ken Kraft had to remind him of that. He should know that. He was the county executive at one time who also raised taxes."
Lori Vargo Heffner: "who does nothing as a leader to try and have any type of unity between all of the council."
I's like to know how Keegan is trying to have any unity when she slurs five other Council members.
What I really find detestable are references to Tom Giovanni or John Goffredo using Mafia-type names. This is an insult to their Italian ancestry, and I am astonished that they come from the party of tolerance. I will no longer publish these ethnic slurs.
Also, the notion that the electorate will want a $63 million bond or an employee health center is a bit absurd. I support both projects, but that's precisely because I do read. Kelly Keegan would prefer thsat you don't.
Keegan makes good points, I have to give her that.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty funny that you assume there would be any unity on this board. That was pretty apparent since they couldn't even agree on a person to appoint, looks like it's been all downhill since then.
Keegan is a coward. She uses Tic Tok to attack council members rather than to their face. She doesn’t want unity or other opinions. You must agree with her or she attacks you and hates you. Her main goal is to get rid of the republicans and have one party rule, like communism. She even said her coworkers who voted for Trump should be fired first because Trump talked about eliminating the Department of Education. She is McClure’s puppet. Why would anyone want to work with someone who is full of hate.
DeleteIf you knew her, you would know she would say it right to your face. She'll insult you while smiling and she doesn't care.
Delete10:10 speaks the truth Keegs is an apex #LadyBoss and has done more than anyone since Tara Z to dismantle the patriarchy. those most typically triggerEd by her assertions of dominance are cis white boomers who tremble and quiver with rage when the queen holds the mic!
Delete"... he is hoping to make this bonding as well as the employee health center a political issue in next year's election."
ReplyDeleteUsing debt spending and a sketchy - at best - health center scheme as campaign issues? Is he actively working for the GOP? Bring it on. November 5 was a rather recent indicator of how the majority of NorCo voters, who are struggling with grocery, automobile, and housing costs, feel about debt spending and sketchy healthcare schemes. Angry Keegan can lash out all she likes, sober or not. But her sore loser tears are simply delicious to a majority of county voters. I love that she copes publicly for all of us to enjoy.
10:15, They will be campaign issues. I believe the voluntary employee health center and the proposed bonding are both in the best interests of the county, but the county has done a poor job of communicating why this is necessary. The voluntary employee health center will save taxpayers money in the long run while providing better health care to the workers, Moreover, the parking deck needs to come down as a matter of public safety. I think the chunks of fallen concrete are pretty compelling arguments. But McClure wants to do more, including capital repairs at the jail, a new radio system for first responders and better office space for elections and other departments. The county admin has been unable to persuade five members of council and needs to go to work on messaging.
DeleteI believe it is entirely counterproductive to start this messaging with ugly attacks on council members whose votes are needed.
Also,, I really resent references to Giovanni as "Don" Giovanni or references to Goffredo as John Gotti Goffredo. This is a slur against Italians who make up a large percentage of the voting public. It is really stupid. I have allowed some of these comments but I am sich of them and refuse to publish any more such slurs.
Argue the policy, not the person.
Playing to a small minority (e.g. D-leaning county employees) to incur debt and try a "leap-of-faith" healthcare scheme is a gift to the GOP. It's practically a campaign contribution.
DeleteSounds like DPRKK suffers from COWMADS (COnservative Woman and MAle Derangement Syndrome).
ReplyDeleteGoffredo makes more sense than the County Exec.
ReplyDeleteThe jealousy and political position should STOP when it comes to the citizens and #1 SAFETY of the county
Kel Keegan is the hardest working Commissioner and she’s likely to be County Council President in ‘26.
ReplyDeleteHer chances are as good as Biden and Harris was at becoming President. She has a better chance of being removed because of her hateful attitude and attacks.
DeleteThe MAGA voters only show up when Trump is on the ballot, so the Dems will likely have an advantage next year.
ReplyDeleteThere is an easy compromise that involves bonding the parking deck, putting the radios and jail repairs in the capital budget, and leasing office space. Unfortunately we have 3 Commissioners and an Executive saying "my way or nothing." That's bad government and bad politics.
The Commissioners are wise for not falling into this financial trap. Very smart to wait until the new year to make this decision. Donald Trump will be President, and interest rates will drop to almost zero and we can make all these improvements for next to nothing. He will be pardoning many criminals and there won't be a need for all these improvements to our jails. With the cuts he is going to make in Socual Security he will fund a new medical building for employees and retirees, With the two trillion dollars he is going to cut from the budget he can fund numerous other capital projects. After all, he knew how to increase the National Debt higher than all the other Presidents combined so he really knows about financing. Thank you for bringing this to our attention Bernie. I can sleep better knowing our Commies, er ..excuse me, our Commissioners have my best financial interest at heart.
ReplyDeleteDon’t these officials know parliamentary procedures. Couldn’t a new motion be made to fund only the garage or an amendment added to the original. Am I missing something.
ReplyDeleteKel Keegan has more accomplishments in her short time on Council than Lori Vargo Heffner has in 7 years. Lori has accomplished nothing that’s made anyone’s life any better.
ReplyDeleteCan you name them? Tampons in public bathrooms? A real county need.
DeleteKeegan maybe a disrupter but she is freaking hot! I love a woman who calls out bullshit!
ReplyDelete7:47, I am allowing this bc it is a compliment, but what a Council member looks like should be irrelevant and your comment is actually sexist. Also, I don't believe Keegan is calling out bullshit. She is instead slinging it.
DeleteCouncil members Corpora and Vargo Heffner suggested a brief delay to review the three options (garage only, garage and building together, garage and building down the road) made available by county financial advisors.
I support doing everything at once bc it will be cheaper that way and bc the space really is needed. Let's face it, the county is growing. The only reason I'd consider holding off is to pursue an even larger building at the Gracedale campus. I say this bc, as the county grows, the need for services grows as well. But it is needed. The elections office must be in Easton as per state law. I disagree with the notion that the county should pay as it goes. This means a long wait time and could easily exhaust the entire budget for capital projects. But I am concerned about bond interest rates, which I believe are going up.
So, whatcha sayin’ is you agree with Kel Keegan, you just like the politics Corpora and Vargo Heffner are playin’ better ?
Delete6:59, I agree that a new parking garage is needed and that the current facility is unsafe. The notion that all that is needed is a patch job, as Goffredo once stated, is ridiculous. We've been there, done that. I believe that a new office building is needed but would agree to delay the vote as requested by Corpora and Vargo Heffner bc the 30,000 sq ft proposed by McClure night actually be inadequate and it might be something better built at the Gracedale campus, where it would be less disruptive and there is far more room. The elections office must be in Easton and moving several offices out should free up space at the courthouse. Also, municipal bond rates are being sold at higher rates than they were prior to the election. The market is uncertain, and it is wise to wait until there is a bit more stability before selling bonds. In fact, there should be instructions on an acceptable interest rate. In other words, it is a good idea, but I think it needs more planning.
DeleteI do not think Corpora or Vargo Heffner are playing politics. A $65 million bond is a major undertaking and should be entered intro after full consideration of the need, cost and location. I do think some of the issues raised by Goffredo and Brown are sheer obstruction. I am still waiting for Goffredo's parking deck expert. The notion that a government should never borrow basically means a government should never do anything. Those two are philosophically opposed to government, but government is very necessary unless you prefer living in a world of chaos and with no safety nets. I believe Corpora and Vargo Heffner are persuadable and are merely asking questions that should be asked.
The suggestion that their opposition to a $65 million bond or voluntary employee health center is going to kill them politically is ridiculous. People don't like to spend $, even when it should be spent. And while I support an employee health center, my guess is that many in the public would resent a concierge service for county workers while they have to scrape money for the dentist. Of course, if they were fully informed and felt this would actually save them $ by keeping taxes low, they might think differently. But this is a hard task for a county. Unlike Keegan, I do think people still read, at least those who vote in county elections. But it's a hard sell.
Bond rates will go up, and how many times do copra and Heffner need to see the proposal? This was clearly a delay tactic by LVH and copra is too dumb to not see it
ReplyDeleteKelly should take heed from the new Disney “Snow White” and present “Juliet” on Broadway, She just apologized for her comments about Trump. Hmm. Listen up Kelly. SMH!
ReplyDeleteHer comments really show a lack of professionalism and no class. Part of what's wrong with our elected officials
ReplyDeleteWhat’s wrong with our elected officials is taking vacations to Florida at taxpayer expense, and then hoping you don’t get caught.
DeleteLori Vargo Heffner is like Teflon, she can take vacations on the taxpayer's dime and no one says a word about it except Ken Kraft and here you all are crying about Keegan making TikTok's?? Snowflakes!
DeletePART OF WHAT'S WRONG WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IS ABSOLUTELY WHATS WRONG ( LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM THROUGH OUT THE COUNTY.) WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF AND NOT WHAT YOU WERE ELECTED FOR.
DeleteI hear her TikTok is insane. She is just an example of the candidates McClure will put forth next year for council. He now has three secure votes for anything he wants. He hopes to completely control county council.
ReplyDeleteHis winner takes all attitude leaves no spaces for discussion. This is a big bond issue and the idea that it cannot be discussed without calling people names is one of his great character flaws. IT is obvious he is calling the shots. He is no leader just a bully. Let him run on a $60+ million Bond issue and a claim that he can save taxpayers millions by spending millions on a health center. Is Harris running his campaign?
It’s been discussed for more than a year. Lori and Corpora sat through 7 meetings without asking a single question about it. They didn’t need more time. It was a political ploy. Time for the conflicted payjacker Lori Vargo Hafer to go !
DeleteOK Lori V-H, you are supposed to be a Democrat but your passive-agressive nature prevents you from doing the right thing. Why don't you just sit in John Browns lap and he can whisper his instruction into your ear instead of clandestine meetings at a pub for free food from the owners?
DeleteHas Lamont considered doing a haka dance at the next meeting?
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, you'd think after recent events, the Ds would realize insulting people is a bad way to get their votes.
Decorum went out of style in 2015 when Trump ran the first time. Keegan has First Amendment Rights and her opinions. Too bad if you don't like them, and I'm sure you can make your own TikTok's. You probably should. It'll be more entertainment for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteThe “decorum” and/or civility is just fine. What isn’t fine is that Lori missed a dozen important meetings this year to go to CCAP and political events.
ReplyDeleteWell Bernie, you're good for a laugh. The "party of tolerance?" LOL. Except for the groups/causes it latches onto because it thinks they will give it more political power, the Democrat Party is the epitome of hate and intolerance.
ReplyDeleteKraft is like McClure. Throw shit at the wall and hope a little sticks. When McClure was a Councilman he never attended Council Committee Meetings. Even when he was Chairman of the Committee he never called a meeting of his committee or came to budget meetings. Stop making excuses for him
ReplyDeleteThe Legal & Judicial Committee met a lot. Bernie likened the meetings to seems from The Crucible.
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