Northampton County Council has the power of the purse and adopts the budget every year. It's probably its most significant function. The budget is adopted after hearings that go through each department's expenditures. Council members might make changes known as budget amendments but that's impossible if you're not there. Thus far, Council member Ken Kraft, who is retired, has skipped every budget hearing. This is the same guy who wanted to be Council President. He's also the same guy who made several misrepresentations to the President Judge when trying (unsuccessfully) to have his own choice for a Council vacancy filled.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Thursday, November 14, 2024
38 comments:
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No big deal. Kraft is still practically a McClure employee so he will vote for whatever McClure wants just like Keegan and Warren. They have no real need to review the budget and doubt they do. Keegan is one of the most outspoken new woke feminist democrats and attacks men constantly. Yet she is like a trained puppy with male democrat McClure, following his male orders no matter what. So much for damning women Trump supporters as anti-woman. Warren is just there until another real job opens up. They are non-factors with oversight.
ReplyDeleteShe attacks LVH constantly. Did you forget that Goffredo?
DeleteDid you take too many meds ? Kelly either hates men or takes orders from them ? Which is it ?
DeleteMaybe he's too busy making cheese.
ReplyDeleteWhy be there at all ? Yesterday they spent .5 hours on 66% of the budget. $263 million at stake and they could barely muster even the most pedestrian questions. There have been dumber Councils, but this is the laziest, least inquisitive, less knowledgeable Council to have ever served. A-half-an-hour on the most important part of the budget. They’ll spend twice that debating whether the Savannah Cucumbers should get 10 grand from the tourism people.
ReplyDelete6:12, And if they had questions, you would be complaining about that as well.
DeleteDoes the county’s home rule charter mandate attendance of council members at budget hearings?
ReplyDelete6:41, It does not mandate attendance at any meeting. It's just what responsible Council members do
DeleteKraft needs to go! It’s one thing after another with this guy. He would be the first to run his mouth if it was a republican doing the same thing.
ReplyDeleteWhy you picking on Kenny for runnin a bizness ? Heckman is never there. Goffredo misses more than anyone. Brown misses quite a bit for work too.
ReplyDelete7:16, I believe Brown missed one budget hearing, Goffredo has missed one. They both have jobs. Heckman has missed one and is dealing with his health, as you damn well know. Kraft is retired and simply is not there.
DeleteUnwarranted hit piece. Ken knows he'll vote exactly as he's told by McClure. He doesn't need to attend these superfluous meetings. Lamont will instruct him. There's no story here. Didn't you endorse him?
ReplyDelete7:18, No I did not endorse him, but said all along he was in this for himself.
DeleteMcClure taught him well. McClure never went to budget hearings when he was a Councilman.
ReplyDelete7:31, And what I did not realize at the time I was noting his absences is that his private employer was quite strict and even had attorneys punching a clock.
DeleteKelly Keegan is a Kouncil Rockstar ! She’s the only one who accomplished anything this year. Way to go Kel !!
ReplyDeleteTampons in public restrooms. A great accomplishment. Kelly & Tampon Tim!!
DeleteCouncil knows Lamont and Barron Harkkonen put together great budgets. They don’t even need hearings.
ReplyDeleteBarron has been a plesant surprise. He has some a long way from little Stevie Blunder.
Deleteunion rep - enough said
ReplyDeleteIs there money in the budget to have council chambers fumigated on a monthly basis?
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see all the amendments that Brown, Giovanni, Corpora, and LVH come back with after NOT asking any questions at the last meeting. Brown has it out for Gracedale and didn't ask one question about the budget??
ReplyDeleteBrown deep down is a chicken shit. When he opens his mouth he just shows his lack of understanding. It is why he has been unemployable all these years.
DeleteHe's lazy, ignorant and useless- he should resign!!!
ReplyDeleteJohn Brown and Kraft need to go- both are empty suits!
ReplyDeleteKen Kraft is very busy running a very big small business. He is working when he isn’t at Council. He has a much better grip on County issues than say Giovanni who shows up to everything.
ReplyDeleteso you think people need to go to a meeting to turn pages with LVH and waste their time? Lehigh County has had their budget passed 2 months ago. Commissioners can read, they get the book and if they have questions they ask at one maybe two meetings, but hey everyone should sit and turn pages with Lori and act important.
ReplyDeleteps it is a zero tax increase budget with raises for all employees (1 step)
Does anyone realize how Vargo Heffner asks the same questions all the time? How long has she been there? Then again, it’s all a performance for her and the Republicans.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is like a snapshot into the pits of hell. Jesus Christ people, take a freaking chill pill.
ReplyDeleteIt's disappointing that Ken hasn't been attending If he did, maybe he would ask why the administration is proposing to reduce the Financial Stabilization by $10.4 million to the absolute minimum amount?
ReplyDeleteBarron Harkkononem told them.
Deleteanon7:16, Ron Heckman is dealing with some serious health issues. Low blow!
ReplyDeleteBudget meetings are mostly for show. The executive has already talked to council to get agreement. Having prepared a county budget I'm aware of how the numbers are played. It's usually all for show. No one except the employees know how the budget is manipulated to make the numbers work
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly, didn't council at one time assign certain parts of the budget to certain committees for their review. Everyone was aware of the agenda for the Committees and if you wanted to attend the personnel committee meeting you could or if you wanted to attend the human services committee meetings, you could. They would conduct their budget hearings and ask questions, make suggestions, and report to the Council their recommendations. Everyone depended on each other to do a good job. All the Committee Meetings are advertised and open to the public as well as all members of Council. This way you didn't have to attend numerous meetings and the budget process was completed in a timely fashion. Maybe I'm wrong but that is the way I remember it being done. Most of the meetings were held in the evening and any Council member could attend any meeting. Things change.????????
ReplyDeleteOh, Kelly K, it is so obvious 9:53 is pointing out your fierce dem woman hypocrisy.Geeesh!
ReplyDelete0-3 is terrible. Bernie could you tell us how Taiba’s attendance is. ?
ReplyDeleteAlways worry when no new entry for the day! Hope all is well!
ReplyDelete8:08, Sprry, I forgot to set to publish the post. Just did it.
Delete