Northampton County Council consists of nine members. Four of these represent specific geographic areas of the county. The remaining five are in what are known as at-large seats, meaning they are selected by the entire county. The five current at-large members are Council President Lori Vargo Heffner, VP Ron Heckman, John Brown, John Goffredo and Jeff Corpora. Their terms all expire at the end of next year. Who among these are planning to seek re-election? And who else is running?
Of the current at-large members, I believe Ron Heckman may be planning to step aside when his term expires. Although he drives me nuts with perorations are nearly every topic, he perhaps more than anyone understands that county council is an independent body and has been willing to make that clear to Executive Lamont McClure on a number of occasions. He's his own man and has a deep understanding of county government since he has served both as an administrator and on Council. If he does step down, he will be missed.
Lori Vargo Heffner is often the target of numerous anonymous attacks on this blog because, like Heckman, she has been an independent voice who has opposed many of McClure's proposals. She has also been willing to work with Republican Council members, even appointing some of them to chair different committees. She has stood up to the Executive, even though it may have cost her union support. Most of the arrows aimed at her are misplaced, but she has been her own worst enemy at times. Some of her votes and positions do appear to more obstructionist than well-meaning. It's unclear to me whether she plans to seek re-election. There were early rumors that she planned to primary McClure, but I have no idea what she is planning. I would support her re-election to county council, but not as Exec.
Jeff Corpora was appointed by the court to replace Tara Zrinski after she was elected as Controller. Corpora was appointed by the court because Council was deadlocked over Zrinski's replacement. Corpora is even more quiet than Tom Giovanni, and I have no idea whether he plans to mount a campaign.
Contrary to many of the comments posted here, I doubt John Brown plans to run against McClure. He is neither transparent nor accountable and is known for ignoring media inquiries. His secret plan to move the jail to Gracedale was exposed when he was Executive. Also, a tax increase was passed when he was Executive. So I doubt he'll run for Exec. But it's likely he will seek re-election to County Council because he has high name recognition.
John Goffredo is probably the most vocally conservative member of Council. Philosophically, I disagree with most of his stands. He basically believes the less government, the better. I believe government exists to help people, and that it improves people's lives. Goffredo is a very well-known name in the northern tier, and I believe he would win easily if he decided to seek re-election. But he may be stepping down. This could be because he has two young children, or it could also be because he's going to run for Executive.
So who's running? According to Lehigh Valley News, Nadeem Qayyum has announced. He's already lost two races. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Magisterial District Judge and then lost a race for Controller. He is either married or the life partner to divisive Easton City Council person Taiba Sultana, whose antics turned Easton City Council into a clown show for several months.
Other Democratic names I have heard include Patti Bruno, Leslie Altieri, Wind Gap Borough Council member Jason Boulette and union leader Paul Anthony.
After November's red wave, I suspect there will be several GOP candidates. But thus far, I know of none.
51 comments:
How about your buddy Ron Angle? Can't you talk him into it? We need this ferocious fiscal watchdog back on county council, no more than ever!
I heard McClure has no use for any of the incumbent at large democrats on council. His sponsored and approved ticket will be Anthony, Alteri, Bruno, Boulette and someone named Gilmor. He wants to cement his complete control of the county council. Are these the guys who worried about Trump. Sounds like they have Trump lite locally.
Lori loves traveling on the taxpayers dime, so she will run for re-election. She will have no Labor support. She will have almost no local Democratic Party support. And, McClure will not support her under any circumstances.
"I believe government exists to help people, and that it improves people's lives."
BernieOHare; 29Nov24
WOW! Guess who has been mostly incoherent for the past four years???
This is all because the DA Baratta shows special treatment to these 2.
-The wife beats her kids and spends a year blaming the Easton Police for being racists and Islamophobia. He gives her ARD without pleading Then the EPD show the full arrest video and he tucks his tail
-Then the husband Nadeem, signs a legal affidavit guaranteeing signatures to his wife’s petitions. Then they find photo copies of signatures and outright forgeries, again Baratta does nothing. I supported Baratta, but will never again. ! These people are criminals and our DA enables their BS behavior.
Lori should run as a Republican.
Ron Heckman may be verbose but like Gerry Seyfried no one knows the charter and county government like they do, He will be missed if he retires and has my vote if he runs.
isn't she a Republican now? I thought she switched parties, you better check
I absolutely agree! He allows Taiba and Nadeem to do whatever they want because he is scared. I too will not vote for Baratta again. With that said, I think it’s great that Nadeem and Taiba will run on the same ticket. 2 for 1
Some of you people just don't get it. Lori will win because she opposes the dictator McClure and all his blind followers. McClure is despised by the County employees and their families. don't piss down the necks of employees and then tell them its raining. We aren't that stupid. Add up the numbers. almost two thousand employees and their families that he's screwed over the last eight years plus, over 1,000 retirees (maybe more) and their families and you have the nucleus needed to bring down Humpty Dumpty. And all the Union horses and all the Union men won't be able to put him together again.
Isn't Lori a Republican? She tabled an Abortion Sanctuary Resolution, voted against a bond that would have created hundreds of good-paying union jobs, and has now supported a 2.5% cut to the most vulnerable citizens of Northampton County (seniors, children and he mentally challenged. Some Democrat she is!. Maybe she can do the next council meeting from Key West, make sure you put that on the county credit card madam councilwoman... errr I mean Commission.
Nadeem is dead on arrival. He and his wife would be terrible and have no clue about local government. I wonder what address he will use for his campaign. Depending he may force his wife to resign since it will prove they no longer live on Southside.
"and someone named Gilmor."
That's Tom Gilmour. He has a Facebook page for his campaign:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563424953812
I believe Brother Steve is in the mix he has been hitting the cardio hard might see some old fashioned retail politics with door knocking and the like he has been recording new podcasts very positive vibes after #DJT'S landslide a softer leaner Lynch might finally win a race.
If Steve Ĺynch runs his core 4 is prepared to fight like he'll and do trial by combat in order to ensure his victory, Uhuru!
10:57, I would vote against corporate welfare for a private equity developer even if it resulted in hundreds of good paying union jobs. Those are temporary jobs and after it's over, you'll only have succeeded in helping the rich. Very stupid.
As for the 2.5% across the board cut in county spending to fund the P25 radios, McClure told Goffredo that every budget contemplates that every position will be filled, and that when vacancies arise, that is how the money remains unspent. That is part of it, but in addition, there are various programs from different funding buckets and they are encumbered, In addition, the county is required to to set aside money for debt service. By proposing a 2 1/2% cut across all divisions. County Council has reduced the money to pay debt service. It also is creating larger estimated deficits than the budget contemplates. This it has no authority to do and it is unlawful under the Home Rule Charter. See Section 704 (b). The Controller should be asked to provide Council with an opinion on this matter. This cut is not intended to hurt any of the programs for vulnerable citizens, but that could very well be its effect.
The abortion sanctuary resolution was penned in a divisive way. LVH and even some Rs support a woman's right to choose, and that was made clear. Also, County Council made clear that nonbinding resolutions should relate to county business. The LV already has one Taiba Sultana. We don't need Kelly Keegan to make it two.
8:48, Any first offender accused of that kind of domestic assault is eligible for ARD. It would be unfair and discriminatory to refuse to allow Sultana to participate in the same program that a cop accused of striking his wife is allowed to join. As for the nomination petition, there is no question that Boscola's signature was forged and that Nadeem circulated. But I see no evidence that he had a clue what happened. Stupidity is not criminal or we'd all be behind bars.
you are nuts my misguided friend
Probably will have to subtract out the Career Service and their families as Lori is trying to arrange for them to get no salary increase this year.
Re: "union leader". Um, no thanks. Union leaders only care about those funneling money to them and not the public at-large. They take their orders from their underbosses who also care nothing for the public at-large. Take a hike, pal.
My issue isn’t with the ARD program. My issue is he did not make her enter a plea. Countless times I’ve watched first time offenders plead guilty for the ARD program. This DA didn’t have Sultana do that. Baratta played favors all the while he made baseless accusations about the EPD ‘s handling of the case. After the Chief played the actual arrest video, the public learned 2 things. 1) Sultana is a lying POS 2) Baratta is a coward lib.
Steve who?
I would vote for Ron Heckman again as well. He is one of the few dems with common sense. Most of the new democrats have no idea what that even means. He is one of the last democrats that cares more about employees and the county than getting headlines. A true Northampton Dutchy.
We’ve seen the puppets McClure has, and no one cares who he supports. People are tired of his dictatorship. He better worry about his own reelection.
Keegan is worse than Sultana. She makes Tic Toks about councils members yet won’t say it to their faces, goes after colleagues because they voted for Trump, Is full of hate if you don’t agree with her. She’s just an unhappy human being and wants everyone to be as miserable as her.
No one who goes into the ARD program pleads guilty; it is a pre-adjudication diversionary program. You're either making things up or have no idea what you've been watching in court.
Tha God Bod , author , Podcaster, elite athlete, militiamen, patriot, stud, apex political kingmaker, and bearded Viking demigod Steve Lynch act like you don't know!
A reminder..the employees of Northampton County wanted McClure ND that's how he won. So you are mist probably responsible for him being the executive. The employees felt he would be great for them. I never bought it for a second
He’d support Ron again for sure, but Lori fuggetaaboutit.
Need a Union leader to control the out of control council
The morale for County employees is in the gutter, not only because of pay raises but because of how the administration is run. Extremely autocratic. McClure's management style has poisoned a number of partnerships and made many people paranoid. A lot of it is petty too. Like these comments you see here about Council "being against pay raises" if they question certain parts of the budget.
Ive known Steve Baratta all his life- doesn't have a backbone- never has, never will. He will go down as the worst DA in county history.
Agreed ! Unlike Lazy Lori Vargo Heffner who’s working with John Paul, to make sure civil service workers don’t get a raise this year !
Steve blew his chance to be a leader two years ago. No Republican will support him.
It doesn't matter what you crazy partisan pols think, if she runs she will win a spot. Her name recognition is very high. Normal people are not like you crazed zealots. They want a cooperative local government not the disfunction you whacks bring.
Rules you say ? Home Rule Charters you say ? Lori says on Facebook she isn’t “playing by other’s rules” anymore. That’s an understatement !
7:48 She's quoting a song from Wicked. I think you might be reading too much into that post.
Police officer Sunblest Sam in running as a DemocRAT.
he's got a big group of hard core patriots behind him
i don't think people appreciate the disfunction that Lori Varfo Heffer brings to the county. She got nothing done this year, zero, Nadda
They made a lot of political hay from Brother Steve's "20 strong men" comment, let me say we just had a mandate on the liberal limp wristed DEI driven drivel. America WANTS a strong man, and Lynch fits the bill. He just put up 5 reps on the bench press at 475lb and he waved off the spotter! Guy I'd a certified beast and he's only getting stronger sure hope he runs and cleans house like my boy Cash Money Patel is about to do at the FBI!
Lynch is a moron! He will never win anything in Norco
YESSS! Please, please, please, please tell me that Steve-O the Steroid Snowflake is running for something - ANYTHING - in the New Year! His antics are pure gold! Man Shazam have I missed that so-easily-triggered, steroid-jacked clown! #SteveTheSteroidSnowflake2025!
Lynch/Jim Gregory ticket for Executive and Controller
Make Norco great for once
I hear rumors that Gregory Zebrowski is going to make a comeback this year. He had a great reputation at one time and is as honest as the day is long. You know the days are getting shorter and shorter. He has an excellent reputation and he is of ROYALTY BACKGROUND. That's right. He was once honored with a crown and a title. He is the Polish Prince of Northampton County. A better man you will never find.
Yep, no raises this year! Someone's got to look out for the overburdened taxpayers!!!
annon 5:26, Cuckoo
Yes she did. She took a $3000.00 taxpayer funded vacation to Florida and then tried to conceal that fact from the public.
He would be a great choice. Intelligent, fair and of excellent character.
L. V. H. will never receive this democrat’s VOTE again !
The two new Republican fake commissioners Heffner and Heckman will be gone soon. Long winded and short sighted Heckman needs to retire, and obstructionist McClure hater Heffner will be bounced out do to unsportsmanlike
Democratic behavior.
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