Ron Heckman Decides Against Seeking Third Term on NorCo Council

Northampton County Council is going to lose both an experienced and dedicated public servant in 2026. Ron Heckman, who has served two consecutive terms on NorCo's legislative body, has decided to call it quits. He has served for 16 years altogether as a member of the governing body. He also spent eight years as Director of Human Services under former Executive Glenn Reibman. He also presided over Council when the Forensic Center was built. 

A Democrat, Heckman was a strong advocate for Gracedale, the county-owned nursing home. He also authored the county's first farmland preservation resolution as well as a local labor ordinance requiring that local labor be used on county projects. He never voted for a tax hike. He has always been a voice for people on the edge, living one paycheck away from poverty. 

He believed that class wars matter a bit more than the culture wars embraced by some other members of Council. 

Heckman was plagued by numerous health issues in 2024, his annus horribilis. Though those are now behind him, he told me in a conversation last night that he'd like to spend for time with his wife of 50 years and do some traveling. "I think I could still continue, but it's time to step away," he told me. "The time has come."

Though he generally agreed with Executive Lamont McClure, he has been an independent voice and believes legislative bodies have generally abrogated their role as am check and balance on executive power, which is tending to become more authoritarian on a national, state and local level. 

He will be sorely missed. 

Northampton County Council will be reorganizing on Monday. He has no interest in serving as President.

2025: State of the Blog

Since I first began blogging in 2006, I've published 14,445 posts and 305,000 comments. This is primarily a local blog, though I do ramble into national news from time to time. Many news sources proclaim objectivity, but there really is no such thing. I admit a center left bias but have done my best to be factual and honest. This year, there will be numerous municipal offices up for grabs. I will certainly focus on Northampton County's government, politics and races. If you'd like more stories about other local governments, please comment below on what government and why. Better yet, why not become an author yourself? I'm getting older and am slowly losing eyesight, especially at night. This is likely from spending too many hours on the laptop. But there are stories that need to be told and too few people who can invest the time.  My left sidebar includes links to local bloggers on that PC version of this website. If you think you have something to contribute, please contact me at bohare5948@aol.com.