 |
| Zrinski |
The position of County Executive was established in NorCo's Home Rule Charter and essentially gives him or her control over administrative functions and proposing a budget. The Executive is elected once every four years but is unable to serve more than two consecutive terms. The salary is currently set at $125,000.
I'm a Democrat and hence am unable to vote for Tom Giovanni. My choice is between Zrinski and Cozze. Each candidate has sent one mailer. Neither has been negative, although Cozze's campaign manager has lashed out at Zrinski for not being gay enough. That's odd because Cozze actually thanked Zrinski for stands Tara as a Council member had taken on LGBTQ issues.
 |
| Amy Cozze |
Another thing that troubles me is that, in a Democratic primary, she has studiously avoided mention of her own gayness. Why? Her campaign manager took Zrinski to task over LGBTQ matters, but Cozze herself has said nothing about her own sexual orientation. Does she think Democrats are intolerant?
I was highly critical of Zrinski when she was on County Council but have been pleasantly surprised by the good job she has done as Controller. She has a good relationship with and is fiercely protective of her staff. She has avoided the temptation to promote unrelated topics that have nothing to do with county government, which is what her counterpart in Lehigh County regularly does. She also has a better understanding of county government than Cozze after serving as a Council member and as Controller.
Mail-in ballots are out, so now would be a good time to make your case for either Democrat.
60 comments:
In my humble opinion, we have a crisis in our county regarding separation of powers. I think Cozze has given the best answers on how she'll do literally anything (she can always name the exact program, policy, or law that can get the county grant money or show how the process is done). I think that's why she was endorsed by Sal Panto - and he's not even gonna run again. I am not crazy about Cozze's resignation and un-resignation but she has done nothing as bad as just being Tara Zrinski. I see Tara in the same light as Taiba Sultana or those useless Dems on the Allentown City Council like Natalie Santos. She seems to be keeping the Controller's Office steady... but she's been there for literally ONE YEAR. I am tired of this woman jumping to run for a new thing every year. I am tired or this woman banking off of McClure's war chest - I do not like McClure either, by the way, due to his brazen attempt to buy out our County Council as we saw with the constant pushing of Paul Anthony even when it was clear he wouldn't be approved - and network to further her own career rather than have a message that actually exemplifies what she aims for in her position. Tara is McClure's 3rd term and Cozze is a message to McClure and his cronies that WE DO NOT WANT AN OVERLY POWERFUL EXECUTIVE - if Trump somehow didn't give you enough of a lesson why the Legislative Branch is Article I and the Executive is Article II.
I will be happy to support Cozze and some of the other Democrats for County Council in November. If Tara wins, I will vote for Giovanni because he, I'm sure, values the separation of powers essential to our county's stability and integrity. The only Dem for County Council that would get my vote in that case, by the way, would be Lori Vargo Heffner - the only Dem with honor in our county government perhaps.
Democrats have become lying, cheating far left lunatics. Come November, vote for Giovanni!!!
Amy’ Ax. Amy has plans to “clean house.” She’s not content with firing all of McClure’s employees. There are a number of career service people in her sights as well. People in the CS who, in her mind, disrespected her when he was Charles Secretary, and CS people who are perceived to be too close to McClure. They’re all going.
Thanks for covering these races, Bernie.
The answer is neither of these two are qualified for that position.
Zrniski is the better choice. The other is just a losing pretender.
Indorse by casey - too funny - reason enough not to vote for it
Tom G will get my vote in November. A level head and seems independent. Probably the least likely of the three to play party politics and actually do productive work. Maybe a Jerry Seyfried type in terms of practical bipartisan leadership.
When you thought it couldn't get worse.
We all look in the mirror every morning but please... Stop projecting and gaslighting! tRump is the lying POS cheating lunatic and was only elected due to 30 million + voters who chose not to show up and vote!
“Another thing that troubles me is that, in a Democratic primary, she has studiously avoided mention of her own gayness. Why?”
Goodness gracious BOH, read the room. People in the normal center of politics don’t give a hoot about a candidate’s sexual orientation, they would rather focus on qualifications, vision for the future, etc. But you questioning why she isn’t beating the drum of “identity politics” is a reason Democrats and their party find themselves in the sub-basement of polling data lately.
I also came here to say the comment about her addressing her 'gayness' is utterly ridiculous and prejudicial, unless of course your expectation is that all straight candidates address their 'straightness'.
I understand completely the desire to scale back the power of the executive branch, which has grown largely due to a legislative branch that has allowed it on all levels of government. But my solution is ensuring that our legislators are going to be people who question the Exec and refuse to be rubber stamps. I still want an exec who will be forceful as well. We just need a legislature willing to clip the exec's wings now and then. What disturbs me most about Cozze is that she put herself above the county when she threatened to resign 12 days before an election. That's simply disgusting.
I believe this comment is a dishonest attempt to scare people. I dislike Cozze, but I have not heard this from anyone and it is difficult to fire career service
8:45, I am reading the room. This is a Dem primary. Since Obama, we have been tolerant of gay marriage, etc. Love is love, right? Plus Cozze's campaign manager went after Zrinski for not being gay enough. So why has Cozze herself studiously avoided the subject?
I like Tara as a person. But how can anyone say she is the best choice? What has she done in elected office? I don’t say this because she can’t do good things, but she never stays in a seat long enough to do anything. I think the County needs someone who’s gonna get in for two terms and get to work. Not someone who’s always looking for the next best thing.
Oops, my bad, 90 million chose not to vote and look what we all ended up with!
1:49 Have you talked to the other Dems running for county council? Lori is the only incumbent so I am not sure how you can determine she is the only Dem with honor to vote for if Tara wins the primary. At least one of them is able to work successfully with his Republican colleagues to get things done in a conservative area. I have spoken with him and believe he would be the same on county council no matter who the exec is.
This post is about the Dem Exec candidates, not the Dem Council candidates.
She was on county council for six years. She will have to speak for her accomplishments but it is disingenuous to say she never stays in a seat long enough to do anything. County council accomplished a lot in that time.
Tara will definitely be better for the employees than either Tom or Amy ! Step increases are being promised !
Tara voted against the employees pay study. How will she be good for the employees? She will push the same McClure policies.
Terra has the backing of both the E.L.F and Deep Green Resistance, she has been a soldier for Gaea on the front digging trenches and holding the line against big oil by using bamboo straws and cloth shopping bags. Many astro turf comments attacking her are the work of Scissor hands infamous troll factory workers who are double dipping for Amy and the quiet man
BLUE BADGER
Tara is a great person great leader and the county may need Tara more than she needs the county. We need to see much more from Amy but from how it looks Tara is the clear leader in this race. Come November it very well may a tight election if the republicans come out to vote the race will be very close.
First, let me state that I am a lifelong moderate democrat. Second, l did not vote for Trump, and do not care for the guy, but do indeed want him to succeed for the better of our country. That being said, I cannot bring myself to for either of the Democratic candidates for NorCo Exec. As far as I am concerned I will be voting for Tom Giovanni in November.
On a similar note, I am not a fan of Mackenzie, but as of right now, he's got my vote in November 2026. McClure has been criticizing the guy since February, not even giving the guy a chance to get his feet wet. I will say, I was not a fan of Susan Wild when she was in office, but since she has been outside of office, she seems to be giving her "A" game in advocating for the region. Although I do not agree with every vote Mackenzie has made, he has shown more bipartisanship in the short time he's been in office than Wild did during her tenure, and I don't believe McClure has any bipartisanship in him. McClure is part of the old guard who cares about benefiting those around him. As an employee of the county, I witness this firsthand.
Tom G is a Brownstain imposter and will be teerrible for this county, he is a do nothing councilman who still does not understand the job he is doing now
I got my ballot. I’m leaving it blank and voting for Giovanni in the general election. Both these candidates are awful.
Tara voted against the employees pay study. How will she be good for the employees? She will push the same McClure policies.
yes because it was a stupid idea, also McClure will be gone, why would she follow his playbook. You are so misinformed about any of these candidates
Vladimir Ill-itch for the write-in! I'll raise the minimum wage and make things gay enough for everyone's liking.
You're nuts!
Bullhorn Zrinski is a fraud, and the worst possible candidate!
Zrinski's staff does all the work, and she's prepped by McClueless & The Baron on presentation. She's always on the lookout for the next gig, so please stay away from this incompetent opportunist!
The Dems are nuts- the only sane 1 in the valley is Panto.
The image of Zrinski with the Bullhorn is disgusting!
McClure has to have the worst personality of any pol I've met, and his protege is a joke- my vote goes to Giovanni.
Hard to believe? Check all who mcclure fired
And that is the truth. Democrats have no good experienced candidate for this position
Being on county council does not make anyone qualified for this position unless they have management and significant financial experience.
Mcclure got in by the employees vote. How did that work for you?
10:01, McClure fired about three career service people who had been exempt and were moved over illegally.
This is truly funny.
None of those above mentioned activities Zarinsky championed are relevant to running a County. Straws and paper bags won’t make the county fiscally stronger, nor will they help our seniors and the county owned Gracedale. Grow up and realize that the budget and consistent management of a county is all about the money.
Please name any significant resolutions or amendments that she put together to enhance this county? I doubt that in six years she even had one that pertained to the management of the county.
Zirinski is not the candidate the democrats or the county need. She is a self-absorbed child that must always have the attention on her. While on council she provided no leadership since she could not build any workable coalitions with other council people. She claimed it was always someone else's
fault. Much like McClure. That is why she was always a reliable vote for him. McClure hated the pay study because it showed how flawed the county system is especially for career service. She voted against it. Yet, now while running for her next political office she is allegedly going to follow the step system. She has no agenda and no real policy. She claims to implement rent controls? She is just going po be the shadow McClure Administration and do what Barron tells her just like she always has.
I think Cozze should not have submitted the letter she did until after the election but when dealing with a bully that lies, sometimes you make a mistake. You can't tolerate what you call blackmail, many can't tolerate a self-serving money grabber who has run for council, St. house, senate, controller and executive all within seven years. You want to help Barron keep a job, but you are screwing county residents with a terrible candidate who loves to take selfies more than anything. Democrats for Giovanni. annon 5:07, just another member of th gang.
Hmmm...me thinks you're seeing things.
Off topic, B.O., but can you please provide the Bethlehem Mayoral Campaign Finance Reports? I’m curious if Wee Willy is back to whoring himself out for developer money that he’s recently tried distancing himself from.
Your misinformed watch the county council videos when she was on council. She was a rubber stamper.
Panto is viscerally despised in the townships. Cockroaches, anal fissures and hemorrhoids are far more popular than Panto.
Who cares? They're not his constituents
Aww....poor widdle snowflake. LOLOL
and you voted for tRump. so do us a favor and just move
There is a surefire way to choose the best candidate in this area.
Drive through College Hill in Easton and vote for the candidate least represented by political signs on people's property.
I wish the options were better. That said, I do have a general perception of each, heavily formed from the totality of years of your posts on each, and the rest from just general observation of county stuff. Thanks Bernie for covering county gov usually better than the local papers. We may or may not be voting for the same person, and I appreciate your insights.
You absolutely nothing unless your Amy!!! The only choice is Tom. Tara just wants to feed off the tax payers… Amy is more worried about flying the rainbow flag ( not that I’m gay or lesbian folks) but there more pressing issues in the county
The doors to the government center are not wide enough for Panto to get his head inside
Above totally agree…follow the signage on College Hill, Forks , Palmer
Amy Cozze quit her job as registrar 2 months before the elections in 2023 to go work for Bob Casey. That, plus her earlier threat to quit 12 days before the election in 2021, makes me wonder if she will see the job through or exit if something better comes along.
You mean like Tara, who just started Controller last year?? Who runs every year for everything? Come on
If 4-24-25 6:33 AM is worried about cleaning house, you would do well to stay away from Tara who is McClure's hand-picked successor and who followed his suggestions on many votes during her tenure on council. You will remember that he cleaned house like a tornado when he came in. For example, he got rid of the management that kept Gracedale in the black. I fear McClure will continue pulling her strings long after he's out of the county's business.
Two meh options, but your other option of Tom G. almost certainly drags John Brown back into the courthouse admin. Do you remember Executive Brown? I do *douche chills* will popcorn Amy Trapp be back too
Post a Comment