Overall, I'd say that Cozze had a bit more poise than Zrinski, and that Zrinski seemed more empathetic than Cozze. As one watcher put it, "Zrinski was loud, and Cozze was snotty." Zrinski has spent years as an activist on local environmental issues before running for office and tends to treat every speaking event as though it's a rally. Sometimes, and last night is an example, this is a negative. Conversely, Cozze's brief career in government has been as a bureaucrat, where she appears to have mastered the art of deflection.
The biggest hit at Zrinski came, not from Cozze, but from a question that moderator Ryan Gaylor asked. Zrinski. He noted she has run for 6 different offices over the past 9 years and promised him after her election as county controller that she'd stay in office for the entire four years. Zrinski said she'd liked to have remained there, but "was asked by so many people to tun. I felt I had a responsibility and a duty to my county to run." She assured Gaylor that is he is elected, she will stay in the Executive office for four years, and this time, she really, really, really, really, really, really means it. Really.
Cozze would later say to Zrinski, "You have shown [voters] that your word is not good."
There was a big hit on Cozze as well. Northampton County currently uses the Express Vote XL system, and this system was definitely pitched to both the Elections Commission and County Council by Cozze. There have been problems with that system in two different elections. Cozze deflected. She denies being "part of the decision-making process" even though it was her research and recommendation that led to the decision to select that system.
Zrinski would go on to say that some of the policies Cozze created as Registrar led to the 2023 election debacle in which there were insufficient emergency paper ballots on hand after the voting machines went haywire. In the 2023 General election, each precinct was only supplied with 20 emergency ballots, and they ran out quickly. Cozze thought having a large supply of emergency ballots was both too expensive and too heavy.
Cozze called this accusation a "bold-faced lie," deflecting that a different elections registrar could have initiated a different policy. But a comment she made anonymously on this blog lends truth to Zrinski's assertion. Cozze definitely was opposed to supplying precinct with paper ballots
How do I know? When I posted on the topic, I received this anonymous comment from the U.S. Senate, where Cozze just happened to be employed.: "Can we just address this paper ballot thing? If the county is going to start sending out hundreds of thousands of paper ballots on election day 'just in case' what the hell is the point of even using the voting machines??? Just switch to an all paper system. The paper ballots are supposed to be for EMERGENCIES not incompetence. ... they need to fire whoever is in charge, not saddle the tax payers with a new outlandish expense." I'd say that when the machine has to be discontinued, that's an emergency. Also, as Elections Commissioner Dan Lopresti observed, "The cost is tiny compared to what we experienced here."
Cozze criticized the tax cut that Zrinski supported under Executive Lamont McClure, saying the money saved could have been used to help the homeless.
She slammed the McClure administration for the retention problems at 911, the jail and at Gracedale, and noted pointedly that Zrinski refused to vote for a pay study to determine appropriate salaries. But Zrinski responded that she voted No because the county had no need to spend $100,000 for a pay study and that she did vote for higher wages and retention bonuses. (It should be noted here that the pay study passed by county council covered only nonunion workers, who make up 1/3 of the county workforce.)
I was a bit surprised to hear Cozze say that "conserving open space as a way to combat warehouse development is lazy policy." That is one of the few weapons county government has, but it has done more by encouraging multi-municipal planning, a point that Zrinski made. Under multi-municipal planning, a member township can assess impact fees if it is impacted by a proposed development. County government has no zoning power in all but two municipalities.
Cozze deflected yet again when asked about holding the county hostage to her salary demands. As I've previously reported here, she submitted her resignation as NorCo Elections Registrar and made it effective just 12 days before the November 2, 2021 municipal election. In her resignation letter, obtained through a Right-to-Know request, she also complained about stress and her mental and physical health. She put her own interests ahead of the county's core obligation in assuring the citizenry that its votes would be counted. Her blackmail worked. After she got the money she wanted, she rescinded her resignation.
She put her own financial interests ahead of what is best for the county, and in my opinion, that makes her a poor choice for any position in government. But when confronted, she denied she ever appeared in front of council to demand more money or talk about her physical or mental health. That's true. It was all in her October 28, 2021 resignation letter, which I posted on this blog.
If nothing else, both candidates gave Tom Giovanni a lot of ammunition.
That's my take. Feel free to make your own arguments.
63 comments:
You have been very clear in your distaste for Cozze and have consistently pointed that out. You even got a letter from her personnel file that verges on malfeasance by the county who happily gave it to you instead of fighting for an employee's privacy. At least in this case. So be it. She is a flawed candidate.
However, two wrongs don't make a right. Zirinski was a mess as usual. She rambled on an did not stay on topic in th time constraints. She lost her cool many times and was easily angered. You fail to mention the moderators had to continuously stop her. They even had to chastise he for a "question" that was more sermon than question. She has little empathy to give anyone but herself. Most of the time she was fluffing up her non-existent resume. Much of what she said was incorrect. The only people begging her to run were McClures directors, since Barron not she will run the county. She failed to mention the real liar is the one who lied on the court stand, she deflected most of the facts mentioned by the hosts. She constantly went off her McClure script and you could tell when she did. How do we know all this about her background. WE read it on your blog. Instead of stating she did nothing of note on council she took credit for everything council passed, none of which was her creation. The pay study comments were BS, as she opposed it because McClure told her too and Barron was very vocal on how it was a waste of money, like everything council proposes. She sounded like old John Kerry, she voted against it before she voted for it. She was and is an inconsistent mess. One thing is true she has run for any office promising more money and more recognition. She also works very hard for attention and to get elected.
As many Democrats have said, Thank God for Tom Giovanni in November.
Amy Cozze certainly is not unattractive, so why use a disingenuous headshot that’s obviously been enhanced by artificial intelligence???
Amy Cozze just didnt shake the County down for more money pretending she was stressed. She shook the County down for more money 10 days before an Election in which Steve Lynch could have become County Executive. She said in the paper she was “uncomfortable” having the County Executive “oversee” an Election he was running in, but she wasn’t uncomfortable potentially throwing an Election to a J6 rioter by causing chaos 2 weeks before the day of the Election.
Tara seems to come across as angry and loud, to the point of seemingly always having to be on the defensive. Being forceful or loud does not make her more believable.
On the mention of using 501C3 for donations, did the County council ever adopt or approve a tax exemption vehicle to directly take in donations from county home supporters?
I have a question for both candidates. How are you going to pay for all of your new spending proposals without raising taxes ?
In which two of NorCo's 38 municipalities does the County have zoning power? And why in those two and none of the other 36?
No matter who wins we are in for a self righteous and shrill 4 years if one of these two win.
I watched it online and I feel Cozze clearly won. However, I do believe that this may be Giovani’s seat come November
Raises would be amazing and will be helpful, but employees leave due to sucky leaders and those who dread going to work each day. You have to enjoy the work you do, the coworkers you work with (a non-toxic workplace culture), and feel supported by your supervisors and managers. Servant leadership speaks volumes. "People don't quit jobs, they leave bad bosses."
Even worse, COs actually only start at $41k, I believe Lehigh Co started at $46k when it was recently posted. But their job posting came down, meaning no current vacancies.
AKA Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications. Part of their “transformation.”
Jeff Ward, Bethlehem
very simple---VOTE GIOVANNI
If either of these two win, we are in for a good time, all at the expense of the taxpayer. God help us.
Cozze is a liar. If she was really interested in what’s best for the county she wouldn’t have left the county and the election office right before an election. She only cared about herself and her astronomically high salary ask.
agree
Zrinski is not good at public speaking — and she was loud last night — but I don’t doubt her integrity. Cozze has shown she puts her own interests ($$ in this case) above her public responsibilities.
Zrinski is by far, the worst candidate ever for Executive- even worse than John Brown pants, and that's saying a lot!
The letter I got is one to which the public is entitled. If the county had fought my request, it would have lost. https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/Appeals/DocketGetFile.cfm?id=197101
If she is enhancing her headshot, it's minor.
Bullhorn Zrinski never stays in 1 spot- just a terrible candidate. We need someone with Exective experience, not an activist who is propped up by party leaders.
6:06, I am unable to recall which two municipalities have no zoning. I will try to find out.
Amy again failed to acknowledge her wife. Why ?
Zrinski clearly won. Cozze looked insecure, and she looked as if she was hiding behind her hair. She had insecure posture and came across as superficial. Zrinski has experience, confidence, endorsements from previous executives and the present executive. Zrinski all the way for me.
For Tzara, Couny Controller is a placeholder title, not a job. Her job is campaigning and judging from her candidate FB page, that's all she does, and I have to question how many of these recently attended events were during the day? She was at the Friends of Pete luncheon, an Arbor Day event, and Workers Memorial Day event, and a Fair Housing Summit. There's nothing wrong with attending those events and it makes sense if you're a mayor, or senator, the county executive, that attendance at those events would be part of your duties but not county controller. She should resign as controller; disgusting that that she used that job as a step ladder; it's just a resume entry and nothing more. The voters need to speak and send her packing.
It was clear last night that Cozze has much more poise and focus than Zerinsky. Cozze’s opening comments defined the role and scope of what is expected of a county official. Zerinsky kept beating her drum and the audience about how strong and fearless she is. Over and over she used how she would fight. Cozze stayed clear on the responsibilities of the executive and noted the ability to navigate funding on all levels to benefit the entire county….and she seldom used the word “I”.
If Brother Steve were at the helm our ship would not be sinking, I pray every night he will rescue us from left wing lunatics like Tara TreeHugger Zrinski!
Tara didn’t get her degrees in math, she claimed that the vote to get the voting machines was 8-0..I believe there are 9 members on council.
I’m blown away at how awful both of these candidates are! This is the best Northampton County Dems can come up with?
Yes it did. Feel free to write a check!
Here's the link:
https://friendsofgracedale.org
Wow. I'm surprised that in this day and age there are any municipalities anywhere in theLehigh Valley that don't have zoning ordinances.
Zrinkski is unhinged in this debate. Still watching, but she is yelling in a cadence that makes it seem like she is searching for what word she is going to say next. She's an activist, not a serious leader. She was a joke on council, unqualified to be controller, and laughable to think she could run this county. This debate is going to sink her ship.
What about Steve ?
Certified cult member
If you’d attended the South side civic candidates night you’d know that Cozze swept the floor with tzarinski and Giovanni and either woman is 10x more qualified than he is.
I always vote based on posture.
Ite sad to know that after years of being involved with county council and the business of running a 500 million dollar budget, Tara still cannot navigate federal budgets offerings of millions of dollars and federal funding opportunities. She has no skill set for networking or interplaying with surrounding counties and their leaders. Even if she loses the bull horn speech tactics , she has a lot of learning to catch up on with fiscal needs to run the county.its good she has Baron working with her.
I agree. Tara had acceptable answers for all of the questions. Cozze was significantly less informed.
Zrinski looks like she stepped out of an episode of Mod Squad and Cozze probably had a seat at The Peach Pit. We’re screwed.
Does Zyrinski know how loud she speaks. Maybe her hearing is off, but someone from her group needs to help her dial it down. Instead of listening to her, you hear only the over exaggerated droning about herself.
Zrinski is the worst possible candidate
She didn't have her Bullhorn!
Google Zrinski- the activist with the Bullhorn. She's an embarrassment!
I wish we had John Stoffa back! A truly honest man and county executive. Too bad it isn't contagious. Sad.
You say the Dems are bad? Have you seen Giovanni at any of the candidate nights? He’s as close as you can get to the walking dead with no clue about what a county exec ‘s responsibility actually is.
Sorry, but you can’t compare Giovanni to any of the Dem candidates, he revealed how little he knows about county business.
Get Brother Steve's name out ya mouth muppet
No, you're not. Vote Republican- vote Giovanni.
Anon 1:16 had it accurately and succinctly. Say what you want about Cozze hate her like Bernie or despise her lack of experience but the alternative of Zirinski is shameful. The old, retired Don Jaun and McClure should be ashamed of themselves for pushing such a bad candidate. Zirinski made up much of her record in govenrment and stumbled through the rest. She looked unhinged and incredulous that the moderators dared asked her certain things and tried to make her obey the rules. She is used to the mindless new age crystal clutching dems praising her, a dose of reality shook her. She did so poorly that Barron and other job loss fearing McClure team enablers took to social media to malign Cozze.
Attacking Cozze over and over does not cover up the fact that Zirinski comes up woefully short as a candidate for an important office. She loves to tout endorsements, yet anyone who served with her on council has yet to endorse her. AS one county veteran told me in her seven years, she still does not understand county government, nor does she care.
I spoke to Giovanni about the rumors of John Brown serving in his administration, he assured me that Brown would have no part if he were to win in November. I encourage Tom to make this more public and spread the word to more county employees.
You repubs can’t help yourselves. You continually beat the same lame drum. I heard your guy could barely answer any questions at one of his outings.
Sometimes we must force the issue to get what was promised.
He needs to- John Brown pants is radioactive- the worst executive in NC history!
She's accustomed to screaming in a bullhorn!
My choice w/ all her faults would be Cozze- Zrinski is just God awful!
I watched the debate and while I agree that Zirinski was loud, I'd rather take loud than incompetent. I got the impression that Ms Cozze felt the debate was more of a beauty contest than a debate of qualifications. I'd really like to find out why the county refused her offer of help in securing federal monies when she worked for the senator.
Cozze has a plan and articulated it well, Tara was given McClure's plan and was told to memorize it. I saw the debates and Cozze was not snotty, but Zrinkski flusters very quickly and as County Controller, she should know how much the starting salaries and budgets are for the county. Why does she not know this stuff?
Cozze's Cakes LLC was a climate disaster, instead of using green energy to power electric ovens Cozze burned countless tons of fossil fuels to power her operations this crime against Gaea would be punishable by a fortnite in the pillory under Commander Terra's firm but fair reign
Well, I’ll sleep much better tonite knowing how Republicans keep their promises.
Giovanni? He’s the equivalent of Svengooli only not funny. He has the personality of a pet rock, not the type to interact well or play nice with others.
A lukewarm Dem is far better than a frozen dinner.
Amy was talking about the lack of response from the county to procure the necessary paperwork for funding.
How is Ms. Cozze even qualified for this position. She was a secretary for Dertinger then head of elections and during her time there, there were definitely issues. Then she leaves to work for Senator Casey also not really qualified for that position either but I’m sure her wife had a lot to do with her getting it. She then complains the County missed out on funding but in reality she had a personal vendetta with the administration and most likely held up funding that could have helped county residents. Now jobless she wants to run and cares about the County?
Is Susan Wild ok ?
If you were at the Southside debate, you would have heard and seen Cozze explain her financial responsibilities with Casey, and her research on the election machines done for the county and election committee. She worked with the executive on programs necessary for contracts. Not once did Cozze get rattled or raise the volume of her voice to push her qualifications as Zyrinski did. Not once did she go negative to reinforce her points. Cozzi, in the debates, has demonstrated professional attitude.
But does she need a job?
We still have no answer to the whereabouts of the $5 million dollars allocated to Gracedale nurse retention bonus. I would see if it is in the same place the money is that was embezzled by Tara from the Unitarian Universalist Church she was fired.
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