In a few days, I hope to send a questionnaire to the NorCo Council and Exec candidates. It will be limited to county issues to the extent that is possible.
I will be asking whether it is time to do some long-range planning for Gracedale, the county-owned nursing home. How can we make it sustainable 50 years from now? How can we make it sustainable two years from now when 70-80% of the nursing staff comes from outside agencies? Will we even need nursing homes?
What is their attitude on public handouts in the form of tax breaks for private development? A divided Council supported a tax break for an industrial development in Upper Mount Bethel even though it could result in more warehouses to an economically depressed area. But a $29 million tax break to develop the old Dixie factory in Wilson Borough for luxury apartments remains on hold. Where do the candidates stand on this issue?
What can the candidates do to address overworked corrections officers and emergency dispatchers, who are often mandated to work overtime? Are the salaries really competitive when even Monroe County, a smaller county, pays many of its workers a higher salary?
What is their attitude on attending committee meetings. Will they miss most of them, like Ken Kraft does, or will they attend?
What will they do to resolve the acrimony between Council members, and between Council and the Executive branch?
What is their attitude on toothless resolutions addressing national issue like abortion, trans rights, Israel's invasion of Gaza or whatever the national flavor of the day might be? Is there a place for these matters on a county stage?
Good luck with getting any real honest answers
ReplyDeleteTaxes and spending They must stop
ReplyDeleteThere hasn't been a property reassessment since 1995. Do we need to do one?
ReplyDeleteAsk Lori VH, If her GEO wins will she be looking for a new job in his administration?
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, I think the UMBT LERTA was approved before the Pektor plan was announced.
ReplyDeleteThen there was debate over whether it had to be renewed.
Changing the rules after somebody has invested millions of dollars and lots of time into a permitted use in private land would not have been appropriate.
Tax policy should be steady, not whimsical (as the tariff policy is).
Jeff Ward
Bethlehem
Will you fully cooperate with ICE and all federal authorities to remove illegal immigrants from our county, or force them to make arrests outside of the courthouse complex, putting innocent souls (residents, LEOs, courthouse workers and visitors) in Easton's West Ward and the rest of Northampton County in physical danger?
ReplyDeleteNo one should answer your questions. This blog is the KOD for candidates. Everyone you’re for loses and everyone you’re against wins.
ReplyDeleteWith your Boy Lamont leaving, and Heckman going too, no one will care what is written in this toxic rag.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, it’s laughable that anyone still takes Bernie’s blog seriously. It’s less journalism and more like one man’s desperate cry for relevance. The whole thing reads like a high school gossip column, except with his worthless opinions and a lot more bitterness. His so-called “questionnaire" is just bait—he’s not looking for input, he’s looking for drama. And sadly, stirring the pot is the only trick he’s got left. The blog doesn’t inform the county—it pollutes it. Ignore it, and let it fade like the outdated relic it is.
ReplyDeleteKelly Keegan, Everything I mentioned are issues in front of Council You don't want readers informed where Council members stand on things or that you are its most divisive member on the left and Brown is the most divisive member on the right. And you are far from the first elected official to go after me. You will fail.
DeleteIf elected, do you pledge to resign your position if you do not uphold your sworn oath to defend the Constitution of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
ReplyDeleteIf elected, do you pledge to resign your position if you are censured by council for any reason?
How will you cooperate with I.C.E.?
Why do the democrats have a 19% favorable number??
ReplyDeleteI know this isn’t county related but as a moderate Democrat I need to know if Giovanni is a MAGA Republican is he an election denier. He may have my vote depending on his answer. I understand if you don’t want to include this question.
ReplyDeleteWill you, as a Council member, ensure that our elections are fair and legal and that every eligible vote is counted correctly?
ReplyDeleteSome great questions. I totally forgot about ICE.
ReplyDelete