When Tara Zrinski was sworn in as NorCo Exec, she was required to resign her position as County Controller. Under the Home Rule Charter, County Council has the obligation of filling the vacancy and must do so within 30 days. If they fail to do so, the courts can be requested to make the appointment.
Two years ago, when Zrinski resigned her position on County Council to become Controller, Council deadlocked on a replacement, and President Judge Criag Dally was forced to appoint Jeff Corpora. For Council, it was a sign of disfunction that would continue until the end of 2025. With a new Council in place, will this continue?
Although no mention of the vacancy was made during County Council's meetings earlier this month, the vacancy was posted on Council's webpage and with the Morning Call. Applications were due on January 16, and those who applied will be interviewed by County Council on January 22.
Northampton County's Home Rule Charter is silent on whether the vacancy should be filled by someone who belongs to the same party as the person who held the office. Lehigh County's Home Rule Charter does have the same-party requirement for such an appointment, and this appears to be a more democratic way of choosing a replacement that aligns with the wishes of the voters. In this case, that means that Zrinski, a Democrat, should be replaced by a Democrat.
Council member Jason Boulette, in a comment he was kind enough to share with readers on this blog, said there are several "excellent" candidates. I will be delighted of the person selected is able to be independent.
30 comments:
Council dysfunction? For you and the other McClure cultists, that it was. Only mindless robots need apply. There is no rush as the controller pick has already been decided. With the third McClure term and a bought county council majority, there will be no "dysfunction" only agreement by paid for paid for people. Independent? that's a laugh. Meanwhile Gracedale residents suffer but hey a couple people will get new unneeded DEI jobs.
12:42, Since you say the pick has been made, tell us who. And a Director of Communications is DEI? A job that helps inmates transition and reduce recidivism is DEI? U'll agree that DEI may have been taken too far in the past, but the truth is that we do need diversity, equity and inclusion. We don't need a government that actually tries to prevent diversity, equity and inclusion. That is what Trump is doing at the Smithsonian, colleges, national museums, etc.
There are a number of programs available for that population without another expense on the taxpayer. You don't need another administer to suck on the teat of a bloated government. And don't be so silly Bernie. What was going on in our colleges and still continues is discrimination towards anyone that did not support the narrative of the left and especially liberal white women. One good thing about their views is their support of abortion on demand. Especially if they kill their own young. We just need to get the black and brown community to see that abortion harms them the most and their unborn children are the ones white liberal women want to "help" the most.
The first Questions asked should be
1. Have you ever read the Northampton County Home Rule Charter?
2. Have you ever read the Administrative Code of Northampton County?
3, After reading those two documents, how do you feel your experience and education qualifies you to serve as an independent Lead Auditor of Northampton County.
4. Are you willing to serve as The Independent Lead Auditor citing the inefficiencies of both the Administration and County Council regardless of Political affiliation?
More than anything else, we need a Controller that knows what the laws are (both County and State) and understands finances.
Also, too what extent are you willing to go as Controller to assure us that your acknowledgement of illegal discrepancies will be corrected?
The tale of two Counties continue. It appears Zrinski has opted for a more senior, experienced cabinet that are County residents. Even if they are McClure holdovers, that should make the transition smooth, provide continuation of initiatives that are in development and serve Zarinski's agenda well. Siegel, on the other hand, appears to have replaced all cabinet positions and has nominated more junior appointees. Odd that Armstrong would support this. Some may be recent transplants and/or don't live in the County. That does not say much for confidence in the County workforce. Do the nominees have to file a financial disclosure form as part of the nominating process? Is this shared with the Commissioner's and available to the public? It appears that one of Siegel's nominees may have had a bankruptcy and recent civil case with a financial institution. Definitely something to consider when make financial decisions and stewards of taxpayer money. Roger would have maintained an experience staff. This blog has provided a good summary of Northampton County nominees. We know very little about what's happening in Lehigh County.
There are no Gracedale residents “suffering” Your lies about Gracedale are meant to convey concern, but you either think it’s good to try and position the County to have to sell, or you think it’s a potential political issue. Let me give you some free advice. The broader public that interacts with Gracedale knows how good Gracedale is. It’s why it doesn’t and will not ever work as a political issue.
Her cabinet choices are ok, but certainly not more experienced or ready to take on the nuances of this county. We will find out soon how quickly they adapt or fail.
No sour grapes but it surely will be someone who will continue to make sure that Northampton County residents/taxpayers continue to think that McClure was a wonderful executive and that Tara was a capable controller (must be the case if she won, right?) This, like the Biden autopen, will be revealed at some point but those involved will claim ignorance or blame the “other party” somehow. We wouldn’t even be here I believe if John Cusick had won the controller race but we are and I agree that Gracedale, the jewel of the county, will be facing the toughest time in it’s history. It already has fallen from grace to a one star facility with an abuse warning.
Unfortunately, Gracedale has numerous areas of legitimate concern that need immediate attention. Any neglect, accidental or not, caused by lack of professional help, should be first.
One star facility with abuse warning.
I love how you use all the woke buzz words, Bernie. You’re very groovy.
Josh has told the people that he has a gay father and a transsexual sibling. Josh is well positioned to lead Lehigh Co.
Tara has exhibited virtually unbridled personal political ambition and has shown obvious signs of narcissism but she is basically sane and capable. She has a fundamental grasp of effective government.
Siegel is an unhinged individual.
Congratulations to Tara for choosing her cabinet wisely. Let’s hope that she lets them manage without undue influence.
Siegel is a seriously unhinged individual
who essentially ran unopposed. Lehigh County is in for some very tough times.
Zrinski had no choice- it was McClure's decision.
Do you live in Lehigh County? If so maybe there is a blog about that county.
What we need is competence.
We wouldn't be in this mess, had Cusick actually campaigned. He was far and away, the more qualified Candidate, but NOBODY knew he was running.
Siegel in LC and Zrinski in NC- no wonder the Valley is the laughing stock of Pa.
Tara will do well with the present department heads that she has appointed. She should not have given an Ass't. solicitorship to McClure. He is a bully that will go to any extent to protect his record. Up until this last budget he did a fairly decent job except for Gracedale and his mistreatment of the employees etc etc etc. for the last eight years.
Several terrible candidates like the Bethlehem Mayor ran unopposed. Shame on the Republican Party in both Lehigh & Northampton Counties.
What would Boulette know about "excellent" candidates?
Not one thing has been officially done in Northampton county council yet and you are crowing about how good she and her fledglings are doing. There still is no controller, and no strategy for Gracedale’s problems.
Some of Zirinsky’s choices need far more experience handling people. Most are not familiar with managing more than 3 people.
Um, most of her cabinet have had 8 years of experience managing more than 3 people. You're way off on that one. I agree that middle managers need better training at people management.
Do away with middle management and give a $5 an hr raise to the staff that actually work.
What a joke - Northampton county
This doesn’t matter, Tara’s campaign treasurer got the job. Payback for doing the job for her. And the Three Stooges led the votes, Kraft, Warren and Keagan.
9:14 is wrong. Zrinski's campaign manager got one vote. The job went to a CPA and Kraft, Keegan and Warren voted for him.
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