Local Government TV

▼

Friday, June 19, 2026

NorCo's Human Relations Comm'n Members Confirmed

At last night's meeting, Northampton County Council confirmed the following appointments to the newly established Human Relations Comm'n. 

Sylvia Keverenge Bethlehem, PA 18015 

Grace Crampsie Smith Bethlehem, PA 18018 

Peter Hristofas Easton, PA 18042 

Victoria Opthof-Cordaro Bethlehem, PA 18015 

Jessica Teel Sadler Wind Gap, PA 18091 

Marc Singer Easton, PA 18042 

Patricia Baranowski Wind Gap, PA 18091 

Reginald Belon Easton, PA 18042 

Thomas Raymond Dubreuil Bethlehem, PA 18020 

Arlene Ifill-Leon Easton, PA 18042 

Elena Kenney Bethlehem, PA 18018 

Ron Moyer Easton, PA 18042

I omitted precise mailing addresses. 

The vote was 8-0, with Council member Nadeem Qayyum abstaining (He said "absent"). Qayyum argued that the appointments should consist of "protected" classes, even though Council Solicitor Matt Deschler explained that we all can be considered a "protected" class, depending  on the circumstances. He wanted to know, as he did in a committee meeting the previous day, how many of the appointments were persons "of color." He asked Executive Tara Zrinski whether she went to churches and temples to recruit candidates, something she said she did not do or feel obliged to do. She said her picks were as diverse a group as she could possibly choose. 

at

1 comment:

  1. AnonymousJune 19, 2026 at 12:09 AM

    Everyday my cross over vote for Sam Elias becomes more justified!

    ReplyDelete

You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.