tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post4669452276695168663..comments2024-03-29T08:41:07.378-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Brown's First Ten Months a DisasterBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-89058059985056133332014-11-05T19:56:28.717-05:002014-11-05T19:56:28.717-05:00No doubt everyone has seen the news that Lauer has...No doubt everyone has seen the news that Lauer has found the $20m LOC illegal. McClure wants him to put forward a legal budget - sounds totally reasonable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-7624988421144728222014-11-04T13:08:36.797-05:002014-11-04T13:08:36.797-05:00Say what you want but the Fratboy ran the city wel...Say what you want but the Fratboy ran the city well for 10 yrs. I will take that over this mess any day of the week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-38220616303501271342014-11-04T09:08:49.859-05:002014-11-04T09:08:49.859-05:00Fletch, it is true that a judge can be reved by th...Fletch, it is true that a judge can be reved by the Supreme Court. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-35847704437252925142014-11-04T08:59:24.325-05:002014-11-04T08:59:24.325-05:00My God, they never stop complaining..... wouldn...<i>My God, they never stop complaining..... wouldn't last five minutes in the private sector.</i><br /><br />Because none of them ever worked in the private sector. Get your head out of your ass, Gomer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-22496648478027547422014-11-04T08:11:25.082-05:002014-11-04T08:11:25.082-05:00Bernie: you write that there are only 3 ways to r...Bernie: you write that there are only 3 ways to remove an elected official, but wasn't district justice merlo an elected official and she was yanked off of the bench the old fashioned way: lynch mob. Although it was well deserved, it wasn't done any of the ways you mentioned. fletchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13146590959939836101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58236779102811237572014-11-04T06:58:04.055-05:002014-11-04T06:58:04.055-05:00No reasonable person is asking for a blank check. ...No reasonable person is asking for a blank check. Raise employee share of premiums. By the way at my salary I PAY MORE! Privatize things that can be at Gracedale. There are many was to trim costs that would make sense. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-49381743935838474812014-11-04T00:57:10.628-05:002014-11-04T00:57:10.628-05:00The Republicans will run people for the cocunty co...The Republicans will run people for the cocunty council seats in 2015. They have a great shot at taking at least two of the seats. A no tax increase budget is what the real voters will vote for and the Republican candidates will proudly run on that platform any day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-78030217958194775372014-11-03T23:21:10.740-05:002014-11-03T23:21:10.740-05:00"John Brown. He has somehow managed, in ten s..."John Brown. He has somehow managed, in ten short months, to make Democrats look pretty good by comparison." <br /><br />Boy, so much can change. This time last year I was hearing from Dem friends that some were looking to have McC primaried. Now I hear Rep friends saying of Brown, "who is this guy?!"<br /><br />There is only a few months to throw your hat in the ring before primary. I think Brown has helped to secure that all current Dems will be back on the ballot, and competent Republicans are understandably hesitant to get lumped in with Brown, et al. Brown is the face of the NorCo Republicans, so the public's perception of him will reflect on the current Council majority. Cheerleaders like Geissinger only reinforce that. I can think of a few from both parties who should consider, but doubt that they will.<br /><br />Unfortunately, we may be looking at the status quo, to at best the slow evolution of Brown, for the next three years. Then? Will the Dems put up a strong slate to recapture the County, or will a certain Dem clique undermine the party with their intra-partisan divisiveness? Three years is a long time, and we'll have had the impact of a presidential election by then. Way too many variables to look into any crystal ball.<br /><br />...at least us taxpayers are getting our bang for the buck with the Republican's publicly funded PR consultant. The public's perception of NorCo government is...Lighthousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346747286241817118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-21488778574839546972014-11-03T22:35:31.545-05:002014-11-03T22:35:31.545-05:00"This budget will pass and the world will not..."This budget will pass and the world will not end."<br /><br />You're smoking something stronger than Dan's happy stick. This budget won't pass as is - it can't, and even R's on council know it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-24314175231163296292014-11-03T22:24:41.657-05:002014-11-03T22:24:41.657-05:00NORCO benefits (medical and leave time) are in lin...NORCO benefits (medical and leave time) are in line with both Lehigh and Monroe counties.<br /><br />False comparison. In Lehigh County the employees pay 20% of the benefit cost, not a percent of salary.<br /><br />I seem to remember the taxpayers voted to keep Gracedale.<br /><br />I don't recall them voting a blank check. Costs have to be brought in line with revenue. More functions needs to be privatized. $7.7 million loss is unacceptable.<br /><br />The "proposed" budget is not acceptable. <br /><br />It's not even legal. The LOC will have to be replaced by fund balance, a tax hike, or massive cuts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-64530941721071900502014-11-03T22:07:58.157-05:002014-11-03T22:07:58.157-05:00I don't think the Solicitor is advising him. M...I don't think the Solicitor is advising him. Matt Deibert is doing that. The Solicitor is cleaning up Brown's messes. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-38612792761898382352014-11-03T21:49:24.246-05:002014-11-03T21:49:24.246-05:00Brown must be getting great advice from his Cracke...Brown must be getting great advice from his Cracker Jack Solicitor. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-83547936282083232042014-11-03T21:02:25.309-05:002014-11-03T21:02:25.309-05:00"Bernie, can you do a piece on the referendum...<em>"Bernie, can you do a piece on the referendum process?"</em><br /><br />If you are referring to doing a recall by referendum, it is unconstitutional. There are only three ways to remove an elected official: 1) Governor seeks removal, and Senate concurs; 3) impeachment in the House, followed by conviction in the Senate; and 3) removal by the court after conviction of an infamous crime. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-14806408414817474602014-11-03T21:00:13.886-05:002014-11-03T21:00:13.886-05:008:39 is Mezzalooney, too. She does not realize I h...8:39 is Mezzalooney, too. She does not realize I have more stories now than I ever did. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-5148913559453838762014-11-03T20:59:07.709-05:002014-11-03T20:59:07.709-05:00The comment at 8:35 is brought to uou by Mezzacapp...The comment at 8:35 is brought to uou by Mezzacappa as well. The hatred shines through. She has about 30 different names at Lehigh Valley Live. Lately, she is using "yforever", in the apparent hope she will remain young forever. But she's not young now. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-24572645168894806152014-11-03T20:57:10.470-05:002014-11-03T20:57:10.470-05:00Werner,McClure,Kraft and Parsons are up for reelec...Werner,McClure,Kraft and Parsons are up for reelectionAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-44019263466491945362014-11-03T20:54:00.576-05:002014-11-03T20:54:00.576-05:00I seem to rember the taxpayers voted to keep Grace...I seem to rember the taxpayers voted to keep Gracedale. Did you tea baggers forget that? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-49906130013647183892014-11-03T20:47:08.447-05:002014-11-03T20:47:08.447-05:00Which seats are up next year?Which seats are up next year?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-22575485399407794412014-11-03T20:39:08.905-05:002014-11-03T20:39:08.905-05:00I'm 5:34 and have held my current, private sec...I'm 5:34 and have held my current, private sector position for 22 years. You dislike Brown because he refuses to acknowledge you're alive. No Tic Toc coffee and pie - nothing. He's sized you up as dishonest and he's right. I voted for Stoffa, Angle and Brown and would do it again. They all fought for taxpayers. They were called everything but their names by a vicious opposition. Stoffa and Angle humored you. Brown does not. That's the difference in your treatment of the three gentlemen. You handed your blog to Callahan and are still smarting from that idiocy. Get over it. And no, I'm not Messycrazy or the job jumper you suggest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-43110165710593500962014-11-03T20:35:29.032-05:002014-11-03T20:35:29.032-05:007:52 is not this Mezzacappa, that is always O'...7:52 is not this Mezzacappa, that is always O'Hare's fallback when he doesn't like the truth.<br /><br />Facts are facts. County employees don't make less than their private counterparts. They may have twenty years ago but not anymore. There is no public safety issue if you do your jobs. If you can't do your job for whatever reason, leave and someone else will willingly jump in for the wages and bene's government people get. There are waiting lists of people without connections who have applied for county jobs.<br /><br />It is still funny that a blog that attacked public employees as greedy a few years ago, now plays the violin for them. Amazing what a new fiscally responsible county executive can do.<br /><br />Mot taxpayers and voters agree with John Brown. He was elected along with new Republican council members. This budget will pass and the world will not end.<br /><br />Too bad you county folks aren't paying attention to political issues and believe voting is beneath you. The taxpayers did vote and this is the government we voted for. So suck it up you cupcakes you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-54995784182985981012014-11-03T20:11:10.518-05:002014-11-03T20:11:10.518-05:00Bernie, can you do a piece on the referendum proce...Bernie, can you do a piece on the referendum process? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-86832452232963384722014-11-03T20:06:29.605-05:002014-11-03T20:06:29.605-05:00The "proposed" budget is not acceptable,...The "proposed" budget is not acceptable, the plans moving forward are not acceptable, this exec is not acceptable. Northampton county employees, particularly nonunion employees do not have equitable salaries to the private sector or to other counties. To put the benefit change (which will save the county only pennies) is not for the good of the county. Its purpose is to hurt the workforce intentionally for reasons which we do not understand. This budget and this exec are damaging. Damaging not only to the employees it aims to harm but to the counties residents as well. <br />This administration has been given a lot of information which it continuously has chosen to ignore. There are major public safety issues which have been compromised and seasoned department heads have made Mr. Brown aware of these concerns. He chooses to ignore the issues and rule with his stubborn iron fist. This dictator and his plans are no good for this county. He has got to go and this budget cannot be passed. <br />The future of the county is at stake. <br />More needs to be learned about the concequencs of this budget. Council members are responsible for fully knowing what harm will be caused. Also, there have been no real facts presented by Mr. Brown and his team. He's trying to pull wool over the eyes of the council and of the tax payers. <br />Everyone who is able should be present at the last budget meeting on December 2 at 4:30 pm. Questions need to be answered. Generic answers without factual backing are not going to fly. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-44280342282977506132014-11-03T20:03:37.929-05:002014-11-03T20:03:37.929-05:00You are so.....stupid! Do you really think this g...You are so.....stupid! Do you really think this guy will ever win another public office? Might want to watch what you smoke.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-78317895798450995232014-11-03T19:58:37.123-05:002014-11-03T19:58:37.123-05:00The above comment is brought to you by Tricia Mezz...The above comment is brought to you by Tricia Mezzacappa, who lasted 1 1/2 days as a Gracedale employee. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-85653454908212657042014-11-03T19:52:14.983-05:002014-11-03T19:52:14.983-05:00John Brown is keeping his promise not to raise tax...John Brown is keeping his promise not to raise taxes. He is helping the taxpayer. You hate the guy because he cut off your special privileges.<br />You were anti-employee when Stoffa and Angle wanted to sell Gracedale. You attacked their benefits and their union. Now you want to play their messiah. You are a real hypocrite.<br /><br />Fact is Brown is doing what he promised to do. If he can do it without raising our taxes he will win in four years by a landslide.<br /><br />Employees always have the option of getting another job. Problem is most of these people are probably unemployable in the private sector.<br /><br />Best county Executive in ages.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com