tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post6993192913069633582..comments2024-03-29T02:46:58.624-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: GOP Party Boss Wants Scrappleface to Chair Lehigh's CommissionersBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-84816585515887550822011-12-23T23:48:42.890-05:002011-12-23T23:48:42.890-05:00I would like to see Scott Ott made the Chairman of...I would like to see Scott Ott made the Chairman of the Board. Hell, the guy came within a few votes of being County Executive. If you are serious about cleaning up Lehigh county, elect Scott Ott chairman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-19142210722657567292011-12-23T22:43:58.196-05:002011-12-23T22:43:58.196-05:00Bernie,
Good story.
From my experience, there a...Bernie,<br /><br />Good story. <br /><br />From my experience, there are several key attributes to consider when selecting the leadership team of a governing body. Among these considerations are experience and record of results in previous significant leadership roles. Personally, I also place value on qualities such as integrity, respect for others and trustworthiness. Admittedly, personal qualities are sometimes hard to measure, which is why they are sometimes referred to as "felt leadership". <br /><br />In the recent county-wide election for Lehigh County Commissioner where approximately 20,000 votes were necessary to win a seat, it made sense to engage friends and supporters in your efforts. I certainly did, and I'm glad I did. I wouldn't have been successful without the help of others. <br /><br />I see the selection process for the leadership positions on the Board of Commissioners quite differently. I view it as an opportunity to introduce ourselves to our fellow board members and gain their respect, trust and confidence. Each commissioner is accomplished in their own right; this process can be used to recognize that and serve as a beginning for coalition building and progress going forward. To pass this opportunity up, or supplement it with outside pressure, seems short-sighted to me. <br /><br />I know Wayne Woodman to be passionate, articulate and direct. If asked, I suspect he would be willing to provide comment on this topic. <br /><br />Brad OsborneBrad Osbornenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-80635074751828089822011-12-23T14:09:33.758-05:002011-12-23T14:09:33.758-05:00They were elected to make those decisions, not the...<i> They were elected to make those decisions, not the party boss. If he inserts himself in matters like this, where will it stop? </i> <br /><br />Although you disagree, I think your complaint is about politics in general, but you're focusing one one person. <br /><br />I'll give you another example: Some said Lovett exerted pressure on an effort to defund the Trexler Zoo. I was sitting right next to him at that Commissioner meeting. <br /><br />And does a party whip not threaten to pull funding for a district office or staff if the person does not go along? The futility of is why Carl Mantz did not seek another term. <br /><br />Politics is about influence and, I agree, it sucks. It just is what it is. <br /><br />The anon comment about not selecting me doesn't matter. I would have been happy not to run.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-62069301262795179302011-12-23T10:54:27.700-05:002011-12-23T10:54:27.700-05:0010:49, I agree completely. It takes an elected off...10:49, I agree completely. It takes an elected official in County government about 2 years to feel his way around. In my opinion, it is foolish to place such a person in leadership, no matter how many votes he has. But if the Commissioners want to do that, they can. They were elected to make those decisions, not the party boss. If he inserts himself n matters like this, where will it stop?Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91534921451794900862011-12-23T10:50:12.129-05:002011-12-23T10:50:12.129-05:00I don't know whether it is true. It certainly ...I don't know whether it is true. It certainly is a mean thing to do, but it is not a mean thing for the Anon to point it out to Dave. What I do know is that Woodman is exerting his pressure in an area where he does not beling.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-48470325061120447302011-12-23T10:49:40.653-05:002011-12-23T10:49:40.653-05:00Dean Browning also wanted to be chair when he was ...Dean Browning also wanted to be chair when he was first elected, because he got the most votes. It's wrong to appoint a newly elected official to be chair of anything, in my opinion. Let them get a year or two of experience and be proven first.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-51045580790336002192011-12-23T10:35:31.034-05:002011-12-23T10:35:31.034-05:00"And David don't feel good about
Ott ask..."And David don't feel good about <br />Ott asking you to join the slate, they asked many other people before you but those people had the good sense to stay away. You were even on the chopping block a few times."<br /><br />That's just mean. Because it most certainly is not true.<br /><br />Makes me wonder about the truth of the rest of your post, which I WAS inclined to believe before this lie...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-2049409280034010092011-12-23T07:26:05.792-05:002011-12-23T07:26:05.792-05:00No, change is not always pretty. We went through t...No, change is not always pretty. We went through three Twp secretary-treasurers when I came on board. One week, we almost missed payroll. But the change was worthwhile. <br /><br />The loudest anonymous complainers where often those left out of power. One can spin anything but only time will tell. And Scott treated me honorably. <br /><br />nlvAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-60306327582635208612011-12-23T06:30:20.016-05:002011-12-23T06:30:20.016-05:00Woodman is bob brady... And that is dangerousWoodman is bob brady... And that is dangerousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-41373914042886088582011-12-22T22:36:36.386-05:002011-12-22T22:36:36.386-05:007:50, I'd say your analysis is right on the mo...7:50, I'd say your analysis is right on the money.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-21170440873060133672011-12-22T21:09:12.367-05:002011-12-22T21:09:12.367-05:00We're straying from the real issue. Lehigh Co...We're straying from the real issue. Lehigh County Republican Committee has a Chairman that is getting involved in the workings of government.<br /><br />THIS IS NOT THE ROLE OF A CHAIRMAN! It is to RAISE MONEY for LCRC and impartially SUPPORT Republican candidates. <br /><br />Since Woodman has taken over LCRC has gone bankrupt, fired a staff member because of a lack of funds, and is on it's 3rd Executive Director in 2 years. <br /><br />Instead of fundraising for the County Party, he funnels money into a PAC for candidates of his choosing. He is now also using the threat of this PAC money to tell sitting elected official he will Primary them if they do not bend to his wishes. <br /><br />He annoys elected officials with daily phone calls when he cannot get his way and uses them to put pressure on people. <br /><br />He is not impartial. He helped form the slate with a former employee of the county and his wife. <br /><br />And David don't feel good about <br />Ott asking you to join the slate, they asked many other people before you but those people had the good sense to stay away. You were even on the chopping block a few times.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-49302739405792973192011-12-22T19:50:11.176-05:002011-12-22T19:50:11.176-05:00Bernie I am comparing the political philosophies a...Bernie I am comparing the political philosophies and actual actions of two local politicians and I am amazed.<br /><br />In Lehigh County only a fool would think that Dean Browning is not a conservative. The fact that he worked to get the tax to be 16% was actually good work. If you want to throw stones at someone, throw them at D. Cunningham, for the typical second term monster tax increase these guys are famous for.<br /><br />Speaking of D Cunningham , the new Long Dem wannabe Don, Steve Barron, "schooled" Northampton County Council on how they don't need to have enough revenues to pay for increased expenditures. Of course the Barron approach was purely political and while it has bought him some votes from the union fanatics, it will ultimately come back to haunt the county and the new county council members. Actually the budget itself may be illegal, until the county council amends it to reflect the new added revenue from the reserve fund.<br /><br />So on the balance I will take a thinking conservative politician like Dean Browning over a grandstanding progressive politician like Barron.<br /><br />What say you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-25652985742659232342011-12-22T18:36:09.609-05:002011-12-22T18:36:09.609-05:00I am sure Brad Osborne would have attended more le...I am sure Brad Osborne would have attended more lehigh County Commissioner meetings, however he was kind of busy fulfilling his duties as President of the Board of Commissioners for South Whitehall, which happen to meet st hte same time especially with Budget hearings going on etc. osborne is the only new commissioner elect to be worth anything of valueAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-51157905434162359152011-12-22T18:34:14.891-05:002011-12-22T18:34:14.891-05:00Bernie--you got this one totally right. Woodman/O...Bernie--you got this one totally right. Woodman/Ott is the reason I don't volunteer for the county party anymore. There are a lot of us out there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-45766679334781300812011-12-22T18:32:01.885-05:002011-12-22T18:32:01.885-05:00Dougherty or Osborne, Osborne has atleast been Pre...Dougherty or Osborne, Osborne has atleast been President of a board of Commissioners (South Whitehall)<br /><br />Dougherty - Chair<br />Osborne - Vice Chairghandinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-5984165118607694632011-12-22T18:31:12.240-05:002011-12-22T18:31:12.240-05:00Wow. I see many have devolved into personal subjec...Wow. I see many have devolved into personal subjective attacks, save for Bernie who at least offered something. Yes Bernie, I'm all for contested primaries. I attended those committee meetings before 2003 primary election. The contrast between then and now was stark. <br /><br />And despite the accusations, the GOP chair did not handpick me. I spoke almost nil with him. <br /><br />Scott motivated me to run and we had a very strong ticket. I commend him for that. <br /><br />Compare and contrast the R tix versus the D tix, or even the 2003 R tix. <br /><br />The incumbent had strong support from State entrenched party officials, many of whom I pissed off over the years with my blog alone. <br /><br />Casey, if you think folks who rent homes are not qualified to run for office, work to change the home rule charter. <br /><br />Good luck with that one, my friend!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-39442068569188249022011-12-22T17:44:02.312-05:002011-12-22T17:44:02.312-05:00Wayne Woodman is a control freak, it is that simpl...Wayne Woodman is a control freak, it is that simple. You either co-operate on his terms or suffer the consequences. This approach may work well in the business world but it is toxic to volunteer organizations like Republican county committes. <br /><br />Scott Armstrong<br />Former LCRC memberAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-10385427611998941812011-12-22T17:37:57.821-05:002011-12-22T17:37:57.821-05:00When you say scrapple face do you mean herion junk...When you say scrapple face do you mean herion junkie pok face from picking and not only his nose.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-67346908831905491902011-12-22T16:50:42.471-05:002011-12-22T16:50:42.471-05:00I see. So it is perfectly acceptable to see a resu...I see. So it is perfectly acceptable to see a resurgence of party boss politics? I did not like it when Joe Long did it, don't like it when Walt Garvin does it, and don't like t when Wayne Woodman does it. <br /><br />And I'll have more about Wayne next week.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-83487754338797178642011-12-22T16:49:29.929-05:002011-12-22T16:49:29.929-05:00Chris Casey said: "It is folly to cut taxes ...Chris Casey said: "It is folly to cut taxes $50 dollars one year if you have to raise them $250 2 years in the future."<br /><br />Chris - <br /><br />That's why budgets are for one year - so that each year decision-makers are faced with the difficult decision of having to raise taxes or streamline government. Padding the budget just keeps government fat.<br /><br />By your logic, why not just triple taxes now to avoid having to raise taxes for many years?<br /><br />I don't think that very many people would think that is a good idea.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-74362925949242775892011-12-22T16:44:50.450-05:002011-12-22T16:44:50.450-05:00So much whining from very sore losers. Way to pic...So much whining from very sore losers. Way to pick the scab, Bernie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-56178667458936497812011-12-22T16:34:21.440-05:002011-12-22T16:34:21.440-05:00After the election Osburne has attended at least o...After the election Osburne has attended at least one of the meetings ... The Republican three have attended none ... Is their excuse that they can see it on the internet when released ... Hope they attend their inauguration ... Then sfter thst, when ome of them obtsind the chairmanship that person must attend the meetingd ... The rest of the three will participate by tele-conference so the citizens can't look at their eyes for the truth ... Oh I am so bad today ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-84669018136873429362011-12-22T16:02:57.099-05:002011-12-22T16:02:57.099-05:00Scott Ott isn't qualified to be dog catcher in...Scott Ott isn't qualified to be dog catcher in a one dog town.<br /> His Trail of tears and distortion of facts began at least as far back as 20 years ago in Lewiston. He always misrepresents his past.Everywhere he has "Worked" if you want to call his brand of B. S. that has ended with him vacating the stage before he has to face the audience. His Internet shows are perfect for him because he can filter his critics and ignore them.<br /> He is going to get a taste of his own medicine on the County Commissioners Board. <br /> I have attended more meetings in the past few years than he has, and that wasn't that many.<br /><br /> It is one thing to run on slogans, another to govern on them. So they want to cut taxes. That's all well and good, but expenses are not declining, they are rising.<br /> It is folly to cut taxes $50 dollars one year if you have to raise them $250 2 years in the future. But don't let the reality of the bills that have to be paid get in the way.<br /> Go ahead, give a few bucks of free money out now, ignoring that we will have to pay it back and more later in spades.<br /> Maube if Scott owned a home and actually had to pay a property tax bill to East Penn or Lehigh County he could understand the true difficulty most working families face. We don't have rich "patrones" like Wayne Woodman looking out for us like he does.<br /><br /> Ask Jane Ervin how that worked out.Chris Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785389463330442657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-68848567945352170512011-12-22T15:29:14.118-05:002011-12-22T15:29:14.118-05:00But I'll never understand how the two of you, ...<i> But I'll never understand how the two of you, who are bright guys, could allow yourself to be reeled in by this rolex-wearin' outsider who tries to buy his way into politics. </i> <br /><br />I disagree with your assessment, but the answer for me is easy. The former insiders were hucksters. They changed nothing. I know. I worked with, and for, many of them. <br /><br />The gang of three will stir the pot. They will ask questions and cause others to question. That's a start to possible change. <br /><br />Or I will work to throw them out too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-47441602237372331602011-12-22T15:28:22.110-05:002011-12-22T15:28:22.110-05:00The political sausage making is intriguing, but sh...The political sausage making is intriguing, but should not obscure the fact that Browning was sent packing by an electorate that voted its collective conscience. Browning changed his view on taxes and his party changed their view of him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com