Cozze Receives Late Contribution From Warehouse Developer

According to 24-hour reporting, NorCo Exec candidate Amy Cozze has added $1,000 to her coffers in the form of a donation from Jack Muschlitz. In addition to being an excavator, Muschlitz is planning two industrial warehouses in Moore Tp. 

Although Moore Tp's zoners rejected Muschlitz' appeal for relief from the zoning ordinance, the Commonwealth Court has ordered an evidentiary hearing. 

Cozze has also accepted $4,000 from the Pektor family, which has built numerous warehouses in the county. He also took in $1,000 from a luxury apartment developer. 

In a debate, Cozze scoffed that "conserving open space as a way to combat warehouse development is just lazy policy."

Keegan Did Zrinski No Favor in NorCo Exec Race

Earlier this week, I took NorCo Council member Kelly Keegan to task for complaining about the "spandex ass" of a woman who dared to stand in front of her at last weekend's Bernie Sanders rally. This blue MAGA warrior also did no favors for someone she supports in this year's Exec race - Tara Zrinski. 

Zrinski, who has done an admirable job as Controller, is in a testy battle with former elections registrar Amy Cozze. Zrinski's biggest negative is that she has run for 6 offices over the past 9 years. Her second biggest negative is that she is perceived by some as simply too extreme. 

Over many years before she decided to seek public office, Zrinski has been and remains an ardent environmentalist. That's hardly extremist. I know plenty of conservatives who are environmentalists as well. Many of them are hunters and fisherman, and they understand better than most that our natural resources are finite. She has fought against sludge and landfill expansions and has worked at improving the water quality in our streams. It is only when she strays from these issues, about which she is well-informed, that she gets into trouble. That's when she gets labeled an extremist. 

So, what does Kelly Keegan do? 

She posts a picture of Zrinski, at the Bernie Sanders rally, standing with some of the most extreme Democrats in the Lehigh Valley. This includes Ce-Ce Gerlach. As you may recall, Gerlach was placed on ARD for endangering the welfare of a minor runaway that she dumped off at some homeless camp. Gerlach Voted No to several grants for Allentown police and was one of the big supporters of an employee now accused of false reports for placing a noose on her computer and calling it racial intimidation.  She also wanted to have social workers, and not police, respond to 911 calls. 

I could go over the rest of this crew and their background, but I think you get the point. Those of you from Allentown may recognize some of them. They make Bernie Sanders look like an archconservative.

Now I understand that Zrinski has almost no control over who the people are who stand next to her in a photo. I can't really blame her, But I can blame Keegan for the utter stupidity of posting that picture on Facebook. What was she thinking?

As someone who has been highly critical of Cozze for blackmailing the county with a resignation tendered just 12 days before an election, there is no way I will vote for her for anything. But that picture really shook me up. All that was missing was Taiba Sultana. 

Pa Dems Are Neutral in the Cozze- Zrinski Race For NorCo Exec, But Allow Both To Use Their Postal Permit

 As election day draws closer, mailboxes are getting more and more mailers every day. Today I got two. One was from Jeremy Clark, who is running a positive campaign for judge. The other is from Amy Cozze's campaign, which has been a bit more negative. 

The mailer from Cozze arrived in an envelope and is actually a letter from former US Senator Bob Casey along with a nice little palm card containing on one side "NORCO." That's actually the abbreviation I started using years ago for Northampton County because I got tired of writing Northampton County. NorCo is much easier and is kind of neat. So Cozze is actually using my abbreviation. Don't tell her or she'll stop.

Some of those who received this mailer, which was paid for by the Pa Dems, believe it means that they've endorsed her. Let me clear that up. They've endorsed no one in the Exec race. What the Pa Dems did do is allow her to use their postal permit so that the letter costs a little less than it would have had she done it herself. Zrinski did the same thing in a colorful flyer she sent out just as Mail-in-Ballots started to go out. It was "paid for and authorized" by the Pa. Dems. 

The letter from Casey was a nice gesture, but as one of my friends noted, many recipients will never see it. They don't like opening political letters, and many probably have landed unopened in the recycle bin, assuming they actually recycle. Sadly, they will never see the word "NorCo." This letter certainly helps her campaign, but not as much as it could have. 

A better move would have been a splashy post card that included a picture of Cozze, who like Zrinski is rather photogenic. 

Both of them look a helluva' lot better than Lamont McClure or Tom Giovanni.  Even Bob Casey is prettier than those two, and he looks like he's been embalmed. I realize this is very sexist on my part, but if you are an attractive person, let people see it. 

Cozze and Zrinski Trade Blows in Fiery NorCo Exec Debate

On Monday evening, Lehigh Valley News, aka PBS39, aka WLVR, aka Lehigh Valley Public Media, hosted a debate between Democratic NorCo Exec candidates Amy Cozze and Tara Zrinski. The winner of the primary will face Republican Tom Giovanni in November. He has no primary opponent. He was invited to participate, but said he'd rather wait for the general election. It was a good thing he stayed away because the knives were out in what turned out to be a rather testy debate between the two Democratic contenders.

Overall, I'd say that Cozze had a bit more poise than Zrinski, and that Zrinski seemed more empathetic than Cozze.  As one watcher put it, "Zrinski was loud, and Cozze was snotty." Zrinski has spent years as an activist on local environmental issues before running for office and tends to treat every speaking event as though it's a rally. Sometimes, and last night is an example, this is a negative. Conversely, Cozze's brief career in government has been as a bureaucrat, where she appears to have mastered the art of deflection. 

The biggest hit at Zrinski came, not from Cozze, but from a question that moderator Ryan Gaylor asked. Zrinski. He noted she has run for 6 different offices over the past 9 years and promised him after her election as county controller that she'd stay in office for the entire four years. Zrinski said she'd liked to have remained there, but "was asked by so many people to tun. I felt I had a responsibility and a duty to my county to run." She assured Gaylor that is he is elected, she will stay in the Executive office for four years, and this time, she really, really, really, really, really, really means it. Really.  

Cozze would later say to Zrinski, "You have shown [voters] that your word is not good." 

There was a big hit on Cozze as well. Northampton County currently uses the Express Vote XL system, and this system was definitely pitched to both the Elections Commission and County Council by Cozze. There have been problems with that system in two different elections. Cozze deflected. She denies being "part of the decision-making process" even though it was her research and recommendation that led to the decision to select that system. 

Zrinski would go on to say that some of the policies Cozze created as Registrar led to the 2023 election debacle in which there were insufficient emergency paper ballots on hand after the voting machines went haywire. In the 2023 General election, each precinct was only supplied with 20 emergency ballots, and they ran out quickly. Cozze thought having a large supply of emergency ballots was both too expensive and too heavy.   

Cozze called this accusation a "bold-faced lie," deflecting that a different elections registrar could have initiated a different policy. But a comment she made anonymously on this blog lends truth to Zrinski's assertion.  Cozze definitely was opposed to supplying precinct with paper ballots

How do I know? When I posted on the topic, I received this anonymous comment from the U.S. Senate, where Cozze just happened to be employed.: "Can we just address this paper ballot thing? If the county is going to start sending out hundreds of thousands of paper ballots on election day 'just in case' what the hell is the point of even using the voting machines??? Just switch to an all paper system. The paper ballots are supposed to be for EMERGENCIES not incompetence. ... they need to fire whoever is in charge, not saddle the tax payers with a new outlandish expense."  I'd say that when the machine has to be discontinued, that's an emergency. Also, as Elections Commissioner Dan Lopresti observed, "The cost is tiny compared to what we experienced here."

Cozze criticized the tax cut that Zrinski supported under Executive Lamont McClure, saying the money saved could have been used to help the homeless. 

She slammed the McClure administration for the retention problems at 911, the jail and at Gracedale, and noted pointedly that Zrinski refused to vote for a pay study to determine appropriate salaries. But Zrinski responded that she voted No because the county had no need to spend $100,000 for a pay study and that she did vote for higher wages and retention bonuses. (It should be noted here that the pay study passed by county council covered only nonunion workers, who make up 1/3 of the county workforce.)  

I was a bit surprised to hear Cozze say that "conserving open space as a way to combat warehouse development is lazy policy." That is one of the few weapons county government has, but it has done more by encouraging multi-municipal planning, a point that Zrinski made. Under multi-municipal planning, a member township can assess impact fees if it is impacted by a proposed development. County government has no zoning power in all but two municipalities. 

Cozze deflected yet again when asked about holding the county hostage to her salary demands. As I've previously reported here, she submitted her resignation as NorCo Elections Registrar and made it effective just 12 days before the November 2, 2021 municipal election. In her resignation letter, obtained through a Right-to-Know request, she also complained about stress and her mental and physical health. She put her own interests ahead of the county's core obligation in assuring the citizenry that its votes would be counted. Her blackmail worked. After she got the money she wanted, she rescinded her resignation.

She put her own financial interests ahead of what is best for the county, and in my opinion, that makes her a poor choice for any position in government. But when confronted, she denied she ever appeared in front of council to demand more money or talk about her physical or mental health. That's true. It was all in her October 28, 2021 resignation letter, which I posted on this blog. 

If nothing else, both candidates gave Tom Giovanni a lot of ammunition. 

That's my take. Feel free to make your own arguments. 

Amy Cozze Attempts to Justify Blackmailing the County She Wants to Lead

Last week, I told you that Amy Cozze blackmailed the county she now wants to lead. As NorCo Elections Registrar, she submitted her resignation and made it effective just 12 days before the November 2, 2021 municipal election. I included her own resignation letter, obtained through a Right-to-Know request, in which she also complains about stress and her mental and physical health. She put her own interests ahead of the county's core obligation in assuring the citizenry that its votes would be counted. Her blackmail worked. After she got the money she wanted, she rescinded her resignation.

I believe that once you've dug yourself into a hole, it's time to stop. But Cozze has taken her shovel and is digging a bit deeper. On her campaign Facebook page, she attempts to justify her blackmail. I'll post her 7-paragraph explanation, followed by my response. 

Over the course of this primary, my opponent and her supporters have lied about my departure from county government. I’ve chosen not to respond because I believe this campaign should be focused on our visions for Northampton County not divisive distractions. However, information from my private personnel file was shared to build a misleading narrative and I feel I need to address it.

In late 2019, following a disastrous election, I was offered the position of Chief Registrar at a salary far below what Election Administrators in similar counties were making, with the understanding—handshake agreement included—that my starting salary would be adjusted the following year based on performance.

In 2020, while battling my second round of breast cancer, I led a team that transformed Northampton County’s elections from national embarrassment to a state model during historic and unprecedented times. We implemented mail-in voting from scratch, rebuilt voter trust, trained 800+ poll workers, and delivered results faster than any other county in the Commonwealth. We did this all while receiving regular threats of violence and constant harassment by extremists. As a result, I was recognized by the Governor and appointed by the PA Senate to the Election Law Advisory Board, and the County Executive’s reputation had been restored. I did not receive an increase in pay.

In the fall of 2021, after nearly two years of flawless elections, I was finally told I would be receiving the raise I was promised in 2019. However, less than an hour later, I was told there had been an “accounting error,” so I would not receive the raise. My many attempts to have the issue corrected before the budget was finalized were met with silence. So, with the full support of my deputy and staff, I made the extremely difficult decision to resign.

Once Council heard what happened, they took it upon themselves to work to keep me at the county and approve a step increase for myself and my Deputy Registrar. That raise was then vetoed by the County Executive, the veto was overturned by Council, with only my opponent dissenting.

Let me be clear: I resigned because, like too many county employees, I felt I was being taken advantage of, and saw no end in sight. I stood up for myself and my staff—just as I’ve always stood with workers throughout my career. It’s one of the reasons I’m running for County Executive - not only have I seen the struggles county employees face, I’ve faced them myself.

Northampton County needs leadership that values workers, honors commitments, and puts competence over politics. As County Executive, I’ll fight for fair wages, safe workplaces, and accountable government. If, like me, you're tired of toxic politics and broken promises—then I hope I can earn your support.

My response:

1) I am unaware whether Tara Zrinski has made Cozze's blackmail an issue. I also should point out that I am far from a Tara Zrinski supporter. Though I think she has done a good job as Controller, I was highly critical of her as a Council member. 

2) Cozze's resignation letter is public information. I researched the Pa. Office of Open Records before making this request and found numerous cases supporting the public's right to know. Anyone who runs for public office should expect scrutiny. I never requested her "private personnel file".

3) She claims to have chosen against explaining her blackmail but now devotes seven paragraphs to doing just that. 

4) I am unaware whether McClure promised her more $ when he hired her as Registrar. But he did give her a raise, just not the raise she wanted. What I also know is that after losing an election to Joe Emrick, she was crying about having no healthcare. McClure offered her a job in his administration. No good deed goes unpunished. County Council buckled under the blackmail, but McClure vetoed the raise and Zrinski supported that veto. They oppose blackmail.  

5) I have already conceded that she made numerous changes in the elections office that improved our elections. That's why she was appointed. Unfortunately, her people skills are terrible. 

6) She admits that she offered her resignation to take effect just 12 days before an election and solely because she thought she deserved more money. That's unconscionable. 

7) She made no effort to secure better compensation packages for the rank-and-file elections workers that she ignored as Registrar.  

8) Speaking of toxic politics, she claimed falsely that NorCo left all kinds of federal grant money on the table, while the truth is that the US Senator who employed her gave NorCo a big fat 0 despite numerous requests. I'm just pointing out that she exalted her own financial well-being over the county's core obligation to conduct an election. If that is who you want, vote for her. 

How NorCo Exec Candidate Amy Cozze Blackmailed the County She Wants to Lead

Amy Cozze is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for Northampton County Exec in this year's municipal primary. Her opponent is Controller Tara Zrinski. Let me start by conceding right away that Cozze has many positive attributes. I believe she excelled as a member of Lamont McClure's administration. In fact, she did so well that he appointed her as Elections Registrar. Thanks to the Executive and County Council, she prevailed against an Elections Comm'n that wanted to scrap the controversial Express Vote XL voting machine and that rejected her request for electronic pollbooks favored by most pollworkers. But as time marched on, she exhibited flaws. She had terrible people skills, refusing to even acknowledge her staff when she came to work, although they could hear her cursing like a sailor behind her closed door. Her biggest flaw, and this is what I believe disqualifies her from elected office, is that she blackmailed the very county she now wants to lead. Upset at her salary. she threatened to resign just 12 days before the November 2, 2021 general election. Her blackmail worked. She would later rescind that resignation, but only because Council President Lori Vargo Heffner promised to get her more money. Cozze put her own personal interests ahead of what is best for the county. In my mind, that damns her. I have every reason to believe that is exactly what she'd do as Executive. 

Below is Cozze's resignation letter, obtained in response to a Right-to-Know request. She states quite clearly that she is leaving the county as its Chief Elections Registrar on October 22, knowing full well that a general election would take place just 12 days later. In her missive, she makes clear that the reason she was quitting was because her request for a raise had been denied. (She was getting a raise, but she wanted more). She also complains about "the toll this job has taken on my physical & mental health ... ." She dislikes "the scrutiny and stress." 

Now she wants to be Executive, where the scrutiny and stress would be far greater. 

How did Cozze manage to rescind her resignation?  In an October 12 email, she advised the county that "[i]n light of the good faith agreement reached between the County Executive and Council President, I will be withdrawing my notice of resignation."

There was no good faith agreement. Vargo Heffner persuaded County Council to give her the raise she wanted in a budget amendment by reducing the overtime allotted for corrections officers at the jail. McClure vetoed. Council overrode him. 

It was not long after this that Cozze resigned for real. Her two weeks' notice is dated February 21, 2022. She presumed to name her successor, even saying that "failure to fill the vacancy immediately would be grossly unfair to the current staff." She didn't think about how "grossly unfair" it was for her to resign just 12 days before an election.  

If Cozze has demonstrated anything during her brief stint as a public employee, it's that she puts herself and her own interests in front of what is best for the county. 

Resignation Letter Cozze by BernieOHare on Scribd

Amy Cozze's Claim that NorCo Left Federal $ On the Table is False

On Tuesday, I posted the campaign pitches made to Lehigh Valley For All by Tara Zrinski and Amy Cozze, both of whom seek the Democratic nod for NorCo Executive. They sound similar with one important difference. In seeking the approbation of Lehigh Valley For All, Cozze attacks the current Executive for failing to reach out for federal grant opportunities, even though she claims to have reached out herself as an aide to former Senator Bob Casey. Her exact words? "Time and time again, I saw resources go untapped, dollars left on the table that could have been used to improve the lives of Northampton County residents. It was disheartening to witness how much potential progress was lost simply because no one was actively pursuing these opportunities."

Cozze seems to have forgotten that she's running against Tara Zrinski, not incumbent Lamont McClure. 

At a recent candidates' forum on Easton's south side, Cozze presented herself as a walking federal checkbook, claiming she'd get all kinds of money for the county. But is this true? You all are aware that voters have replaced Joe Biden with Donald Trump as President. Since his election, there have been quotidian executive orders pulling back federal funding to our municipalities. Easton Mayor Sal Panto told onlookers at Monday's obligatory flag raising ceremony on Trans Day that he had to lay off the City Forester because the feds pulled a promised block grant. So I doubt Cozze, a former staffer to a defeated Senator, can deliver much of anything.

But did NorCo County squander an opportunity to get federal funding? According to Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron, the answer is a definite NO. He attended last night's endorsement meeting of  Lehigh Valley For All to set the record straight. Moreover, he brought the receipts to show multiple requests for federal funding. 

Saying that "facts matter," Barron denied the perfidy spewed by Cozze and her campaign consultant and husband, Anne Wakabayashi. He noted that between 2021 and 2024, the county requested $50 million in federal funding and got about $8 million. 

During much of this time, as I've told you, Cozze was employed by Senator Bob Casey. "[W]e directly asked Senator Casey for $10,427,500 of that money, but he did not deliver any of it for the county. While he was supportive of projects we got from federal agencies, he was unable to secure the funding we needed for other projects. I am not blaming our federal representatives, as they try their best, but there is never enough money to go around."

Cozze, reputedly under the weather, was unable to attend the endorsement meeting. But Wakabayashi was there. 

Below are the federal grants sought between 2021 and 2024, and the amounts awarded. 

Congressionally Directed Spending Applications Submitted:

Senator Casey:

2021 Northampton County Cultural Competence Training for Law Enforcement $103,500

2022 Northampton County Affordable Housing Project $3,000,000

P25 Expansion Project $5,000,000

2023 Northampton County Law Enforcement P25 Expansion Project $524,000

2024 Rehabilitation of Northampton County Bridge #149 in Lehigh Township $1,800,000

Senator Fetterman:

2023 Northampton County Law Enforcement P25 Expansion Project $524,000

2024 P25 Northern Expansion $4,041,576

Representative Wild:

2021 Gall Farm Preserve Development Phase 1 $850,000

Government Center Security Enhancements $499,000

Gracedale Building Upgrades $2,014,950

Minsi Lake Accessible Trail $1,000,000

Nor-Bath Trail Eastern Connector $600,000

Tott’s Gap Environmental Research and Education Center $1,000,000

2022 Gracedale Facility Improvements $1,625,00 AWARDED $1,000,000

Minsi Lake Accessible Nature Trail and Lakeside Observation Deck $1,000,000

2023 Northampton County Law Enforcement P25 Expansion Project $963,000 AWARDED $963,000

2024 P25 Northern Expansion $4,041,576

Northampton County Pass-Through grant to City of Bethlehem of Federal Funds administered through PennDOT:

2023 Community Traffic Safety Program $94,702.80 AWARDED $94,702.80

2024-2026 Community Traffic Safety Program $244,862 AWARDED $244,862

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency - PCCD (State Administering Agency (SAA) for

US Bureau of Justice Assistance funding programs):

2024 Federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds administered through PCCD – Public Defender Client Advocate Grant $196,765.00 AWARDED $196,765.00

US Environmental Protection Agency:

2022 Brownfield Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund Grant $3,000,000 AWARDED $3,000,000

Community Change Grant – researched, lead applicant must be non-profit, no non-profits requested NorCo as a partner

2023/2024 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs

Researched and discussed. Communication with Charles Dertinger, Bryan Cope and/or Mike Emili confirmed NorCo had no eligible projects that met program requirements:

• Charging and Fueling Infrastructure

• Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity

• Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost Saving Transportation (PROTECT)

• Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program and Neighborhood Equity and Access Program

• Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program

• Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program (notes say “LVEDC” pursuing)

• Thriving Communities Program (TCP)

• Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program

• Consolidated Rail and Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program

• Bridge Investment Program

• US Economic Development Administration Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance

Whole Home Repair Program (WHRP)

US Department of Treasury ARPA funds were utilized by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to create the Whole Home Repair Program (WHRP), which provided the opportunity for counties to apply for grant funding to address housing insecurity and the climate crisis and to support construction-related workforce development. Northampton County applied for and received $2,295,907 in funding, creating the Northampton County Whole-Home Repairs Program. To date, Northampton County’s WHRP has addressed habitability and safety concerns, provided measures to improve energy or water efficiency, and made units accessible for individuals with disabilities in 74 owner-occupied Northampton County homes. Additionally, Northampton County’s WHRP funding has supported Free Basic Construction Methods and Operations Training classes at Northampton Community College and the JATC Apprenticeship Program through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 375.

Cozze Campaign Complains Zrinski Not Gay Enough

Amy Cozze and Tara Zrinski are the two contenders for the Democratic nomination in this year's race for Northampton County Executive. The winner will go on to face Republican Tom Giovanni in November. Though the relatively nonpartisan Giovanni is known as Council's Quiet Man, I suspected he'll be laughing a bit after reading this story. That's because the two Democrats in this race, just like the protestors at Sunday's supposed "democracy" march at Easton's circle, are still walking in circles instead of addressing what matters most to everyday Americans. By the way, it's not menstrual products in men's rooms or trying to outdo each other with the trans and gay community. 

I'd be a bit more concerned about whether 911 dispatchers and county corrections officers have the resources they need to be effective. I'd be very worried whether we have the staff to deal with claims of child or elder abuse and neglect. Those are real county issues and ones that everyday voters care about. My party, however, has been so focused on being woke that the word "Democrat" has become something of a dirty word. How could Donald Trump be more popular now than he was eight years ago? It's because we Democrats have forgotten what we stand for. A tiff yesterday between the Cozze campaign and Tara Zrinski, spread out over the pages of Facebook, proves this point. 

Amy Cozze's "life partner" (she might be her husband) is Anne Wakabayashi, a political consultant for Democrats and progressive causes. Obviously, she's helping in and managing Cozze's race. Yesterday, she used Trans Day of Visibility (which of course had the obligatory flag raising in Easton and Bethlehem) to take a shot at Tara Zrinski. Here's what she said on her Facebook page 

Let me be clear. Trans and Nonbinary people are under attack in this country. Queer folks are under attack in this country. Amy Cozze will never back down from a fight to protect LGBTQ Folks in Northampton County, and that's why LGBTQ+ Victory Fund has endorsed her campaign. Her opponent may have spent the better part of a decade telling us how pro-equality she is without ever pushing forward LGBTQ+ rights in her role as an elected official, but that isn't Amy. Equality isn't a talking point. Protecting Trans Lives isn't a talking point. Protecting LGBQ+ Families

Zrinski pushed back:

Let's be clear, I have definitely worked to protect LGBTQ folks. This is some of the work from 2019 that the administration and County Council did to protect LGBTQIA rights. "It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal or local law.... this is one of the first policies enacted in Northampton County under the McClure Administration. I went on to promote this same policy at the LNAA Board and the Wildland's Conservancy Board and even asked our County Council, on March 7, 2019, to support a resolution supporting this effort which passed 6-0. This is an important issue to me as I have family and friends within the LGBTQIA community. These are human rights and all people are entitled to human dignity. As County Executive, I will continue to fight for and protect the human Rights of all individuals.

That's not good enough for the Cozze campaign, so Wakabayashi takes yet another shot: 

Unfortunately, the half-assed policies you named do not in any way protect me, a citizen of Northampton County. I can still be fired, denied housing, and denied public accommodations in the majority of municipalities in the county. These policies are a nice nod to equality, but have a fairly limited reach in terms of real impact on people's lives. I'm so sick of hearing from elected officials who show up at pride and use equality as a talking point but in office they leave some of the biggest opportunities to actually protect our community on the table. Why - in your 8 years on council, did you never introduce a non-discrimination ordinance? If you knew discrimination in employment was an issue, why d... See more

Wakabayashi is apparently unaware that county government has no authority to legislate these issues. But then again, Zrinski appears to be just as unaware, as she demonstrates in this response:

Anne Wakabayashi also, I did work with Adrian Shankar to write one. If you read the minutes, I didn't just reach out to my "gay friends" for advising—I went to the stakeholders and leaders in the LGBtQ community —Adrian and Corrine Goodwin— for policy advisement. This was on the agenda but was not well received by the other members of council because I was seen as "too progressive". You can spew as much venom as you will and say that I didn't do as much as I possibly could have as a part-time legislator but the reality is, there are many issues that warrant attention and your understanding of anything I did on council and the conditions that existed are woefully ignorant and misinformed. As a County Executive, I will have exponentially more potential to pass the kind o... See more

Unhappy with the answers she's getting from Zrinski, Cozze's campaign manager finishes with the last refuge of someone who is losing an argument - the ad hominem:

Tara M Zrinski What's the benefit of a controller that spends her work hours posting on Facebook instead of finding out what happened to the $10m missing at Gracedale?

As Democratic strategist James Carville himself has noted, people are sick of "woke era" politics.  As a result of voter dissatisfaction, we now have a President whose HHS has just laid off 10,000 workers; has threatened bombing Iran "the likes of which they have never seen before;" who kicked Ukraine's President out of the White House because he refused to bend the knee; and has generally alienated our allies while embracing our foes. 

If Democrats want to be taken seriously, they need to start acting like Democrats. not elitists with a stick up their asses.  

Unless that tune changes, the next NorCo County Exec will be Tom Giovanni. 

Why Amy Cozze Wants to Be NorCo Exec

Blogger's Note:  Below is a statement from Amy Cozze, posted at Lehigh Valley For All, explaining what she wants to be NorCo's next Exec.

I. Briefly tell us about your Experience and Qualifications

A proud lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley, I have dedicated my professional career to public service, community advocacy, and leadership. With over 20 years of management expertise, including more than a decade as a successful small business owner in Northampton County, I understand the challenges and opportunities facing our local economy. From 2018 to 2022, I served as a Northampton County employee in administration, court services, and as Chief Registrar of Elections, gaining invaluable insight into the county workforce, including hiring and management of county employees.

As Director of State Outreach and a senior staff member to Senator Bob Casey, I collaborated with county governments and planning commissions across Pennsylvania to tackle real‐world issues and advance policies that empower local communities. I was frequently on the front lines of emergency management situations, serving as the local federal liaison to FEMA, NTSB, OSHA, and others. In addition to working with all levels of government—municipal, county, state, and federal—I oversaw $144 million in funding for community projects across the commonwealth.

Appointed by the Governor to Pennsylvania's Bipartisan Election Law Advisory Board, I worked alongside leaders from across the state to ensure secure and efficient elections. My oversight of four flawless elections in 2020 and 2021 at the county level is a testament to my unwavering commitment to excellence and integrity in the public sector. In 2020, amid a pandemic, I ensured that all 154 polling locations remained open and fully staffed with over 900 well‐trained poll workers. I am the only candidate in the race with election administration experience.

I hold a degree in Psychology and Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as an AA in Human Resources Management. As the mother of two wonderful boys, I believe in leading from the front, setting a strong example, and working tirelessly to ensure Northampton County thrives for future generations.

II. Briefly summarize what you plan to do about:

1) Addressing the housing crisis

One of the most frustrating challenges I faced as the Lehigh Valley Regional Manager for Senator Casey was the lack of engagement from county leadership when I reached out with funding opportunities or offered assistance with grant applications for critical initiatives—particularly for affordable housing. Time and time again, I saw resources go untapped, dollars left on the table that could have been used to improve the lives of Northampton County residents. It was disheartening to witness how much potential progress was lost simply because no one was actively pursuing these opportunities.

As County Executive, I will take a proactive approach to securing funding and ensuring that Northampton County is leveraging every available resource at the state and federal levels. I will strengthen partnerships with municipal governments and nonprofits to invest in affordable housing projects, making sure we are not just increasing our housing stock but making homeownership an achievable reality for working families, seniors, andyoung professionals alike.

Being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars means fighting to bring those dollars back home and reinvesting them where they belong—into our communities. It is not enough to simply acknowledge the need for affordable housing; we must take action, seek out every available opportunity, and work collaboratively to create lasting solutions. Under my leadership, Northampton County will no longer leave money on the table—we will fight for every dollar, every grant, and every investment that can improve the lives of our residents.

2) Ensuring fair funding for public schools

Advocate for Equitable State Financing

Pennsylvania has long struggled with unequal financing for schools, where some districts receive significantly more funding per student than others. As County Executive, I will use my office to advocate for the fair distribution of state education dollars by pushing for reforms that ensure Northampton County schools receive the funding they deserve.

Maximize Investments by Counties for Education

While counties don’t directly control school budgets, they oversee critical programs that impact students, such as workforce development, early childhood education, and social services. I would work to expand county support for:

● Early childhood education programs that give children a strong foundation.

● After‐school and summer programs that support working families.

● Mental health and social services that help students overcome barriers to success.

Strengthen School Infrastructure and Safety Partnerships

As County Executive I can play a key role in securing funding for school infrastructure improvements, ensuring that schools are safe, modern environments for learning. I would:

● Work with state and federal partners to secure grants for facility upgrades.

● Support initiatives that improve school safety, including funding for resource officers and mental health services.

Ensure Equitable Economic Development

Local tax revenues fund our schools, making economic development a crucial factor in education funding. I would:

● Promote policies that attract businesses and jobs to the county, strengthening the tax base.

● Ensure that tax incentives and economic growth strategies do not disproportionately benefit wealthier

districts while leaving others behind.

Collaborate with School Leaders and Community Stakeholders

I would hold regular meetings with parents, teachers, school officials, and community leaders to identify challenges and opportunities for improving school funding. By fostering collaboration, we can develop solutions that benefit all students, not just those in wealthier districts.

Fair school funding isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s about ensuring every child, no matter their zip code, has access to a quality education. As County Executive, I will fight for policies and investments that give every Northampton County student an equal opportunity to succeed.

3) Ensuring our immigrant communities are treated fairly

Northampton County is where all individuals—regardless of where you hail from—should feel safe, respected, and supported. Immigrant populations form the fabric of our culture, the backbone of our economy, and the strength of our future. My administration would be committed to building trust, growing resources, and ensuring nobody has to fear for their safety when reaching for aid, medical treatment, or opportunity. We will continue building Northampton County into a home for all by listening and cooperating with local organizations, police, and local leaders.

Law Enforcement and Community Confidence

No one here in Northampton County should never fear dialing the police when they need them. We will strengthen relationships with local police through partnerships for stronger relationships with immigrant populations, fair and equal treatment, and police officer training for cultural competencies. We will work towards the kind of trust where all citizens—immigration status aside—feel safe reporting crime, requesting aid, and being part of the community.

Legal and Social Support

Access to the resources, especially the legal and social services available, should not be beyond the grasp of anyone. That is the reason Northampton County will build upon collaborations with organizations such as North Penn Legal Services and the PA Immigration and Citizenship Coalition to provide immigrant residents access to pro‐bono support and tenant rights. We will also provide increased access to languages through the county office buildings so no one is held back by the inability to communicate.

Economic & Workforce Development

Immigrant‐owned businesses and immigrant workers are a valuable part of the Northampton County economy, especially the cities of Easton and Bethlehem. We will support immigrant entrepreneurs through financing, education, and access to resources for their ongoing prosperity. We also, together with Northampton Community College and local business groups, will provide immigrant laborers with enhanced job training opportunities for them to gain skills and build their careers.

Community Engagement and Cultural Inclusion

The strength of Northampton County is its diversity. We will forge stronger ties with the faith community, non‐profits, and local groups to ensure immigrant voices ring loud and clear in the halls of county government. We will also host community forums and festivals celebrating the richness of the history here while bringing much‐needed resources to those who need them. We will make Northampton County together a friendly and inclusive space for all.

III. Use the space below to let us know why you are running for this office.

What are your priorities?

Working for Senator Casey was the opportunity of a lifetime. I loved my job deeply and would have continued serving as long as I was able. With his loss, I found myself at a crossroads. While the uncertainty was daunting, one thing remained clear—I wanted to continue dedicating my career to public service. It is my life’s passion.

Now more than ever, we need strong, qualified leaders stepping up at the local and county levels. I believe my experience and qualifications make me the leader Northampton County deserves.

I am running to restore trust in our county’s election administration. When mistakes happen, they sow doubt in the integrity of our elections, and that is simply unacceptable. Our county election officials are hardworking professionals who care deeply about their jobs, but without the necessary support and resources from the County Executive, they are set up for failure. I will ensure Northampton County elections once again sets the gold standard in the Commonwealth.

I am also running to uphold our moral obligation to Gracedale and our county employees. Protecting our county nursing home from privatization while maintaining a high standard of care is critical to safeguarding our most vulnerable residents. But we must also support the staff who care for them. Competitive pay and benefits attract and retain talented individuals, not just at Gracedale but across all county departments. A well‐supported workforce is a productive and motivated workforce. Yet, under the current administration, our employees have been neglected. They watched in frustration as politically motivated election‐year tax cuts were proposed—despite many county workers struggling to earn a living wage. As the county’s largest employer, we must do better. I will always stand with working people and labor.

The county is also failing to do enough to address the affordable housing crisis. As Executive, I will prioritize improving residents’ quality of life. By investing in housing projects, we can expand our tax base without relying on massive warehouses and distribution centers that strain our infrastructure and diminish our communities.

Now more than ever, we need fighters. We need leaders who will stand up to bullies and ensure that the dysfunction in Washington does not seep into our local government. I am committed to being on the front lines of this fight.

Finally, I am running because qualifications matter. We have seen, time and again, the consequences of putting unqualified people in leadership roles. Democrats must do better. The resistance must be built from the ground up, and that starts by electing the best candidates for the job. Qualifications aren’t just lines on a resume, they’re the work put in to make their communities better and the real life experience they bring to the table. It’s showing up at disasters to coordinate an emergency response, leading an elections office through an unprecedented pandemic and political environment, and it’s showing up every day to serve the people ‐ even when the cameras are off and there’s no limelight to bask in. Passion matters, but we must also lead with knowledge, hard work, and expertise.

I am ready to bring strong, competent leadership to Northampton County. Let’s get to work.

If Amy Cozze Wants to Be NorCo Exec, She Should Be Able to Spell "Executive"

 

Need I say more?

Nazareth Baker Seeks State House Seat

Nazareth may be a small town, but it has no shortage of bakeries. Just in Nazareth proper, there are three. Schubert's is where everyone goes for Moravian sugar cake. The Pie Shop (now on Main St)  has the best pasties in the Lehigh Valley. And then there's Cozze Cakes. It's a shop that specializes in elegant wedding and birthday cakes. Marie Antoinette would say, "Let them eat cake."  Owner Amy Cozze would say, "Let everyone eat cake," but she knows someone has to bake it. She wants to take her baking skills to Harrisburg, and is announcing today that she is a candidate for the State House.

She's running in the 137th Pa legislative district, which was gerrymandered to keep Democrat Rich Grucela out of office. It includes parts of Palmer Township and several slate belt communities.But it also includes Forks Tp, Upper Nazareth and Nazareth. It's designed precisely for someone like Joe Emrick. He is one of the few Lehigh Valley legislators who has refused to endorse any legislative attempt to slay the gerrymander.

What does a baker know about politics? Hopefully, nothing. Cozze is a University of Pittsburgh grad who majored in psychology and minored in business. After several years in the business sector, she opened up a business of her own in 2012. While 90% of startups fail, she has thrived in a community that obviously likes to eat. She understands small business.She'd like to be their advocate in Harrisburg. She'd also like to see positive changes related to healthcare, education and the environment.

Cozze has been a member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber for the past five years, and a board member of the Nazareth Business Council for the last two years. Most recently, she was appointed as liaison for the Chamber’s Public Policy Committee.

She told The Morning Call that state legislators have "catered to the larger corporations and conglomerates and it’s put them out of touch with Main Street America. They don’t seem to have the interests of the middle class in mind any more.”

Why should someone like Joe Emrick care about the middle class? In 2016, he raised $108,000 in cash and in-kind contributions against a weak candidate. He doesn't have to bake cakes. But in case he hasn't noticed, a blue wave is rising in Pennsylvania. It started in last year's municipal races, and has been helped along by Authoritarian Donald Trump.

Cozze knows a good cake starts with good ingredients. So should a state legislature.

On a personal note, she is a wife, mother to two wonderful boys and a breast cancer survivor. She's also Lehigh Valley native.

For more information on where Amy Cozze stands on the issues for Pennsylvania’s 137th District or to support her race, please go to www.amycozzeforstaterep.com.