Are Norco Council Dems Really Running as a Team?

Christen Borso

On Tuesday night, Northampton County Council candidates appeared before a few voters at Easton's South Side Civic Association. I only learned about the event the day after it happened. From speaking to a few people who were there, I learned the following:

1. Democrats Jerry Seyfried, Ron Heckman, Christen Borso and Tom O'Donnell were there, along with Republicans Peg Ferraro and Glenn Geissinger.

2. Democrats who spoke made clear that they are running as a team. They blamed Republicans for the attempted sale of Gracedale, the $25 million swaption, and building a centralized human services center instead of rehabbing older buildings. Their feeling is that John Callahan is going to have long coattails, so that if they stick together, they can win.

There has been some speculation that Christen Borso had splintered off with Tom O'Donnell. He is supposedly polling well despite barely winning the primary and being something of a nut in all public appearances. You see their signs together, and Borso's Facebook page makes clear they have been working together.

Borso backed McClure in the primary, even to the point of complimenting him after he took some nasty shots at eventual victor John Callahan, during a debate. That by itself makes me question her judgment, a point I have raised with her. Now she aligns with a borderline lunatic.

Why?

The thinking is that Council members like Ken Kraft and Lamont McClure want people they can control, and Borso and O'Donnell fit that mold. Union Agent Kraft denies this, insisting he has no ambition. But Borso's Facebook page is littered with all kinds of union mantras. And she got the LV Labor Council endorsement, though she never belonged to a union. . 

"Lighthouse," one of my readers, has an interesting football analogy:

"The team is about to get a new Quarterback [Callahan]. But the tailback [Ken Kraft] thinks he should be the Captain of the team, and starts maneuvering and angling before the QB is even on the field yet. He gets a frumpy rednosed lineman [Lamont McClure], and a former player who still likes to roam the sidelines thinking he still matters [Charles Dertinger], to help put pressure on the other players. Now the team, that looks like it had such potential is getting poisoned by the egos of a few players who want the power--not to help the team, but for pure sake of having the power. Now the new QB coming in has to watch his own back. Will he be tackled from behind? Will his lineman be a "look out" blocker?

Borso has responded to this suggestion on her Facebook page. Like Richard Nixon, she wants to be "crystal clear."

"I feel that it is necessary to make something crystal clear about my campaign. The Democrats running for Northampton County Council are running as a slate. However, we are all individuals. Not all of our ideas may be the same but that does not mean we are not qualified to continue to take the county in the right direction. The direction we are headed already.

"If you know anything about me you will know that first and for most I am a helpful and friendly individual. I will help anyone in my party with what ever they may need during this race. Candidate O'Donnell and I decided to help each other place signs etc. something I would help others if they asked. Remember we are part of a team and we will all win as a team this county cannot afford to have ANYONE from the tea party win!

"I feel it is important that people know that I am in this race to help all the residents in this county have their voice heard. I will be working for you. I thank you for your continued support -VOTE PURPLE!"

Lamont McClure hit "like" to that comment.

Christen Borso, NorCo's Miss Congeniality

When I arrived in Easton this evening, hoping to catch some of the candidate remarks in a crowded Northampton County Council race, it was already over. But I was lucky enough to corner Christen Borso before she left.

If they handed out Miss Congeniality awards in politics, she'd win hands down. here's what she had to say:

"I've been a resident of Northampton County in Bethlehem for 44 years. I would like to be on Council simply because I have attended every Council meeting for the last year. I also feel I am the average person, which I think is very important. I'd be there working for you. I believe it's important to be a great communicator, that it's important to be able to get along with people. I also like to tell you that I'm part of Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, started Women Empowering Women. I am a small business owner. Some of the things that are important to me are infrastructure with the county, creating a stronger bond with the LVEDC, protecting greenspace, farmland preservation (has been phenomenal and  I find that fascinating) , and I would also like to preserve Gracedale." 

Blogger's Note: I will attempt to get short video clips from the Republican candidates in the coming week.

Citizens' Academy Grad Borso Seeks NorCo Council Seat

A few months ago, Christen Borso was a member of the inaugural graduating class of the Northampton County Citizens' Academy. She's been coming to meetings ever since, and yesterday pre-announced that she's seeking one of the five at-large Council seats up from grabs this year. A Democrat, Borso will square off against a gazillion candidates on the May 21 primary.

Although all records of my existence there have been expunged, I spent my formative years in Hellertown, where my proximity to the coke works damaged my brain. It is there that I knew Christen's husband, John, and his sister Debbie, who was the hottie of St. Theresa's Grade School at the time.

A 1987 graduate of Liberty High School, Christen graduated from NCC in 1991. Since then, she has devoted her time to starting and growing two small businesses here in the Lehigh Valley. Her son Justin, a recent college graduate, works in Delray Beach, Fl, which is where i wish I was right now.

Unlike many of the politicos who think they have to be part of the county party clique, Christen has a history of volunteersim. she's been a volunteer at Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley, is co-founder of the Women Empowering Women small business group as well as numerous other women business organizations. Last year, she won the YWCA breaking the Glass Ceiling Award. She also serves on the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

Lamont McClure would like to end Northampton County's relationship with LVEDC, the LV's economic development engine. Borso would rather strengthen it, believing that this regional approach could market the positive attributes of the County. According to Borso, this includes an educated workforce, favorable tax rates and many existing, move-in ready buildings waiting for new tenants.

Infrastructure is another area of focus for Borso. She feels it is being ignored and that we must focus on major bridge repairs. "The time to act is now, as this has become a major problem," she states.

Christen will make her announcement official at an event planned for Tuesday February 19th at Woody’s on Easton Ave. in Bethlehem from 5-7.