Molony, McNeil Talk State Politics on Business Matters

I was a guest on WFMZ-TV 69's Business Matters last week to talk about Gracedale, Northampton County's nursing home. Former Exec Jerry Seyfried was kind enough to drive, and got us there just in time to see the state house debate for the seat being vacated by Joe Brennan.

Dave Molony, who ran for the seat two years ago, is a soft-spoken gentleman. He and his wife, Ming Ming, own and operate the Lehigh Valley Accupuncture Center.. They both have all kinds of credentials following their name like OM, DOM and Ph.D.

McNeil has one - IW. He's an iron worker, and looks as though he could still haul a steel beam on each shoulder. This former union agent, who was set to retire in July, looks very uncomfortable in a suit and tie. But like Molony, he's a gentleman, too.

So what happens when two gentlemen debate each other?

Not much.

Maybe I'm spoiled by Angle, but I'd call that an uninspired thirty minutes. McNeil seems to have just a little more fire in his belly, but everything seemed to be a little off, from the candidates to the questions.

State's Biggest Problem. - To McNeil, its jobs. To Molony, it's bloated government.

Governor Corbett's Job Performance. - Molony contends the Guv' was dealt a poor hand, making the budget "very difficult" for him. McNeil stated that he would try to work with the other side. "United we stand; divided we fall," he said.

Urban Development. - Molony stated that developing Allentown is a "good thing," and McNeil added, "We should never have left the City to begin with." Molony concluded by saying we have "amazing arts" in Allentown.

Had he said "amazing farts," I'd agree.

I was a little surprised that McNeil, who served two terms as a Whitehall Township Comm'r and was its Executive, would complain about anyone leaving Allentown.

Pension Reform. - McNeil at first stated, "I don't think we have to give up anything." He stated the solution was more jobs. But he later conceded that pensions should be calculated on a 40-hour week, with no overtime. Molony called defined benefit pensions an "antique" that does not exist in the private sector.

Declining Infrastructure. - Molony believes we should repair bridges and highways, but hold off on anything new until the economy improves. McNeil, however, believes we should start new projects, including high speed rail. Molony supports small hydroelectric projects.

Union Defense. - McNeil is unabashedly a voice for labor. "If the union's go, God forbid, everybody's going to be working for $4 and $5 an hour." Molony countered that he was a union member and has nothing against them.

Closing. - Molony stated we have to look ahead. McNeil, for the third or fourth time, said we need jobs. "We also need to get out of the Middle East somehow," added the iron worker, who jabbed China as well for some reason.

To his credit, Molony made no reference to Joe Brennan's legal troubles or the circumstances that led to McNeil's selection.

Blogger's Note: I was unable to find a web page for McNeil.

133rd Dist.Dems: Rosado or McNeil to Replace Brennan

Fountain Hill Mayor Jose Rosado or Lehigh County's Dan McNeill will succeed State Representative Joe Brennan as the Democratic nominee in the 133rd legislative district. These two were recommended to the state executive committee by over thirty committee members after a meeting earlier this evening.

The state executive committee is expected to act on this recommendation on Monday.

Rosado and McNeil were selected from a field of 8 persons who had expressed interest. At one point, there were nine. USW union boss Gerry Green briefly considered running for the position, but had second thoughts.

All candidates interested in being the nominee gave a brief speech, followed by the vote. Only state committee members and committee members from the 133rd were eligible to cast a ballot.

The nominee - Rosado or McNeil - will square off against Republican Dave Molony. He and his wife, Ming Ming, own and operate Qi Spa in Catasauqua.

Rosado ran for this office six years ago, but was defeated in the primary by Brennan. Molony was the GOP nominee two years ago, and has refused to politicize Joe's arrest.

Updated 10:05 PM: The Express Times reports that McNeil is the top vote getter, but Acting LC Democratc Chair Bar Johnston has told me that both Rosado and McNeil's names are being forwarded to the state committee. There were not many votes separating the two, she explained.