Why Jerry Seyfried's Dog Smokes

Former NorCo Exec Gerald E. "Jerry" Seyfried is sending this email to his pals. He used to be my friend. He just got back from Alaska. He had to end his fishing trip early because I reported him to PETA. 

IN RESPONSE TO ALL THE RECENT E-MAILS ABOUT OUR DOG: I AM SICK AND TIRED OF ANSWERING QUESTIONS  ABOUT HIM.

YES, HE BIT 6 PEOPLE WEARING TRUMP T-SHIRTS...

4 PEOPLE WEARING VOTE REPUBLICAN T-SHIRTS, INCLUDING A POOR SLOB WEARING A GOVERNOR CHRISTY FOR VICE PRESIDENT T-SHIRT...

2 CAR DRIVERS WITH SENATOR TOOMEY BUMPER STICKERS...

2 FLAG BURNERS...

 A SUSPECTED ARAB TERRORIST AND BERNIE THE BLOGGER

SO FOR THE LAST TIME. .

THE DOG IS NOT FOR SALE!

AND NO, I DO NOT APPROVE OF HIS SMOKING, BUT HE SAYS IT HELPS GET THE "BAD TASTE" OUT OF HIS MOUTH AFTER BITING THE BLOGGER. 

Stoffa Sez: Get Off the Sofa and Vote For Murray

John Stoffa at his farm

Do you remember when we had a Northampton County Executive who was actually respected by the employees, even when they were mad at him? A man who financed his second term campaign completely out of his own pocket, refusing to take a dime from anyone? A man who stood for honesty and fairness? A man who actually believed in transparency?. A man who though people matter just a little more than numbers? A man who always had a corny joke?. That man, John Stoffa, was Northampton County's Executive for eight years. His integrity was and remains beyond reproach. Sadly, men like him are rare. And he is making a rare endorsement. John Stoffa wants you to get off the sofa and vote for Murray in May.

Stoffa is the second former NorCo Executive to ask you to support Sam. Jerry Seyfried, who gave Sam a job when he was County Executive, did that last week.

Like any good man, both Stoffa and Seyfried have detractors. Some are the usual anonymous trolls. Others are those who resented the fairness of these true public servants. They made this little corner of the world a better place. They think Sam can do so, too.

Jerry & Julie Seyfried Recognized For 50 Years of Voting

Julie and Gerald E "Jerry" Seyfried were recognized yesterday by Dee Rumsey, Chief Voting Registrar of Northampton County, for fifty years of voting in every single election. Few people can claim this distinction.

They have a 50-year milestone coming up that is even more important than voting. In March, they will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Jerry is a former Executive, County Council member and cabinet member. He's seen it all. I could write page after page about his accomplishments, which include being the first Executive to do something serious about open space. But more than this, I know no person who is more knowledgeable about the Home Rule Charter than he.

Though Jerry ran and lost in a council race this year, that's just the politics. He has met with some of the people who beat him to help them be better servants of the people. He has also offered to help Executive John Brown in any way Brown wanted.

Instead of relying on political hacks who know nothing about county government, now might be a good time for Brown to seek Jerry's help. He doesn't even charge.

Blogger's Note: Though I begged her, Dee Rumsey refused to let me take her picture. She knows I'm a terrible photographer.

Benol, Geissinger Display Some Class

Aside from Peg Ferraro, the two most qualified people running for NorCo Council were Jerry Seyfried and Ron Heckman. Given the years they've invested into the County and their love for it, I was truly sorry to see them lose. But in a very gracious and classy move, Mat Benol and Glenn Geissinger have reached out to them both with, of all things, a thank you.

Benol, speaking for himself and Glenn Geissinger, said this: "Both gentlemen showed class and character. They also freely shared their ideas for making the County better, something you would not expect from ‘opponents’, especially from a different political party. It would have been a pleasure to serve on Council with them. I am hopeful that Glenn and I will be able to call on them during the next four years for insight and help."

What Benol does not say, but what I think he means, is that the election is over and it's time to govern. He's hoping that he can call on Jerry and Ron, and I'm sure he can.

Seyfried Snaps Photo of Nesting Falcon in Alaska

NorCo Council candidate Gerald E. (Jerry) Seyfried just got back from a fishing trip to Alaska. Here's what he tells me.

While in Alaska recently I was privileged and blessed to get some great nature shots with my Canon Camera. This photo of a nesting Falcon is perhaps the most remarkable Nature shot that I’ve ever taken. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did taking it. Nature is truly breath-taking! This is not an Eagle.

A FALCON NESTING IN A TREE

Jerry Seyfried Campaigns ... In Alaska

Northampton County Council candidate Gerald E. (Jerry) Seyfried has tied up the Inupiaq, Yupik, Aleut, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian vote. He's just returned from a fishing trip in Alaska, where he speaks all these languages fluently. After wrestling a few Grizzlies here and there, he helped his nephew land a 110-pound halibut. It was reeled in on a 50-lbs. test line after a 45-minute battle.

Highly nutritious, a halibut can weigh as much as 600 lbs.

Although Jerry is an avid archer, he was in Alaska for the hal-i-but.

Jerry Seyfried on Northampton County Issues

Jerry with Julie, his bride of 48 years

Gerald E. (Jerry) Seyfried has devoted a lifetime of service to Northampton County as Council member, County Executive and Director of Court Services. I know of no person who knows more about County government than he. He is the first of ten candidates vying for five seats to respond to questions that I, and some of you, prepared.

Though I don't intend to press for answers until September, I wanted to get Jerry's responses out there right away. I will also prepare a link on my sidebar to the questionnaire, with answers from the candidates as they are received.

Jerry didn't mention, not even once, that he's related to Amanda Seyfried. "I want to win on my own good looks," he tells me.

1. Lehigh County Commissioners and Bethlehem City council have both toyed with the idea of rejecting pass through grants based on objections to the federal deficit, money owed to China and antipathy to charter schools. Would you reject pass through grants?

ANSWER......NO. We should be trying to bring as much of our tax dollars back to the valley as possible. Not give it to someone else.

2. Most of Council's work is done at its busy Personnel and Finance Committees, at which every member of Council is encouraged to attend. How do you feel about participation at Council Committee meetings? Will you attend?

ANSWER.....Yes, if I may add, In twelve and one half years of Public Service as a member of County Council, I have never missed a regular County Council Meeting. I have a 100% perfect attendance record. Because I worked shifts at the Bethlehem Steel, I was unable to attend some Committee meetings when it conflicted with my livelihood. Even then, I only missed a small handful of committee meetings in 12 1/2 years. Probably two or three percent at most.

3. One candidate has rejected the concept of regionalism as one big mess that is harder to manage than a group of smaller messes. Do you support or oppose regionalism, and what regional projects would you endorse on Council?

ANSWER.....I support regionalism for cost saving projects, however, every project should be looked at and supported based on its own merits. Regionalism may be good for one community but not another.
For example; 911 was a good regional project. Regional police departments for those communities that find it difficult to fund their own police departments are good regional programs. Building a sewage treatment facility or creating a landfill on the border of a township boundary may not be a good regional project.

4. During the Executive primary, one candidate made a no-tax hike pledge. Do you think it is responsible to make no tax-hike pledges? If so, are you willing to make one?

ANSWER.....No.

5. In a 2011 plebiscite, voters told Council not to sell Gracedale for 5 years.The annual County contribution is currently in the $5-7 million range, so voters effectively voted for that contribution. But what if it grows? Is there a red line at which you would agree it is necessary to sell Gracedale?

ANSWER.....The voters (also taxpayers) have spoken on this issue and voted overwhelmingly to keep the Gracedale facility as a County owned Nursing home. When the five years is up, we will revisit the issue. If the situation as to funding worsens, we will report findings to the taxpayers and electorate and take public commentary. I personally support doing everything possible to keep Gracedale as a public facility.

6. In 2007, County Council voted to set aside 1/2 mill of real estate tax (about $3.5 million) for a pay-as-you go open space plan for preserving farmland, environmentally sensitive land and municipal parks. On Council, will you vote to continue funding open space? Do you consider this a core county function?

ANSWER.....It was my administration that initiated the concept of open space preservation. It was supported by County Council, the Lehigh Valley Joint Planning Commission, and the taxpayers. I will vote to continue the program and although it isn't a "core county function" it is a program that adds to the quality of life in Northampton County.

7. There are 11 unions county-wide. What efforts would you make, as a member of council, to encourage unions to consolidate and reduce the amount of time administrators and unions must spend in contract negotiations?

ANSWER.....Article III Section 302. Duties.....of the Home Rule Charter states "the County Executive, in person or through subordinates, shall supervise and direct the negotiation and administration of any collective bargaining agreements with employees. Council is the legislative body. The administration, if unhappy with eleven unions, should negotiate with them to reduce the number of unions.

8. What is your position on laying off County workers? Would you support layoffs to balance the budget, or vote to increase taxes to provide the same level of services?

ANSWER.....Every County Executive from the Bechtel Administration through the Stoffa Administration has put into effect a "no hiring freeze" or has laid off workers. When you compare Northampton county to other Counties you will find we already do a lot more with less. Everytime you layoff County workers you start a back log of work in those offices. Remember the back log in the row offices just a few years ago. The Civil Division fell behind two years. Files were setting on window sills, issues weren't getting before the courts in a timely fashion, you has to prioritize what work was getting done today and wasn't going to get done. Council reviews all new positions and grants permission to hire in these offices based on workload. The administration asked for these positions because they needed them. When dollars get tight, they decide they don't need the positions, lay off the employee, and wind up with log jams in their offices.

9. Northampton County, like Lehigh, has privatized the management of Gracedale. But there are those who would like to return administration to the County. Where do you stand on this issue?

ANSWER.....For now, I would keep it like it is until such time we can re-evaluate the progress of the private administrator.

10. Some Council members would like to amend the Home Rule Charter to return to elected row officers. How do you feel about this proposal?

ANSWER.....They are nutz. Political patronage is almost non-existent in our County Government. The supporters of going back to the row offices wish to set us back 35 years. The present form of government is the most efficient, effective, and economical government we could possibly ask for.

11. Would you support a ban on guns by people using any County facilities, even off the courthouse campus, like at the new centralized Human Services Building?

ANSWER.....In buildings, yes.

12. Will you support or reject a County Property Tax Reassessment?

ANSWER.....Reject

13. Would you support the proposition that the Prothonotary, Clerk of Criminal Court, Clerk of Orphans Court and Register of Wills should be transferred under the Administration of the Courts instead of the County Executive (through the Director of Court Services) much like the higher courts currently administer its own clerks?

ANSWER.....I have always advocated for the Criminal Division to come under the Court system and would recommend this be done as soon as possible. The collection system in the Criminal Division is a nightmare for collection agencies. They only way to improve on this system is to bring it under the Courts. We are owed (Northampton County) more than 60 million dollars in fines, fees, costs, and restitution that we can't collect but the courts could if they were the administrators of that program.

Jerry Seyfried: The Total Package

Jerry with his bride of 48 years, Julie

We can consider ourselves fortunate that Gerald (Jerry) Seyfreid is making a return to public service. No person in Northampton County, including lawyers and judges, has a better understanding of the Home Rule Charter. Few can match his experience. He will help the new County Executive, whomever that might be, lead the County in the right direction. Jerry is one of the eight democrats seeking five at-large seats. He and another candidate, Ron Heckman, are in a league of their own. They are far superior to the remaining candidates from either party, with the exception of Republican Peg Ferraro.

This post is about Jerry's candidacy. Although both he and Ron Heckman spoke with Easton Democrats, only Jerry's video is available. (VIDEO HERE). I promise to bring you a separate post about Ron Heckman as soon as I can corner him.

Jerry spent 12 years as a Council member, four of them as its President. He is a former County Executive, leaving the County with a healthy surplus. He dedicated huge sums of money to develop county parks before open space was popular, and started the first farmland preservation program. He also spent eight years as Director of Court Services

Despite these achievements, Jerry is actually a blue collar guy. He was a machinist at Bethlehem Steel, as well as a union steward. He managed to juggle swing shifts with county service.

He also knows what it's like to come from nothing.

"We grew up in public housing," he explained about his own family. "We hardly had anything." So later in his life, Jerry served on the Boys and Girl Club. He also started the "youth field day program" to teach our kids about the outdoors, environment, hiking, boating and fishing. He started an annual banquet to raise money for these kids ten years ago, and just passed the million dollar mark last year.

He has no intention of sending our glossy mailers or running an expensive campaign. If he wins, he wins, If he doesn't, he's perfectly happy. He won't owe anyone a damn thing.

So what will he do if elected?

He believes the County must keep its commitment to Gracedale, its nursing home. Seyfried, along with former Council members Ron Heckman and Rich Grucela, lobbied against its privatization, both with Council and with Executive John Stoffa.

He wants to turn the criminal division over to the courts instead of keeping it under the wings of the County Administration. The County is owed $60 million in fines and costs, and that will be a lot easier to collect of a judge can issue a bench warrant as opposed to a criminal clerk using a collections agency.

Jerry also believes it's time for the County to return to long-range planning, something that has been neglected.

48 Years of Wedded Bliss ... at Least For Jerry Seyfried

Julie and Jerry Seyfried are celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary today. Congratulate Jerry if you see him, and offer Julie your condolences.

"I don't know how she put up with me for 48 years," Jerry told me yesterday.

I know.

Poor eyesight.

All kidding aside, they are a wonderful couple, and if you spend any time with them, you'll see that they are still very much in love.

Run, Jerry, Run!

Who would I like to see as Northampton County Executive after John Stoffa finishes his second term? Actually, I'd like to see Stoffa run again. He's a decent, honest and honorable man. That's very rare in local politics, and it confuses the hell out of party hacks. He refuses to play their game. But whenever I suggest he run again, he throws me off the courthouse roof for some reason. So who's the best choice?

There are some good ones like Easton Mayor Sal Panto, Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and former Human Services Director Ron Heckman. There's also a bad choice, asbestos lawyer Lamont "McMud" McClure.

But personally, my top choice is former Executive Gerald "Jerry" Seyfried.

Jerry's years in county government made him an expert at slaying wild pigs like the one pictured above. He's been begged to return to county service for years, but his wife was against it. She's had a change of heart. I am shocked by the number of people who have told him they will support him.

Let me fill you in on his background.

Northampton County Council
(1978 through 1989, 2009-2010)

* 1978 and 1979 at large member of council
* 1980-1989 District 3 member of council
* Chair of council's finance, human services, personnel and intergovernmental committees
* Chair of ad hoc committee that wrote personnel section of county administrative code and career service employees manual
* Vice President of council for four years
* President of council for four years

Northampton County Executive
(1990 through 1993)

* With tight fiscal control, Jerry left the county with nearly $20 million in surplus, and dedicated huge sums to develop county parks before "open space" became popular.

Northampton County Director of Civil Services
(1998 through 2006)

Boards and Commissions

* Northampton County Retirement Board (4 years as vice-chair, 4 years as chair)
* Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (8 years, including 8 years on the transportation committee)
* Northampton County Development Corp., ADC & IDC (4 yrs)
* Director and Chief Fund Raiser for Northampton County's 250th Anniversary Committee
* Solid Waste Authority (voting member)

I can think of no person other than Jerry who knows so much abut the County's Home Rule Charter. He still carries a tattered copy with him, much like some people carry the Constitution.

Despite his achievements in government, Jerry is actually a blue collar guy. He was a machinist at Bethlehem Steel, and managed to juggle swing shifts with county service.

He knows what it's like to come from nothing. He grew up in subsidized housing, and learned a frugality that public sector unions should try. For example, every nail in his Lower Nazareth home was driven in by Jerry and his wife. All his furniture, until recently, was used. Even his cars were used. He knows how to economize.

Jerry and I disagreed about Gracedale. He, along with Ron Heckman and Rich Grucela, formed a triumvirate to speak against the nursing home's sale, and even offered to sit down with unions when talks failed. In addition, Jerry's wife worked there.

Of course, the real reason I'll support him is because I might get a chance to meet his movie star cousin, Amanda.

Will he run? Some say he's enjoying his retirement too much and that's certainly true. But he is seriously mulling a run, and does not think he'll need to raise $200,000 to win a primary.

So Jerry is by far my first choice among the contenders out there. After that, it's Panto, Callahan, Heckman and whomever the Republicans can find to square off against McMud McMlure. His supporters are using the Internet to savage anyone else, as I am sure they will do to Seyfried.

All I can say is this - Run, Jerry, Run!

Open Carry Laws Exclude Sportsmen

Jerry Seyfried, Home Rule Charter Expert

Last month, Philadelphia had to cough up $25k to a gun rights advocate who was wearing his handgun openly in a holster, scaring the hell out of police and nearly getting everyone shot. Since that time, officers have been educated.

Former County Exec Jerry Seyfried is an avid sportsman and an expert archer. It's tough for him to carry a bow and arrow in a holster, but he tries. He's asked me to tell you about Pa. Open Carry, which should be able to answer most questions.

Although Pa. is a right to carry state, Jerry has this caution for sportsmen:

As a hunter, may you carry a handgun without a "carry permit" or a "sportsmen carry permit"? Since this is a right to carry state, you shouln't need a permit. However, game laws are also enacted by the Legislature and therefore make certain mandates on the sportsmen and women of Pennsylvania. The answer to the question is "YES". As a sportsman you need a carry permit or a sportsmen permit to carry a handgun. You may not hunt without it nor may you fish and wear a sidearm or carry a concealed weapon without the proper permit. Remember the website is.....paopencarry.org


Now go whip some shit on your beer drinking buddies. If you have any questions on this subject please don't hesitate to ask me those questions. I'm starting to become quite an authority on this issue. dumdeedumdum

Little Known Baseball Fact

Did you know that Jerry Seyfried, former Northampton County Executive and world-acclaimed archer, at one time played Little League baseball? That's right. He tells me he played with guys like Bossman Joe Long, who developed his waxed moustache when he was nine.

Jerry has forwarded this little known baseball fact, and I want to share it with you.

The first testicular guard (Cup) was used in baseball in 1874. The first helmet was used in 1934. It took 60 years for men to realize that the brain is also important.

Photo Credit: Jeff Kaboly

Jerry Seyfried Has a Dream

Jerry Seyfried recently met Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan in the halls of the Government Center and shared a dream he had the previous night, in which God taps him on the shoulder and says "Jerry, you will be the next Executive of Northampton County."

Mayor Callahan retorted, "What a coincidence! I had the exact same dream. I dreamt that God touched me on the shoulder and said 'Mayor, I have decided that you will be the next Executive.'"

At this point Ron Angle, who was silently standing behind both of them, said, "I hate to spoil your dreams, but I wasn't near enough to touch either of you on the shoulder last night."

Jerry Seyfried's Sexy Cousin

The only picture I have of Jerry Seyfried is of him posing with a wart hog, which many of you have mistaken for me. But did you know that sexy Amanda Seyfried is his cousin? For real!

What the hell happened?

Ron Angle, Cigar Thief

I allow anonymous comments here. It allows people like The Banker and others to share their perspectives, without worrying whether it might damage their business. It also allows some government officials to participate in discussions without fear that what they write will haunt them down the road.

But there's a disadvantage, too. It also allows people to launch vicious personal attacks without accepting responsibility for their words. It enables them to spread disinformation.

Northampton County Executive John Stoffa's nonpartisan approach to government, his emphasis on doing the right thing over what is politically expedient, has rankled some, especially within his own party. So his biggest opponents on County Council have been its Democratic representatives. He's been attacked here since I started blogging.

When he ran for re-election, those attacks intensified, both on and off the blog. Seven hundred of his campaign signs were stolen over the course of a single weekend. His primary opponent, Ann McHale, placed her signs within inches of his, effectively preventing the public from seeing them.

In the end, it made no difference. Stoffa easily defeated McHale, even in her own Bethlehem district. She's been bitter ever since.

Doubt me? Take a look at her petty behavior during Council meetings, which you can now see for yourself.

So it should be no surprise to see Stoffa viciously attacked here for just about everything, even on blogs that have nothing to do with him. But yesterday, when I noted that former Exec Jerry Seyfried agreed that Stoffa was right to keep the courthouse open during our snownami last week, I never expected to see him attacked, too.

I was wrong.

Anonymously, the 3 AM troll went after Jerry, claiming that he had only served on Council so that he could get a $20,000 check to write a "history" of the County. "Nice of the taxpayers to give away $20,000 in taxpayer money to Jerry. Just how much debate was held?" In addition, and completely out of the blue, Council Prez Ron Angle is also attacked.

"While at the opening for Cigars International, he stole three cigaRS THAT WERE CLEARLY MARKED FOR DISPLAY ONLY. HE WAS OBSERVED BY MANAGEMENT TAKING THE THREE CIGARS, WHO DECIDED NOT TO MAKE A SCENE, BECAUSE HE IS A PUBLIC FIGURE. Go figure, Angle gets away with shoplifting (STEALING AGAIN)AND HIDES BEHIND HIS OFFICE AS PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL."

A few minutes later, someone - probably the same person who posted the first comment - adds this.

"Can you validate that story...if so let me know so we can go public."

In answer, this anonymous comment appears.

"call Cigars International ask for the manager."

Now, I have no idea what Jerry's history of Northampton County has to do with Stoffa's decision to keep the courthouse open. And the serious accusation directed at Angle has no bearing at all on my original story.

This is what I mean by disinformation. These two anonymous personal attacks have nothing to do with my original story, and were posted just to muddy up Seyfried and Angle.

This is the kind of vicious crap I ordinarily delete, but I thought I would check out both of these claims.

1) Jerry Seyfried enriching himself with $20,000 in taxpayer money.

Jerry was deeply involved in preparing a history of the County's first 200 years, but think it's important that we chronicle the most recent fifty years, while those who were present during the decline and fall of Bethlehem Steel and other industry can still remember it.

In his last act as a member of County Council, he introduced a resolution authorizing $20,000 for that history. (Resolution Number 111-2009). It passed unanimously, and contains language providing that any sum not spent on this history must be returned. I have asked for and obtained a copy of the check, dated December 16, 2009, in the amount of $20,000.

The payee is the Northampton County Historical Society, not Jerry.

I know, I know. There must be some secret deal between Jerry and the Historical Society, which we all know is a front for international jewel thieves.

I never called Jerry. All I can say is that it is very sad when someone besmirches his integrity in a twisted attempt to hurt Stoffa.

2) Ron Angle, Cigar Thief

A few weeks ago, cigar afficiando Ron Angle and WFMZ-TV 69 were both present when Cigars International opened its new headquarters in downtown Bethlehem. "I thought I might get a free cigar and I did. And a good one!" is what Angle told reporter Stephanie Esposito.

The film clip does not show Angle stashing three cigars in his pocket, but we all know how tricky he can be. I decided to call the manager as directed.

When I asked him about Ron, he answered, "If that's the case, then everybody stole cigars. I should be charged as well because I lit one up myself, and I gave Ron a cigar." He later added, "I can confirm no cigars were stolen because they were out there for public consumption."

I also called an employee, who told me he had heard no such rumor, either.

I decided to confront Angle, who told me that he lit up a cigar the second he walked into the place, and someone gave him a cigar on his way out. He told me Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan offered him a box, but he accepts no bribes from Democrats.

"Ron, would you steal a cigar?"

"It would have to be a Cuban," he told me.

Now, it's impossible to prove a negative, but I learned enough to know that the 3 AM troll hates John Stoffa so much he's willing to lie about anyone who might be the least bit friendly to our Exec.

I also know that the $20,000 resolution never appeared in a newspaper, so the 3 AM troll learned about this from someone who was physically present on December 10th, when Council authorized this history. This is most likely a member of Council.

Ann McHale, I know you're still bitter about losing to Stoffa, but it's time to call off your goons. You know who they are because you told me they call you.

Seyfried: Stoffa Right to Keep Courthouse Open

I know no person more knowledgeable about Northampton County government than Jerry Seyfried. He's paid his dues: eleven years on County Council, including the Presidency; four years as County Executive; and eight years as a cabinet member during the Glenn Reibman administration. Last year, a dysfunctional Council appointed him to a vacancy, and meetings began to run more smoothly almost immediately.

Even though Jerry has stepped down from Council, he still serves on the Retirement Board and is currently working on a county history. He still carries a dog-eared copy of the Home Rule Charter to every meeting.

I saw Jerry Saturday night at the sold-out Whitetail Deer Classic, held this year at Northampton's Community Center. I'll be writing another post about that amazing shindig, but I want to talk right now about last week's snowstorm. Exec John Stoffa kept the courthouse open, although he let people leave as early as noon and manned the phones himself. Did Stoffa do the right thing?

"Absolutely," was Jerry's quick answer. "We learned our lesson," he added. When Jerry served as County Exec, the Lehigh Valley was hit by the mother of all ice storms. He decided to close the courthouse, but was hit with claims for OT from corrections officers, as well as Gracedale union and nonunion workers.

"It cost us several hundred thousand dollars," he noted. He added that's the last time the courthouse ever closed because of inclement weather.

But won't this put people's lives at risk, I asked, parroting concerns expressed by some courthouse workers here. No, answered Jerry. Courthouse workers could stay home and take a vacation day or lose a day's pay, but nobody is putting a gun to their head. It's up to them.

"If I were Stoffa, I would have hopped into a 4x4, driven to the courthouse, and answered phones just like he did," concluded Seyfried.

Jerry told me that Majestic Sportswear, unlike Northampton County, closed down because of the inclement weather. They asked employees to come in on Saturday to make up, for the day off, but the union demanded time and a half. Workers lost a day's pay and a the company lost a day of production.

It's Jerry!

"I'll try my best not to let Council down."

That's how Jerry reacted last night to the news that he was appointed, 5-3, to Northampton County Council, filling the vacancy created by the recent resignation of Diane Neiper. He's a class act whose sole desire is to "give something back" to the county. We could really use him.

Of course, the Long Dems - Charles Dertinger, Anna McHale & Lamont McClure - all voted for Ron Heckman. Realizing Seyfried had five votes, these slicksters tried an end run, but fumbled. They called individual Council members, telling them they already knew Jerry had five votes, but asking that they cast their first vote for Ron so he would not be embarrassed. Word of their goofy plan leaked out and they ended up outfoxing themselves, as usual. And Heckman ended up being embarrassed.

Way to go, LongDems. Now Jerry gets tp go after some of the wild boars on Northampton County Council.

McClure's attempt to pander some votes by rolling back recent salary increases to elected official, also blew up in his face. Only Dertinger went along with his proposed ordinance. Ron Angle told them that if they don't want payraises, don't take them.

Webcasting inched forward as well. This was supposed to be part of the council renovations that were completed 1 1/2 years ago. IT maven Al Jordan told Council it can be done for $15 thousand in upfront costs.

Blogger's Note: I did not attend last night's council meeting and am relying on information supplied by two people who were there and survived. The Express Times' Sarah Cassi has her usual excellent report.

The Three Wise Men

As I told you yesterday, three people have applied for the vacancy on Northampton County Council - Bob Birk, Ron Heckman and Jerry Seyfried. All have experience in local government. Two of them are former members of County Council. One of them also served as County Exec. Here are the resumes that each applicant has provided to Council.

Robert W. Birk - Bethlehem Township

Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioners - Treasurer, 2006 - 09
* Liaison to Parks, Recreation and Administrative Offices
* Serve on Bethlehem Township Police Pension Board, 2006 - 09
* Bethlehem Township Board President, 2000 - 01
* Bethlehem Township Board - Vice President, 1998 - 99
* Bethlehem Township Board Commissioner - 1991, 1995, 1999
* Lehigh Valley Planning Commission - 1994 - 97
* Former Candidate for Northampton County Council

Ronald R. Heckman - Bethlehem

QUALIFICATIONS

County and Government Experience

COUNTY OF LEHIGH, Pennsylvania

I am currently employed by the County of Lehigh. My duties have included being Manager of Regional Partnerships in the Department of Community and Economic Development and as an employee in the Health Choices Program of the Department of Human Services.

COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON, Pennsylvania

Director, Department of Human Services
For eight years, I served as the Director of Northampton County's Department of Human Services, the largest county program with a budget exceeding 160 million dollars and employing over 1,200 employees. The coordinated client-focused programs are designed to maintain and improve the quality of life for over 7,000 families and 15,000 individuals.

As the Director, I oversaw the implementation of the Health Choices Program and projects to consolidate services, enhance fiscal accountability and introduced new and more effective uses of computer technology to promote a programmatically effective and fiscally efficient department. As part of my responsibilities as Director, I was involved in labor contract negotiations with three unions and was responsible for the overall development of policies and procedures, including overall supervision of programming and budget issues. I also served as the County Executive's representative to Bi-County Health Department discussions.

COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON, Pennsylvania
County Councilman, At-Large

I was elected three times as a Northampton County Councilman At-Large, serving from January 1990 until April, 1998. During that time, I served on the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, the Operations and Administration Committees and as liaison to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission for eight years while serving on their Executive Committee. I was also a Director with the County Conservation District. While on Council, I served as Chairman of the County Council Human Services Committee and was appointed to the County Commissioner's Association of Pennsylvania's Human Services Committee.

COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON, Pennsylvania
Northampton County Children's Bureau
Caseworker

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County Board of Assistance
Caseworker

Private Sector Experience

K1DSPEACE, Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Facility Supervisor/Reading Specialist
My responsibilities included managing the training, development and retention of mental health staff, supervision of program development, marketing, budgeting and overall operation of my specific facility.

I also worked one-on-one with at-risk teens in the Education Department.

MESS'S DEPARTMENT STORE, Allentown, Pennsylvania Assistant Buyer and Sales Manager

EDUCATION

East Stroudsburg University, M.Ed.
East Stroudsburg University, B.A., Political Science/Social Studies
DeSales University - Management and Accounting Courses
Kutztown University - Graduate work in Public Administration
Seminars, educational and personal enrichment courses: Cedar Crest College, Kutztown University, Moravian College and Northampton Community College.

AFFILIATIONS

Current Member:
Bethlehem Community Collaborative
Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging
Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority

Former Member:
County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Association of Human Services Directors
County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Human Services Committee
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
Executive Committee of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
Board of Directors of the County Conservation District
Pennsylvania Association of Federal Program Coordinators
joint Commission of Accreditation of Health Care Organizations
Board of Directors of Partnership for Children
Board of Directors of Celtic Cultural Alliance. Inc.

Gerald E Seyfried - Lower Nazareth Township

Presently Retired

Northampton County Council
(1978 through 1989)

1. 1978 and 1979 served as At Large Member of Council
2. 1980 through 1989 served as District 3 Member of Council
3. Served as Chairman of Council's Finance Committee
4. Served as Chairman of Council's Human Services Committee
5. Served as Chairman of Council's Personnel Committee
6. Served as Chairman of Council's Intergovernmental Committee
7. Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee that wrote the Personnel section of the County Administrative Code and the Career Service Employees Manual
8. Vice President of County Council 4 yrs
9. President of County Council 4 yrs.

Northampton County Executive
(1990 through 1993)

Boards and commissions
1. Northampton County Retirement Board (4 Yrs as Vice-chair)
2. Northampton County Retirement Board (4 yrs as Chairman)
3. Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (8 yrs as Commissioner) also served 8 yrs. on LVPC Transportation Committee
4. Northampton County Development Corporation, ADC and IDC (4 yrs)
5. Director and Chief Fund Raiser for Northampton County's 250th Anniversary Committee
6. Northampton County Soil Conservation District (Served 4 yrs as Director)
7. Lehigh Valley Transportation Study (8 yrs as Northampton County's voting member and planner) This is the organization that works with the Federal and State Govt. They do the planning and commit the funds for hundreds of millions of dollars for Lehigh and Northampton County highway and bridge projects.
8. Solid Waste Authority (served as voting member).

Military

United States Navy, Honorable discharge
Voluntarily served in the United States Navy from August of 1960 until being Honorably Discharged in March of 1964

Personal Honors and Accomplishments (Sportsmen and Conservation)

1. Recipient of the Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Award. This award is presented in recognition of personal contribution to the conservation and management of the wildlife resources of Pennsylvania.

2. Recipient of several awards in recognition for outstanding service on behalf of the Northampton County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.

3. Presented with a life membership and honored as the "Sportsman of the year" by the Tri-boro Sportsmens Club. Selected from over 4,000 members.

4. One of the original organizers and founders of the Northampton County Youth Field Day Program in Northampton County. Recruited sponsors and donors that have enabled almost two thousand boys and girls to learn about our environment and outdoor recreational opportunities.

5. Organizer of the Northampton County Bowfest. This annual bow hunter festival raised thousands of dollars each year. The monies were used to further the goals and objectives of the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs by funding the Northampton County Junior Conservation School and funding for the Wlldlands Conservancy.

6. Founder and organizer and served as the nucleus of a group called FLAG (Fish Ladder Action Group) which consisted of Senators, Legislators, Mayors and Local Politicos from five different Counties to promote the funding and construction of the Fish Passageways on the Lehigh River. The end result was funding totaling two million dollars ($2,000,000), and the construction of the Fish passageways on
the Lehigh River.

7. Was the principal mover for having placed forty thousand dollars ($40,000) a year (8 yrs in a row) in the county budget for use by the "Wildlands Trust Fund" for the acquisition and preservation of open space. These monies were used in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other sources resulting in the preservation of thousands of acres of open space being preserved for future
generations to enjoy.

8. Began the Parks Two Thousand Program in Northampton County and provided funding in County Budgets for the Acquisition and development of properties such as The Weaversville Tract of Land and Properties adjoining the Minsi Lake Complex.

9. Organized and accomplished the objective of constructing a public boat launch on the lower Lehigh River. The Construction Costs were borne by the Federal and State Government as part of the completion of the Rte. 33 Highway Project. This boat launch was opened December 16, 2002 and was publicly dedicated in the spring of 2003.

10. Life Member of The National Rifle Association.

11. Member of several sportsmen's clubs in Northampton County.

12. Organizer and Chairman of the Whitetail Deer Classic Banquet. This Banquet serves as the main fund raiser for the Northampton County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, The Northampton County Junior Conservation School, and The Northampton County Youth Field Day Program. Total receipts from this event (2004 to 2009) is almost six
hundred thousand dollars.

13. Was honored by the Whitetail Deer Classic Committee naming an Annual Award "The Gerald E (Jerry) Seyfried Lifetime Achievement Award". This award is given to sportsmen and women that have dedicated years of their lives to preservation and conservation of our natural resources and furthering the outdoor recreational activities of the Sportsmen and women of our county.

Community Activities (past and present)

Active in a variety of civic commissions and committees. Volunteer for the American Heart Fund, March of Dimes, and Northampton County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs. East End Little League Coach, Cub Scouts of America Pack 76 Secretary, Bethlehem Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors Member. Whitetail Deer Classic Committee

Northampton County Could Use Jerry Seyfried

When Northampton County Council voted to accept Diane Neiper's resignation, Lamont McClure said her replacement should be someone with experience. He's right. The person appointed will only serve for five months, so it makes little sense to name someone who will spend all of that time getting used to the job.

In addition to being a former member of Council, Neiper's successor should be another Democrat. True, a Democratic council voted three years ago to replace Republican Mary Ensslin with a Democrat, but two wrongs don't make a right. Appointing a Democrat would be consistent with what voters decided.

Fortunately, an experienced former council member and Democrat has confirmed his interest. Jerry Seyfried served on Northampton County Council between 1978 and 1979. He helped write the personnel section of county administrative code as well as the career service employees manual. He spent four years as Vice President and another four years as Council's President. In addition to his legislative experience, he was County Exec between 1990 and 1994, leaving the county with a $20 million surplus. He continued his career as Director of Court Services between 1998 and 2006.

No one - and I mean no one - has a deeper understanding of county government than Jerry. He still carries dog-eared copies of the Home Rule Charter and can often recite resolutions adopted in the 80s.

Jerry tells me he's currently involved in assembling a Northampton County history between 1952 and 2002. "Somebody's got to write this history while people are still alive to tell the story. Wouldn't it have been great to interview [former Comm'r and Council member] Jim Hemstreet?"

Jerry notes that in the 50s, seventy per cent of our jobs were in manufacturing or textiles, but that's all gone. "We lost Bethlehem Steel. We lost eight or nine cement companies. But our unemployment rate is among the lowest in the country. Why is that? It's the Walter Dealtrys, the LVIPs; their story needs to be told."

Seyfried would like to take a close look at the county budget, paying particular attention to where real estate tax revenue is spent. "What kind of people are in prison? Do they all need to be there. We need to reduce recidivism. A lot of counties have wonderful programs. We need to do that."

Jerry even volunteered his thinking about a regional health bureau. "I don't know how you vote no if they tell you it's not costing any money. How do you say no to that? Once it costs money, then it's time to question it."

This guy really cares about Northampton County. He could easily handle all kinds of controversies with pains in the ass like me. But when construction workers jackhammered the shit out of beautiful slate slabs surrounding the courthouse - reminders of our slate belt heritage - Jerry actually broke down in tears.

Seyfried is no Long Dem. They passed him over for appointment to two council vacancies several years ago. Jerry is no Stoffa sycophant, either. He insists that the retirement board needs its own independent lawyer while Stoffa insists the solicitor's office can handle the job.

On Friday, Ron Angle told me he would support Jerry, which might be the kiss of death. But he really is the best choice, and one that should have been made several years ago. Above, you will see a picture of Jerry and me.

Joe Owens For Northampton County Council?

That's Ron Angle's first choice. He thinks Express Times editor Joe Owens, who constantly promotes open and accountable government, would be a perfect fit. When I told Ron most news dudes run from political office like Michael Jackson with his hair on fire, he was unmoved.

"Draft him!" he snarled.

Former county executives Jerry Seyfried and Bill Brackbill are the Bulldog's backups to finish Grube's term. He thinks those two should flip a coin. But Angle told me council would never support them. Brackbill is a Republican. Seyfried, a Democrat, is too damn independent.

In a well-written open letter to Northampton County Council, Forks Township blogger Dave Billings says it best. "This is your chance to appoint a person that is not tied to any political party dogma. Choose a person with an independent spirit who is willing to represent the people of Northampton County - period."