One Vote Joe Sinks Parsons State Senate Quest

Scavello nearly impossible to beat

Joe "Won by One" Capozzollo ended Scott Parsons's race for the state senate on Tuesday. In fact, he has all but assured Republican Mario Scavello of a victory this Fall.  That's because One Vote Joe insisted on running in a race that he had to know he would lose. But he siphoned off just enough votes from blue collar Scott Parsons to guarantee a primary victory to Allentown Attorney Mark Aurand. Republican Mario Scavello would have had a rough time against Parsons, a fairly conservative, common-sense Democrat. He'll have a field day with Organizing for America Mark Aurand, who will be defined as a left wing lunatic.

According to the latest from WFMZ, Aurand was pulling away at 11 pm with 41% to Parsons' 36% and One Vote Joe's anemic 23%

Some say that Aurand supporters encouraged Capozzolo to run, flattering him and appealing to his ego. By any logical analysis, he had no business running. Just two years ago, he was crushed by an arrogant and cocky state rep. He raised no money. Did he honestly think he'd do better against a Republican moderate who is actually admired? So did he run this race, knowing he'd lose and that he was playing the spoiler, because someone promised him something?

One Vote Joe has demonstrated a lack of integrity. In 2003, he pleaded "no contest" to vandalizing a school board candidate's signs. He's never won any race outside Bangor, and his one vote margin there is laughable.

Had One Vote Joe stayed out of this race, Parsons would be the victor tonight. Scott would have had a fighting chance against Scavello. I admire Aurand's honesty and intelligence, bit he will have a much harder time against Scavello. In fact, I think the race is already over.

Why? He's been running for two years. He has lots of money to spend. His positions are fairly moderate on most issues. He's not some whack job that can be defined as an extremist. He has run successfully for may years in a district that was 63% Democratic. Most importantly, he works his ass off, taking nothing for granted.

On Saturday, this Monroe County resident found the time to attend Hanover Township's Armed Forces Day Program. At 10 am, it was his third stop that morning, I later learned.

Updated 10:30 am: In Northampton County, Parsons won the race. He attracted 2205 votes, which put him ahead of Aurand (1927) and Capozzolo (1210). He lost in Monroe. Aurand finished there with 2185 to Parson's 1443 and Capozzolo's 1054. Capozzolo tapped into Parsons' base.

Apology to Mark Aurand, Scott Parsons

Earlier today, I posted a blog criticizing all three Democrats running for a seat in the 40th Senatorial District. Although all three candidates filed timely reports with the state, I complained that not one of them bothered filing a report in Northampton County, which is a violation of state campaign finance laws. I also ripped them for filing paper reports in Harrisburg, instead of e-filing. This means we would have to wait until after the election to follow the money. But I was wrong, and owe an apology to Scott Parsons and Mark Aurand.

My first major error was in reporting that Aurand filed no report with the County. He did, and filed a timely report. It was buried, out of alphabetical order, but it was in the pile of filed campaign finance reports. I just missed it as a result of my own negligence. So I was completely off base here.

My second big error involves Scott parsons, and possibly the other two Democrats and Mario Scavello as well. Campaign consultant Mike Fleck called me this morning to tell me that Parsons did e-file his finance report in Harrisburg, which should have been available immediately. But instead, Parsons received a notice on Sunday, from the state, that his report was unfiled. As luck would have it, they are having problems in Harrisburg, and the person who really understands the e-filing has been ill.

Parsons did admit to me that he failed to file a report with the County, but corrected that error and will file in Monroe as well.

I don't know what is going on with Capozzolo, but know his report in Northampton County was still unfiled as of noon.

Since it appears there may be some sort of clerical problem in Harrisburg, I believe I was wrong to jump all over the candidates so quickly. I was clearly wrong to criticize Aurand for not doing something he had actually done.

I apologize to my readers. I try my best to get it right, but sometimes I really screw up. This is one of those times.

I also apologize to Mark Aurand and Scott Parsons.

Parsons, Aurand and Capozzolo: Show Me the Money!

I

Note (3:00 pm): This report has some errors. See my explanatory post. 

Democrats Mark Aurand, Joe Capozzolo and Scott Parsons are currently duking it out over their party's nomination to the newly minted 40th Senatorial District. Since this includes nearly all of Monroe and about half of Northampton County, it’s a pretty big deal. While they were willing to attend a debate at the Gracedale Chapel last week in which they largely agreed with each other, I know next to nothing about their campaign finances. Where they get their money from is probably just as important than what they say in a debate, but we know next to nothing about that.

Though they have all filed campaign finance reports with the Department of State in Harrisburg, they filed paper reports. So unless someone is willing to drive to Harrisburg, we’ll have to wait until well after the election is over to be able to follow the money. This defeats the whole point of campaign finance disclosure laws.

In most cases, state candidates file what are known as “courtesy” copies in local elections office. In fact the Department of State directs state senate candidates to "[f]ile with the Department of State and the county in which the candidate resides." Many of the state representative candidates, as well as State Senator Lisa Boscola, have complied.

Capozzolo and Parsons filed nothing in Northampton County. (Parsons filed today).

Whoever wins this race will face State Rep. Mario Scavello in the General election. He’s a Republican from Monroe County and is running unopposed. Unlike his Democratic counterparts, he did file a courtesy copy of his latest campaign finance report, and in Northampton County.

Scavello reports total funds of $406,891.32, consisting of lots of small as well as very large contributions. Despite being unopposed, he spent $110,035.48 in this election cycle. His spending even included a mailer to Democrats.

In any event, Scavello has demonstrated transparency by disclosing who is funding him. All three Democrats have failed a pretty basic test of transparency and accountability

Come on, guys! Show Me the Money!

Updated 12:45 pm. Scott Parsons has filed his campaign finance report. It turns out that Aurand did file his report on May 7. I missed it bc it was buried at the bottom, out of order, under a cover page. An earlier version of this story indicates Aurand failed to file with the County. That assertion was inaccurate and I apologize. 

Jesus Watches State Senate Democratic Hopefuls

Joe Capozzolo, Mark Aurand, Scott Parsons

Three Democrats vying for the nod in the new 40th state senate district were on their best behavior during a debate before about 50 people last night. They had no choice. Not only were they in Gracedale Chapel, but they were seated directly below a gigantic picture of Jesus Christ. A golden cross and open Bible were right behind them. Scott Parsons and Joe Capozzolo looked a bit out of place in that setting, not knowing whether they should genuflect, drink holy water or kiss the Bible. But for Mark Aurand, the son of a Lutheran preacher, this was like having a home field advantage. He was the most polished of the three in an evening during which the candidates mostly agreed with each other. Scott Parsons, a blue collar type despite being a member of County Council, came across very well as the Everyman. Capozzolo displayed the most humor.

Jesus is not running. He forgot to register. 

The 40th Senate District, incidentally, is made up of the northern half of Northampton County and most of Monroe County. State Rep. Mario Scavello is the sole Republican running, and will face the victorious Democrat in November. He's been running for the past two years, and is well financed.

Scott Parsons, a quarry worker, is a member of Northampton County Council and has served as president of Wind Gap Borough Council. Capozzolo, a clothing manufacturer, is the Mayor of Bangor and served as an appointee on Northampton County Council. Aurand is an attorney practicing in Allentown, and has been an activist for the past six years.

Though Jesus was in the background, he played no role in the debate. It was hosted by the Northampton County League of Women Voters. I love to tease them, but I'm very thankful for their efforts. Lafayette College's John Kincaid served as moderator. He posed questions, and gave the candidates an opportunity to ask one question of each other.

Voting

As might be expected, all three Democrats oppose the Voter ID law. Aurand called it a "solution to made up problem." Even Governor Corbett has vowed to take no appeal of a ruling that found the new law to be unconstitutional. All three support early voting.

About 50 attendees

Fracking

There are slight differences between their stances on this topic. Parsons supports a moratorium for fracking on publicly owned land, as well as a 5% severance tax. But he supports fracking. "We need the natural gas," he argued,

Capozzolo and Aurand, by contrast, support a complete moratorium on fracking, whether it is on public or private land. "We need to protect our water," said Capozzolo. He supports a 7.5% severance tax,  and noted several times during the evening that Pennsylvania is the only state in the country that imposes no severance tax.

Aurand called fracking an example of a "big money interests" that "have come into Pennsylvania and have been able to get what they wish." He pledged to stand up for the people, and wants a severance tax as close to 10% as possible.

Scott Parsons

Transportation Funding

All three Democrats support the recently enacted transportation bill, but all three are displeased about the rise in gas taxes to pay for it. Aurand suggested that an infrastructure bank be set up that could provide low interest loans. Parsons stressed more uniform bridge designs that would reduce costs significantly. Capozzolo would pay for the transportation bill with the severance tax. In fact, he proposed the severance tax as the source for just about all new spending he supported throughout the night.

Public Education

Capozzolo would impose a moratorium on charter school applications, complaining that the funding formula is unfair. Parsons added that it is the state's obligation to fund 50% of a school district's needs, and argued that charter schools and similar programs should be incorporated into vo-tech schools. Aurand stated "there's a place" for charter schools, but noted that the Corbett administration drastically cut spending. "We need to reverse that," he noted, adding that he recently discovered that schools in Stroudsburg only get 23% of their funding from the state.

Joe Capozzolo

Property Tax Reform

Capozzolo noted that every election cycle, there is a proposal to eliminate property taxes, often accompanied by a patriotic-sounding name like HB 1776. Holding up a dollar bill, he asked if anyone wanted to bet whether it would be enacted. "It's not going to pass," he predicted. "It's not going to see the light of day."

Parsons complained that the proposal is unworkable because it creates a sales tax that will hurt seniors, and an income tax that will disproportionately hurt low and middle income workers.

Aurand called the proposal "well intentioned," a "response to pleas of the people." But the chief problem in his view is that all the money would go to the state. "Local people aren't going to have any say," he observed. He also noted the bill would actually help places like Wal Mart, which would have no property tax. "We need to find a better way to deal with this problem" he concluded.

Mark Aurand

Medicaid Expansion

All three Democrats support Medicaid expansion in contrast to the Governor's proposal to create a private market option for 520,000 Pennsylvanians in need of health care coverage. "Our Governor decided for political reasons not to participate," complained Aurand. Cappozzolo would pay for it, like everything else, with the severance tax. But Aurand had another source. He noted that Republicans have cut business and corporate taxes by $1.2 billion. Parsons added that the expansion, which would help people in the gap, would also create between 35-39,000 jobs.

Gun Control

Parsons supports the 2d Amendment, adding that "criminals aren't going to abide" by tighter laws. Capozzolo said everyone in his family is a hunter, and he supports both the 2d Amendment and "more stringent background checks." Aurand stated he respects the right of people to have guns, but not those with mental health issues or who engage in domestic violence.

Silly Time

When it was time for candidates to question each other, Capozzolo gave a speech about being positive and then demanded Parsons to name all the municipalities in Monroe County. Parsons started and was up to about 12 when his time ran out. Aurand rejected the question. "It's more important that I talk to the people than that I know the name of the municipality.'

Parsons asked Capozzolo why some of his campaign literature lacks the union bug. Capozzolo answered it was done by a local Bethlehem business.

Aurand was asked why he never ran for anything, and is suddenly running for state senate. Aurand noted he has been an activist and later stated that he is an attorney who advocates and negotiates."It seems to me that's pretty good training to be a lawmaker," he reasoned.

Audience

Though most of the crowd were in one of the three camps, there were a few undecided voters present, like Helen and Aaron Newman, from Bushkill Township. They are concerned about negative campaigning by Democrats in the Governor's race.

There were also Republicans in the House.

"What's the enemy doing here?" I asked Republican Ben Hedrick, who was with County Council member Hayden Phillips. "I'm here to listen to both sides," he told me.

As I was leaving, I asked Gracedale Administrator Dee Freeman about why the Chapel seems to be set up exclusively for Christian services. He turned into Samuel L. Jackson.

"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

All right, all right. .

I'm guessing a Menorah is out of the question.

Reminder: State Senate Debate on Thursday

LWV State Senate Debate on May 8

On May 8, 2014, the League of Women Voters of Northampton County and the Gracedale Nursing Home are partnering to present a Candidates’ Forum for the Democratic 40th Senatorial District Primary Race. It's scheduled for 7 pm at the Gracedale Chapel.

The three candidates in contention are Attorney Mark Aurand, Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo and Northampton County Council member Scott Parsons.

This is the only debate for this race this election season at this time. It is a new Senate seat based on the 2010 PA Census and includes most of Monroe County and the northern portion of Northampton County.

What bothers me is that the debate is scheduled to coincide with a meeting of Northampton County Council.

Aurand Announces State Senate Campaign From Nazareth

Mark Aurand

From tiny Nazareth, Mark Aurand kicked off his state senate campaign today in the newly formed 40th senatorial district. This seat includes nearly all of Monroe County, as well as much of the northern portion of Northampton County. (interactive map here). His kickoff was attended by a small group of supporters who braved the cold. Aurand is running against two other Democrats, Northampton County Council member Scott Parsons and Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo. Unlike his opponents, Aurand is the only one to announce officially that he's in the hunt. He's also the only one who's never held office.

Aurand, a soft-spoken attorney with Allentown law firm Davison and McCarthy, claims he's running because our state government is broken.

That's what Aurand told me when I met him last week. "Regular folks are not being listened to," he said, as I prevented him from eating breakfast at Nazareth Diner with incessant questions.

Mark Aurand

This son of a Lutheran preacher, himself a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Allentown, is unlike many other politicians in that he has spent years committed to service organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, and his Church's makeshift homeless shelter.

Working there last year, he met a New York bus driver who lost his job and ended on the streets with 4-5 mouths to feed. Through LCCC, he was able to get trained as a truck driver, but still was having trouble making ends meet.

"That tells you we're not paying people," said this advocate of a higher minimum wage, a position shared by opponent Scott Parsons.  

Aurand first became seriously interested in politics as a result of the Obama campaign, and got heavily involved in the Organizing for America movement. He believes that this experience will give him an edge in a state senate race, and that he will be able to attract progressive voices to his banner.

His primary emphasis, if elected, will be to invest more money in public education.

His kickoff was attended by State rep. candidate Leslie Altieri, her husband, Charles "don't call me Charlie" Dertinger and state committee candidate Rich Wilkins.

The victorious Democrat will face Republican Mario Scavello in the Fall. He's unopposed.

A Three-Way Dem Primary In State Senate Race

In the new 40th State Senate District, which includes most of Monroe County, the Slate Belt and even Nazareth, three Democrats have filed nomination petitions.

Northampton County Council member Scott Parsons has filed a nominating petition that boasts 850 signatures, well in excess of the required 500. Also filing were Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo, who won his recent Mayoral race by one vote, and newcomer Mark Aurand, an attorney at Allentown law firm Davison and McCarthy.

Of the three candidates, only parsons has been open about running. The others have refused to confirm what they are doing until now.

Whoever wins will have a tough race against Republican Mario Scavello, a State Rep. who has been raising money for this race over the last two years.

NorCo Dem Boss Walt Garvin Makes Republicans Emrick, Hahn, Look Good

Incumbents Marcia Hahn and Joe Emrick

The undercard for the big Presidential debate last night was a state house debate for the 137th and 138th legislative district seats currently held by Republicans Joe Emrick and Marcia Hahn, hosted by the Northampton - Monroe County Farm Bureau. I thought Emrick and Hahn were running against Joe Capozzolo and Leslie Altieri. Somebody should tell Northampton County Boss Man Walt Garvin. He was among the 25 or so people there, and posed a rambling and argumentative question, supposedly about partisanship, that made Emrick and Hahn look pretty good, while Garvin looked petty. In the process of doing so, he hurt the real challengers, who were doing just fine without his "help."

You can see the video here.

I gotta' tell you that I was about 15 minutes late. I always get lost on the roads around St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Plainfield Township. But I arrived just in time for the Walt Gravin show. His ranted about partisanship, fracking, voter ID and education cuts for over two minutes, refusing to allow any of the actual candidates to respond to his tirade.

"Is this the Walt Garvin show or is this a state house candidate debate?" I finally asked. The moderator then shut Garvin down. But the damage had been done. Garvin had just opened up a door that both Emrick and Hahn could drive through with a Mack truck.

Hahn was able to defend her own record.

"I was called to task with one of the newspapers even though I voted against the Congressional redistricting plan and went with the Democrats. I was still chided for it because they said, 'Oh, well, they gave me a bye.' Well, if you were there, and you would know how it worked, we didn't get a bye.

Emrick got in the best shots.

Challengers Leslie Altieri & Joe Capozzolo

"Thank you for demonstrating partisanship," he told Garvin. He could have ended it right there. But he instead corrected the party boss on his education claims.

"The reason that Republicans swept the state, to a large degree, is because they got sick and tired of the people in office, especially Ed Rendell, who increased spending 40% over 8 years, $8 billion, didn't out a dime in the transportation funding, we still face a $3.5 billion transportation shortfall. Mr. Rendell also took $4 billion in federal stimulus money, which is where that budget gap came from that we had to close. While he was taking a two year revenue stream of federal stimulus money that was supposed to be for shovel ready job creation, he was gutting the state's contribution to K-12 basic education, backfilling it with federal stiulus money that they knew was going to disappear in two years, the day he left office. So we come into office with a billion dollar gap in basic K-12 education finding.

"We had to back fill as much of that money as we could, knowing that we're in the heart of a brutal recession. ...

"How irresponsible was that? How do you spend $8 billion and not address the transportation needs of the state? So you want to know why the Democrats were swept out of office?"

Garvin: "No. That was not my question. That was not my question."

Emrick: "You don't have a question."

Joe Cap tried to deflect the damage Garvin had done.

"I don't really know what your question was, Walt," he said, as everyone started laughing. Cap pointed out that he has a history of bipartisanship. "I don't think either party is always right or the other arty is always wrong, he said, noting that his own family is split between the two major parties.

But after the debate, Cap was a little worried that Democratic photographer Michael Laws would snap a picture of him talking to me.

Leslie Altieri pledged she would be bipartisan, but unlike Cap, has no record of it one way or the other. She did agree that her opponent, Marcia Hahn, voted about redistricting,. But Leslie also pointed out that Hahn agreed to send the measure to the House floor.

Garvin? He took off. After his failed attempt to monopolize the dialogue, he lacked the courtesy to stick around and actually listen to what was being said.

Maybe he was giving Obama advice.

Then Joe Cap and Joe Emrick demonstrated their bipartisanship with this little exchange about Voter ID ... in Klingon.

Alrighty then.

Then they all agreed they love farmland preservation and oppose Sunday hunting.

Emrick and Hahan both support reforming prevailing wage laws, with Emricjk adding it would result in lower bids. Altieri is opposed to this, while Cap said he needs to study the issue.

Updated Wednesday, Midnight: Removed the videos and replaced them with links because they awere causing problems for some readers.

State Reps Joe Emrick and Marcia Hahn Schedule a Debate

The Northampton-Monroe County Farm Bureau invites you to attend a "candidates' night for the 137th and 138th Legislative Districts on Monday, October 22, 2012, at 7:30 pm.

It will take place at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1422 Church Road, Pen Argyl, Pa. 18072. (if using a GPS use 1422 Delabole Road for the address).

This will feature 137th Legislative District candidates Joe Emrick (incumbent) and Joseph Capozzolo; and 138th Legislative District candidates Marcia Hahn (incumbent)and Leslie Altieri.

There was supposed to be a debate in Wind Gap last week, but only Joe Cap and Leslie Altieri showed. Emrick and Hahn told The Express Times they had given several weeks' notice of their unavailability, but Joe Cap nevertheless called Emrick a chicken.

They can argue whether the chicken or the egg should come first, or they might explain why Executive John Stoffa claims the legislature has done NOTHING to help county-owned nursing homes like Gracedale.

Capozzolo Says No to NIZ

Former Bangor Mayor and NorCo Council member Joe Capozzolo is seeking the Democratic nomination to State House District 137. The incumbent there is Joe Emrick.

This hodgepodge district includes the Slate Belt, but also extends all the way to Palmer Township. It even includes Nazareth, where I live. Capozzolo has answered my NIZ questions.

1) Do you support the NIZ? - No, although I do support revitilization of our downtowns, Allentown or Bangor.

2) Are you willing to repeal the Allentown tax grab under which the EIT of surrounding municipalities can be used to finance a hockey arena, and other improvements over a 30-year period? - Yes, but I need more information on the entire project.

3) Are you willing to impose a restriction that would prevent the poaching of other LV businesses within a 25-mile radius of the NIZ? - I don't think that is doable. I would need more info.

4) Are you willing to insist on a requirement that all new businesses moving into the NIZ agree to pay a living wage to its workforce? - "living wage" is a relative term. All wage laws should be followed.

Final thoughts: I think the whole project started off on the wrong foot. It seems the plan was hidden from the public. Sneaking anything into a budget bill is wrong, but happens often. I also don't like how an entire city block was taken from its owners and demolished.

When I get Joe Emrick's reply, I'll post it. NIZ Developer J.B. Reilly contributed $1,000 to Joe Emrick last year. Whether that has continued this year is unclear because Emrick's finance report are still unavailable online. Since state tax dollars and local EIT are financing the NIZ, I think we are entitled to some answers.

Grucela's Seat: Who Will We Send to Harrisburg?

For the past eight years, popular State Rep. Rich Grucela has faithfully served the people of Nazareth and much of the slate belt, who elected him as their voice in Harrisburg. Unfortunately, he's stepping down.

Within hours of that decision, two Democrats and two Republicans have surfaced and are circling.

Republican Joe Emrick, Chairman of Upper Nazareth's Supervisors, is definitely in the race. He will formally kick off on February 4th, at a time and place yet to be determined. Lehigh County Comm'r Glenn Eckhart served with Emrick for two years as a Salisbury Township Commissioner. "Joe was one of the two members on the board that help me push though Salisbury Township's first property tax cut in 2003."

According to The Express Times, New Jersey transplant Donald Albanese is interested as well. This Republican previously served in New Jersey's state assembly about 25 years ago, where he was apparently an avid Ronald Reagan fan.

Democrats Charles Dertinger and Joe Capozzolo, both former members of Northampton County Council, are also eyeing this seat. Capozzolo's terms on Northampton County Council and as Bangor Mayor, recently expired. Dertinger lost a re-election effort in November, even losing in his home town.

Angle On Bangor School Board; Sky Does Not Fall

I'm told Ron Angle's election to Bangor School Board is very controversial. But you wouldn't think that had you attended last night's swearing-in ceremony, which occurred during an unusually lengthy reorganization meeting.

Sure, Angle's political enemies have wasted no time in condemning him for daring to think he could simultaneously serve on a school board and county council. According to The Express Times, DA John Morganelli may sue to remove Angle as early as today. He's got no money for extraditions, but can waste prosecutorial resources to reverse the peole's will on the basis of unsettled law. Ironically, there were no protesters as Ron took the oath. The school board's solicitor had no objection, and just sat there chewing gum and looking at her nails.

They're very nice.

Yes, the meeting room was packed. There were reporters and photographers. Channel 69 (WFMZ-69) had the cameras rolling as Magistrate Todd Strohe administered the oath. But the reporters had trouble finding anyone willing to do a "man on the street" interview. The only members of the public who came were me, Ron's barber and Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo, who also sits on Northampton County Council.

"Where are all the protesters?" Joe kept asking me. He sat in the peanut gallery with me, wearing a loud orange hunter's cap. The women wouldn't take their eyes off him.

Of course, Ron being Ron, he bluntly told the board that their priorities are all wrong; that they obsess on minutiae like field trips while ignoring the biggies - "finances and the quality of eduction." He bristled when school board Prez Joe Boyle, himself a Jersey teacher, asked Ron whether he understood a technical educational term. Ironically, most school board members agree that the board needs to refocus on how they conduct meetings. Only one of them, Pam Colton, rolled her eyes.

She has nice nails, too. Cherry red.

Now this was just a reorganization meeting, but it had been raging for two hours when I got up and decided to leave. There were extensive discussions about SAT classes and the relative merits of everyday math, which board member Bruce Cameron, yet another teacher, claims is inadequate. Somebody started talking about ADD, but I wasn't paying attention. I left wondering why anyone, especially a nonteacher like Angle, would want to sit on a school board. These are special people. I'd rather go through root canal.

Angle is getting sued for his interest.

Joe the Mayor Appointed to Northampton County Council

Whenever the Northampton County Bulldog, Ron Angle, calls, it's almost always at the crack of dawn. I'm usually in the middle of a good dream and yesterday morning was no exception. Just as I was about to take a ride to space mountain with Angelina Jolie, the phone rang.

"So, who do you think is going to get the appointment?"

"Nobody. This one's going to the courts, Ron."

"That's where you're wrong. Joe Capozzolo will get the appointment. I'm about to run a play like you've never seen."

Before the night was over, Democratic Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo (you can read about him here) was appointed to council. It was a surreal vote that occurred after almost all the candidates had left and reporters were in the hallway, speaking to a few disappointed candidates. Here's the play by play.

Round 1. Democrat Marilyn Lieberman or Republican Bruce Gilbert. Deadlock.

"I know this was going to happen," laments Council Prez Ann McHale.

Round 2. Democrat Bill Wallace or Republican Esther Lee. Deadlock.

Round 3. Democrats Joe Cappozola, Marilyn Lieberman or Republican Karen Clarkson. Deadlock.

Round 4. Democrat Marilyn Lieberman or Republican Larry Kisslinger. Deadlock.

Round 5. Democrat Bill Wallace or Republican Mark Schwartz. Deadlock.

"Are we ready to let the courts decide on this?" pleads Council Prez Ann McHale.

Charles Dertinger is "at a loss" to understand why Lieberman has not been appointed and Lamont McClure accuses Republicans of partisanship. Angle protests that Republicans nominated two people of color (Lee and Gilbert) as well as a Democrat (Capozzolo).

McHale: "This is not about race, Mr. Angle."

Angle: "We're willing to give you a Democrat, but does it have to be your Democrat? You people still believe you have a seven person majority. You don't."

Peg Ferraro: "Bruce Gilbert has an MBA and is an expert in finance. he brings a fresh perspective to that area."

Dertinger: "What you are trying to do is steal the balance of power or play the race card."

Ferraro (angry): "Do you not ever do that! Do you not ever do that!"

Round 6: Ask the courts to appoint a council member. Deadlock.

McClure: "I'm willing to sit here all night and into tomorrow . This is a complete abdication of our responsibility. It is defeatism in the extreme. It is the worst possible result. This is our responsibility. It is not the court's responsibility."

Angle: "We have offered you compromise three times. You're stuck on Marilyn Lieberman. She would be your person."

Round 7: Democratic strongman Rodney Applegate, who has not even applied, is nominated by McClure. Diane Neiper seconds the nomination with a "Good man!" Angle nominates Dick Cheney and Ferraro nominates Bruce Gilbert. Deadlock.

Round 8: Angle nominates retired Judge Jim Hogan, who happens to be a Democrat. McClure nominates Marilyn Lieberman. The Democrats all ignore a retired Democratic judge. Deadlock.

Angle: "It's not the Republicans, folks"

Round 9: Angle nominates Pope Benedict. No second.

Ferraro to Democrats: "Why wouldn't you vote for Hogan?"

Dertinger to Republicans: "Why wouldn't you vote for Lieberman?"

John Cusick: "I could not support Marilyn Lieberman because of her support of the 2001 bond."

Angle: "She's a loyal follower of Glenn Reibman."

Round 10: Democrat Bill Wallace and Democrat Joe Capozzolo. Deadlock.

Round 11: Angle nominates Morning Call columnist and non-county resident Bill White. Nobody seconds. Sorry, Bill.

Round 12: Ask the courts to decide. Motion passes, with only McClure and Dertinger voting No.

After spinning their wheels and going nowhere, council sputtered through the seven remaining items on the agenda. As they moved onto the last item, Lamont McClure got up and whispered into Ann McHale's ear.

Before long, McClure was speaking instead of whispering. Correctly characterizing council's inability to appoint a council member as an "abject partisan failure," he nominated Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo. This time, the vote was unanimous. When he voted, Angle said, "I really wanted Marilyn Lieberman but I'm willing to take you."

Ascending to the dais, a stunned Joe Cappozzolo said, "I guess waiting around after everyone left paid off. Eighty per cent of success is showing up."

Can Northampton County Council Handle a Third Member From Slate Belt?

The two most controversial and contentious Northampton County Council members are Ron Angle and Charles Dertinger, both of whom live in the slate belt. There's only 3 TVs, so the folks up there live, eat and breathe local politics. Can we really handle a third member from that neck of the woods? Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo thinks so, and submits this curriculum vitae.

1981- Graduate Pius X High School, Bangor, Pa
1981-1983 Attended Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pa.
1983-1990 Universal Sportswear, Bangor Pa. Manager
1990-present Windjammer Inc. Bangor, Pa. Vice-President
2002-present Mayor of Bangor Borough
2003-present PUC- Consumer Advisory Council, Harrisburg, Pa.
2003-present Slate Belt Veterans Association, Bangor, Pa. Current VP