NorCo Council: Rowe is In, Myers is Out

Hellertown's Bill Rowe and NorCo Council President Kerry Myers both got knocked off the ballot in their attempts to seek a spot on County Council. Bill Rowef, a first-time candidate, was seeking the Republican nomination in District One (Bethlehem) and made one mistake. He failed to file a copy of his financial statement with the Clerk of County Council. That is unfortunately a fatal error. Unlike Rowe, Myers has experience as an office holder. He was seeking the Democratic nomination in District Two (Easton). He failed to get signatures from 250 Democrats who live in his district. 

District 1 (Bethlehem area)

Rowe waged a successful write-in contest on the Republican side for the Bethlehem area County Council district.  Of 451 write-in votes cast, he got 321 votes. Democrat Ken Kraft, who won the Democratic nomination, attempted a write-in campaign among Republicans. He pulled in 52 votes. There were 67 votes designated as "not assigned."

This race will continue in the Fall, with Bill Rowe squaring off against Ken Kraft. 

District 2 (Easton area)

After being knocked off the ballot as a Democrat, Myers switched parties and campaigned for the Republican write-in nomination in the Easton area County Council district.  Forks Tp Supervisor Kelly Keegan was running unchallenged for the Democratic nomination. 

The Republican party hierarchy backed Myers. Party chair Glen Geissinger, flanked by three Republican members of County Council, endorsed Myers at a news conference. But Myers failed to get the required 250 write-in votes. 

Of 299 write-in votes cast, Myers attracted 197 votes. Democrat Kelly Keegan, who waged a write-in campaign on the Republican side of the aisle, pulled down 34 votes. There were also 68 "scattered write-ins.  

This race is over, Barring an unlikely independent candidate, Kelly Keegan will be the next County Council member in District 2. Myers is now officially a lame duck. 

Kerry Myers Will Remember Our Forgotten Veterans

He comes from a family of fifteen. He learned all about volunteerism while growing up. He's been honored by both the NAACP and the state house of representatives for a lifetime of commitment to our youth. Even these days, you can still see Kerry Myers behind the plate, making bad calls. But at 6'3", few people argue with him. Now he wants to make bad calls on County Council. He's one of eight Democrats seeking five at-large seats this May. Even if he gets it wrong from time to time, this is a man who really cares about his community.

"I'm gonna' work hard, from the time I take that office until the day I walk out," he sayss. "And frankly, I don't care if I get re-elected. But while I'm in that office, I'm going to do my job. I'm gonna' put my heart and soul into it." He distinguishes between politicians and political servants. "I'm a political servant. I'm going to serve this community every day."

At a recent speech to Easton Dems, the thing that struck me most was his passion. Moreover, this is one guy who won't forget our veterans. "One thing I'm going to stress, if elected, is that the County Council add a Veterans Affairs Committee. If elected, I would like to chair it. ... I know how important it was to take that oath of office, to protect this country."

Kerry Myers is a good call.

Softball Ump Pledges to Make Right Calls on NorCo Council

Kerry Myers seeks one of five NorCo Council seats

On a brief lunch break from his job at Lafayette College, Kerry Myers today announced that he'll be seeking one of five at-large Northampton County Council seats in this year's election. You might know him as the former head of Easton's always controversial school board. You might know him as the man who was honored two years ago by both the NAACP and the state house of representatives for a lifetime of commitment to our youth. I know his as an ump.

If you think a school board is controversial, try dealing with 6'3" softball players who insist they are safe after you call them out. Kerry has always handled those situations with grace. In addition, I think he's 6'4".

Myers started his announcement by stating he supports keeping Gracedale in County hands. He stated that the people of this County are its finest asset, "and we need to make sure they're taken care of."

He acknowledged that he would have to do more homework to familiarize himself with the numerous issues facing Northampton County.

Myers was joined at his news conference by Easton Mayor Sal Panto, Vice Mayor Ken Brown, School Director Frank Pintabone and John Robinson, a past President of the Easton NAACP and former member of the Prison Advisory Board. Some of his sons were there, too, so I had to tone it down on the questions. They look like they're 6'5".

DA John Morganelli, on his way to a noon conference, still took the time to pose with the Lafayette "working man" who had to be back at his job by 1 PM.

From L to R: Easton Mayor Sal Panto, DA John Morganelli and the ump, Kerry Myers