Former NorCo Exec Defends His No-Tax-Hike Budgets, Justifies Kicking Can Down the Road

As most of you know, NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski has proposed raising property taxes by 43.5%. County Council will never agree. Even her closest allies there have distanced themselves from a very unpopular spending plan. At last week's Council meeting, she nearly broke down in tears as she tried to justify it to an unpersuadable public. Partisan Republicans are opposed to any hike at all, even if it means drastic cuts in services. But more open-minded Republicans and many others would agree with her goals. Employees are paid far too little, and that needs to change, especially in the county's 24/7 operations. The county needs to keep its retirement accounts funded. Its rainy-day fund is depleted. Necessary repairs to county infrastructure have been deferred. Even the county's commitment to open space to the tune of $3 million a year was shortchanged in the last budget. Without naming names, Zrinski has laid the blame for this financial morass on former Executive Lamont McClure. In a recent Facebook post, he explains why he never sought and actually reduced taxes.  I'll post what he says, and tomorrow, I'll give you the perspective of District Attorney Steve Baratta and his fractious relationship with McClure

The recent news that my successor as County Executive has proposed raising real estate property taxes an astonishing 43% has caused a furor. It’s also raised several questions in the minds of citizens about the decisions we made over the last 8 years. In this and other mediums, I will try and answer the most common and salient questions I get asked. The first one I will tackle is why didn’t we incrementally raise taxes over the years to avoid a huge increase in one year ? (This is long and you may need to take a nap while reading, and if you’re not from Northampton County, you may want to use it to combat insomnia, but here we go.)

First, I disagree that a 43% increase this year is necessary or warranted. But, that’s a different post. I’m only going to discuss the 7 no tax increase budgets in this post as the 2022 tax cut deserves its own treatment.

Second, the last 8 years were dominated by the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. The economy was crushed when the Country shut down, and after the attempts at rescuing the economy supercharged inflation it would have been economically counterproductive and overly burdensome to place an additional property tax obligation on our taxpayers.

Third, in order to attempt to rescue the economy the Congress, during the first Trump Administration passed The Cares Act, and during the Biden Administration it passed The American Rescue Plan. Northampton County directly received $63,000,000.00 from these two Acts of Congress. Gracedale received many millions more directly as did Emergency Management and the Area Agency on Aging. Northampton County received tens of millions of dollars in aid and it would have been immoral to raise taxes while that money was coming into the coffers. (An approximate total of 90 million dollars.)

Fourth, when I took office, Northampton County was normally keeping surpluses of 60-100 million dollars per year. There was no need to raise taxes just to keep citizens money sitting in our bank accounts. I’ll talk more about this when I discuss the 2022 tax cut. Fifth, philosophically during my time on County Council and as County Executive, I came to view the real estate property tax as regressive. This is ironic in that when the property tax was conceived it was the ultimate progressive tax, however, after WWII and the GI Bill, home ownership was democratized and now the people being asked to bear a great burden are middle class seniors on a fixed income.

Sixth, while I’m a Democrat, I also found myself in the context of the property tax, and the way Northampton County had budgeted for so long, to be an avowed tax cutter. While on County Council I tried to cut the millage rate 5 or 6 times, and by now you know what I did in 2022. Seventh, I ran in 2017 for County Executive promising not to raise property taxes, and I won convincingly. When I ran for re-election in 2021, I promised not to raise property taxes. I kept my promises to people of Northampton County.

Eighth, during all 8 of our years we never had to cut any core or vital services such that we would have needed a tax increase. In fact, we expanded services.

Ninth, the politics of taxes are very tricky anywhere, but especially for Democrats in one of the most Purple counties in the Country. I was personally involved in two elections where we wrested control from the Republicans, and both times it was because they had raised taxes. The first time was in 2005 when we took the County Council majority as the Republicans raised taxes 64%. The second was when I defeated John Brown in 2017 after he and his Republican Council majority raised taxes by 1 mil.

Tenth, I take full responsibility for the 8 budgets that I proposed and passed. I’m quite proud of my record, but it’s worth noting that our 9 member County Council is the Governing Body of Northampton County. Only County Council can establish the millage rate. At any time, during those 8 budgets, any 6 members of County Council could have raised taxes “incrementally.” They would have needed 6 because I would have vetoed it, but I digress. Only once during the 11th hour of the 8th budget did any member [former Council member Ron Heckman] propose raising taxes even 1 mil. That motion died for failure of a second.

In his 10-point manifesto, McClure fails to address the poor morale and turnover, his refusal to fully fund open space and the sub-par salaries paid to county employees. Whether he likes it or not, he certainly appears to have balanced budgets on the backs of county workers. His philosophical objection to property tax is no justification for treating workers like shit. 

Zrinski has clearly gone too far, but her goal of providing a decent wage is something that must be pursued.   

McClure's Histrionic Reaction to Grand Jury Report

On Friday, I told you about an Investigating Grand Jury Report detailing serious resident safety concerns and poor leadership at Gracedale. Earlier today, I told you about NorCo Executive Tara Zrinski's defensive and evasive reaction. But that's nothing compared to former Executive Lamont McClure's histrionics. They are attached to the report itself (linked above).  McClure endorsed and contributed $10,000 to Zrinski's campaign to succeed him. He is currently employed by NorCo as an assistant Solicitor.

McClure calls the Grand Jury Report a "politically motivated hit job launched on [him] at a time when the current District Attorney believed he could damage [McClure's] Congressional campaign." He fails to explain how this report, published months after he came in third in a four-way primary, was somehow able to torpedo his Congressional ambitions. 

McClure also contends that Baratta "seeks to minimize his own incompetence and petty corruption as District Attorney." 

He calls the 14 deficiencies found in 2025, while he was Executive, "isolated incidents." 14 deficiencies in one year are "isolated incidents"? No, that's a pattern, and it's one that resulted in the home's license getting reduced from Regular to Provisional I status. When the home continued to decline, it was reduced again to Provisional II status. 

After attempting to minimize 14 deficiencies as "isolated incidents," McClure insists that "there is no demonstrated causal connection" that they were caused by the use of agency nurses or poor staffing levels. 

Excuse me? The exorcist nurse that prompted the grand jury investigation was herself an agency nurse. And at least one of the elopements was the result of Gracedale's failure to provide 1 on 1 care for an at-risk individual. 

Perhaps the most disappointing feature of McClure's response to the Grand Jury report was his attempt to savage and scapegoat Jennifer Stewart, the person he himself appointed Administrator. This is precisely what he did to County Administrator Charles Dertinger, after a botched election. She testified that she was increasing census pursuant to his directions and that current Administrator Michelle Morton actually reversed some of her denials. In paragraph after paragraph, McClure attacks the honesty and integrity of a loyal county employee who started as a CNA and worked her way up. He attacked a person known to have herself spent long evenings herself at Gracedale when the home was short-handed and who was willing to do the dirty work, including the changing of bed pans. He blames her for wanting to increase census but told County Council he made her his Admissions Director "because there hasn't been a county contribution [to the nursing home] from the general fund for many years. ... One of the things that we think is necessary in order to continue to be viable as a county-owned and operated institution is to continue not to have county contributions coming from the general fund..... Jennifer Stewart is an expert at getting the census up."

What he failed to tell County Council at that time was that there was a simmering crisis in which monies that had been set aside for retention bonuses were spent instead on other Gracedale expenditures. What he also failed to tell Council was that Gracedale actually did get a county contribution of $9.9 million in 2024, a point highlighted by the annual independent audit. 

So when McClure told County Council that there had been no county contribution in many years, was he lying? 

It appears that Jennifer Stewart, an unusual and special kind of person who actually care about the residents, was scapegoated and sent to Admissions. 

What's Next For Lamont McClure?

After falling short in his bid for the Democratic nomination to the Pa. 07 Congressional District, what has NorCo's former Exec been doing? He likes to take pictures of flowers and rocks and that kind of goofy stuff, but what does he want to do? He might want to run for DA next year, but I doubt he'd primary Steve Baratta. He might want to run for judge but will have to wait a bit if he does. He still has money in his state account, so he's obviously keeping his options open.

Here's what he says on Facebook, next to a picture of a flower: Many Friends have been asking me what I’m doing next. I think some people just might be tired of me posting pictures of flowers all the time. 😂 Over the last 30 years, I’ve had two very intense, successful careers that sometimes ran on parallel tracks. Like LeBron this is likely to be my last “Decision”, and therefore, I’m taking my time. 😀 I’m trusting the process too. 😂"

I personally think he's planning to open a flower shop.

LVNews Features McClure Call Concerning Dixie TIF

I told you last week that NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski supported a tax break for 409 luxury apartments at Wilson Borough's vacant Dixie Cup factory. Despite her support, the tax break failed. One of the No votes came from Council member Theresa Fadem, who stated from the dais that part of the reason for her No vote was because she felt pressured by a telephone call that former NorCo Exec Lamont McClure made to Fadem's boss. He was very reluctant to speak about it with me but was a little more forthcoming in a story published by Lehigh Valley News yesterday. Before I get into that, I want to tell you how Zrinski reacted. 

During the meeting, and after the TIF had failed, Zrinski was passing out papers to Council members concerning two new positions she was seeking (and later got) at Gracedale. When she approached Fadem, she reported apologized to Fadem. According to another Council member, who was in earshot, Zrinski said she was sorry about what had happened to Fadem and was unaware that McClure had called her boss. Zrinski obviously recognizes that, whatever the intention, the telephone call was highly inappropriate and was designed to pressure Fadem. 

Now let's look at what McClure said to Lehigh Valley News. 

He claims he decided to call Hellertown, which has nothing to do with any TIF and is miles away from Wilson Borough because Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft would "understand the municipal perspective." 

I could see his nose grow an inch or two when he offered this lame excuse. Whether Hartranft would or would not understand has no bearing at all on what Wilson Borough, located 10 miles away, was seeking. It is clear to me that McClure called Hartranft in an attempt to pressure Fadem. 

McClure denies knowing that Fadem is employed by Hellertown. That's nonsense as well. McClure knew the background of every candidate who ran for county council last year. You can add another inch to that nose. 

Then McClure went on to say that Fadem is a "very close ally" of Council member Lori Vargo Heffner, whom he despises because she only went along with about 90% of what he wanted when he was Exec. 

Wait a second. McClure out of one side of his mouth claims that Fadem is a "very close ally" of Vargo Heffner, but out of the other side of his mouth has no idea where she works.

Add another inch to his increasingly prominent proboscis. 

Finally, he claims that Vargo Heffner has endorsed Ryan Crosswell, one of his rivals in the Pa. 07 Congressional race. 

Add another inch. 

Vargo Heffner has endorsed no one. She is President of the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women, which makes no endorsements in contested Democratic primaries. She told me that she thinks it would be improper for her to endorse anyone, not even the sole woman in that race, Carol Obando-Derstine. 

It is very clear to me that McClure's call to Hellertown's Borough Manager was designed to pressure Fadem, and this is consistent with his past behavior. 

I also want to draw attention to the last sentence of the Lehigh Valley News story, which notes in passing that all three taxing bodies must approve a TIF before it can move forward. That is untue. Two of the taxing bodies can still moving ahead, which is exactly what happened with the Hamilton Crossings project in 2014. The County said No, but the township and school district moved forward without county participation. 

UPDATED: Thresa Fadem Displayed a Profile in Courage in Voting No to the Dixie TIF

Last week, Theresa Fadem was one of the six NorCo Council members who voted against a tax break for the conversion of Wilson Borough's vacant Dixie factory into 409 luxury apartments.  She's one of four newbies - all Democrats - elected in November. Before voting No, she shed some light on the incredible pressures that all elected officials endure when facing a controversial issue. In a democratic form of government, that should be expected. But there's a difference between lobbying or argument and coercion or intimidation. Fadem made very clear that she at least felt that she was being intimidated into voting for the tax break. Here's what she said. 

I'm glad we're discussing this up here because this is a discussion of a very great scale, and it should take place here on the dais, in full view of the public. All right, our constituents deserve open, honest, dialogue, not private persuasion. Which leads me to feel compelled to address of recent action that I find deeply concerning. The former county executive contacted my current employer in what appears to be an attempt to influence my position on this matter. It's clearly a breach of professional boundaries. My responsibilities as an elected official are independent of my employment. And any attempt to leverage my workplace in an attempt to sway my vote is inappropriate and unacceptable. I was on the fence before, but I'll tell you right now, it's solid now.

Theresa Fadem is employed as Hellertown's zoning and code enforcement officer. Her boss is Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft. The former county executive is Lamont McClure, who was unsuccessful in his attempt to shepherd a tax break through County Council in November. 

Based on what Fadem stated at the meeting, former Executive McClure (now a Congressional candidate) called Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft in an attempt to have Hartranft pressure Fadem to vote for the tax break. It's also clear that Hartranft in turn did talk about it with Fadem. She may have intended only to share her opinion and insight as a borough manager that a tax break would be good for another struggling borough. But she forgot that she is Fadem's boss, and anything a boss would say to a subordinate employee would place that person under intense pressure. This is clearly what McClure intended. 

If he was only interested in private persuasion, McClure could have called Fadem directly. Instead, he chose to put the squeeze on through Fadem's boss. This is clear intimidation. Another word for it is bullying. 

I asked McClure if what Fadem said is true, adding "that would be highly inappropriate if true." McClure first stated that he had no response. He later added, "I deny that I asked anyone to leverage her employment to get her to vote for the project - which is what [Fadem] implied by saying she was 'pressured.'"

Then why did he call the Borough Manager at all? Why wouldn't he just call Fadem directly? 

In addition to calling McClure, I called Borough Manager Hartranft. Her voice mail stated she returns every call, but she declined to return my call. She might claim this is a personnel matter, but I disagree. Any attempt to persuade her to vote for or against the TIF it is outside the scope of Fadem's employment with Hellertown. Whether knowing or unknowingly, she did exactly what McClure wanted. Fadem clearly felt threatened. 

In fact, I have since learned that Hartranft even sent Fadem a text about the McClure conversation during the course of the meeting. 

Finally, I spoke with Fadem. She understandably declined to add anything to what she said at the Council meeting. She's scared. 

And she's right to be scared. In the past, I have seen other Council members like Lorei Vargo Heffner and Ron Heckman attacked personally when they refuse to go along with 100% of what McClure wanted as Exec And it has already started with Fadem with some anonymous comments. 

The person this damages most is not Fadem, but current County Executive Tara Zrinski. She has worked hard at building bridges with Council, not just the Meadows Bridge.  When a Council member is bullied over a vote, that just destroys everything. McClure is no longer county executive. Zrinski is rendered ineffective when he continues to use tactics that have failed in the past.  He is now an assistant solicitor and has no business arguing for or against a policy. If anyone should be worried about job security, it should be him. 

UPDATED 10:38 AM: After this post published, Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft called me. Shje acknowledged that she was, in fact, called by McClure. She indicated that McClure called her to discuss the TIF and the developer's willingness to provide $2 million for affordable housing. She said that immediately after the call, she told Fadem about his call because she wanted to be transparent. She herself had no opinion concerning the TIF. She acknowledged that Fadem's employment was in no way threatened and there was no intent to intimidate or coerce her. 

I believe Hartranft. But I also believe that Fadem, who is in a subordinate position to Hartranft, felt threatened. The call went exactly as McClure intended. 

DCCC Adds LV Congressional Candidate Bob Brooks to its "Red to Blue" Program

In what is tantamount to an endorsement, the DCCC has added LV Congressional candidate Bob Brooks to its "Red to Blue" program. Three other Democrats are running, but the DCCC and Josh Shapiro have spoken. 

Brooks is one of the latest candidates to receive the official blessing of Beltway Dems and is portrayed as an Everyman instead of what he really is - the puppet of elitist power brokers in Harrisburg and D.C. 

In California, one of the snubbed Congressional candidates, Randy Villegas, has remarked, "It is undemocratic to see DC elites putting their thumb on the scale in this race.”

It's more than a thumb. It's also money and organization.

Some House Democrats are unhappy, especially with the Brooks decision. ""I think the DCCC owes House Democrats an explanation, and I would not be surprised if a number of members decide to put their DCCC giving on hold," the anonymous lawmaker told Axios. "Some of these decisions ... are very perplexin

I believe the Working Families Party made that "thumb on the scale" analogy a bit more accurate. "[T]he Democratic establishment is again putting its thumb on the scale—not to support the stronger candidate, but the candidate who will bend to party leadership." said spokesman Ravi Mangla.

Lamont McClure, one of the snubees, had this remark for Axios. "When I am our nominee and [GOP Rep. Ryan Mackenzie] is toast, I think the DCCC and all its members will be really happy about that."

UPDATED: McClure Sole Congressional Candidate at LV Workers' Memorial

Over the weekend, a group of about 30 people attended the annual Lehigh Valley Workers Memorial at Bethlehem's Rose Garden. It was established to commemorate the Lehigh Valley's working men and women who been killed or injured on the job. Lamont McClure, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Congress in Pa. 07, was there. He's been doing it for over 20 years. None of his Democratic rivals showed, nor incumbent Ryan Mackenzie. Although State Representatives Bob Freeman and Steve Samuelson came, none of Bethlehem's elected officials wished to pay their respects. Their absence is astonishing, especially since Bethlehem's Recycling Center has been named after two employees who were killed on the job. 

It was April 16, 2002. Dana Grubb (then a Bethlehem City employee) received a call telling him to get out to the recycling center immediately. In his own words,

"Our police department was already on site investigating. There was a lot of blood in the area were Ray Theis and Lewis Cornfeld had been hit and crushed against a cardboard compactor and building.

"I was back and forth with the City's police communications center as we tried to locate their families.

"Ray had been medivacked to Lehigh Valley Hospital and Lew to St. Luke's Hospital. There was confusion about who had been sent where. I was asked to go to St. Luke's to provide identification. One had died on the way to Lehigh Valley Hospital, the other was still alive, but they weren't sure who was who.

"When I arrived at St. Luke's I was ushered into the emergency room where I was able to ID Lew. I will never ever forget what the trauma of his injuries had done to his appearance. He was hardly recognizable.

"Afterward I was sent into a room where Lew's family was waiting along with a chaplain. When an emergency room doctor arrived, he told them to prepare for the worst. You could feel the heavy emotions in that room. Lew would pass very shortly after.

"I left and went to Town Hall where a City Council meeting was underway and let Mayor Cunningham know the status of the situation. He made an announcement to Council.

"For years each April 16 a brief remembrance is held on/around April 16 to remember these co-workers. Unfortunately, the current management no longer does anything to remember the two men whose names are honored at the Their-Cornfeld Recycling Center. They're just names these days."

Incumbent Ryan Mackenzie might have shipped this event because it attracts mostly union members, but this could be one way he could have demonstrated that he actually does care about workers and their on-the-job safety. Ryan Crosswell, who appears to have lived everywhere in the United States but the Lehigh Valley, probably knew nothing about this annual tribute. That's what I'd expect from someone who moved here to run. Obando-Derstine was until recently was a systems engineer with rate-greedy PPL, has never had any real connection to the working class. But Bob Brooks is a former Bethlehem City firefighter and a union president. His absence tells me what he really thinks about the working class, not his TV ads. 

Don't get me wrong. I recently watched the Blue Ridge Cable TV of the Dem Congressional candidates who were sparring in Jim Thorpe. All seemed likable. McClure and Crosswell were easily the most polished speakers, which should be expected because that's how they both made a living. But Brooks and Obando-Derstine were fine. 

Of the four candidates, Crosswell is best suited to beat Mackenzie because he might attract GOP votes from disaffected Trump supporters. But the problem with Crosswell is that he will not be representing us, as his finance records reveal. He simply lacks the understanding of local issues and people that McClure has. He's been doing it many years. Along the way, he has made some enemies. But he's been on the frontline, and here in the Lehigh Valley. 

10:55 AM UPDATE: I am informed that Congressman Mackenzie was at a ceremony to honor Lehighton's last surviving WWII veteran at its American Legion and attended a Department of Labor Memorial event in DC on Thursday. 

Exec Lamont McClure Delivers Last Report to NorCo Council

NorCo Exec Lamont McClure is stepping down at the end of the year. At last night's meeting of County Council, he delivered a final report that details the county's financial position and employee compensation. 

So what I wanted to do with my final report was frame for you where this administration ends financially, and we just did the budget, so we're not gonna relitigate that. We litigated it, and it concluded.

But I sort of, I do think I need to talk a little bit about what the financial picture, the county, is because there was a lot of talk about that vis a vis, the state's inability to timely pass the budget. So, we anticipate, and these aren't my estimates, these are Brandon Dunstain's [Budget Administrator] estimates.

When the books close in February, we will have 37 to $40 million in cash. So that was a concern that we would be out of cash. The new administration will be able to make payroll and tell the taxes roll in for the new year.

I wanted to also let counsel know and create the record that, as we walk out of here, Northampton County government will have $1.2 billion of borrowing capacity. Let me repeat that, Northampton County will be left by this administration and this council $1.2 billion of borrowing capacity. This comes despite the fact that we built a forensic center, and we've borrowed money to ameliorate a 50-year-old crumbling garage. So the $1.2 billion is more than adequate for future executives and councils to do whatever they need to do in terms of the public works of Northampton County. So I thought that was important to let everybody know.

And while we're talking about borrowing capacity, our bond rating, as I walk out this door, is double A1. Which is the second best bond rating you can have, and I believe, the finest bond rating of any municipality in the Lehigh Valley. So, not only will you be able to borrow $1.2 billion, if you have to, you can borrow it for less money because your bond rating is so solid.

We have also talked about pension, and OPEB  [other post employment benefits]. So today, the pension fund sits at $566,642,484. Almost $600 million. There are people, not yet born, who will work for this county, that could be covered by this almost 600 million dollars. So it's very important for us to understand where we are today, and that is at almost 600 million. The OPEP Fund sits at $59,249,712. The total under management - I added it up - $625,892,196. That's what I am leaving as I walk out. The door.

One other thing that I want to talk about is the county's long-term indebtedness. 20 years ago, our long-term indebtedness was $128,743,766. By the time I took office in 2018, our long-term indebtedness was $110,881,061. We got it down, despite having borrowed, to build the state-of-the-art forensics center by 2024, we got it down to $69,861,859. It's gone up a little bit to $84,381,512, because we borrowed the money to fix the crumbling 50-year-old parking garage, but still below, when I took office and substantially below, where it was 20 years ago.

Now, this financial picture is sometimes connected to a fallacious argument, that fallacy, that this was done on the backs of our employees. And that is not, in fact, the case.

What do we know about employee compensation? One of the things we know about employee compensation is that the ever-increasing cost of healthcare diminishes whatever employees get in their raises, correct? 

So for the last, and I'll provide, I'll provide your staff with this information so that you can all have it in front of you to digest and pass on to the new members of council, but for the last 8 years, our employees' healthcare costs to them have not risen. For eight years, our employees' healthcare costs, to them, have not risen. I don't know of another employer where that happened. If you find one, let me know. It is a unicorn.

Additionally, there's this notion that our employees  - who are valuable to us - haven't received their fair compensation over these last eight years, and I'm including the eighth budget that just passed. And I want to just go over with you, as I promised, what the compounded totals of their raises have been over the last eight years. And we broke it down through each of the bargaining units.

So, to start with the nonunion career service, their compensation has risen 27.87% during my time as county executive, and during this council in the previous council's time governing.

The corrections officers, they have risen 27.78% plus 75 cents an hour in that first contract they got when we arrived.

AFSCME Gracedale, they have risen 27.27%. AFSCME residual unit, 26.61%. Their salaries have increased. And don't feel bad for AFSCME residual, because although it's 2% in 26, in 27 and 28, they get four and a half and four and a half. So they'll be tacking another 9% onto that.

Deputy sheriffs, they are 30.9%. Their compensation is raising over the last eight years.

The Detectives Association, Detectives, have gone up 36.2% over the last eight years.

The Human Services Workers, the folks at DHS, nice folks who come here, their compensation has risen 34.93%. And the steel workers, uh, at Gracedale, it's 33.53%.

So it is just not true that, you know, our excellent financial position is based on not having paid folks, especially in light of the fact that healthcare is not risen in the last eight years. 

That concludes my report.

Thank you.

Is Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" A Good or Bad Thing?

President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill", designed to implement his domestic agenda, has made it through the House by a single vote. Whether it makes it through the Senate is another matter. It is highly doubtful that it will survive in its current form, especially since some Republican senators find it unacceptable in its current form for differing reasons. 

Locally, Congressman Ryan Mackenzie voted for the House version, saying it provides "commonsense solutions that people across the Lehigh Valley are counting on."

The house version includes (1) a $4 trillion tax cut which does include lower marginal income rates, an increase in the standard deduction, no taxes on tips and no taxes on social security; (2) Medicaid recipients without disabilities will have to work, which could reduce federal spending by $800 billion; (3) changes in Obamacare designed to make it more expensive, with reduced subsidies; (4) an end to most tax breaks, for clean energy, excepting nuclear energy; (5) An end to food stamps (SNAP) for people between 18 and 64 with no job, and a shifting to the states of some of the cost; (6) major increases in defense spending, including a Golden Dome similar to what Israel employs; (7) reductions in student loans; and (5) a $4 trillion increase in the national debt.

Mackenzie has two Democratic opponents in next year's Congressional race. Here's how they reacted.

Carol Obando-Derstine: "While working families slept, Ryan Mackenzie voted for Trump’s billionaire tax breaks and backed a bill that will rip healthcare from nearly 24,000 people in our district, threaten SNAP for 25,000 more, and keep driving up prices at our expense. It’s a cruel betrayal. While Mackenzie helps billionaires like Elon Musk and leaves our district behind, I’ve spent my career fighting for the families hit hardest by these cuts. I’m running for Congress to deliver real solutions and put working families first."

Lamont McClure: "In the dead of night, Ryan Mackenzie cast the deciding vote to stab working families in the back—supporting the largest Medicaid cuts in history. Ripping away healthcare from millions of Americans, all so his billionaire buddies get another tax break. It’s cowardly. It’s cruel. And I’m running for Congress to make damn sure he never gets to do it again."

NorCo's Communications Should Be About the County, Not McClure

When he was first elected county executive in 2017, Lamont McClure decided to use one of his assistant administrators to act as a communications director. Some of you thought this was just an opportunity for the Exec to publicize himself, and I'll agree it's good politics. But it's also good government. The public is kept apprised of what is happening at a county level. It's transparent and informative at a time when the dailies no longer have the staff to cover local government. But I received a news release yesterday that crosses the line from good government to pure politics. 

The release is below:

[Northampton County, PA] – Northampton County is proud to announce that County Executive Lamont G. McClure has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 Parade of Shamrocks. This festive event, organized by the Celtic Cultural Alliance (CCA), will take place in the streets of Historic Downtown Bethlehem on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM.

 

County Executive McClure, a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, has dedicated much of his career to making a positive impact in his community. He takes great pride in his Irish heritage and has consistently supported the mission of the CCA. In regard to this honor, he stated, “I am truly honored to have been chosen as the Grand Marshal of the Parade of Shamrocks. I can’t wait to celebrate with all of you.”

 

The Parade of Shamrocks is a significant cultural event that highlights the rich traditions of the Celtic community.

Join us in celebrating this vibrant event and honoring County Executive Lamont G. McClure as the Grand Marshal. We look forward to seeing everyone in Downtown Bethlehem for a day of fun, culture, and community spirit!

 

For all media inquiries related to this announcement, please contact Jessica Berger, Deputy Director of Administration at 610-829-6250 or JBerger@norcopa.gov.

Amazingly, this "news" release asks us to join in "honoring County Executive Lamont G. McClure as the Grand Marshal." A county news release should never be used to fawn over a county exec who has incidentally just announced he's running for Congress. This was a misuse of county resources. 

NorCo Exec Lamont McClure to Run For Pa.7 Congressional Seat

It's official. Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure announced late yesterday afternoon that he's seeking the Democratic nomination to Congress' Pa. 7th District, currently held by Republican Ryan Mackenzie. He did so in an after-hours announcement from the courthouse rotunda before a crowd of at least 100 supporters, including a Who's Who of local Democratic leaders, county staffers and an alphabet soup of trade union leaders. 

Up until this point, McClure has served in county government both as a Council member and as Executive.  He was initially appointed to a County Council vacancy in 2006 and thereafter won and held the seat for two terms. He was elected County Executive in 2017 and is in the final year of his second term. He previously announced he would not be seeking a third term. Now we know why.

As Executive, McClure steered the county through a pandemic and a statewide shutdown. He insisted that county offices remain open and found a way to funnel $25 million to small businesses in the county that were hanging by a thread. He's never proposed a tax increase and actually cut taxes in 2022 while simultaneously reducing the size of county government by nearly a third. He restored medical benefits to employees after they had been cut by the pervious Executive. 

As a member of county council, he was at the forefront of the battle to save the county's nursing home, which he has always called "a moral obligation." As Executive, he made sure it is now also county operated instead of through a private administrator. He has also persuaded Council to start a daycare at the nursing home for the children of employees.

He has had failures, too. Most notably, there were problems in the 2019 and 2023 elections. Though the county purchased the best voting machine available - the ExpressVote XL- the vendor failed to align about a third of the machines before the 2019 election and botched the coding of the machines prior to the 2023 election.  He has also had to deal with a County Council that, unlike many legislative bodies, has been flexing its biceps in a much-needed demonstration that there are actually three, and not one, branch of government. Most of them were no-shows at yesterday's announcement. 

Before Mackenzie's 1% victory last year, the seat had been held by Susan Wild. Whether she herself is running is unclear, but I'm told that she has been beating the bushes to find a woman with a STEM background to take on Mackenzie. She was MIA at yesterday's announcement.

Susan Lawless, who chairs Hanover Township's Board of Supervisors and was one of the introductory speakers, cited McClure's accomplishments but said there was one overriding reason to support him. "He can win," she declared. 

McClure condemned "the chaos that Trump and Elon Musk are causing in Washington, D.C. today. It's completely unnecessary." He said he was able to cut taxes and reduce the growth of county government by 31% over 7 years "without creating chaos. We don't need a bully like Elon Musk to come into the courthouse and fire people. We did this in a sensible manner. And not only did we do it in a sensible manner, we did it without cutting core services. In fact, we expanded core services."

He also discussed what he called Ryan Mackenzie's "values." "Mackenzie has shown us a little bit about what he values ... Let's take his focus on Medicare repeal. That's a value, right? Let's take his vote on Medicaid repeal. That's a value. He's showing his values. His assault on Americans' health care, he's demonstrating his values."

"What has he said to condemn the pardon of the January 6 insurrectionists?" McClure asked. "He's always lecturing me about support of law enforcement. By the way, I support law enforcement. Since I've been county executive, we have funded the police and fire and EMS to the tune of $2 million despite the fact that that is not part of our core responsibilities. So we support law enforcement, but Ryan Mackenzie did not criticize President Trump when he pardoned those insurrectionists. That demonstrates his values.

He also asked why Mackenzie has failed to criticize "Putin's aggressive invasion of Ukraine. I have not. Have you heard him say 'I stand with Ukraine' onto victory. I have not. But I stand with Ukraine onto victory. These are my core values."

McClure said he learned his values from his late father, a former director of Carbon County Housing Authority, "who lives on in my heart every day." From his father, he learned that "one of the most dignifying things in life was to be able to provide a roof over your family's head."  

It's on. 

McClure to Make "Major" Announcement Tomorrow. Is He Running For Congress?

NorCo Exec Lamont McClure is expected to make a "major" announcement tomorrow afternoon, 5 pm, at the courthouse in Easton.  I believe he intends to announce he is running for Congress.

Late last year, McClure decided against seeking a third term. He claimed then that he was bothered that doing so would defy the will of the people as recently expressed in a referendum limiting the county executive to two terms. Under this new Charter provision, McClure could have still legally could sought a third term.

I believe he intends to announce he's running for Congress, which is an open secret at the courthouse. 

First, the email notifying me of McClure's announcement comes from a Madison Plamer, who was spent her young career after graduating from the University of Iowa as a professional campaign worker for Democratic Congressional candidates Will Rollins (California), Katie Hobbs (Arizona) and Cora Neumann (Montana).  

Second, McClure was snubbed by former Congress member Susan Wild at a recent MLK celebration in Easton. Wild has denied this and has suggested that I defamed her, but I stand by what I wrote. I'm told by people who know her that she's furious that any Democrat but her would run for the seat she just lost to Ryan Mackenzie.  

Third, Mackenzie has been critical of the way NorCo handles illegal immigrants who are incarcerated. They always notify ICE and tell them when the inmate will be released and even will hold the inmate an extra 48 hours beyond that time. After that time, a warrant is required. This is consistent with both federal law and the Constitution's requirement of due process, which despite what Trumpers may think, is still the law of the land. Mackenzie is vocal about this matter because he perceives McClure as a threat. Otherwise, he wouldn't care. 

Wild insulted Carbon County, but McClure is one of them. His father Lamont was the Executive Director of Carbon County Housing Authority for nearly 40 years. 

I personally believe it's too soon for McClure to announce. By waiting a bit longer, he would be more effective as Executive. But I laud him for deciding against seeking a third term. Although Pa has no "Resign to Run" law, it would be very difficult for him to simultaneously be a Congressional candidate and the county's top administrator.  

McClure Sez No to Third Term as NorCo Exec

Earlier this month, I told you that rumors were spreading through NorCo's courthouse that Executive Lamont McClure had decided against seeking a third term. This is in spite of a $166,000 warchest heading into an election year. This is in spite of telling radio host Brad Osborne in December that he would seek re-election. It turns out that the rumors were correct. Yesterday he told WFMZ-TV69 that he will be riding off into the sunset. He later told me as well. The WFMZ-TV69 story reports that McClure's decision was "unexpected." It was actually the worst kept secret in the courthouse.  

He would likely have no primary opponent, so he could continue raising money for the general election. So why bow out?  In 2023, Northampton County voters, and by a 82.8% margin, approved a change to the Home Rule Charter limiting the Executive to two consecutive terms. Legally, that has no application to McClure because it applies prospectively. But I know that this plebiscite has had an impact on his thinking. He worries that seeking a third term might defy the express will of the voters. Plus, quite frankly, it's a grueling and thankless job. The longer you are in, the fewer friends you have. No NorCo Exec has lasted three terms. 

There were some corollary rumors. State Senator Lisa Boscola seriously considered the county's top spot and made numerous calls about what would be expected. Once she learned that it would be difficult for her to be poolside at the country club by noon in the summer, her desire to leave a comfortable job vanished. 

Democrats have reportedly talked Controller Tara Zrinski into running even though she's only served one year in that position. Though this is very much against her own will, she will still be defined by Republicans as a job hopper who runs for every seat that becomes available. I hope that the Democrats who persuaded her to run are willing to support her with some serious campaign money. 

And yes, there will be a Republican candidate. I've been tolf to expect an announcement very soon, possibly as early as today. 

So what will McClure do?  He told me he might return to the practice of law or "explore other options to consider serving the public."

That would certainly include a run for Congress to challenge recently elected Ryan Mackenzie in next year's midterms. 

Susan Wild, who was defeated by Mackenzie, fell off the planet after that race, especially after it was reported that she had leaked an investigative report into another Congress member. But she's back. On Martin Luther King Day, she was at Shiloh Baptist Church in Easton, shaking hands everywhere she went.

Except for McClure. She snubbed him.  

Will NorCo Exec Lamont McClure Seek Third Term?

Early in his second term, NorCo Exec Lamont McClure dropped numerous hints on social media that he would be seeking a third term. This is something no NorCo Exec has done. By this time, I would have expected an announcement, as he tends to kick off his campaigns early. In fact, I expected an announcement of a team of county council candidates as well who have his stamp of approval. But I'm hearing the opposite. Numerous rumors are wafting through the courthouse hallways from people who say he's going to step down when his term expires. McClure himself has thus far declined to state his intentions. 

Is he afraid he'd lose? I doubt it. His most recent campaign finance report, filed Friday, reveals he's sitting on a $166,454 warchest. Council President Lori Vargo Heffner has been rumored as a potential primary opponent, which might explain some of the fractious relations between County Council and the Exec. But it is highly unlikely that could raise the kind of money she'd need to wage a successful primary contest. How about the general? In the last cycle, Republicans chose a divisive and poorly informed candidate who was unable to get out if his own way. There are good Republicans who could make for an interesting race, but few are willing to spend the time and effort to run a half billion-dollar operation for a meager $85,000 a year salary. While NorCo swung to the right in the 2024 Presidential race, the voters who vote in those races generally skip municipal elections. Aside from his inability to get along with County Council, McClure probably has the best record of accomplishments of any Exec since the Home Rule Charter was adopted. I particularly like the proactive approach to emergencies, from the pandemic to the Blue Mountain wildfire to a train derailment in Lower Saucon Tp. His response to the fentanyl crisis has actually resulted in a reduction of overdose deaths. On top of all this, he's never raised taxes and even cut them in one of his years in office. 

So why drop out? In 2023, Northampton County voters, and by a 82.8% margin, approved a change to the Home Rule Charter limiting the Executive to two consecutive terms. Legally, that has no application to McClure because it applies prospectively. But I know that this plebiscite has had an impact on his thinking. He worries that seeking a third term might defy the express will of the voters. Plus, quite frankly, it's a grueling and thankless job. The longer you are in, the fewer friends you have. 

Another rumor floating around is that State Senator Lisa Boscola might seek the county's top spot. That might explain why her Chief of Staff, Joe Kelly, has decided against seeking a judgeship. I have heard this rumor for the past 10 years, so it's unclear to me whether Boscola is serious. 

How Much Did NorCo Exec's "Junket" to Ann Arbor Cost the Taxpayer?

Last week, I told you that NorCo Exec Lamont McClure would miss the September 18-19 meetings of Northampton County Council because he was attending a conference of Keep Our Republic, a bipartisan nonprofit focused on threats to our election system. It is based on what should be three noncontroversial principles: (1) Let every eligible voter vote; (2) Let every vote be counted; and (3) let the electoral count stand. But McClure's trip came on the heels of Council member Ken Kraft's complaints about a week-long trip to Tampa, taken by Council President Lori Vargo Heffner. She was there for the annual convention of the National Association of Counties. Her voyage cost NorCo taxpayers about $3,100. So how much did McClure's "junket" to Ann Arbor cost?

According to McClure, $140. I told you that, though he's a Democrat, he's a cheap bastard. 

Did he hitchhike? Or borrow one of my bikes and sleep in a hammock? No. Keep Our Republic picked up the tab. McClure had to pay to park at Newark airport. 

McClure likes to take pictures of squirrels and rocks so I'm sure he had a blast. 

Dertinger Resignation Weakens McClure

If you want a friend in politics, get a dog. Harry Truman once said that about Washington, but it applies everywhere.  Charles Dertinger and Lamont McClure have pretty much been tied at the hip since they both got into Northampton County politics. Over the years, they've been very loyal to each other. So it's shocking to see Dertinger "resign" over what McClure has already acknowledged is his responsibility. You could say that Dertinger just loyally fell on the sword, giving an angry Council the "sacrificial lamb" they demanded,  You could say he needed to go, but it's pretty clear he had no role in either a coding error or pre-election testing that led to the November 7 election debacle. A loyal McClure would refuse to let Deringer depart under these circumstances. This is being sold as firm action, but it solves nothing. In fact, it actually weakens Lamont McClure. 

I understand the ager from the public and County Council at the inexcusable failure to handle a core county function. But I'm more interested in fixing the problem than in collecting heads. We know that the county had nothing to do with the coding error that started this fiasco. We also know that ES&S spearheaded the pre-election (called Logic and Accuracy) testing following a pattern recommended by the Department of State. That has nothing to do with the county. 

So where is the county at fault? The biggest error, and this is in hindsight, is the failure to supply voting precincts with sufficient emergency paper ballots to cover a precinct in the unlikely event that use of a voting machine had to be discontinued.  The county only supplied 20 emergency ballots to each precinct under a practice initiated by former Registrar Amy Cozze, who obviously had Dertinger's blessing. Even though this failure was a disaster in the November 7 election, Cozze herself still fails to grasp why.

An anonymous comment from the U.S. Senate, where Cozze just happens to be employed, makes this argument: "Can we just address this paper ballot thing? If the county is going to start sending out hundreds of thousands of paper ballots on election day 'just in case' what the hell is the point of even using the voting machines??? Just switch to an all paper system. The paper ballots are supposed to be for EMERGENCIES not incompetence. ... they need to fire whoever is in charge, not saddle the tax payers with a new outlandish expense. " I'd say that when the machine has to be discontinued, that's an emergency. Also, as Elections Commissioner Dan Lopresti observed, "The cost is tiny compared to what we experienced here."

The remaining errors were by election workers in the field, most of whom only work twice a year.  Some of these are independently elected officials, and the county has limited authority over what they do or fail to do. Some of these officials decided to close their polling stations. This was unsanctioned and inexcusable. Some of them told voters to vote the opposite of who they wanted to elect even though no one in the county gave that advice. Two election workers from Hanover 4 incorrectly told voters that there would be a special election in the appellate retention race, though neither had authority from anyone to give such advice.   

Could the county do a better job of training? Registrar Chris Commini told the elections commission last week that there is mandatory training before each election, but it's clear to me that more training is needed, especially before next year's Presidential. 

Aside from Dertinger's acquiescence in the limited number of emergency ballots, I find little fault with his administration of this election. His resignation is intended to deflect some criticism away from McClure, who is ultimately responsible.  Instead of doing so, it weakens him in many ways.

It emboldens his critics. As one reader observes, "McClure shows his true colors here. It could be said it was his 'failure' too. In my world the top guy always takes responsibility. That's true leadership." I'd much rather see a written report explaining what went wrong and what steps are being taken to prevent it from happening again.

It is now less likely that his rubber stamps (Zrinski, Lott, Kraft, Warren and Keegan) will remain that way. They have seen now that they are expendable. 

It is now far less likely that a McClure pick will get the Council vacancy created when Zrinski becomes Controller. Instead of a McClure lemming like Bill McGee or Greg Zebrowski, Council is far more likely to select someone who would be independent and provide balance. Republican John Cusick or Democrat Deb Hunter are both good choices who would exalt good government over partisanship or blindly following McClure's agenda. 

In his time as Executive, McClure has worked hard to undermine the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, has played a part in the rift between the county conservation district and is now fighting with Easton over a goofy proposed hydropower plant on the Lehigh Canal. Council members Lori Vargo Heffner and Ron Heckman, both of them Democrats, complain his administration refuses to talk to them.

On top of all this, McClure and the local Democratic party are at odds.   

How many people can you afford to alienate before you start paying a price?  

McClure first tried to downplay the election fiasco as a minor error. Nobody swallowed that bullshit burger. He now has accepted the resignation of his top administrator, hoping that ends things. It's instead an admission.

He has been a good Executive, but his chief flaws have been both an unwillingness to listen as well as a penchant for undermining anyone he perceives to be a threat. 

If Republicans can get out of their own way, I doubt very much he wins a third term. Democratic and even Republican voters are motivated by woman's choice, which explains Democratic success on November 7.  But Republican and even Democratic voters care about election integrity. You can't tell people to ignore the touch screen in favor of the paper ballot in one election and to ignore the paper ballot in favor of the touch screen in another.

What is the State of Northampton County?

Executive Lamont McClure will tell you what he thinks this morning, 9 am, at a public event hosted by Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation at Hotel Bethlehem. I'm unsure whether there will be recorded video, but I'll try to summarize. 

Bad Optics at McClure Fundraiser

Last night, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure conduced his annual fundraiser at Bethlehem's swanky Edge Restaurant. Despite what they may tell you, few contributors write out $500 plus checks because they believe in good government. Unions, contractors, engineers and lawyers and county employees go to these things because they want something. It could be as simple as a paycheck or a major contract. Even when there is no quid pro quo, it is still a legalized form of bribery. Unfortunately, it's also an ugly necessity. Most public officials lack the personal resources to wage an effective campaign and have their message heard. Unless you want a government of oligarchs, you have to trust that candidates will do the right thing, which they usually do. Besides, after the election fiasco on November 5, McClure will almost certainly face opposition when he seeks re-election. He may even have a primary opponent. So it's understandable, as ugly as it is. But the bad optics of dunning county employees and vendors for money was made worse by two other things over which McClure has no control.

1) Municipal Vehicle Illegally Parked at McClure Fundraiser

Parked outside The Edge at an expired meter was the municipal vehicle you see above. It's not just any municipal vehicle, but hs been identified by my secret agent as a police car. He knows this because he happens to be a police officer himself. Is it a county or city car? My guess is Bethlehem City, and a top-ranking officer. It's too nice to belong to the County. The license plate number is MG0745L.

I understand it was cold and a little windy last night, but that's no excuse for acting as though you are above the law you should be enforcing. What's more, this public resource was being perverted for partisan political activity.  Actions like this lead to politicians like Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski.

It is my hope that Executive McClure and Mayor Bob Donchez both identify the person who was misusing this public resource and discipline that person.

2) Judge Morganelli Attends Partisan Fundraiser

After noting the illegally parked police car, my spy slipped into the fundraiser to see what was happening.  He was unaware that there was a fundraiser, but knew some sort of event was going on. He noticed several people ponied up at the bar. They included Chief Public Defender Nuria DiLuzio and District Attorney John Morganelli.

Now it's no crime to stop at a bar and hoist a few. But Morganelli is more than the County's District Attoney. He is a judge-elect, and as such, should not have been within 10 miles of a political and partisan fundraiser

Morganelli did more than sit at the bar. He actually attended the event, though he made no contribution.

According to Morganelli, he is neither a judge nor a candidate. He tells me he has sought an ethics opinion, and that Judge Edward Reibman has written one under which Morganelli can continue to raise money and make contributions until he is sworn in.

That sounds nice, but is contrary to Canon 7 of the Code of Judicial Ethics, which provides,

"Judges holding an office filled by public election between competing candidates, or a candidate for such office, may, only insofar as permitted by law, attend political gatherings, speak to such gatherings on their own behalf when they are a candidate for election or reelection, or speak on behalf of any judicial candidate for the same office, identify themselves as a member of a political party, and contribute to a political party or organization."

It also provides, "Judges should not engage in any other political activity except on behalf of measures to improve the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice."

The notion that Morganelli is free from the Canons simply because he is waiting to be sworn in is simply ridiculous. If a judge-elect is permitted to engage in partisan political activity, this undermines public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

He should have stayed away.

McClure To Deliver SOTC Wednesday

Lamont McClure

NorCo Exec Lamont McClure will deliver a "State of the County" address on Wednesday morning, 8 am, at Historic Hotel Bethlehem. This annual event is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. McClure has accomplished a lot during his first year in office. He has beefed up Human Services with more caseworkers to protect our children and the elderly. He has funding for a forensic center, which will be located near the 911 center. He and Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez are working to consolidate 911 operations by July. He negotiated new contracts for most of the unions He has restored medical benefits that were eliminated by his predecessor. In the wake of a negative health inspection, he replaced Gracedale's third-party manager with someone who is in-house. He will purchase the human services center on Thursday. He's also been accessible, responding to phone calls and emails.Most importantly, at least for the taxpayer, he's held the line on taxes. The reason I consider him an excellent county executive has little to do with most of these things. The reality is that he cares very much about the county and the people he represents.

In 2005, McClure was appointed to NorCo Council after losing in two previous races. At that time,he told Council that all he cared about was the county. He had no interest in using his position as a springboard to run for something else. I thought at the time that he was laying it on, but I was wrong. Let me tell you why.

McClure is getting good grades from everyone after his first year on the job. He won the Executive race convincingly against an incumbent. He has a fairly large funding base for future elections. So when DA John Morganelli was stepping down, I was sure that McClure would run for the out the back door job. It pays a lot more than the measly $85,000 for a person administering a $400 million budget. He's a lawyer, too. He would beat any contender in a disputed race. But he passed. He believes he can do more good where he is.

This was driven home to me a few days ago,when I bumped into a retiree at the Nazareth Diner. She tried to get out the back door when she saw me, but I cut her off.

Before I could even ask, she had high praise for McClure. She told me she had a question about her retirement benefits and called in. The next day, she heard from McClure himself. He put her in touch with a person in Human Resources, and made sure her questions were answered thoroughly.

So he cares abut the county, and knows that the people who work there, both present and past, are what makes it. So when nurses from Gracedale complain about staffing, I am sure McClure heard them loud and clear. When they say they'd like more money, he'd agree but has an obligation to the taxpayer, too. I'm sure he'd like more money, too. Some of those RNs make more money than he does.

McClure is Doing What He Said he Would Do

McClure and most of his cabinet

The Express Times stopped covering Northampton County government at some point during Executive John Brown's administration. Every now and them=n a stringer shows up. The Morning Call provides some coverage, but it is very limited. As a result, most people have no clue about what is going on Northampton County or whether Executive Lamont McClure is making a difference. I think he's doing pretty much what he said he would when he delivered his first State of the County address at Hotel Bethlehem in March. The real goal of county government, he said then, is to "protect the most vulnerable." That's what he's been doing.

Protecting the Vulnerable. - At the last Council meeting, I was surprised to see a large number of Gracedale residents in the room. They were there because McClure invited them. This invitation, in and of itself, sends a message. It tells these people that they still matter. They have worth.

McClure has addressed staffing shortages at Gracedale and Children, Youth and Families by adding new positions. “Protecting our vulnerable residents is our most important job,” he said. “Making sure our human services departments are fully staffed is critical for public health.” Gracedale’s quality measurements have improved in recent months and, to alleviate future shortages in medical professionals, the County will start paying tuition for Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) programs beginning the Spring of 2019. He is also focusing on the dangers of elder abuse.

He actually attended a retiree luncheon, something Brown routinely skipped until he was up for re-election. More than that, he ended the decades-old practice deducting medical costs from retiree pension checks.

Diversity in Government. - He appointed NorCo's first female County Solicitor, first female Chief Public Defender and has women installed in the ranks of three other cabinet positions. He also reinstated the jail's first ever black Captain.

Protecting the Environment.- Action has been taken on environmental concerns with the banning of sewage sludge from County farmland as well as providing $500,000 in funding to redevelop Lake Minsi. Land known as the Gall Farm has been purchased with plans to develop it as a park, and the County is exploring options in renewable power.

“The future of Northampton County is green,” McClure says. “Our administration is aggressively preserving farmland and open space while seeking options for a sustainable energy plan that reduces carbon emissions.”

Protecting the Citizenry. - When a gas station in Wind Gap was selling tainted gas, it was shut down. The problem was discovered by the county's Department of Weights and Measures.

Affordable Housing. - McClure has teamed up with Easton on a joint venture to create more affordable housing.

Protecting the Taxpayer. - McClure is going after millions in unpaid fines, costs and restitution by bringing in collections agencies. He stopped a $10 million giveaway to the DaVinci Center for what in essence is nothing more than a glorified ant farm. He stood up the General Purpose Authority, which charged over $800,000 in legal fees over a two-year period. McClure is refusing to pay any more.

Reforming the Administrative Code. - Problems with the Administrative Code have resulted in multiple lawsuits between Executive and Council over the years. Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron and Procurement completely re-wrote these controversial passages.

Transparency. - In addition to regular news releases, Northampton County is now using Twitter and Facebook to reach out to the public. If you call his office, someone will actually get back to you.