Scott Parsons Selected NorCo Controller

Yesterday, I told you that Altynay Kanatbekoff was far and away the best choice to succeed Richard "Bucky" Szulborski. Most of you agreed. Council member Ron Heckman told her, ""We need super-qualified people like you in government." Then he nominated Scott Parsons, who spent most of his adult life working in a slate quarry.

One of my readers warned me this would happen. "Bernie I agree this is a no brainer, however never underestimate the stupidity of some elected members of council."

My mistake. 

Surprisingly, Tara Zrinski nominated Altynay Kanatbekoff, with a second from John Cusick Those are the only two votes she got. 

Scott Parsons, a former County Council member and retired Public Works employee, got the appointment in the second round of voting. Parsons got votes from John Cusick, Tara Zrinski, Tom Giovanni, Ron Heckman and Kevin Lott. 

Scott Parsons is certainly adequate to the task, but pales in comparison to Kanatbekoff.  

The Workhorse Who Failed to Work

Scott Parsons is the hardest working member on Northampton County Council. In 2014, his attendance record at Council and Committee meetings was a whopping 97%, more than anyone else on Council. He was able to do that while working a blue collar job at a slate quarry. He brought the perspective of a working class guy. But as dedicated as he was on Council, he was a reluctant campaigner in the Republican Northern Tier, which he represents. So unfortunately for all of us, he came up short in a bid by Republican Matt Dietz to replace him last week.

By way of background, the northern tier view may be economically depressed, but is the most beautiful part of the Lehigh Valley. Their turnout in this election cycle was very high. County-wide, turnout was 21.08%, far better than expected. But in places like Upper Mount Bethel, it was 31% in one precinct.

Also, a heavy Italian contingent seemed to help Scomillio in the Slate Belt. Murray may be half Italian, but has an Irish last name. It appears that Scomillio's Italian ancestry helped him win in places like Bangor and Roseto, where he really should have lost.

Matt Dietz, the Council victor in the northern tier, ran a very good campaign. He had a lot of grass roots support and was everywhere. His ten point margin of victory is an electoral landslide. But Parsons could have beaten him. Instead of running against Dietz and his tea party tendencies, Parsons should have run against Executive John Brown, who shackled taxpayers with consultant contracts to make himself look good, tried to stick the county with improper expense vouchers, gave illegal raises to his cronies and wanted to borrow money to balance the budget. Dietz, a fly boy who is the darling of the business elite, could have been painted as more of the same.

* He needed to work the boroughs harder. They are Democratic strongholds. Yet he barely won in Pen Argyl and Roseto, where he should have crushed. He actually lost in Bath, Portland, East Bangor and Walnutport.

*  He needed to work the open space townships. Parsons is perhaps Council's biggest open space advocate and chairs its committee. He has successfully pushed for projects in Lower Mount Bethel, Upper Mount Bethel, Moore, Plainfield and Bushkill. I am sure he could have attracted some of these environmentalists.

*  The Gracedale crowd was completely MIA. Parsons failed to win in Upper Nazareth, where Gracedale is located. Four years ago, he won there convincingly.

Northern Tier District Results

Community	Parsons	Dietz	Murray	Scomillio	Barron	Phillips
Bangor	317	220	247	295	255	245
Bath	108	149	115	150	109	153
Chapman	11	18	9	20	13	15
E Bangor	56	61	38	75	42	68
Lehigh	517	782	575	826	562	791
L Mt Bethel	183	177	226	162	166	182
Moore	616	898	662	908	649	886
Pen Argyl	267	261	204	310	194	275
Portland	34	41	24	48	22	47
Roseto	134	114	105	175	121	114
U Mt Bethel	431	574	395	617	353	596
U Nazareth	368	380	370	398	359	379
Walnutport	84	91	86	94	84	90
Washngtn	328	304	268	364	269	334
Wind Gap	191	157	160	170	146	150
Bushkill	363	686	410	640	362	654
Plainfield	522	593	436	652	437	575
Total	4530	5506	4330	5904	4143	5554

Dietz Defeats Parsons in Landslide

Despite a bizarre endorsement from Mat Benol, a Republican Council member who lives in Palmer Tp, Scott Parsons was crushed by Matt Dietz in his bid for re-election as the norther tier's representative on NorCo Council. Parsons lost by ten percentage points.

He was running against a Republican in a Republican district. But what really hurt Parsons is that he refused to campaign while Dietz was everywhere. Parsons even took a vacation when he should have been knocking on doors.

Ironically, Scott is the hardest working member of Northampton County Council, and has tried to govern in a nonpartisan manner. His absence will hurt.

NorCo Workhorse Scott Parsons to Seek Second Council Term

The Northampton County Workhorse

He's a Democrat in a Republican district. Two Republicans have already announced they intend to take it from him. But they never ran into a workhorse before. Scott Parsons, whose unprecedented 97% attendance rating makes him the Northampton County Workhorse, announced last night that he's seeking re-election.

A blue collar quarry worker, Parsons has much more in common with Slate Belt and northern tier residents than his Republican opponents. In addition to his work ethic, he has been a moderating influence on the partisans that have divided Council.

He put it quite simply. "My commitment to the people of District 4 and Northampton County is something I take seriously, as my record shows."

What he does not mention so much is his commitment to youth sports. Like me, he is an athletic supporter. He has even brought student athletes to Council meetings to give them commendations for their often-overlooked successes.

Scott's campaign headquarters are at Detzi's Tavern. I've been barred again, but it's only a 60-day suspension.

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.

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.

Can Parsons Do It Again?

Northampton County Council member Scott Parsons is running for the state senate in a newly formed district that includes most of Monroe and the northern part of Northampton County. He's been called the "David who slayed Goliath" because he beat long-time Republican Council member Ron Angle in a fairly conservative district.  But can he beat Mario Scavello, a Republican State Representative in Monroe County who has had a two-year head start and a massive warchest?

Before he can beat Scavello, he has to come out on top of two other Democrats who have their eyes on the same seat.

One of them is Joe Capozzolo, who was trounced by Joe Emrick in the State Rep. race two years ago and who won the Bangor Mayoral contest by just one vote. Just sworn into office, he's running for something else. He likes to keep everyone in the dark, and even kept his state senate ambitions as secret as possible for reasons that elude me.

He stands for nothing, which his record as an appointed County Council member some years ago should make clear.

The only thing Capozzolo can do is draw votes that would otherwise go to Parsons.

The other candidate is Mark Aurand, an Allentown lawyer who has never run for anything, but whose interest in politics began when he became associated with and eventually spearheaded the Organizing For America movement in the Lehigh Valley.

Aurand is a class act, like Parsons.

He's working hard, raising money and is well-organized. I've already received a flyer and knock on my door. His strength and his weakness is his left wing agenda. That draws many volunteers and energizes what's left of the Obama supporters. The weakness is that it turns off everyone else. A unabashed liberal will sell in Bethlehem or Allentown, but not in the Slate Belt or Monroe County. Mario Scavello will be able to "define" him, as consultants like to say.

The candidate who has the best shot at beating Scavello in the Fall is the moderate, Scott Parsons, but only if he runs hard.

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.

Can Parsons Beat Scavello?

State Rep. Mario Scavello is a Republican running for the 40th Pa. Senate District. That district got moved from the western part of the state, and now includes most of Monroe County, as well as a good chunk of Northampton County's Slate Belt. Democrat Scott Parsons, a member of Northampton County Council, recently told the Express Times that he's running, too. He's going to have to run hard if he expects to win. '

Scavello, who has been in the state house for about 12 years, has been sprinkling money all over Northampton  County. Republican Council candidates and Executive John Brown all received generous contributions. Scavello had a $392,000 warchest at the end of 2012, so he has money to burn.  I was unable to access his most recent finance reports.

On the issues, Scavello seems like a conservative Republican. As Chair of the House Labor and Industry Committee, he did come under criticism from conservative voices for refusing to push prevailing wage and other anti-union legislation.  On the other hand, the Diocese of Scranton claims he opposes abortion under all circumstances, as well as same sex marriages and same sex benefits. He also supports the death penalty.

I wonder if he has to run everything by his parish priest like Vic Mazziotti.

What about Parsons? I like him and would be inclined to support him, which probably means he'll lose. I have not seen a Facebook page or any web presence. It might be a good idea to start one.

I did see a Scott Parsons Yoga page, but that dude is in India right now, chanting Ooohhhhmmm.

Shouldn't Northampton County Take Care of Its Buildings?

Flags at half mast in memory of Boston Marathon victims

When Executive John Stoffa proposed a centralized human services building in Bethlehem Township, one of the reasons advanced was the poor condition of the Governor Wolf Building in Easton, where 173 human services employees are located. Children and Youth workers presented a jaw-dropping power point. It depicted grisly conditions that endanger not only the people who work there, but innocent children who are already the victims of abuse and neglect. Obviously, the County does a terrible job taking care of its buildings. Yesterday's Finance Committee hearing provides a glimpse into just how that happens.

At issue was a contract for a preventative maintenance plan for the corrections buildings in Easton and West Easton. This includes the old prison, which has been standing since 1871. As Council President John Cusick observes, "Duct tape only does so far."

A three-year contract with D'Huy Engineering was proposed at a cost of $119,000 for the first year, followed by $40,000 retainers for years 2 and 3. If dissatisfied, Council could vote not to fund the retainers in years 2 and 3. Under the proposed contract, D'Huy would provide an overall assessment of existing systems to help the Corrections Department develop a plan to keep everything up and running.

There was some confusion concerning the terms, so the matter was tabled. Ken Kraft also balked at "throwing money" for yet another plan, and mocked the notion of paying an annual $40,000 retainer to D'Huy for the "privilege" of letting them charge the County hourly. Those points were well made.

But then Kraft suggested that the County should just let this go because we'll have a new Executive in January. "The Executive had 8 years to put a new plan in place," he complained. "Now they want to bring up all these things and do the right thing."

Let's assume Council decides it better wait. If it does, it will take at least two years for that Executive to understand what the hell is going on. And when he does, he may have a Council that is unwilling to work with him. That problem plagued John Stoffa in his first term. And that's how County assets deteriorate. So my answer to Ken is that it's never too late to do the right thing. John Stoffa is the Executive until the end of the year.

Scott Parsons took issue with Ken as well. "Are we supposed to sit here on our hands, waiting for a new Executive?" he asked.

When that happens, things don't get done. Buildings deteriorate. The Gracedale parking lot looks more and more like a moon crater.

Parsons, Mazziotti to Appear on Jennings' Radio Show

Scott Parsons 

CACLV's Alan Jennings is the occasional host of WDIY's Lehigh Valley Discourse, which airs every Thursday, 6 PM, at 88.1 PM. It's a great show, devoid of the partisan rants and name-calling that has become standard fare in political dialogue today.

This week, his guests are Northampton County Council member Scott Parsons and Lehigh County Commissioner Vic Mazziotti. Both are newcomers elected last November. Vic is a conservative Republican who shocked the established order by suggesting, perhaps not so seriously, that federal CDBG grants be returned. Scott is a blue-collar union Democrat who still opposed Allentown's NIZ.

Vic and Scott replaced two of the Lehigh Valley's best county legislators, Dean Browning and Ron Angle. But both Parsons and Vic are their own men. I wish all four could serve.

Reassessment. Regional Health Department. Act 111 Arbitration reform. Decreases in human services. An inevitable tax hike. Gracedale and Cedarbrook. These are just some of the issues facing our County government. I'll be tuned in.

Scott Parsons: Swaption Slayer

It just won't die.

Northampton County Council voted in March to end the swaption once it dropped to $25 million, but it went in the wrong direction.

What is a swaption?

Tom Shortell has a good definition in his Express Times account.

But if you ask me, it's something that looks too good to be true.

It's a high finance vampire that sucks the lifeblood out of unsuspecting municipalities.

Back in 2004, then County Executive Reibman proposed a deal under which, in exchange for a quick $1.9 million from Merrill Lynch, County Council would gamble that interest rates on its $111 million fixed bonds would remain more attractive than those with variable rates in July of this year.

It's called a swaption or swap-option by the suits, but it's really more appropriate in a casino than a local government.

Financial experts from Concord Public Financial Advisers recommended rolling the dice, and kept the campaign coffers full for Reibman.

In a bipartisan failure, three Republicans and two Democrats agreed with Reibman and took the money.

Since that time, almost imperceptibly, the swaption has grown. In 2009, it ballooned from $10 to $14 million. By the time last year's budget was ready, it had grown to $23.5 million. By last night, it was at $27.2 million, enough to keep Gracedale afloat for five years.

It's easy to say now that it should have been killed last year, or in 2010, before it got out of control.

Some did. Ron Angle, for one. Former Fiscal Affairs Director Vic Mazziotti, for another.

But it would have been a gamble. No one had a crystal ball to determine whether the swaption might start going the other way, and there were times when it did.

So it's a mistake to blame the 2010 or 2011 Council for not taking action then. The voices who scream that something should have been done - most of them anonymous - were curiously silent back then.

The mistake was made in 2004, when the swaption was originally approved. You can blame Reibman, the 2004 Council or the state senate that allowed this monster in our midst. Take your pick. Pick all three if you want.

I'm pretty sure Council finally drove a stake through its heart last night.

The Doctor Van Helsing?

Ironically, the person who defeated Ron Angle.

Scott Parsons is unlike Ron Angle in so many ways that I'd probably need a few days to lay it all out. But Parsons, disgusted with the direction in which the swaption was heading, called the County's financial advisers last week and said, "This has got to end."

Parsons explained he'd be willing to pay the whole thing off to get rid of it, but knew that would be a hard sell to the rest of Council. The County would be left with a fund balance inviting a mega tax hike.

So he came up with a compromise.

Instead of paying the entire balance, pay $18 million now and borrow money to pay off the rest.

Robert Fuller, the County's financial adviser, said that taxable municipal bonds could be sold to get the rest of the money, and the County's debt service would stay the same.

Council member Lamont McClure has always seemed concerned that the swaption would suddenly reverse itself. Now it hasn't turned out that way, but I'm not blaming him. He has no crystal ball.

McClure had a different solution. He basically proposed ending half the swaption, and suffering with the rest of it.

But Parsons noted the County would still be "stuck with all the evils for half the swaption." He argued this if his proposal was accepted, "There will be no more knocks at the door."

Council member Bob Werner sided with Parsons. "We're going to end it tonight," he declared.

And that's what happened.

Parsons' proposal was accepted 7-2, with only McClure and Tom Dietrich opposed.

As soon as the meeting ended, Executive John Stoffa called Bank of America with the wooden stake supplied by Scott "van Helsing" Parsons.

I just hope he remembered to cut off its head.

Parsons Foils Cusick Bid to Dump Council Solicitor

Lauer in the dock, awaiting his fate

An effort by Council President John Cusick to dump Phil Lauer as Council Solicitor has blown up in his face, thanks primarily to new Council member Scott Parsons, who smelled a rat. Let me tell you the story.

Last year, when Council President Ron Angle was deposed in favor of John Cusick, it was because Council members John Cusick, Tom Dietrich and Peg Ferraro stabbed Angle in the back. After promising Angle their support, they worked against him.

At Tuesday's reorganization, things went more smoothly. Cusick and Ferraro were both re-elected as President and VP, respectively. Although Phil Lauer was at the meeting, Cusick made no attempt to replace him and gave no indication that he wanted Phil gone.

But later that night, when he would not have to talk to him man-to-man, Cusick sent Lauer an "Dear John:email, advising him he would be replaced. His successor? Michael Gaul, Solicitor to Portland Borough and the LV Health Comm'n. Then Cusick went to work, rounding up the votes. He gave Lauer no indication whether he should even bother to show up at last night's Council meeting.

Though he knew that Cusick wanted him gone, Lauer decided he should be there because he was still Council's lawyer.

Cusick's behind-the-scenes argument for replacing Lauer was that Gaul has bond experience, which would be helpful in dealing with the swaption.

Yeah, Portland Borough must float $100 million bonds every day.

Cusick never bothered to tell the newly elected Council members (Ken Kraft, Scott Parsons and Bob Werner) that a Council Solicitor has little to do with bonds or County finances. Even worse, Cusick misled Scott Parsons into thinking that there was unanimous support for Gaul.

There wasn't.

When Cusick introduced his resolution to can Lauer, Peg Ferraro immediately expressed some doubts, while Barb Thierry slowly shook her head No.

Then, when Cusick called for the vote, he learned the hard way what happens when you try to con someone. Lamont McClure, Ken Kraft and Bob Werner still voted with him. But not Parsons. He broke ranks with fellow Dems and against replacing Lauer.

I suspect Parsons was also troubled by the complete lack of class displayed in forcing one of the County's most distinguished and well-respected lawyers to sit there and endure a vote on his termination.

I was impressed by the civility displayed by Parsons, which was in stark contrast to Cusick's petty maneuver.

"I thought I had five votes!" Cusick complained after the meeting.

"I need a beer," Parsons told me.

Angle's Race, By The Numbers

As I indicate in a post below, only 18.34% of Northampton County's registered voters showed up for Tuesday's election. According to a theory I am in the process of checking, it includes a disproportionately large number of Democrats. But that's not the only explanation for Angle's loss. Angle was the poster boy for the Sell Gracedale movement. The Will case definitely hurt him. I heard several voters complain about that in Upper Nazareth, where I greeted voters. On top of that, Parsons is popular in Wind Gap, where he serves on Borough Council, and in Pen Argyl, where he lived.

Here's how it went down.

Bangor: Parsons, 290 to 167. (Angle never does well here).

Bushkill: Parsons, 486 to 450 (Angle needed to win big here).

Chapman:  Angle, 14 to 11.

East Bangor: Angle, 55 to 50.

Lehigh: Angle, 671 to 562. (Angle needed a larger win here)

Lower Mount Bethel: Parsons, 230 to 182. (Angle has tangled the past few years with Supervisors over land use ordinances)

Moore: Parsons, 786 to 600. (Angle traditionally wins here)

Pen Argyl: Parsons, 136 to 101. (Expected. Parsons works here and did live here).

Plainfield: Angle, 527 to 516. (Angle needed a bigger win here).

Portland:  Angle, 45 to 37.

Roseto: Parsons, 129 to 108. (Angle was booed in May at an event in Roseto, over his Gracedale stand. He got some of them back, but not enough).

Upper Mount Bethel: Parsons, 646 to 591. (Angle alienated voters in his home district with his stand on GEO and his reluctance to spend County money to preserve environmentally sensitive land).

Upper Nazareth: Parsons, 323 to 208. (Angle usually loses here, but the margin is probably the result of his Gracedale stand).

Walnutport: Parsons, 92 to 90.

Washington: Parsons, 333 to 259.

Wind Gap: Parsons, 215 to 141. (Parson's home town).

ET Catches Me Two-Timing Angle

Yes, Joe Owens caught me being nice to Scott Parsons. But that's only because Ron Angle is giving me lessons in civility. Poor Scott should realize his wallet is missing soon.

Parsons Promises Tax Hikes For Gracedale, Open Space, Bi-County Health, County Parks, Etc., Etc,

Northampton County Council candidate Scott Parsons knows all about tax hikes. He calls them investments.

Right after being elected to Wind Gap Borough Council, he pushed for and got a $52/year EMT tax. At the time, his rationale was that it would ease the burden on homeowners. But that hasn't happened. Instead, real estate taxes have skyrocketed in from 6.25 mills in 2004 to 11.25 mills last year.

Parsons recently changed his webpage to clarify his views on taxes. He calls them "a long-term investment."  He goes on to state he's willing to make a "long-term investment" for programs like Gracedale, Open Space, Bi-County Health and County Parks.

Now since the County already sets aside a half mill of tax for open space every year, does this mean Parsons wants to raise them even more? And whether he knows it are not, county parks are included under open space funding. Does Parsons envisage a new, County Parks tax, just for places like Wy-Hit-Tuk Park?

Finally, Parsons is willing to increase your tax bill for a bi-county health department, even though he's never attended a single meeting about it.

But his long-term investment is with your money, not his, so what the hell.