Expect County Exec Announcements This Week

Earlier this month, I told you of rumors wafting through Northampton County Courthouse halls that County Exec Lamont McClure had decided against seeking a third term. This would be contrary to what he told radio host Brad Osborne when he appeared on his radio show on December 11. But that was then. Since that time, he has declined to declare his intentions. I believe his silence will come to an end this week, possibly on Wednesday. 

There is little doubt in my mind that he's stepping aside. As I explained a few weeks ago, a citizen plebiscite limiting an executive to two terms weighs on his mind even though it has no application to him. If nothing else, it would be a ready-made issue for his opponents. His future intentions are unknown. He has reactivated his law license, so he might just want to return to the practice of law. 

So who will be running, if not him?

State Senator Lisa Boscola was rumored to be running. She often likes to tell people that she wants to run and has been doing that for at least the past decade. This time around, she seemed more serious as she made several calls to local politicos. I'll believe it when I see it. As a State Senator, she lives a fairly carefree life. She can be at the country club pool by noon most days. Moreover, she gets no scrutiny from Harrisburg reporters. I can guarantee that would change if she decided to run for Executive. She would be under a magnifying glass, as she should be. If she decided to get drunk and put on an embarrassing display at Larry Holmes' recent birthday bash, I would be reporting it. I doubt she wants the kind of scrutiny she deserves.

So if not her, who? 

Democrats apparently have talked Tara Zrinski, the Kenny Pickett of NorCo Dems, into running and against her own will. She is doing a fine job as Controller and would have liked to have avoided the rat race of another campaign just one year after being elected. She knows she will be painted as an opportunist who runs for every job that comes along.  She would do better to follow her own instincts than listen to other politicos like McClure and Boscola, who assure her she can win. 

If that's what they think, they should put their money where their mouths are and give her sizable campaign donations so she can mount a campaign. That has historically been her major weakness. 

If Tara decides this really is bad for her own political future, which it is, then who?

There's the Tanner McKee of NorCo Dems, Steve Barron. He has thrown no passes for a few years, so he could actually be more like Carson Wentz. I think Steve is quite happy where he is. 

What about Republicans? Do they have a candidate? I am told they do and that I should expect an announcement on Wednesday. 

What about Lehigh County? We know that State Rep. Josh "Fuck the Police" Siegel is running on the Dem side and is amazingly unopposed. On the GOP side, I expect either or both former State Rep. Justin Simmons and former Allentown City Council member Roger MacLean to announce. 

The Hypocrisy of the Left

"Ban the box" is one of the latest  rages from the left. I happen to agree that  a criminal conviction should never be the basis for an automatic disqualification from employment. A more nuanced approach is fairer to prospective workers and employers.

Ironically, the same people who think we should hire ex-offenders are outraged that some members of the Trump administration were given security clearances despite problems in their past.

This is hypocrisy.

Engle Demonstrates His Transparency By Blocking Me

I've had two stories this week about elected Slate Belt officials. The first involves Bangor School Board VP Steve Bussenger. He had to be escorted out of his own gym during a basketball loss to Moravian Academy after refusing to heed a referee's ejection. I noted I had never seen him act out at any of the basketball games I attended. The second story involves Roseto Borough Council member Dan Engle. He's running for NorCo Council, and wanted me to tell everyone. His campaign manager provided no biographical information, not even a photo. I had some fun, admittedly at his expense, with his own Facebook intro. He calls himself "big dark and handsome .. if you like big." Both stories were fair. But the comments in each story make clear that both of these guys are thin-skinned.

Engle, who promised in his campaign statement to bring transparency to Northampton County, blocked me on Facebook. He failed to provide any meaningful information, and then his supporters accused me of "stalking" for trying to find out on my own. So much for transparency.

Bussenger supporters blamed the ref and everyone else. He recently sold his home. He was going to use his rental property as a new address, but too many eyes are on him now.

If you are or want to be an elected official, expect scrutiny. That's what happens in a democratic government.