Over the past year, I've been asked several times to weigh in on the new Northampton County Council. I needed a year to see them in action. This is harder than rating the Executive. County Council includes nine different people, six Democrats and three Republicans. They enabled Executive Lamont McClure to enact a very aggressive agenda, and made some of his proposals better with good questions. They have, however, been far from an independent body. None of them, excepting Cusick. McGee and Dietz, had proposals directly related to county government. Their amendment to the 2019 budget was superficial.
John Cusick wanted the capital plan to include the anticipated cost of the new voting machines the county is being forced to purchase.
By my calculations, flawed as they may be, the cost should be at least $4.1 million for machines with a verifiable paper trail. Lehigh County has
budgeted $3.5 million for the new system, but not Northampton.
I believe this omission is to make a stronger case to Governor Wolf for more than the $341,000 pittance he is giving the county, but an even better case can be made by budgeting for the most expensive machines out there.
Council's primary obligation is the public purse.They know this is coming,. They failed to prepare for it simply because they are less independent than they should be. So overall, I rate them a "B."
Individually, my assessments are as follows:
John Cusick - A: An algebra teacher, he has long maintained an interest in county government. He is the best-informed Council member, attends conferences by the local state association of counties and also follows the news in other county governments. He asks tough questions and will challenge Executive McClure, but appears to be primarily motivated by a desire for good government and fiscal conservatism.
Matt Dietz - A: A pilot, Dietz is probably the biggest fiscal hawk on Council. He has nevertheless gone along with most of Executive McClure's proposals because McClure himself is fiscally conservative. Very personable, Dietz never was never full of himself. Unfortunately for us, he will be stepping down at the end of his term to spend more time with his growing family. I quote him less frequently than others because he has a tendency to speak fast.
Peg Ferraro - C: A retired teacher, Peg was once described as a "Republican with a heart." It's true, too. She's also a good listener, which has a calming effect on speakers. Though politically astute, Peg has grown increasingly disenchanted with party politics and is beginning to enjoy her life after years of service. She has begun to miss meetings, which is why I give her a "C." But even at a "C," County Council needs her.
Kevin Lott - no grade: A carpenter, Kevin escapes an assessment because he was just appointed. I did have the opportunity to speak with him before his appointment, and I personally think he's going to be excellent. He is personable and down-to-earth like Dietz. He's a damn sight better than the miserable bastard he replaced. Ken Kraft almost certainly quit because he knew I would be giving him an "F." Just because. I'm a miserable bastard, too.
Ron Heckman - A: Ron is a polymath who has worked in human services, community development and as a Lehigh County liaison to municipalities. He loves to talk and is easily distracted, sometimes by himself. This can make meetings take longer than they should. But he is one of just a handful of people who understand Northampton County. When a group recently came to Council because they felt they had nowhere else to go, Heckman listened. He even extended their time. Also, when Executive McClure proposed eliminating positions as part of his 2019 budget, it was Heckman who asked whether other positions had been found. He cares about people. He can also be funny as hell. Rumors abound that the new Democrats wish to replace him with either Heffner or Zrinski. That would be a mistake.
Lori Vargo Heffner - C: Of nine Council members with an excellent attendance record at Council and committee meetings, Heffner is a rare 100%. A social worker by training and education, Heffner is very committed to her role. According to some who know her, she has even canceled appointments that conflict with her Council duties. Initially, I was quite impressed by her, especially when she stood up to a condescending General Purpose Authority chair, Shawn Langen. But over the year, it's become increasingly apparent that she's full of herself. Who objects to meeting minutes because her name is hyphenated? She did. She was tough with Langen, but also is nasty when there's no reason for it, like when she sabotaged the nomination of the Allentown Diocese Superintendent to the volunteer drug and alcohol board. Her venom was on full display when Court Administrator Jermaine Greene sought Council's approval for a Juvenile Justice Center Director of Treatment. She raised all kinds of roadblocks. She imperiously told a black man who brought a physician and a psychologist that she did not like his tone. Judge Stephen Baratta put her complaints to bed, but she never apologized for her unprofessional behavior. The only reason I do not give her an "F" is because of her dedication. If she wants to stay on Council, she should try to be nicer to people.
Bill McGee - A: A trades union business agent, McGee is nothing you would expect from organized labor. Quiet and reflective, he has an amazing understanding of finance. I also think he sleeps in his suit. He is respectful to citizens and employees. He quietly lobbied for legislation requiring an apprenticeship program for contracts on county-owned property. He was successful, too, but his ordinance has been challenged in court.
Bob Werner - A: A retired teacher, Werner at one time announced he would run for county executive. He had second thoughts when Lamont McClure decided to run. He might be Council's most liberal member, but grew very close to conservative Hayden Phillips. If they were both on the same page on a county issue, they were right. With the departure of Phillips, Werner's enthusiasm for Council has waned. He still does his homework and is prepared for meetings, but the flame that once burned inside him has dimmed. His wife might run for his seat next year, which could mean a primary contest between her and South Easton's Frank Pintabone.
Tara Zrinski - C: In November, Northampton County was blanketed by a freak afternoon snowstorm. Some people spent that night sleeping in their cars. County Council was meeting at that time. That's when Tara Zrinski, a solar panel salesperson, decided to launch a diatribe against the lanternfly. She made sure to hand out cards to everyone, which probably came in handy in wiping snow off windshields. At a subsequent meeting, which only involved the approval of a $450 million budget, she had a series of three environmental resolutions. She actually insisted on reading the solar panel resolution in its entirety, maybe hoping she could make a sale.
Zrinsk appears to have little interest in the county or its business. She actually skipped one important meeting explaining a $26 million bond to purchase the human services building so she could attend a Susan Wild rally. She comes late to meetings, phoning in and attempting to listen as she drives to the courthouse. When she gets there, she complains about the reception being bad. She will then ask questions that have already been asked and answered.
She has complained to Council members in other municipalities that she wants NorCo to pay for her health insurance. Some of you wrongly consider her a committed environmentalist. Her spotty voting history makes clear she has no interest in municipal government. Her chief cause, in the final analysis, is herself.
I would be giving her an "F" except for her attendance.
