Ukranian Ambassador Highlight of Biden's SOTU

In the first few minutes of his SOTU, President Joe Biden hit more than a few high notes with his denunciation of Putin's invasion of Ukraine. He introduced Ukranian Ambassador Oksana Markarova to raucous applause. It's justified. I've seen several of her news conferences. She has displayed great candor, coupled with humility. She seemed genuinely touched by the accolades from President and Congress. 

Congress  is pretty much united in its opprobrium towards Putin. So when Biden announced he was following the example of European counterparts and closing American airspace to Russian flights, both sides of the aisle were delighted.

From there, his speech rolled downhill. Instead of speaking as a President, he spoke as a legislator who continues to push the Build Back Better plan even though he's unable to get it through his own party. 

His inflation solution is ridiculous. He proposes manufacturing jobs here will reduce costs but I have to wonder what magic wand he can wave to do this. 

Overall, I'd say it was a wasted opportunity.He could have taken an issue we all agree on and drive it home. He could have addressed inflation more directly. It was the speech of a wonk, not a leader.

I've watched several speeches in recent days by French Prime Minister Jean Castex and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. They both were better, even with Scholz declaring a 180 degree reversal in German policy concerning self-defense. 

Castex called Putin what he is - a liar.  

Gracedale Residents COVID-19 Free

Northampton County released a statement yesterday indicating that, once again, Gracedale is COVID-19 free, at least among residents. One staffer has tested positive and is in isolation. 

At this point, 94% of residents are vaccinated, as well as all healthcare workers.

Visitation is permitted via appointment with the Therapeutic, Recreation and Social Services Department. 

DeSales Basketball, Men and Women, Going to NCAA's D3 Tournament

DeSales Starters (L to R): Keba Mitchell, Dat Lambert, Matt Kachelreis,
Timmy Edwards and Mike Bealer

(Blogger's Note: I'm about to do some bragging, so you might want to skip this unless you like hoops.)

DeSales Basketball programs, both men and women, are going to the D3 NCAA tournament. 

The women's team (21-3) had an automatic invitation as the winner of the MAC Freedom conference. They play SUNY Cortland on Friday in Medford, Ma.

I thought the men's team (22-5) was finished. Despite an amazing season, the Bulldogs were upset by the Lycoming Warriors in the MAC Freedom semifinal on Friday. A team DeSales had already beaten twice during the regular season came ready to play, and eked out a 65-61 win. Although I believe Lycoming deserves all the credit for a great win with outstanding athleticism by Mo Terry and Matt Ilodigwe, I was disappointed to see the season end for a great balanced team that played together all year. I also hated to see my grandson's basketball career end on a sour note. 

It will continue. 

On Monday, the basketball gods selected 20 teams to join the 44 conference champions. DeSales made the cut and is playing Babson College (18-7) on Friday in Ashland,Va.  The winner of that game will face either Randolph-Macon (27-1, ranked #1) or Mirchell College (17-10) on Friday. 

DeSales and Babson are both making their sixth NCAA appearance. 

DeSales relies on a balanced attack and stingy defense. As many as 14 players will score, making defense difficult. 

Timmy Edwards (Trinity HS) is the man inside the paint. Keba Mitchell (Berks Catholic) is the dunker, and bats balls away like he's swatting at flies. Both Edwards and Mitchell missed the first few games of the season due to injuries, but are now at full strength. 

On the corners, Dat Lambert and Jordan Holmquist have been deadly shooting guards. Lambert has hit 56 from downtown, and Holmquist has had 52. Point guards Matt Kachelreis (Emmaus), Mason Barnes (Pottsville) and Will Pollick (Kingsway) all have amazing court vision. Get this. Kachelreis has had 159 assists this season, among the highest in D3 basketball. 

Anyone on that team, from Mike Bealer (18 points against Moravian) to Christian Gulden (12 points against Lycoming) can score a lot of points in a hurry. 

At the helm is Scott Coval, who has steered his teams to over 500 wins. 

Win or lose, I'm happy to see the Bulldogs recognized as a top team. I suspect Coval and the Bulldogs are more interested in winning. 

What's Your Take on Putin's Invasion of Ukraine?

I am sure was the case with many of you, I spent most of the weekend reading and watching as much about the Ukraine invasion as I could. I was unimpressed by American accounts that invariably faded into one side or the other of the Trump-Biden culture war. What impressed me most were European and Indian news accounts from WION, France 24 and DW News, all of which were streaming on YouTube.  Most of the world (with some notable exceptions) have united in condemning Putin's belligerence. Ironically, his use of force has united Europe and America in ways no one would have thought possible.

Germany has reversed its long-standing revulsion at defense spending. It will now be spending 2% of its GDP on the military, something Trump urged them to do during his time in office. France has actually seized a cargo ship bound for Russia, and nearly all of Europe is denying Russia the use of its airspace. 

At the same time, Putin has managed to lionize Volodymyr Zelensky, an erstwhile comedian who has rallied his countrymen (and much of the world) in resistance to authoritarian rule. Even as the Russian military made its way to Kyiv, he has resolutely refused to flee. 

Putin had predicted that his soldiers would be greeted by Ukranians with flowers. Instead, it's been Molotov cocktails. One resident actually knelt in front of an approaching Russian tank. 

As of Sunday afternoon,it appears that Russian forced have yet to occupy a single large city in a country whose defense is considerably weaker. Inexplicably, Putin has placed his country on nuclear alert even though Ukraine possesses no nuclear weapons. He also called Ukranians Nazis, even though Zelensky is Jewish. 

I acknowledge I am no expert on international affairs. but it seems to me that OPutin has blundered badly and has diminished himself in the eyes of the world. What is your take? 

Whitney On Allentown's Responsible Contractor Ordinance: Will Tuerk Veto?

Blogger's Note: Allentown City Council has recently adopted a "responsible contractor" ordinance that might actually be irresponsible government. The law, which is sitting on Mayor Tuerk's desk waiting for his signature, limits all city contracts over $100,000 to contractors with Class A apprenticeship programs. Moreover, these programs must have been in existence for several years, This essentially guarantees that the work will be limited to trade unions.  Union labor is expensive, I'm told ad high as $85 per hour. This is way beyond a living wage. While the intentions are good, this will limit the number of bidders for city work while driving up cost. Allentown's James Whitney weighs in on this new ordinance. 

On February 16, 2022 Allentown City Council passed a Responsible Contractors Ordinance (RCO) in a 4 to 3 vote with CeCe Gerlach, Ed Zucal, Josh Seigel and Natalie Santos all voting in favor of the ordinance. However, Matt Tuerk has indicated that he may be forced to veto the ordinance because parts of the final legislation appear to be copied and pasted from Lehigh County’s Administrative Code, and not revised for application in Allentown. When asked if he agreed that the ordinance was an example of copy and paste legislation, Mayor Tuerk said “It’s so copy and paste that it refers to ‘section 801.2’, which isn’t even a part of the Allentown charter.” He indicated there are other errors in the bill which need to be fixed before it could be implemented in Allentown. “I’m vetoing it” he said.

The portion of the new ordinance that refers to section 801.2 states “Every construction contract shall adhere to the “Required Conditions for all Contracts” outlined in Section 801.2.” When asked what document “section 801.2” is referring to, City Council Member Ed Zucal, who voted for, and co-sponsored the bill, said “I don't know. I'll check that out for you.” Aside from conversations around whether politicians should know what's in the bills they’re voting on, local business owners  and some elected officials are also questioning whether now is the right time to be passing legislation that limits the labor pool that Allentown depends on for its public works projects. “I needed time to examine how this ordinance would affect the small business community, but they wouldn't give that to me.”  

In the business community, some are concerned that in an already constricted labor environment, limiting the pool of eligible contractors may cause important public works and city infrastructure projects to  remain undone and underfunded, or that the Allentown taxpayer could bear the cost of constricted labor supply. Neither potential outcome seems favorable for Allentown’s economy or for residents who are still feeling the effects of a 27% property tax increase levied in 2018. 

Community leaders are also concerned how this RCO might affect equitable access to the highly competitive public works bidding process. When asked for comment for this article, Kevin Easterling, CEO of Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley said “This piece of legislation appears to be written for the benefit of the unions, and historically there have been barriers of entry into those unions by both low income contractors as well as companies owned by people of color.” 

As Allentown emerges from the pandemic and into an economy strained by inflation, supply chain disruption and a national labor shortage, it remains to be seen how this ordinance could potentially affect Allentown’s small business community, equitable access to the public works bidding process, affordable housing and tax rates. But beyond those issues, another concern is growing within city hall. Three city officials, who agreed to speak only on the condition of anonymity, all said that this feels like a return to the Pawlowski era of Allentown politics. Whether or not that’s true also remains to be seen> Their willingness to speak only with anonymity and the recent resignation of at least one department head implies that perhaps they may be onto something. 

What Bike Is Best For an Old Fart?

Earlier this week, I chronicled my first bicycle ride in 2022. I was actually out twice this week, but am sticking to the bike paths. When it gets warmer and lighter, I'll pretty much be riding (instead of driving) everywhere I can. Given the predicted rise in gas prices, I might have lots of company.

One of my readers asks, "I'm your age and want to start riding this spring. What type of bike do you recommend since I am new to riding?"

I have several readers who are avid cyclists and far more qualified than I am to answer this question. But since being unqualified has never stopped me from holding forth on every topic under the sun, I'll attempt an answer.

E-Bikes are great. I see them on bike paths all the time, and most riders are elderly. You can fly by at 12-15 mph, and with pedal assist, get some exercise at the same time. The drawback is that they are very heavy, even with all the latest technology. You need a more specialized bike rack if you want to take one to a trail. They are also expensive. If I could afford it, I'd add one to my fleet. 

As I've aged, I am far less nimble than I was even 10 years ago. So getting on and off my bikes is always a struggle. It's not easy to swing a leg over the bar. I'd recommend a low-step frame like the Verve 2 low-step hybrid by Trek.  You can take that on the road or trail. 

The most important recommendation is that you wear a helmet. Many years ago, I shunned helmets. That disdain stopped after I went into a slide while racing kids and bashed my head into a wooden fence. I woke up in an ambulance. Since then, a helmet has protected me from serious injuries during inevitable falls. 

In addition to the helmet, get a spare tube you can slip under your saddle and a pump you can attach to the side.

Finally, I'd recommend that you take a cycling safety course occasionally offered by CAT. I did that years ago when Steve Schmitt was running the show. That dude would wear earphones while cycling so he could ignore irate drivers. I prefer to know they're there. 

Work into it gradually. It might not seem like much effort, but you burn a lit of calories riding. 

Thanks for asking. 

Our Oil Dependency Is What Really Emboldens Putin

I was disappointed to see so many comments yesterday blaming Putin's aggression in Ukraine on Trump or Biden.  These really miss the point. What really is emboldening Mad Vlad is our global dependence on fossil fuel. Although we certainly can become self-sufficient, we and Europe currently rely on Russian oil. Even though we have taken pokes at Russia's economy with the latest set of sanctions, we've steered clear of an actual embargo on oil imports. The one country that has taken the most damaging action is Germany, which has halted a gas pipeline from Russia.

Without a doubt, an embargo on Russian oil  would stop Putin. But it would also cripple a public used to cheap oil. Although we've been told that development of alternative sources of energy is a matter of national security, we've ignored the warnings. 

Seniors can ride the bus free, something I like to do. In addition, it is relatively easy to cycle to many places in the Lehigh Valley. We need to get away from an oil economy. 

We Owe Vladimir Putin Our Thanks

On the campaign trail and in his early days as President, Joe Biden stressed the need for all of us - Democrat and Republican - to come together. Unfortunately, we were too polarized for that to happen. So when Russian began massing troops along the Ukraine border, right wing pundits claimed it was nothing more than a "wag the dog" attempt by Biden to raise his falling poll numbers. With only a few exceptions, those voices are muted now. Instead of screaming that Biden has manufactured a crisis, AM talk radio is encouraging truckers to disrupt our economy. They are now strangely silent about Ukraine. 

Fortunately, most Democrats and Republicans now see that Biden was truthful. Vladimir Putin has managed to accomplish what no one else has been able to achieve. He's managed to push Democrats and Republicans together. As a bonus, he's managed to unite our European allies. 

Thanks, Vlad.  

County Workforce Issues Are a National Problem

Late last year, Northampton County set aside $450,000 that was, in part, intended for a pay study. It has so far taken no action, and Executive Lamont McClure has done little to address employee salaries during his first four years in office. He is considering a childcare center at Gracedale, but has done little to actually retain people

As noted in Governing, public sector employees are facing issues that simply are nonexistent in the private realm. Elections workers have been dealing with abusive messages and emails along with completely unsubstantiated claims of corruption by sore losers like defeated Exec candidate Steve Lynch. Workers in the PFA office are exposed on a daily basis to the ugly side of domestic abuse. Staff in  Children and Youth encounter neglected and abused children daily. Corrections officers work long hours, some of it mandated, yet must maintain peak physical and mental acuity to prevent inmates who wish to harm themselves or others. Gracedale, which at one time prided itself on taking everyone, is now limiting admissions because its ability to provide resident care is below state standards. Even the law librarian must deal daily with people who expect her to draft their complaints and petitions. 

Here's what some counties are doing.

Mental Health - Larry Johnson, DeKalb County, Ga., commissioner and NACo president: We have a pilot program that we had started with election workers, because this has become a mental challenge, dealing with threats and things of that nature. We have worked with our sheriff’s department, our library system, our fire department — we tried to make it as collaborative as possible, because everybody has to deal with this type of stress in the workplace and at home or in the community. Sometimes you have to have someone in the community or in the workplace that can alert other people that something is just not quite right with my worker X — what can I do, I noticed symptoms, I noticed signs, how can I prevent an anxiety attack or something that may go further?

Pay and Benefits - Johnson: : I’m trying to be creative. One thing we’re doing is that, with public safety first, we’re raising the salary of all of those in the police and fire departments. We’ve given them a 6 percent raise and a $3,000 retention bonus. We also raised the pension with a 3 percent match to a 6 percent match. We were doing a 12.5 percent increase in frontline pay with the CARES money, so now we’re going to make that permanent, as we try to make sure we recruit and retain the best officers.

Matt Chase, Nat'l Ass'n of Counties Exec Director: We have created a network of county administrators, HR directors and others, including elected officials, who are really focused on workforce retention. We have a ton of counties that are down major numbers of full-time equivalent employees that are really working to be more creative with things like remote workforce, alternative schedules, pay and benefits, and redoing job classifications. Leon County, Fla., just did some old school county job fairs, where they actually hired people on the spot that day, when normally it would have taken three months to do interviews and background checks. They totally flipped their hiring system to move much quicker. They’re still doing the background checks and other things, but they kind of do it on the back end.

Gracedale has worked at same-day hiring and alternative schedules, but the county has shied away from other ideas. An attempt at remote working was an abject failure during the pandemic, but this is simply because employees needed training. A systematic look at salary compression and job classifications could come from a pay study. It is really needed. 

I have to caution that a pay study is going to be controversial and suspect that's one reason why none has been done. But that;s why Career Service Regs provide for appeals. 

First Bike Ride of 2022

 

Although I can (and have) ridden 100 miles on the hottest days of the year, I have problems once it gets cold. I can still ride, but it's no longer fun. So I usually walk, jog and hit the gym. Yesterday was the first time that I was able to ride outside this year, and it felt great. I texted a cycling buddy to brag, but he had just been out himself. 

Spring is coming!  

Dems Drop Congressional Staffer for NorCo Elections Comm'n

In Northampton County, the Elections Commission consists of five members. Three are members of the party receiving the most votes in the most recent general election, with the remaining two coming from the party receiving the second highest number of votes. The names are submitted by party bosses. Each party is supposed to submit five names. They are confirmed by County Council for a two-year term.  Candidates and elected officials (even elected party officials) are banned from serving. But what about someone who is employed by an elected official seeking re-election? That's what happened two weeks ago when Council was asked to confirm someone who works for U.S. Rep. Susan Wild. 

Though the Home Rule Charter's prohibition only applies to candidates or elected officials, it's pretty obvious that the appointment of someone who works for a candidate seeking re-election would undermine public confidence in the integrity of our elections system. Council member Kerry Myers wanted to go ahead and appoint this person anyway because she is black. Insisting on a conflicted person just because of one's race is itself racist.

Myers acually threatened recrimination against Council members who refuse to endorse this nominee. "If you want to go down that road, be my guest. But be prepared to take the heat for it," he barked.

He did succeed in intimidationg fellow Council members Kevin Lott and Ron Heckman, but the remaining Council members tabled the nomination.

Guess what? last week, County Council unanimously confirmed another naminee who happens to be black and female, but who does not work for Congressman Susan Wild.

Was that so hard?

Whether it is the Supreme Courtor the Elections Comm'n, the first question should always be whetehr the nominee is qualified, not her race.

Thode: A Covid Surge Comparison

Blogger's Note: Steve Thode has been tracking the pandemic since its inception.  In his latest report, he compares the COVID-19 surge last winter with this winter. As we all know, this winter was much worse.  

Here is a recap of the Winter 20-21 and Winter 21-22 COVID surges in Lehigh and Northampton counties combined.

I'll recap using three charts.

The first chart is a comparison of the 7-Day New COVID case rates for the time period December 4 to February 16 for each winter. Here's the chart:

During the winter of 20-21, the 7-Day New Case rate peaked at 4,349 new cases reported on January 12, 2021; during the winter of 21-22, the 7-Day New Case rate peaked at 17,266 new cases reported on January 11, 2022. So, the winter peak in 21-22 was nearly four times as high as the winter peak in 20-21. After the peak, 7-Day New Case rates dropped rapidly this winter, declining to 3,375 reported on February 1 - a drop of more than 80% from the peak. Since cases are reported as of midnight the day before, the February 1 report is as of January 31. I declare the Winter 21-22 surge ended on January 31, 2022. As you can see, the 7-Day New Case rate has continued to decline rapidly. As of Wednesday, February 16, the 7-Day New Case rate has dropped to 816 - a decline of more than 95% from the peak; and, the lowest 7-Day New Case rate since August 10, 2021. Last year, the 7-Day New Case rate didn't drop to 816 until May 11, 2021.

How deadly were the Winter 20-21 and Winter 21-22 COVID surges? I present two charts.

This next chart is Cumulative New Cases beginning on December 4 of each winter through January 31 of each of each winter; and, Cumulative New Deaths beginning and ending 10 days later (assuming a lag between a positive COVID test and subsequent death). Here's the chart:

Over this time period, the Winter 21-22 surge produced more than twice as many new cases as did the same time period during Winter 20-21. However, this winter's surge produced substantially fewer deaths than last winter. Over this time period last winter, approximately 1.85% of those who tested positive subsequently died. This winter, the death rate was 0.61% over this time frame. So, this winter the mortality rate was only about 33% of the mortality rate last winter.

The above chart and stats are a mixture of Delta and Omicron cases and deaths this winter. So, let's focus on the Omicron segment of this winter's surge. No one knows exactly when Omicron became the dominant variant, but most authorities suggest it was sometime in mid-December 2021. Looking at the data on reported cases, the number of new reported COVID cases became consistently higher this winter than last winter on December 17, so I have chosen to recast the data from the previous chart using December 17 as the start of the "Omicron Surge" in cases; and, December 27 as the starting date for "Omicron Surge" deaths. Here's the chart:

For this time frame, new cases reported in Winter 21-22 were almost two-and-a-half times the number of new cases reported in Winter 20-21. Meanwhile, recorded deaths were substantially lower. Over this time period last winter, approximately 1.86% of those who tested positive subsequently died. This winter, the death rate was 0.57% over this time frame. So, the "Omicron Surge" this winter had a mortality rate that was only about 31% of the mortality rate during last winter's "Delta Surge."

As always, some data limitations are in order. The actual number of positive COVID cases this winter was likely much higher than the reported number due to: the wider availability of home tests (some people got a positive result from a home test but suffered only mild or no symptoms and didn't report the result); and, the number of people who contracted COVID but were asymptomatic and didn't get tested.

As for using using a 10 day lag between reported cases and recorded deaths, we know some deaths occur soon after a positive test while some deaths may occur weeks after a positive test. However, as far as I know, no one reports the actual time frame between diagnosis and death for those who died from COVID. I did try using different lags, but all showed essentially similar death rates.

Finally, I will note that the number of recorded deaths through February 10 for this winter's surge may be subject to a minor upward revision due to possible delays in recorded deaths. However, both the Lehigh County Coroner and the Northampton County Coroner have been quite prompt in recording COVID deaths.

Small Business Owners Discuss Negative Impact of Pandemic

For the past two meetings, a coterie of small business owners have appeared before Northampton County Council to discuss the small business grants received as a result of the pandemic. This program will end once federal funds have been exhausted, but no one on County Council has suggested this program end earlier than then. Someone obviously instigated these small business owners to appear. I declined to write about this two weeks ago because I felt these mom 'n pops were being used. But I am writing about it now to share how the pandemic has hurt these businesses. 

The two brothers who own Aman's Artisan Indian Cuisine (I lack the correct spelling of their names) were  the first in the prisoner's dock. They indicated that, while Covid might be over, the inflationary effects is hurting the restaurant business. Before Covid, a gallon of cooking oil cost him $17. Now it's $52. Chicken was $45 a case. Now it's $110-120. A bag of 51 onions was $16. It's jumped to $34. 

They are a bit suspicious about price gouging because there are no shortages. 

A Nazareth donut shop owner said that before Covid, she had 23 employees. Now she has eight. She also echoed concerns about rising prices. Butter has gone from $40 to $140 and the gloves worn by pastry cooks have climbed from $60 to $110 per case. 

In addition to restaurant owners, County Council heard from the circus. Erin Grins, a stilt walker, juggler and circus camp trainer, said she and her husband are still being hurt by the pandemic. Things started to pick up, and then Omicron hit. "Our business disappeared overnight," she said.

One of these small business owners told County Council they are angels.

No, they are commissioners. 

McClure: Mask Mandate to Be Lifted at Courthouse

In his report to Northampton County Council last night, Executive Lamont McClure remarked that the number of people seeking Covid testing has dropped precipitously. He indicated that it's possible he might lift the mask mandate at the courthouse next week. It would still remain in effect at Gracedale and at the jail. The courts previously discontinued their mask mandate inside courtrooms. 

NorCo Council Has Taken No Action With $450k Set Aside to Study Salaries, Gracedale and IT

Late last year, and over the objection of Executive Lamont McClure, Northampton County Council voted to set aside $450,000 to conduct as many as three studies. on IT, Gracedale and employee salaries.The vote was 8-1, with only Tara Zrinski dissenting. Two months have elapsed since that time, so you might be wondering what's happened. The answer came during a Council Committee meeting last night. Nothing.  

Council member John Cusick asked President Lori Vargo-Heffner what's going on, and she responded by saying she was waiting on everyone else She also wanted to see if anyone could find a consultant who would be inexpensive

She and Cusick both discussed issuing a request for proposals, but thus far, nothing has happened. 

County Council has three full-time employees, including two overpaid clerks. Maybe one of should be directed to take on this task.  

Zrinski For State Senate?

In the last County Council race, conducted just a few months ago, I was among those who made Tara Zrinski the top vote-getter in Northampton County. I've been her harshest public critic. If truth be told, I've been her only public critic because dailies no longer cover county news. She got my vote because she has been responsive to county residents when they approach her with a problem. She also responded to my county council candidate questionnaire even though she was well aware of my criticism. Her Republican opponents spurned it even  though I was impressed by two of them. She won the county council race rather easily, but her bid for state senate is another matter.

In the county council race, she was one of 10 candidates vying for office. It would be very difficult for five GOP opponents to zero in on her. There was no real opposition research done on any of the candidates. Zrinski was able to waltz into office because of strong backing by Democratic women and environmentalists

A state senate race will be much different. Republicans could prop up a wingnut like Steve Lynch, which would make victory for Zrinski inevitable. But it's more likely they will find someone less bombastic and more reasoned. 

And willing to do opposition research. 

This blog would be a fertile source.  The above video alone, which I obtained from Zrinski's own YouTube channel, would certainly hurt her. She would also be hit hard for some of her more extreme environmental proposals,which included outright lies about Bethlehem Tp and the PennEast pipeline. Speaking of lying, she was sanctioned for "perjury" in a custody disputer. 

None of this bubbled to the surface in her County Council races. It will in her state senate bid. 

Yes, NorCo Council Members are Called Comm'rs

I received two comments on Friday, almost certainly from the same person, ridiculing two matters peculiar to Northampton County. Let's start with the comments themselves. 

" I thought we had council people in our county and Lehigh County has Commissioners. Will someone explain what this is all about. What's the difference betweeen the courthouse and the government center? isn't it one and the same."

"th new democrats on council wanted the prestige of being called commissioners. They crave attention for their egos. Also, it has always been the County Courthouse until McClure, craving attention changed all th stationary to show th government center. He didn't want people to think the courts were in charge but that he was. He wanted everyo9ne to do it but the courts laughed and said, no. These dems egos need constant attention and adoration."

Commissioner or Council members? Lehigh County's legislative body is called the Board of Commissioners. Its members are called Commissioners. Northampton County Council members were called Council members and the body as a whole was referred to as County Council. 

These names are the result of the Home Rule Charters in each county. 

Over the past few years, several Northampton County Council members decided they'd prefer to be called Commissioner. I guess it sounds more important. When they go to state meetings of the County Commissioner Ass;n, they can pretend they are on the same level as real Commissioners in counties where there are three Commissioners who act as both legislators and executives. 

This is pure ego stroking and it never much got anywhere until Lori Vargo Heffner decided to try again. Now because this is actually a change to the Home Rule Charter, this would have to be advertised and approved by the public. 

All Council members, both Democrat and Republican, supported this plebiscite. Ego is by no means limited to one party. In last year's primary, voters approved the name change. I doubt very few actually knew this was just ego-stroking. The question was phrased in a way to make it seem that voters were approving a nine-person body. 

Northampton County Council, incidentally, is still called County Council. So we have nine Commissioners on a County Council. 

Shouldn't it be a Board of Commissioners? 

I suppose that will be the next big change. 

Courthouse or Government Center? It's both, but primarily, it's a courthouse. That's the name etched in stone outside the rotunda. 

So far as I know, there's been no move to have the building called anything but the courthouse. It is true that correspondence from the McClure administration does identify the building as the government center. This happened early in his first term, I do agree there's a tad bit of ego stroking there. I was told it was done to minimize confusion. But in all my years as a nearly daily visitor, I have yet to meet anyone who was confused about the government center's location at the courthouse. McClure has no authority to name any county building. That's the province of County Council.  

What we call things can have deep underlying meaning or could be ego. 

As for me, call me Ishmael. 

Ukraine: Will Russia Invade Tuesday?

According to the AP, 130,000 Russian troops are poised at the border of eastern Ukraine, ready to strike as soon as Tuesday. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has downplayed the possibility of invasion, but when that number of trrops mass on its border, he should probably pay attentioon. The Wall Street Journal notes that the precursor to an invasion - cyberattacks - has already begun. Portions of eastern Ukraine have been under the control of pro-Russian separatists since 2014.

NorCo Council Adopts Priorities

The County Comm'rs Ass'n, known as CCAP, meets annually to arrive at priorities. This year, seven county government priorities have been identified as follows: 

• Appropriate Funding to Support the Crumbling Mental Health System
• Human Services Workforce Crisis
• Broadband Expansion
• Appropriate Funding and Reform for the Children and Youth System
• Promote Election Integrity
• 911 Funding and Reauthorization
• Funding and Resources for Elections

Northampton County Council considered and endorsed these priorities as a result of a 9-0 vote last week. Tara Zrinski expressed disappointment that there were no environmental policies identified.  

Is This Racist?

Andy Roman was a Lehigh County Comm'r for eight years before making the mistake of running for Sheriff against Ron Rossi. He lost that race, but served on a school board. Most recently, he was elected as a Whitehall Tp Comm'r. Hopefully, he's less nutty at their meetings than he's been on social media. On Facebook, he's a rabid anti-vaxer who calls the Covid-19 outbreak a plandemic. He also believes there was election fraud in the 2020 Presidential. Now he's posted a picture of Hillary Clinton with an Afro and darkened skin, and asks, "Our next Supreme Court Justice?" 

I get the attempted humor here. He's implying that Clinton is so desperate for power that she'll alter her race so she fits Joe Biden's requirements for the job. But is this also racist? I thought not, but then I remembered that I have some racist tendencies myself. If not racist, I think we can all agree that no elected official should use his Facebook page to post messages that make us wonder. Roman should be representing all Whitehall Tp residents, not just white males.

People wonder why I despise Donald Trump so much. Before he was elected, only fringe people posted the things I see on Roman's Facebook page. Now it's the norm.