Recently, Councilman Ken Kraft (among the four we elected last year) has been criticized for his "open mind" approach to a thirty year old question: should we continue to allow the County Executive (John Stoffa today) to appoint cronies into row office positions? 
Mr. Kraft (along with Councilman Tom Dietrich, up for re-election this year) put a reasonable motion on the table seeking to have WE THE PEOPLE decide the question, only to find themselves being ridiculed by their counterparts on County Council...where is the civility in that?What troubles us most is the statements made by some members of council, as related to this matter. For example, Tom Shortell of the Express Times wrote on December 12, 2012:
"The suggestion, however, was quickly attacked by other council members. Peg Ferraro, Scott Parsons and Bob Werner all questioned how most voters would be able to make informed decisions on what are often obscure posts. The tests ensure candidates possess some knowledge about what it takes to properly operate their desired position, they said. That was sometimes lacking in the past as political favorites used them for no-show jobs, Ferraro said."
Most concerning of all in this statement is whether or not voters are capable of making informed decisions relating to these position. We find it rather peculiar that some on County Council consider us intelligent and informed enough to elect County Council, but not intelligent or informed enough to elect Row Office positions. Can anyone on County Council who oppose this motion explain that to us? We suspect not!
The matter-of-fact is that We The People are well informed because we are now awake and involved. Ms. Ferraro is also quoted to say in Toms writings: "What we’ve seen is professionalism brought to these row offices," she said. "We’ve seen the falling of separate little fiefdoms."
Because we love Peggy so (and she knows we do), we would like to agree with her on this comment, however, understanding the truth as we do, we can not agree. This statement begs the question: Have we really witnessed professionalism in those positions, or just a bigger and worst fiefdom controlled by an apparent tyrant the likes of County Executive John Stoffa?
We take this opportunity to say Semper-Fi, and extend a well deserved thank you to Mr. Kraft for keeping to his promise to serve the community well. Also Thank you too Mr. Dietrich for standing up and being counted on this issue.Read: Members Chastized
We shouldn't be too hard on Peggy. She's pro-Gracedale. However, it is true that Peg, Werner and Parson are the most pro-Stoffa members of CC. In terms of policy, there isn't much difference between this CC and the last with the exception of the fact that this CC is probably more pro-Stoffa than the last one.
ReplyDeleteThis post as I read it is not hard on anyone. It makes some valid points about comments made in the media arena.
DeleteKen is a good man. He also has good relationships with Stoffa and B.O. He's balancing all of this very nicely, and he's an effective Councilman for the people.
ReplyDeleteSorry but this guy is on board with the Stoffa legacy Human Servies building. That will bring about a bad finacial condition in Human Services and will eventually impact Gracedale. A very stupid idea.
ReplyDeleteThis election thing is fine but I am more concerned with Gracedale. He isn't helping.
maybe we all need to attend cc meetings where we can express our concerns over this building issue. kraft promised during his campaign he will always listen to the people.
DeleteAnd I still will
DeletePeg is right about the row offices..Kraft is wrong about that and also about the Human Services building. Why in heaven would we make people, such as the Coroner for instance, run for an office when they have no experience doing so...Then some political crony with no experience but maybe a good political name decides he wants the job..he will then become the new coroner, or whatever..It's crazy to elect these folks...Just crazy! AS someone above mentioned I'd worry alot more about this human servce building..Kraft is killing you guys on that ..Barron is right..The county cant afford to do this..But stoffa, with support from his buddy OHairy, is pushing it down their throats..If this goes through, Gracedale is screwed..I'd stop worrying about the stupid row offices and turn out in force to oppose this building..At least ask Council to postpone it until they can take a closer look at it..No reason to hurry..None!!
ReplyDeleteI can agree with you on the human services building, but not the row offices. Ken and Tom are simply suggesting that the folks of the county should be asked their opinion relating to the antiquated system in place now. Most of us who don't trust stoffa, don't want him putting into those position his cronies, which is what he has been doing. Which is also the reason we have the problems we have today.
DeleteI failed to mention that intelligent electors who follow the happenings of the county can and will make the right choices if row officers go back to being elected positions.
DeleteHow many intelligent electors do we have out there? To elect row offices is a really bad idea..People with political names but no experience will take the jobs from the experienced folks who just arent politicians and cant run a campaign..Electing row offices is nuts! The coalition does a great job and has been a positive force in the county..Stoffa will be gone next year and he wont be appointing anyone..To elect these positions is just silly..ferraro, Werner, and parsons are right if they keep the system as it is..
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