In The Wake of....

...Stoffa-Gift - Should a Board of Ethics in Nor-Co be weighed?

Yes, we think so. There is no mechanism or device in place at this point in time to assist the taxpayers deal with government unethical questions.

When COAF addressed County Council and asked them to look into the Stoffa-Gift matter, they (CC) suggested that they would deal with the matter only if there was evidence of wrong doing on the part of County Executive John Stoffa, and or his administration.

In December of 2012, the independent office of the County Controller produced two hours of misused tax-resources which has been substantiated. In our humble opinion, this should have been the evidence that Council required to (at minimum) ask the proper authorities to launch a formal investigation into the matter. After all, the taxpayers are asking for it, and they deserve a legitimate response. Don't they? Especially when the taxpayers believe that the actual number of hours misused are more like 30-60 hours.

The intent of any investigation should be to substantiate or disprove wrongdoing within our local government.

Interestingly, after receiving the information from Controller Barron himself, County Council sat silent!

When COAF sought to understand the direction they were planning, they again sat silent!

When COAF asked County Council to censure Mr. Stoffa as a means of demonstrating to the taxpayers that they (CC) did not condone such behavior (in light of the evidence), they sat silent!

Their silence has made it quite apparent that County Council would prefer not to deal with these types of matters.

The local media (taking its cue from County Councils' silence) decides not to report on the very serious matter of misused tax resources in Northampton County. They too chose to sit silent.

We view all of these realities as clear indicators that County Council is not capable (for various reasons), or not willing (for obvious reasons) to handle such matters.

Perhaps local government shouldn't be expected to police itself!

Perhaps an independent body should be established specifically to handle and investigate allegations of improper and unethical government behavior, removing the need to bring such matters before County Council.

Yes, in light of recent events and the evidence which has gone unnoticed, it does appear the time has come to consider establishing an ethics board that would be responsible for reviewing ethical matters relating to our local government. The question is however, who in government would establish such a review board?

Governer...

...There you go again! ;-) Who said that?

The nonsensical ignoramus is now calling the Gracedale Advisory Board GOONS. Can you believe that?

Look at what he says on his blog:

"The Goons have done an about face. After supporting Lifestar at the Gracedale Advisory Board, they've suddenly switched."

Why would he say that?

He can't be talking about COAF because we supported the first vote to keep Nazareth Ambulance (everybody knows that), so why would we go back on our word now???

Oh, no...he must think we're like his fiend (whoops - we meant friend) Mayor Callahan. Who is known to go back on his word.

Folks, when a large company like Lifestar desires to swallow up it's competition, low-balling is almost always the method of operation used.

We figure that unless he believes that COAF runs the GAB, or that GAB is COAF in disguise (which is not the case), he is disrespectfully calling GAB GOONS!

Let us be crystal clear - COAF never ever supported replacing Nazareth Ambulance Corps with any other ambulance service provider. Somehow the nonsensical ignoramus believes that if GAB goes in one direction that COAF will too...why does he believe that?

Who knows??? He just makes the garbage up as he goes along.

Callahan said...OH NO!

In 2007/8 didn't he throw Mr. Callahan under a bus, and then a truck, and then a train. He hated Mayor Callahan with a passion, because he had a passion for another politician. 

Well what about today, does he still feel the same way? No, of course not.

Today Bernie is trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

Angle says: Bernie, I don't need you anymore...
Stoffa says: Unfortunately, soon neither will I!
Bernie asks: So what am I supposed to do?
COAF says: Talk to Mr. McClure...
...Bernie yells - OH NO, here comes the bus!

And what about Mayor Callahan?  Is he a  fool?

No, of course not! He's planning on using the nonsensical ignoramus as long as it serves his purpose, and as long as he can.

And the then he will discard him like Ron Angle did, and like Mr. Stoffa soon will.

BREAKING NEWS - this just in: The nonsensical ignoramus runs-amuck and attacks the Rev. with his foolish mustache rants, and the fake this and that...

...Who CARES???
Not us!
Get a life!!!

Nazareth Ambulance...

...Will continue to serve Gracedale.

For the second time in five months County Council has voted (6-3) in favor of keeping Nazareth Ambulance in place over Lifestar.

First, we'd like to highlight Councilman Ken Kraft for doing the math (on the spot). Too often we look at the bottom line and think that the best decision will involve a low-ball proposal. The problem with that mentality (and we see far it often enough) is that the low-ball price usually has an underlying motivation (whatever that may be). Mr. Kraft, understanding what makes the world go round in today's economic environment, first analyzed, and then deduced that a family could not live on the low-ball being thrown at Council. And, he also stood firm on his promise to bring (or help keep) jobs to Nor-Co. So contrary to low-ball logic, he made the right decision. Great Job Mr. Kraft.

And then there is Councilwoman Barbara Thierry, whom took us all by surprise. And whom we can say for the first time in our involvement demonstrated that she could think for her self. She displayed character never seen in her before (at least not by us). Her question:  "But what about three years from now, when Lifestar has no competitors and it is free to charge what it wants?" made so much sense, that we couldn't believe who asked it. She went on to ask: "What about the personal relationships that have been fostered by members of Nazareth Ambulance and residents of Gracedale?" and, "How can we sever those ties without affecting the quality of service to residents?". This certainly was a rare moment, but Mrs. Thierry asked the right questions...and then made the right decision. Great job Mrs. Thierry...GREAT JOB.

And then, Peg Ferraro (who is the only incumbent running) made it clear that her decision had nothing to do with seeking the Nazareth voters votes, but everything to do with doing what she believed was right! And we would like to note that she also said something that we feel was probably her most important statement last night - I serve ALL of Northampton County. We believe her.

While there are some on Council that feel that we  (COAF) have been attacking, as you can see here, we are not! What some call attacking, we call "holding accountable".

COAF did not elect four to County Council members last year to tell them what to do, but to allow them to do what they promised they would. If they fail us by breaking their promises, we will hold them accountable. That ladies and gentlemen of Nor-Co is not the definition of attacking, but of amenability.

Speaking to the hopefuls, specifically those seeking our support: if you make us promises...we expect you to keep them. If you can't keep them, then please don't make them.

And please understand that in the same way we praise good performance, we will also illuminate poor execution for the County to see. It's not personal on any level. This blog is dedicated to shining a light wherever a light is needed to expose the truth...and that's what we'll continue to do!

News Update

County Controller Stephen J Barron, Jr. Endorses

 

Lamont McClure

For Northampton County Executive

March 19, 2013 – Today Northampton County Controller Stephen J. Barron, Jr. announces his endorsement of Lamont McClure for Northampton County Executive.

“Mr. McClure is the only candidate who is ready to do the job of Northampton County Executive. His involvement in every major county policy matter over the last 7 years means he can hit the ground running as executive.”

Barron and McClure were allies in the fight to save Gracedale. McClure’s leadership prevented the sale of the home to a private company.

McClure also backed Barron’s plan to prevent a tax increase proposed in the 2011 budget. Through tough fiscal choices a tax increase was not needed.

“Lamont understands the mission and purpose of county government,” Barron said, “he is the best candidate to move Northampton County forward and keep Gracedale moving in a positive direction.”

We will get the job done...Together!

 

Vote

Lamont McClure

For County Executive

 

Should Politics Be Everyones Advocation?

We believe the answer is yes!

Why - Because politics affect everyone. There is no getting around that fact. Most people don't realize that their lack of involvement sometimes lead to community failures.

How so - Well, let us consider Gracedale. If we do not elect the right politicians, then it is very possible the wrong politicians will try to sell Gracedale soon. Forcing us to go through another initiative to keep Gracedale in County hands, where we feel she belongs.


We must be aware. Hence, we are making Nor-Co aware. That any person seeking a term in any political office, and who says they are not a politician, does not deserve our vote.


Why not - Because every great statesman is (of necessity) a great politician.

Is there a problem in todays political world? Yes, many folks who enter the political arena do so with a private agenda in place. Every political hopeful should have an agenda, no doubt about that. However, it shouldn't be a private agenda, it should be a public agenda. This simply means that the service of the politician is to the public as opposed to self.

A good politician should also have devotion to a cause. This cause may be humanitarian, national, social, religious, or cultural. He/She can look at realities calmly and with concentration.

Since politics is the "art of possible," the politician must always decide what is possible and what is not.

A good politician in a democracy should also have a sense of responsibility. He should not hold power for his own sake but for the good of the community.


Lastly - To be a politician a person must frequently "take a stand. In many cases he/she will have to stand alone."

 

And who do we know has done just that?

Lamont McClure

 

That's why we support him For County Executive 

Gracedale News

Gracedale was featured as a success story in a March 1, 2013 Mcknights.com analysis article saying:

"The county-owned Gracedale Nursing Home in Nazareth, PA, also can be seen as a success story, although not without having taken some wrong turns.
  
In 2011, the facility was put up for sale and had a potential bidder. A group of residents' family members not only objected but also rallied together against the sale.

Ross P. Marcus, director of human services in Northampton County, PA, is the first to admit the county leaders had not anticipated the pushback.

“They made a convincing case and, to be perfectly frank, we did not,” he says. “If you believe in democracy, this is democracy at its finest.”

Eventually, the question of keeping Gracedale went to a referendum, and citizens voted more than 70% in favor of keeping Gracedale publicly owned.

We badly underestimated the determination of those who wanted to keep the facility public,” Marcus says.

Led by County Executive John Stoffa, the county directors regrouped and hired Premier Healthcare Resources to manage Gracedale.

What's more notable, however, is the negotiations over the nursing home union contract led to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 88 agreeing to a $2.2 million cut.

That group was one of two unions in the facility, and the agreement was achieved only because the county made it clear that a future administration would likely have to privatize.

“Even if you sell the facility, most of the employees will keep their jobs, but clearly if Gracedale had gone private, there was no way of keeping the fringe benefit package the way it was,” Marcus says. That $2.2 million a year is a “huge amount of money,” and Marcus credits the union for putting “their money where their mouth was” by agreeing to the cut. They reduced salaries rather than benefits, he explains.

“In Pennsylvania, the state Department of Industry will often sit in on labor negotiations, and he said he had never seen a public union and public entity in such a tough negotiations maintain their professionalism and reach this degree of givebacks,” Marcus says.

Last fall, he said he was determined to move forward, and the county has been reasonably successful, including finding funding for a $10 million investment into the facility through a specialized guaranteed energy savings program. “We had huge, antiquated boilers, and expect to see huge savings,” he says. “It was paid for by future savings.”

The county also has managed to slash the outlay to Gracedale, Marcus asserts. The county budgeted $5.4 million originally in 2012 but was able to reset that amount to $4.5 million mid-year, and then actually came in at $4.4 million. In 2013, the budget is for $3.7 million; by 2014, it's expected to be closer to $2 million.

“We are really proud of that,” he says."

The entire quote is from: Wither the County Home?

"We The People" are proud too! Because we knew it could be done!

Desperate Men...

...Do desperate things.

Does someone need a bill board?

It has become quiet clear that Lamont McClure is a real threat to those opposing him. If not, then why are they acting so desperately?

Consider John Callahan, a fine gentlemen, who saw Gracedale as "not his problem" until he decided to make a run for the County Executive seat in Northampton County. Then he saw Gracedale as a sure way to get elected so he made his announcement from the entrance path at Gracedale.

Peek-a-boo, we see you!

The biggest problem that Mr. Callahan has right now is not a McClure billboard on 22 - Its his alliance with the less than honest and less than honorable nonsensical ignoramus.

If Mr. Callahan really wanted to win, why would he associate himself with a known deceiver like the nonsensical ignoramus? Hmmm???

The photo to the left depicts just how despicable he is. Always on the prowl to destroy and devour anyone who gets in the way of his plans. NIs' problem is we always seem to know where he is, and we can see right through him.

23,391 supported Gracedale...
...it could have been 23,392 with Mr. Callahan

If Callahan really wanted to use Gracedale as a means to secure an elected position, then why didn't he stand up for Gracedale when it mattered? That's a fair question Mr. Callahan...can you please give us an answer?

We suggest that if he had done so he would have had an easy campaign. But because he failed to stand with 23,391 electors, his campaign will not be so easy. In fact, it will be reduced to what we're seeing today - nothing more than mud slinging on his part.

And his association with a known liar can only hurt his chances even more!

We have been asked: Who do we support for County Executive? We answer: that's a no brainer...Lamont McClure - Because he stood up (at times alone) for Gracedale, and we will never forget that.