What Does Partisan Mean? (2)

Picking up where I left off...

...After the appointment vote, Council President Peg Ferraro expressed; next they would go into executive session. Councilman Robert Werner respectfully interjected. The floor was turn over to the Councilman. He respectfully spoke of an employee matter dealing with DA John Morganelli. Mr. Werner formed the opinion that Mr. Morganelli followed proper processes dealing with a similar matter. The matter involved the salaries of three of the DA's staff's members. 

Mr. Werner informed council that he had complimented Mr. Morganelli for openly providing personnel financial information during the personnel and finance committee meeting the day before, as part of a salary increase the DA was requesting. Also, that Morganelli acknowledged salaries paid for using tax dollars are simply a matter of public record. 

Mr. Werner then respectfully requested County Executive John Brown follow the example set by Mr. Morganelli. He also expressed that if the Executive would do so. He (Mr. Werner) would also compliment the Executive too.

Ms. Ferraro, becoming somewhat impatient stated again: she desired to go into executive session. She was clearly seeking a motion to do so. However, none came. Instead, another interjection came, this time from Councilman Ken Kraft. Mr. Kraft wanted to know exactly what they would be discussing in the closed session. The interjection led to some well mannered back and forth discussion, eventually leading to a motion to go into executive session. The motion passed by a 6-3 vote.

I would also like to add that Ms. Ferraro made it crystal clear she had a solution. However, it was equally clear that she did not want to discuss it openly. So off they went after the motion passed, to discuss the matter further - behind closed doors. I can honestly say I wasn't sure why they (or Ms. Ferraro) desired to discuss an established public matter behind closed doors.

Take note please, that of the nine members of council present, one, Mr. McClure, was present via telephone. He chose not to be part of the close session, expressing that it was not necessary to transfer his line to the closed session.

It certainly appeared at this point that perhaps something wasn't right! For a moment I felt we were going back to the old "state of affairs" on council. You know, the secretive back-room negotiations days.

I did not become angry or excited as I watched, instead I prayed for council. And then, about 58 minutes later they came out. Were my prayers answered? Absolutely! 

Two minutes shy of an hour later. They (council) showed for all to see, just how well bi-partisanship can work. Ms. Ferraro asked Council Solicitor Phil Lauer to provide the time of councils return and the nature of their discussion for the record.

Mr. Lauer, after saying the time, explained the nature of the closed session to be: 1) a series of personnel matters, 2) Possible litigation, and 3) a resolution to (possibly) resolve the two matters discussed.

The floor was then turn over to Mr. Kraft, who read the resolution into the record. The resolution offered four parts as follows:

1) Councils conclusion that the pay raises and step advances granted by the Executive are unlawful.

2) Direct the Executive to present to the Personnel committee justification for the pay raises and step advances during the June 17, 2015 Personnel and Finance meeting.

3) During the Council meeting to be held on June 18, 2015, Council will determine if the pay raises should be approved, and, if disapproved, council will determine the remedy that should be imposed.

4) In the event that the Executive shall fail to comply with the directive, Council instructs their solicitor to file an action against the County Executive, in the nature of a declaratory judgment, seeking to have the raises nullified, and a surcharge imposed against the County Executive.

To Be Continued...
RMM

What Does Partisan Mean? (1)

After watching the meeting online last night, I looked up the definition of  the word "Partisan" in Merriam-Webster dictionary on an iPad app. I found the following definitions:

1: a firm adherent to a party, faction, cause, or person; especially: one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance.

2a: a member of a body of detached light troops making forays and harassing the enemy

2b: a member of a guerilla band operating within enemy lines.

I also looked at a couple of online dictionary's which presented the same meaning in slightly different words. Understanding the meaning led me to ask: how exactly is partisanship good?

Take #1 for instance, having a firm belief in a party, faction, cause, or person is understandable, but to do so blindly, with prejudice, and unreasoning allegiance is certainly questionable.

I worship ME!

Then take #2 a&b, that to me, sounds so much like the ousted Ron Angle! Which forced me to ask: how can that be good?

No! It's not good! Partisanship does not work. It normally brings about argumentative chaos and tremendous division. How do I know? Because I have witnessed it first-hand. Where? In many more than one County Council meetings.

The Honorable Margaret (Peg) Ferraro
"Only a School Teacher"

Yes, watching and listening to partisanship at work I have heard the name of God Blasphemed by then sitting President Ron Angle during one of his heated council meetings. I heard the same ignorant person during another meeting say: "What would you know, your only a school teacher!" Those words were used and intended to stab the heart, and to humiliate our now sitting President Peg Ferraro, who emotionally shared a piece of her painful thoughts with him before walking out on him. I also read in the newspapers (if you want to call them that) his words of slander towards her, using words I can not, nor will I, repeat on this blog.

What I have just described is a brief example of Partisanship at work. How so? Well, consider they were both on the same Party.

A New Horizon...Bi-Partisanship

Caring taxpaying citizens.

Take the Coalition of Alzheimer's Families, an organized group of caring electors, and let us not forget taxpaying citizens, who set the bar high when they organized, not as a Tea-Party, not as a Democrat Party, not as Republican Party, not even an Independent Party, but as a Community Party!

Not this kind of party

What is a Community Party? So glad you asked! First, take note that the term "Community Party" as a political party was first coined here...right now. How do I know? Because I googled it and the best I could find was community celebrations.  In any case, simply stated, a "Community Party" is a sincere body of citizens who understand that there is a reason the word unity was divinely placed in the word CommUNITY.

I recall when COAF was born some eight years or so ago (2007), the body opened its eyes and saw no color, no race, no party. Their blurry vision became clear allowing them to see in 20-20. And what they observed was truly magnificent. It wasn't black and white with shades of grey. No! they could only see right and wrong, meaning correct and incorrect.

They began to develop as a body, and their brain was not one, but many uniting as one. As the many became one, they began to understand that if we all work together with the greater-good of all in mind, there would be no boundaries, only true UNITY!

This new creation is humble and beautiful. Although acknowledged by few today, they are known by all as COAF. They had visions which became dreams. And dreams which became reality! Last night, once again in recent history, COAF witnessed their dreams in the form of reality.

After the courtesy of the floor, a motion was announce to make appointments of committee members, the names were read, the vote was taken, all were approved by a 9-0 vote - true Bi-Partisanship!

...To Be Continued!

RMM

Angle Wants To Know...

...But, he won't know until sometime next week!

According to WFMZ, the Northampton County Board of Elections won't know the results until some time next week.

They are supposed to begin counting the write-ins tomorrow. Monday is a holiday however, so when they say next week, it could be next Friday.

The report says unofficially that 774 write-in-votes were cast in the Republican primary for Controller. We can't imagine that 774 Republicans could be so ignorant as to cast a write-in-vote for someone so dishonest!

They must have laid aside their memory that in November of 1997 for example, the Honorable Judge James C. Hogan ruled against Mr. Angle for breaking into a personnel file cabinet in the Bangor Area Education System.

Ron Angle is known to be a bully. He normally gets his way by threatening, screaming and yelling like a baby. Yes, like a baby, until he gets his way. Which, is exactly what he did as a Bangor Area School Board member.

When they wouldn't allow him access to teachers sensitive files, he threatened to use a power drill to break into the file cabinet. The file cabinet contained sensitive personnel information files, which, even the personnel themselves had no right to access the files. But remember, the rules don't apply to Mr. Angle. No, he can do what ever he wants to do. Or so he thinks!

What confuses us, a BI-PARTISAN group of voting taxpayers is: that the Republican Party would really want to continue to be associated with, and embarrassed by the likes of this little man with a big chip on his shoulder?

We say BI-PARTISAN because our followers are from both sides, as well as independents. The Republicans that sit with us over a cup of java can't understand themselves, how their party could even want to be associated with such a belligerent person!

When our children and our youth witness this type of role model, they think it is cool. But is it? We don't think so! A role model is either good or bad. Does the Republican Party really want bad role models like Mr. Angle to influence our posterity? We don't think so.

Well, it really doesn't matter. If Angle gets the write-in-nomination, he will then have to hope that enough Republicans will support him in his effort to beat the incumbent Steve Barron. We sense the honest Republicans will steer clear of the angled button in the booth, which may mean that they have to vote for the sitting Controller.

The other option as a Republican disgusted with their party's nomination is: not to vote at all, which we do not encourage.

We feel not voting is part of the problem, and certainly not productive. We would encourage everyone to vote - just don't vote for the man of dishonest and wrongful angles! Instead, vote against him, regardless of your party affiliation. We sincerely believe that's the right thing to do for the greater good of our County.

Controller Ron WHO???

Yes, Ron Angle is trying to weasel his way back into office.

On May 17, 2015, a lehighvalleylive.com article tells us that "Barron helped derail Angle's council career in 2011." We feel a bit differently about that.

It is our opinion that "We, The People" derailed Ron Angle! Mr. Barron simply provided his constituents accurate financial data. Which, by the way, is what he is supposed to do as a servant of the people.

Mr. Angle on the other hand fed us tons of lies, telling us at one point that as much as a 30% tax increase was necessary to keep Gracedale in county hands. And he expected us to like it. We verified the information Mr. Barron provided, and we decided instead to kicked Mr. Angle out of office for lying to us. Yes, that's how we see it!

Let's set her up to fail!

The proof is in the pudding - We know without a doubt today, that a tax increase to keep Gracedale in county hands was never necessary.

How so? Well, in 2011 no tax increase. In 2012, no tax increase. In 2013, no tax increase. In 2014, no tax increase.  Now in 2015 an increase is coming, but is it because of Gracedale? Well, they would like you to believe that. Gracedale however, just had the best year it has had since Ron Angle and John Stoffa set her up for failure - you know...so they could justify the sale.

Reality tells us that Gracedale is a small percentage of the budget. And Gracedale's performance over the last couple of years tells us it is getting smaller.

Reality also tells us that there are many other departments within the budget that require much more funds than Gracedale does. And those departments are more to blame for a tax increase than Gracedale is. But they won't tell you that.

The article also quotes Ron Angle as saying:
"I can't tolerate Steve Barron running for another term and getting away with it."

First of all, we will suggest to Mr. Angle that he should take some Prozac for his high level of intolerance (don't worry about the side effects), or simply learn to live with it. Secondly, Mr. Barron is not getting away with anything. He is simply doing his job as Controller. And, in our opinion, he is doing it very well.

We agree with Mr. Barron when he said:
"When you compare my record of public service with that of Ron Angle, truly there is no comparison."

We understand that there is no such thing as perfect, especially in politics, but there is such a thing as honest and dishonest. From our experience with the Gracedale matter, we know Mr. Barron to be honest, that's a fact. Mr. Angle however, fits on the other side of the coin. You know...the dishonest side!

Perhaps he can garner the support of 250 idiots, that will have to be seen. If so, "We, The People will show him once again that we have no use for his corrupt services.

Lastly - "We, The Taxpayers" have to ask ourselves one question: Do we really trust the dishonest Ron to be in charge of our funds. Just remember his reputation precedes him.

Of The Three...

...Running for Judge in NorCo, only Abe Kassis thought attending a voter registration rally at Gracedale was a good practice.

No, that by itself doesn't make him the best candidate. The fact that he has served successfully as a Northampton County Assistant District Attorney for well over 15 years does.

While at the rally, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kassis formally for the first time. In conversation with me, he told me that in his opinion, facilities like Gracedale (not just Gracedale) are necessary to serve the greater good of the taxpayers and citizens of the county. Was he just telling me what I wanted to hear to gain COAF's support? Maybe, but I don't think so. My Godly instincts tells me that he was honest and sincere. He also made me feel like he really cares about the people he serves. Hence, I informed Mr. Kassis that he could count on my vote, and yes, I will be voting for him tomorrow. I hope you will too.

I am personally supporting Mr. Kassis for Judge because, I believe he will continue to serve the county as well (or better as Judge) as he has as ADA.

What ever you do, regardless of who - get out and vote tomorrow.

Your VOTE matters!

Rev. Mario Martinez

 

 

Still Alice...

...Is a must see movie for all who are dealing with the dreaded Alzheimer's decease.

While it is a movie based on a book, it tells a compelling story about a very successful women who comes to realize that something is wrong. Unbeknownst to her husband and three adult children she seeks a medical opinion, which leads her to a place she never imagined or dreamed of.

We will not reveal the content of the movie so that those of you who have not had the opportunity to see it can do so without outside interference.

We will say that if you are in the midst of dealing with Alzheimer's, watching this movie will help you understand just how this dreaded decease can impact your life, the life of your loved ones around you, and most importantly, the life of the afflicted.



According to Mrs. Sacknoff, the answer is:
"Give them all a high dose of Ativan"

We can tell you with certainty that after watching this movie you will understand exactly who  the Coalition of Alzheimer's Families is. You will also understand why we organized, and why we fought not only to save Gracedale from destruction, but also to protect those who can not speak for themselves from the likes of Ilisa Sacknoff, a Northampton County Social Worker who compromised the well being of Alzheimer's residents at Gracedale in order to enjoy an easier day.

You will definitely comprehend why "We, The People, not just COAF, must continue our vigilance today. Most of COAF's loved ones have left this world. However, their memories have not. They remain with us in our hearts. We remember, and we know first hand what this dreaded mutation and malfunction of life is, as well as what a less than desirable employee can do.

Still Alice receives: FIVE STARS from us!

 

John Stoffa...

...Should stay on the sofa!

 

Recently, John Stoffa was portrayed as being "respected by employees of the county, even when they were mad at him." Really! Most all the Gracedale employees we know, as well as many of the courthouse employees he conned into voting for him during his second campaign, actually despised him. Why so? Well, the Gracedale employees were lied to. They were promised when he went to Gracedale seeking their support, that their jobs were safe. Once elected for a second term however, he began the process of trying to sell Gracedale. And the courthouse employees? Well, some were fired because he did not like the emails they shared to others about him. No, none of the employees we know respected him, they despised him instead.

He is reported to have been "a man who stood for honesty and fairness." Really? If he was so honest then why did he lie to us? And, if he was so fair, then why didn't he fire Ilisa Sacknoff, who mistreated residents at Gracedale, instead of firing courthouse employees for stupid emails? He is said to be "a rare breed." We don't think so. In our opinion, his breed is a dime a dozen. He is a politician, not a statesman. Politicians are known to lie more often than not!

It is comical to call Mr. Stoffa "a man who actually believed in transparency." People who are transparent never lie! Mr. Stoffa couldn't stop lying to us! That's a fact! His integrity is proclaimed to be beyond reproach. That would mean he is perfect and blameless. Who exactly in NorCo who knows him believes that? Certainly not us. The truth is the truth even if two or three don't believe it!

Sam Murray may be a good candidate for judge, but having Mr. Stoffa's endorsement may actually hurt his chances.

We support Abe Kassis for judge because during the recent Gracedale voter registration rally, he informed us that he believes Gracedale, as well as all Pennsylvania facilities like her are a necessity for the wellness of the residents they serve.

He believes our elders matter!

He doesn't see color, but he does recognizes injustice. Upon identifying a wrong, his experience as a seasoned ADA under John Morganelli has prepared him to serve the community at large, on another level. With a solid promise to secure justice for all!

We need people serving our judicial system who are compassionate, and who understand the value of humanity.

Don't forget to...

...Get out and vote!