NorCo's Leadership Vacuum

As most readers of this blog are aware, I have little use for Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski, whom I like to call King Ed. But despite his pay-to-play practices and a complete lack of transparency, he leads from the front. Whether it's the NIZ or trash-to-cash, there's little doubt where he stands.

Unlike King Edwin, Northampton County Executive John Stoffa is all about transparency. And rather than feel indebted to anyone, he refused to accept any campaign contributions in his bid for re-election. These rare qualities should be remembered long after he leaves office. But for whatever reason, the self-effacing Stoffa is unwilling to lead. That is always clear at budget time.

Two years ago, Stoffa presented Council with his now famous Budget of Choices. It was really no budget at all. His Finance Director at the time, Vic Mazziotti, refused to sign it. And Ron Angle had one of his meltdowns.

His latest no-tax hike budget is just as bad. Although nursing home manager Premier has been successful in cutting costs at Gracedale and the union has made concessions, we are still looking at a $5 million County contribution this year. Personnel costs elsewhere steadily rise while state and federal grants diminish. The only way to avoid a tax hike is by digging deep into the County's reserves, and that's what Stoffa has done.

Stoffa is doing this, not because it's right or in the best interests of the County, but because he claims Council members will never accept a tax hike.

That's not leadership. It's also bad government, making a major tax hike inevitable in the next year or two.