Run, Jerry, Run!

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Who would I like to see as Northampton County Executive after John Stoffa finishes his second term? Actually, I'd like to see Stoffa run again. He's a decent, honest and honorable man. That's very rare in local politics, and it confuses the hell out of party hacks. He refuses to play their game. But whenever I suggest he run again, he throws me off the courthouse roof for some reason. So who's the best choice?

There are some good ones like Easton Mayor Sal Panto, Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and former Human Services Director Ron Heckman. There's also a bad choice, asbestos lawyer Lamont "McMud" McClure.

But personally, my top choice is former Executive Gerald "Jerry" Seyfried.

Jerry's years in county government made him an expert at slaying wild pigs like the one pictured above. He's been begged to return to county service for years, but his wife was against it. She's had a change of heart. I am shocked by the number of people who have told him they will support him.

Let me fill you in on his background.

Northampton County Council
(1978 through 1989, 2009-2010)

* 1978 and 1979 at large member of council
* 1980-1989 District 3 member of council
* Chair of council's finance, human services, personnel and intergovernmental committees
* Chair of ad hoc committee that wrote personnel section of county administrative code and career service employees manual
* Vice President of council for four years
* President of council for four years

Northampton County Executive
(1990 through 1993)

* With tight fiscal control, Jerry left the county with nearly $20 million in surplus, and dedicated huge sums to develop county parks before "open space" became popular.

Northampton County Director of Civil Services
(1998 through 2006)

Boards and Commissions

* Northampton County Retirement Board (4 years as vice-chair, 4 years as chair)
* Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (8 years, including 8 years on the transportation committee)
* Northampton County Development Corp., ADC & IDC (4 yrs)
* Director and Chief Fund Raiser for Northampton County's 250th Anniversary Committee
* Solid Waste Authority (voting member)

I can think of no person other than Jerry who knows so much abut the County's Home Rule Charter. He still carries a tattered copy with him, much like some people carry the Constitution.

Despite his achievements in government, Jerry is actually a blue collar guy. He was a machinist at Bethlehem Steel, and managed to juggle swing shifts with county service.

He knows what it's like to come from nothing. He grew up in subsidized housing, and learned a frugality that public sector unions should try. For example, every nail in his Lower Nazareth home was driven in by Jerry and his wife. All his furniture, until recently, was used. Even his cars were used. He knows how to economize.

Jerry and I disagreed about Gracedale. He, along with Ron Heckman and Rich Grucela, formed a triumvirate to speak against the nursing home's sale, and even offered to sit down with unions when talks failed. In addition, Jerry's wife worked there.

Of course, the real reason I'll support him is because I might get a chance to meet his movie star cousin, Amanda.

Will he run? Some say he's enjoying his retirement too much and that's certainly true. But he is seriously mulling a run, and does not think he'll need to raise $200,000 to win a primary.

So Jerry is by far my first choice among the contenders out there. After that, it's Panto, Callahan, Heckman and whomever the Republicans can find to square off against McMud McMlure. His supporters are using the Internet to savage anyone else, as I am sure they will do to Seyfried.

All I can say is this - Run, Jerry, Run!