Who's Running For NorCo Council?

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Tom Dietrich unlikely

Next year, in addition to the Executive race, five at-large County Council seats will be up for grabs. These are the seats currently held by Council President John Cusick, Tom Dietrich, Peg Ferraro, Bruce Gilbert and Barb Thierry. All five are Republicans. If Democrats take just one of them, they'll have a majority because the four District seats are already held by Democrats. It's even possible that Dems will sweep, giving Northampton County one-party rule.

Among the five incumbents, it is rumored that neither Barb Thierry nor Bruce Gilbert plan to seek re-election. Four years of County politics is enough.

Peg Ferraro, known as everybody's mom, is probably safe. Cusick is far more vulnerable, despite having two terms under his belt. Dietrich, in my view, is toast.

Here's some of the people being mentioned.

Easton City Council member Jeff Warren, a legislative aide to State Senator Lisa Boscola. Now you know why he opposed Easton's commuter tax. A real profile in courage there.

Former Council member and Human Services Director Ron Heckman and former County Exec Jerry Seyfried. If they decide against the full-time job as Exec, one or both might seek a Council seat so they can serve without all the headaches.

Randy Galiotto. Unlike Seinfeld's George Costanza, this guy really is an architect! That would be a first for Northampton County Council. In addition to his business world perspective, Randy is a South Side Easton boy who remains very close to Mayor Sal Panto. I'll be writing a separate post about Randy in the next few days.

John Stoffa. After eight years as Executive and all his years in Human Services, it's going to be hard for him to spend his retirement building birdhouses. He's toying with the idea.

Will the Bulldog return?

So is Ron Angle. It's in his nature. Even his adversaries will concede that there are few people more knowledgeable about County government than he. Winning a county-wide race would be a challenge, but Ron certainly has the name recognition, and attracts many blue-collar Democrats.

The Wicked Witch of West Easton, Tricia Mezzacappa, has told some of her GOP pals that she'll be running. But she's also running for West Easton Boro Council, State Rep, Controller and a host of other offices. She's currently facing disorderly conduct and harassment charges as a result of death threats. She's living proof that Republicans screw up, too.

Bethlehem firefighter Jim Schlener. Oopsie. We can forget about him.

Word has it that Pawlowski's campaign manager, Mike Fleck, is putting together a dream team. That way he can bill them.

What names are you hearing??