Voters Pick County Council Slate For November

Nominees include two former Northampton County officials and incumbent Peg Ferraro.

Ten candidates—five Republicans, five Democrats—will face off this fall for five open seats on Northampton County Council. Voters in both parties made their nominations Tuesday, choosing a mix of veteran county officials and poltiical newcomers. According to unofficial election results, the five Republican nominees are: The Democratic nominees are: Also in the race were Republicans Tricia Mezzacappa and Frank Hesch, and Democrats Kerry Myers, Jason Toedter and William Wallace.

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Easton Voter's Guide: 2013 Primary

Polls are still open for a few hours. Here's what you need to know before voting.

Tuesday, May 21 is primary election day in Pennsylvania. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you run into poll problems, you can contact the Northampton County voter registration office at 610-559-3055. This year's races in Easton include: There are also county-wide races:   Here's a list of all the city's polling places, courtesy of Northampton County: If you're not sure where to vote, the Pennsylvania Department of State has you covered. Visit their website, which allows voters to find polling places by entering their county, city, street and house number into a search engine.

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8 Democrats, 7 Republicans, Seek County Council Seats

Crowded field of candidates seeking five open council seats.

There are five open seats on Northampton County Council this year, and 15 candidates in the race. Eight Democrats and seven Republicans are vying for the seats. On the Republican side: The Democrat slate is made up of:

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Meet County Candidates Friday at Tea Party Program

The Lehigh Valley Tea Party will host candidates running for Northampton County executive and council on Friday.

The Lehigh Valley Tea Party's monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Friday will include two programs at the Charles Chrin Community Center in Palmer Township. State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe will speak on proposed HB357 which would nullify any new federal gun control laws and make any attempt to enforce them a felony. Metcalfe will also discuss HB671—“Constitutional Carry.” Immediately after Metcalfe's presentation, those in attendance will have a chance to meet local candidates running in the May primary. The following candidates said they will attend: Please see details at www.lvtp.org

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Bill Wallace Running for County Council

Wilson Area School Board member says he wants to improve county infrastructure.

Wilson Area School Board member Bill Wallace wants to head to county government. Wallace, of Williams Township, announced Tuesday he was joining the race for Northampton County Council. "The people of Northampton County will be making significant decisions as to which direction we will move in," Wallace said in his campaign announcement. "I would like to be a part of this momentous change." Wallace outlined several elements of his platform in the announcement, including: Wallace -- who joined the school board last year -- is one of several people running for county council. Also in the race are former Nazareth Area School Board member Deb Hunter, Lower Nazareth resident Hayden Phillips, Seth Vaughn, a Bethlehem resident who ran for council…

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County to Easton: Reject Commuter Tax

Northampton County Council says proposed Easton commuter tax is unfair to county workers.

Northampton County Council has approved a resolution asking the city of Easton to reject a proposed commuter tax. Easton hopes to use the money generated by the tax to pay its pension costs. But county officials say the tax -- which would levy a 1.75 percent fee to people who commute into, but don't live in, the city -- is unfair to county employees.  "To tax employees for someone else's pension is a tough pill to swallow," said county Executive John Stoffa. County Controller Steve Barron said the tax would affect about 800 employees, and generate roughly $250,000. The resolution was proposed by Council President John Cusick, who lives in Williams Township. He said that earlier in the day, he'd been reading the Declaration of Independence…

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County to Take Up Easton Commuter Tax Thursday

Northampton County Council is expected to vote on a resolution rejecting Easton's proposed commuter tax.

When Northampton County Council meets Thursday night, one of the things it's expected to vote on is a resolution condemning Easton's proposed commuter tax. As proposed by the city, the 1.75 percent tax will be imposed on anyone who works in the city but lives somewhere else. The city has said it needs to use the income generated from the tax to pay for rising pension costs*. The county's resolution argues that the tax is unfair to commuters "during the most difficult economic times in recent memory," and that it will drive companies away from Easton. The county isn't the first government body to speak out against the tax. Forks Township expressed its displeasure with the proposal back in April.   *An earlier version of this story said the …

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5 Things to Know Today, Jan. 17

A few facts to start your day.

Good morning everyone. As I write this, sleet is falling on South Side Easton. I suppose we've had it took good for too long, in terms of weather this winter. Anyway, on to the five things... 1. A lot of city meetings this week: recreation board and zoning both tonight at 7 p.m., the redevelopment authority tomorrow at 5:30 p.m., and the parking authority Thursday at 7 p.m. All meetings take place at city hall. 2. Also this week: Northampton County Council meets Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at the county government center. 3. The Easton Business Association is holding a mixer for members and guests Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Champ's Corner, the new Larry Holmes restaurant on Canal Street. 4. A lot of people are in favor of the Easton Area …

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Advisers Tell Northampton County to Buy Out of Swaption

Advisers tell Northampton County Council it should pay $25 million to get out of bond refinancing deal.

Cusick Re-Elected Northampton County Council President After Initial Deadlock

Republican majority chooses Northampton County Councilman John Cusick as president for another year.

Reorganization doesn't seem to be simple, at least where Northampton County Council is concerned. Last year, Council President Ron Angle lost his seat after his fellow Republicans instead backed Councilman John Cusick. This year, Cusick kept his seat, but only after a challenge from council's Democrats on council that ended with a tie vote, causing council to put the meeting on hold until member Bruce Gilbert arrived to break the tie. Councilwoman Peg Ferraro -- who was re-elected Vice President without challenge -- nominated Cusick.  Councilman Lamont McClure, a Democrat, was also nominated as president. The resulting 4-4 vote meant that council effectively had no president, and thus the meeting was put on hold until Gilbert arrived. But …

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