Joe Hoeffel a Strong Possibility For Governor's Race

It looks like Joe Hoeffel will be seeking yet another position that will keep him on the public's payroll, if successful.

In a recent poll, Jo-jo garnered 30% of the support, should he decide to run against likely candidates. Unfortunately, Jim Matthews was not named as a likely running mate for Joe...bummer, considering how well they have worked together over the past year and a half.

Hopefully, as close as he and Jimbo have been, he will be a likely recipient of a huge dose of the "Matthews Effect"...one can only hope.

Read more about it here.

B.




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Random Thoughts About The Past Week

Last week, I had the opportunity to sit in on and then comment on the ethics debate at the Montco Commissioners meeting.

One thing I noticed throughout the meeting...whenever Republican Commissioner, Bruce L. Castor, Jr. agreed to vote yes on the Hoeffel ethics package of 1998, they other two commissioners backpedaled and hesitated to vote on it.

Jimbo then laid out about 19-20 changes that he'd like to see, exempting many people from the ethics statute, and Hoeffel, who was the one who touted the need for this reform to begin with, also laid out a list of those who he wanted exempted.

Only Commissioner Castor was for a total ban of politicking in the courthouse.

For Hoeffel and Jimturd, this amounted to a "have your cake and eat it, too" proposition.

You may say, why does Castor want a total ban on politicking? Simple. Jimbo and Joe will never agree to a total ban, because it's not in their best interests to agree to it.

A total ban would exempt Jim Maza from working on the judicial races for the democrats. A total ban would keep Jim's (former) assistant from her political appointment as County Human Resources Director (a change in the job requirements paved the way for this glorified secretary to become Jim's tool for hiring and firing in the courthouse), and would never have allowed a democrat political leader from gaining the First Deputy Controller's job.

This "I was for it before I was against it" policy making stinks of John Kerry and his 2004 run for the White House. Electioneering 101, so to speak. Flip-flops, pure and simple, when the situation requires it, period.

I had the opportunity to ask Jimmy-Matt about his ban on District Attorney's employees being banned from running for office. I posed the following scenario: How could they be for banning what may be some of the best and brightest minds from running for office, simply because of where they work?

The example I gave was Sandra Schultz-Newman...a former ADA who subsequently became the first woman to be elected to Pennsylvania's Supreme Court.

Jim's answer to me? He argued my position that these people are the "best and brightest" was false (I guess on the job training would never produce such a stellar District Attorney, vis a vis Bruce Castor and his successor, Risa Vetri Ferman), and he made it a point to let me know that Schultz-Newman was not a DA when she became a judge (BTW, I knew that, the situation I posed was hypothetical...and, Jimbo knew this).

Jim yammerred on for a few more minutes, then called for a vote to table the ethics reform that his lackey, solicitor Barry Miller (along with Hoeffel's lackey, asst. solicitor, Jeff Albert), wrote. Mind you, this is the same Barry Miller who, as a county employee, threw his hat in the ring to fun for DA, now writing an ethics policy that could, essentially, stipulate that he could run for anything, but could also stipulate who could not...a severe conflict of interests? I'd say so.

Anyway, here is the gist of the debate, in Castor's words:

"This (ethics reform statute) would have passed with Matthews' wholehearted approval had I not raised the obvious defects on Thursday. That the other commissioners feel they have POWER over the independently elected row officers on non-budget matters is stunning. No place in Pennsylvania is this so, but the other commissioners are drunk on power and believe their two votes can overrule the thousands of county citizens who put our row officers in their jobs.

Already, several of the row officers are threatening legal action against their own county government. Madness. (So) I offered a series of amendments to impose campaign finance reform (something both my colleagues have said they are not interested in) and true ethical restrictions from practicing politics by our county employees at the highest levels. 

I suggested that we step back and rewrite the proposal taking the care the authoring of a "law" warrants.

Even Commissioner Matthews who was avidly seeking to ratify Hoeffel's dangerous and illegal proposal, saw the wisdom in taking a step back to reconsider. Are you ready for this? Hoeffel OPPOSED being careful and still wanted to bull ahead even in the face of the patent defects in the proposal."

Who said politics wasn't fun? Kudos to Commissioner Castor for keeping his word and putting the interests of the taxpayers of Montgomery County first.

One of the more interesting aspects of the meeting was when Jim, speaking about hiring done by row officers, said this:

"If you want to hire somebody as a row officer, and it is within budget, it cannot be stopped..."

I submit one name...Marcy Toeppel. Jim voted against approving her salary when the Recorder of Deeds, Nancy Becker, wanted to hire her. It took the threat of a lawsuit to reverse his vote at the next meeting. I'll be posting a recording I made at the meeting later this week to corroborate the quote above.

Oh, and finally, the county hiring freeze? I guess it only pertains to those not recommended by Hoeffel or Matthews...figures.

B.


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And Now Back To the Montco Grind...

Jim Matthews has lost it. Seriously, in your humble bloggers opinion, he has gone completely bonkers.

In a news story in yesterdays Times Herald, Margaret Gibbons reported on the Ethics code, and how Republican Commissioner, Bruce Castor, is vying to reinstate the ethics code that Cmmsr. Hoeffel had voted for back in '98, during his previous tenure as the democratic (minority) commissioner. Jim Matthews, on the other hand, doesn't want reform:

"I don't think we should have a ban on political activity whatsoever," said Matthews, a Republican long at odds with Castor and who entered into an unprecedented power-sharing pact with Hoeffel, leaving Castor the odd man out in the current administration. "I think it violates rights."

Matthews also was critical of Castor for seeking to have the political activity ban reinstated, calling Castor's motion "a blatant political and hypocritical ... gesture."

"He (Castor) is just jumping on this because he views it as an opportunity to play you against me," Matthews told Hoeffel. "It has nothing to do with authenticity of concern whatsoever."

"What it is designed for on its limited basis is for those people who are not supporters of Mr. Castor," said Matthews. "He wants to silence them as well as anyone involved that has been brought on board from the Democratic Party." (click here to read the entire story)

Matthews must be taking lessons from the amazing Kreskin, or at least "Karnak the Magnificient". Now he actually knows what Castor is thinking.

But, wanting to reform ethics at the county courthouse is nothing more than a ploy to get between King James and Joe Hoeffel? Matthews has let this feud with Castor go to his head...and it's all about him, right?

I'm sure, back in 1998, Mele, Buckman and Hoeffel wrote the Code of Ethics (that Matthews subsequently suspended) strictly for future commissioner Bruce Castor's political maneuvering...FEH!

He's becoming more egocentric and delusional as the months pass. Maybe he needs to take a long vacation and get his head together.

I know of a time share that has this great rubber room...

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Commissioner Castor Lays Out His Plan

Commissioner says he wants to change what he calls current officials' lack of achievements
By: MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff

COURTHOUSE - Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. may have been relegated to "minority" status on the three-member board of county commissioners but he has major plans for the county's future.

Unhappy with what he believes is the lack of accomplishments by the current administration during their first six months in office, Castor on Tuesday detailed his nine priorities for the remaining 3 1/2 years of his term.

He shared these details at a press conference held on the steps of the county courthouse where he was flanked by numerous current and former Republican elected officials including two prior commissioner chairmen, Thomas J. Ellis and Michael D. Marino, and county GOP Chairman Robert J. Kerns.

Missing were his two fellow commissioners, Democrat Joseph M. Hoeffel III and Commissioner Chairman James R. Matthews, a Republican and Castor's running mate in last year's election.

While Castor was the top votegetter in that election, an unprecedented power-sharing agreement between Matthews and Hoeffel has made Castor the odd man out in the current administration. (Ed. note: How did I know she'd sneak that line into the article-wink-wink)

"I am disappointed to say that I don't believe that we can point to any accomplishments whatsoever of any significant nature during those first six months," said Castor. "I am hoping we can change that." (Click on link to read the rest of the article and to see King James' and Prince Kartoffelkopf's response to Bruce's plan)

The headlines that have dogged the current administration include allegations of cronyism, patronage and politics, he said.

"In my judgment, the people have lost confidence in their county commissioners," said Castor. "I think we need to restore the confidence of the people in Montgomery County in their elected executives."

"Everyone of these proposals I am outlining today either are for the betterment of individuals living in Montgomery County or provide a more open, transparent, less partisan government," he said. "I think it is now time we get back to the business of governing."

The nine priorities set by Castor and some of his proposals to accomplish those priorities include:

*_ POLITICAL REFORM: Reconvening the campaign finance reform task force and holding hearings on recommendations it released last year. Reinstituting an ethics policy that was rescinded in 2000 and extending a policy prohibiting senior staff members from partisan politics.

*_ INCREASED TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT: Expanding the broadcast of commissioner meetings beyond the one-hour edited version by running one hour one week and another hour the second week and making the full unedited video available on the county's Web site.

*_ GOVERNMENT REFORM: Put a referendum on next year's May ballot to determine whether citizens are interested in creating a home rule study commission that would evaluate whether the county would be better served by an alternative to the three-member board of commissioners.

*_ KEEPING TAXES LOW: Appoint a fiscal fitness team that includes government, business and financial advisors to identify inefficiencies in county policies, programs and the budget.

*_ PUBLIC SAFETY: Restore county funding for the CLEAN Team, an elite force of law enforcement officers focussing on quality of life crimes in Norristown. Install a panic button system in all county offices in Norristown and other off-site offices that deal with the public.

*_ EDUCATION: Establish a storefront office presence in Norristown for the Montgomery County Community College where citizens can learn about the community college and even attend some classes. Create a tuition credit purchase program for the community college. Establish a Center for Civic Engagement at the college that would train and link volunteers with non-profit organizations. Create an intern program with the college providing credit for those interns working in county government to develop a "farm team" for county government.

*_ IMPROVED GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Institute a 311 program, comparable to the 911 program, to give citizens just one number to call for government services. Open county offices that serve the general public at least one evening a week and two Saturdays a month.

*_ COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: Create a nine-member board that would use an objective process to review all requests for county funds from nonprofit organizations and then would pass their recommendations onto the commissioners. This would eliminate a process now in place where whichever organization captures the ears of the commissioners gets some funding, Castor said.

*_ TRAFFIC ABATEMENT: Ask voters in a referendum if they want to engage in a $150-million borrowing to help alleviate traffic congestion. In the meantime, create a Web site where citizens can call in or e-mail the county to report poorly timed traffic signals, poor sight lines and other traffic problems that can be addressed without spending much money.

Commissioners Matthews and Hoeffel respond to Castor's plan
By: MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff
07/09/2008

COURTHOUSE - Montgomery County Commissioners Joseph M. Hoeffel III and James R. Matthews Tuesday said they welcomed the prospect of fellow Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. "finally" becoming engaged in county government.

However, the pair took exception to Castor's claim of a lack of significant accomplishments during the three's first six months in office.

"That just shows how uninvolved Bruce has been," said Hoeffel, noting that Castor does not have much to say to his fellow two commissioners and is the only commissioner with blinds on the interior windows of his office.

Matthews, who is the chairman of the commissioners, said the administration set three priorities at the outset of the administration.

Those three priorities include the development of a county commerce and economic development policy, the creation of a transportation funding program and the continued "greening" of the county through programs such as its open-space grant program and greenhouse gas reduction program.

"As a businessman, I have learned that you have to remain focussed on a handful of priorities or nothing is accomplished," said Matthews.

Hoeffel said the administration has made "great strides" in putting together an economic development policy.

The county has created a commerce and economic development cabinet of county officials, created a citizens' task force and has hired a consultant.

Matthews said that the county currently has put its planning commission to work to develop a transportation funding program that will address traffic congestion issues in the county.

"These are big things that are under way and they take time," said Hoeffel.

Matthews said that many of the proposals raised by Castor at his press conference Tuesday have been discussed by the commissioners and will continue to be discussed.

For example, Matthews said, he has spent the last month reviewing recommendations of a former home rule commission that studied county government in 1976.

"I happen to believe that you don't mess with something that works," said Matthews, noting that taxes have decreased since 2003 while the size of county government has decreased since 1999.

Matthews also said he was a strong proponent of the 311 system, but that it might be "a clumsy vehicle" to achieve what the county wants achieved since he has learned that more than 50 percent of the callers likely wanted services provided by the county's more than 100 school districts and municipalities.

"Mr. Castor's priorities are just an affirmation of what we are doing," said Matthews. Still, "a lot of the issues raised by Bruce have merit and should and will be discussed," said Hoeffel.
He noted the commissioners now are in the process to streamline their bi-weekly meetings to allow for more discussion of policy issues.

As for allegations of cronyism and patronage leveled at Hoeffel and Matthews by Castor and county Republican Chairman Robert J. Kerns during Castor's press conference, Hoeffel claimed "that coming from those two guys, those complaints are just the height of hypocrisy."
"After both of them engaged in those activities for a number of years, now they are coming off so pure," said Hoeffel.

"I knew both of these two before they were virgins." (Ed. note: That shows a lot of class, Prince Joe.)
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Re: Montco Daily Dose

Alex Charyna from the 'cooler posted a "daily dose" tonight about the new traveling minstrel show called the County Commissioners Meeting. As I observed, there were several dynamics going on at once. From left to right sat Prince Kartoffelkopf, King James the Turd, Court Jester, Barry Miller and Republican Commissioner Bruce L. Castor, Jr.

Hoeffel seems to think he's some kind of comedian, as he was wisecracking here and there while we, the taxpayers paid him to do so. Bad decision, Joey...you had your junior high years to get that out of your system...at least have some decorum and act the part you are playing this time 'round.

Matthews sat there looking like "Corky" from "Life Goes On" half the time, the other half, he was acting like some "Rainman" type of savant...I kept waiting for "ten minutes to Wapner" to come from his lips. He had that vacuous, brooding look, like he was waiting on the short bus and it was (shudder) 10 seconds late. I understand he was arguing with constituents after the meeting was adjourned. What A Boob!

Barry Miller must have some demons working in his head...I saw him stare around the room looking kind of vacant...the same kind of vacant look you see in Charles Manson's eyes. His deal with the devil must have been a doozy.

Bruce, as always was eloquent, poised and had some very good input as to the disposition of the Barnes Foundation. KJ3 and the tuberdome just kind of brushed him off...I finally saw it with my own eyes. The other two kept skirting the issue, never once assuring the public that they'd fight, tooth and nail (as we would want them to) to keep the "Barnes" here in Montgomery County.

Anyway, I digress...Alex mentioned that I left before the meeting was over, but, that I was taping the event-both accurate statements. I would have stayed, though, if only my battery had lasted just a bit longer. I've wanted to get a spare, but, I do tend to procrastinate. I'll order one next week.

Here's a link to the 'cooler and Alex's take on the meeting, as well as his report about Kenneth...you know, the guy who effed up the party for 4 years and lost over 75000 republicans to the d's? He's getting an award for "lifetime achievement" or something. Maybe for most fashionable "popped collar" with a manbag? Read it all here:

pawatercooler.com: Montco Daily Dose

Happy Friday...Have a pleasant day.

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Castor/Hoeffel Treated Like Mushrooms About Barnes Decision...

...you know, kept in the dark and fed bullsh*t.

Castor: I Was Not Consulted About The Barnes Case
By: Jeff Cobb , For The Bulletin

Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce Castor (R) says he was not consulted about the county's decision not to appeal a court ruling regarding the Barnes Foundation.

Last week, The Bulletin reported the commissioners would not appeal a May 15 ruling by Montgomery County Orphans Court rejecting their request to reopen a case from 2004 that had granted the Barnes permission to move. Judge Stanley Ott ruled that neither the county, nor co-petitioner the Friends of the Barnes Foundation, a citizens group, had legal standing.

The county had 30 days to appeal, and Wednesday its decision had been relayed by County Solicitor Carolyn Carluccio. She told The Bulletin that she had been clearly informed by commissioner chairman James R. Matthews (R), who in turn spoke for the commissioners.

According to Mr. Matthews yesterday, however, it was simply a mistake.

"I think she made an assumption," Mr. Matthews said. "I don't normally speak without having a majority opinion behind me."

Ms. Carluccio could not be reached for comment.

Yesterday, Mr. Matthews said he still doubts the county will appeal. He said taxpayers might have to pay for sanctions if the judge takes issue with a request for reconsideration without the county doing more to establish standing.

Ms. Carluccio said last week she felt strongly that the county should have been granted standing, but the commissioners had made their decision.

But this was news to Commissioners Castor and Joe Hoeffel (D).

"I was stunned to read in Thursday's Bulletin that the deputy county solicitor was directed to cease efforts to keep the Barnes in the county by Chairman Matthews. He never discussed it with me," Mr. Castor said in a press release.

Continuing, he said, "My phone has been ringing off the hook from upset residents of Lower Merion who are outraged over this apparent about face. I am equally distressed that this decision is being represented as though the commissioners discussed it. We most certainly did not, despite having an extended meeting together on Wednesday. Commissioner Matthews never raised this issue at any meeting in which I was present."

Yesterday, Mr. Castor went on to say Mr. Matthews spoke on the Barnes topic for him and Mr. Hoeffel presumptuously.

"He doesn't have the authority to do so, but he thinks he does," Mr. Castor said. "We are supposed to make important governmental decisions in a public meeting. ... I don't know what Commissioner Matthews' rationale for not going forward was."

Likewise, Mr. Hoeffel said his reading about Mr. Matthews' statement came as news. While saying he does not think the county's chances are good, he said the issue needed to be properly discussed.

"The three of us have not talked about it and made an official position," Mr. Hoeffel said, "I got an e-mail from Bruce [Castor] today saying that he thinks this is something we should appeal."

"I'm flat out opposed to dropping the legal appeals if there are any remedies available to us," Mr. Castor said. "Based on what I know I think that there are."

Mr. Castor said he was guided by desire to abide by his constituents' will, and out of concern for legal precedents that could deter others from future donations or establishment of trusts.

Mr. Castor said Dr. Albert C. Barnes had entrusted his collection very specifically to reside forever in Montgomery County. His concern was for a potential chilling effect the confidence by potential donors based on how this case plays out.

Mr. Matthews said however unless some new arguments can be presented establishing standing, his vote is to quit while they are ahead.

He said he had been the first of the three to pioneer and champion the Barnes case, and keeping with tradition, "Pioneers get the first arrow." (Whiskey–Tango–Foxtrot does that mean?)

Jeff Cobb can be reached at jeffjcobb@yahoo.com.


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Castor Urges County to Continue Barnes Fight

By MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff

COURTHOUSE — Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. Monday called on his fellow commissioners to continue the legal battle to keep the renowned Barnes art collection in Lower Merion.

Castor said that, as a candidate for commissioner last year, he pledged to do everything legally possible to keep the approximate $6-billion’s worth of Impressionist art from moving to a new, but not yet built, museum in Philadelphia.

“I will remain true to my commitment and urge my colleagues to continue exhausting all legal remedies to keep the Barnes in Montgomery County,” said Castor, a lawyer.

Castor’s comments came on the heels of a report that Commissioners Chairman James R. Matthews has directed the county solicitor’s office not to further pursue the matter following last month’s unfavorable ruling by Montgomery County Orphans’ Court Judge Stanley R. Ott.

Ott in that ruling rejected petitions by the county and the grassroots Friends of the Barnes to intervene and reopen litigation that previously cleared the way for the move.

Matthews could not be reached for comment Monday. (Click on link below to see more)


Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III said that, while the commissioners did not discuss the issue, “I am not inclined to appeal.”

County Chief Deputy Solicitor Carolyn T. Carluccio, who represented the county in the petition to intervene, has told others that the county likely would not win on an appeal, according to Hoeffel.

“I am concerned that if we appeal and the court determines our appeal frivolous, we could be open to financial sanctions and I don’t want taxpayers to have to pay,” said Hoeffel.

However, he added, he is willing to sit down with Castor and the Friends to further discuss the matter.

The Barnes museum, which owns artwork that includes paintings by Matisse, Renoir and Cézanne, is located in Lower Merion on property owned by the late Dr. Albert C. Barnes.

Struggling financially, the Barnes Foundation went to the county court in 2002 to get approval to relocate the art collection to a new gallery to be built in Philadelphia to make the museum more economically viable.

Court approval, which was subsequently given in 2004 after protracted litigation, was necessary because Barnes, in his will, specifically stipulated that the collection remain in place.

Recognizing the importance of retaining the collection in the county, the county commissioners last year made an offer to take out a $50-million tax exempt loan to purchase the Barnes land and museums. Under that proposal, the Barnes Foundation could invest that money at a higher rate of interest, using these earnings to pay the county a yearly rental fee equal to the county’s debt service on the bond issue.

Also, other earnings from the invested $50 million could serve as an endowment against which the foundation could borrow if necessary.

This proposal coupled with relaxed visitor regulations established by the township and grants that would be available if the museum were designated as a national historic site would eliminate any financial need for the move, according to the county and Friends group.

The Foundation and trustees rejected what they termed as these “beyond 11th hour” proposals.

Relying on the court’s 2004 decision, the Foundation has secured the funding it needs for the move as well as a $50-million endowment. Also, it has negotiated a 99-year lease with the city for the art gallery and commissioned an architect to design the gallery, he said.

Margaret Gibbons can be reached at mgibbons@timesherald.com or 610-272-2501 ext. 216.
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Joe Hoeffel Gets Lap Dance?

An anonymous source has provided me with a photo of Joe "Mr. Potato Head" Hoeffel getting a lap dance in an undisclosed location in Philadelphia.

Actually, it's from a blog called "Philly Chit Chat" and it seems that the ladies from his old office were sorry to see him go. I, for one, welcome the idea of him going back, and as soon as humanly possible.

Read more here:

http://www.phillychitchat.com/2008/01/joe-hoeffel-leaves-our-office-to-take.html

*************UPDATE*************

A retouched photo just came into my possession which explains quite a lot about the defecation of King James:

Disclaimer: This is not an actual photograph, but, an artist's (and I use the term
very loosely) depiction of an event which never, ever happened.

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Separated at Birth?

There are rumors floating around that Joe Hoeffel and the unnamed character on the left were separated at birth.

You decide. Read Full Text/Comments