Northampton County's controller wants another term in office.
Stephen J. Barron, who was elected to that post in 2007, announced Friday he's running again.
"During my term, we have greatly increased the value of this office for the taxpayers.” Barron said in a news release.
He argues the controller's office has increased the quality of its audits and found millions of dollars in wasteful expenditures. He also pointed to his work with the county district attorney's office to recover money in fraud investigations.
Barron, a Democrat, lives in Bethlehem with his wife and daughters.
Wayne Schissler
3:16 pm on Sunday, January 23, 2011
No story on this run for re-election can be considered complete without these quotes from this past summer when Mr Barron tried to meet with the T-Mobile vice president.
“Please remind him if he needs anything from Northampton and Lehigh county, we’re going to remember this day and we’re going to make sure that that will be part of any negotiations.”
"I'd also like you to think about why you didn't meet with one of the local elected officials here in the Lehigh Valley and how that could benefit your company..."
The video is on YouTube. Mr Barron wasn't elected to lobby for the unions or attempt to use his title to influence Lehigh Valley employers. His actions reflect poorly upon himself and the county that voted him into office.
For these actions Northampton County Council on September 2nd voted 8-1 in resolution to condemn & repudiate Barron's comments and notify T-Mobile that he has no authority to represent the county.
Beginning in 2012 the Controller's salary will be $65,000.