Julio Guridy, Allentown's current longest standing council member, lost the vice presidency of council last night. Last year he lost the presidency, which is the current backdoor to being mayor. With Pawlowski's pending baggage, this could well be the year that a council president moves up, via resignation. However, don't cry for Julio, once Allentown's rising star. About a decade ago, the power brokers in Philadelphia got Julio appointed to the Joint Toll Bridge Commission, with which he has earned close to $100 grand a year ever since, for an unnecessary position, involving very little time. These positions are political plums, and have existed in Pennsylvania forever.
above excerpted from January 2016
UPDATE NOVEMBER 28, 2019: The 2016 post above was not intended to disparage Julio Guridy, but rather the commission system in Pennsylvania. A woman in Easton was just appointed to a commission by Governor Wolf, and is receiving congratulations by numerous political types, from both parties. Likewise, as with Julio, this post is not meant to disparage the woman. Such appointments represent what is so wrong about this state. The congratulations represent what is so pervasive about the system. Wolf ran as a reformer for his first term, but quickly put aside any such notions. One thing's for sure, nobody will be offering this blogger a no-show commission job for being a good boy.
Could not agree more. Happy thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteMr. Guridy placed the following comment on facebook in regard to the post above.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving Mr. Douglas. Do not believe what MM is writing as he is horribly misinformed and liable for charter defamation. If you want to know about me call me or just talk to me directly off line.