EASTON, Pa. — Northampton County Council in a lawsuit filed last week accused County Executive Lamont McClure of failing to make required technology upgrades to council chambers, marking a new nadir in the relationship between council and executive.
In response, McClure called the suit a “frivolous” waste of taxpayer dollars and argued he met every requirement the council set out.
In late 2023, the council adopted an ordinance requiring McClure‘s administration to replace audiovisual hardware used to stream meetings from the council chambers.
At the time, council members said they wanted to make it easier for members to join meetings remotely, which their previous system could not easily handle.
Council’s lawsuit, filed in Northampton County Court on Oct. 28, contends that county officials have still not addressed issues with the room’s streaming setup despite repeat requests for additional training, testing and troubleshooting.
Two emails council staff sent to administrators in February and July lay out a handful of outstanding work to address issues with feedback, training staff on using the system and testing different combinations of participants joining meetings via Zoom and by phone.
“Future county executives need to understand that council is not just sitting there rubber stamping everything they want. We pass laws and we expect them to be followed in a timely way.”County Council President Lori Vargo Heffner
The system is still not completely functional despite early progress, Council President Lori Vargo Heffner said, pointing to an election commission meeting last month in the council chambers.
Several members of the commission tried to join by phone or via Zoom, but struggled to connect, she said.
McClure has not addressed recent requests for further improvements to the streaming system, according to Vargo Heffner.
In court filings, council solicitor Christopher Spadoni asked a county judge to compel the McClure administration to “fully and completely install and have operational” the council’s requested upgrades.
Vargo Heffner said the lawsuit has two main goals: getting their streaming system working reliably, and showing McClure he is bound by council’s ordinances.
“When you have an ordinance, it's more than just a suggestion, it's a law,” said Vargo Heffner. “Future county executives need to understand that council is not just sitting there rubber stamping everything they want. We pass laws and we expect them to be followed in a timely way.”
'Operator error'
McClure contends that his administration, working with contractor Blue Chip Technology, has met all of the requirements council set out in its 2023 ordinance. He points to a string of newly installed hardware, including cameras, speakers and distribution systems, plus testing, training and other work completed in 2024 and early 2025.
“They have not — at the staff level, or members who are not in the room — been able to figure out how to use the tools that we have provided for them.”Lamont McClure, Northampton County executive
Any remaining issues with the system, McClure said, come down to “operator error” on the part of council members and staff.
“We have done everything that [council has] asked, everything that was outlined in the ordinance,” said McClure. “They have not — at the staff level, or members who are not in the room — been able to figure out how to use the tools that we have provided for them.”
At council’s most recent meeting Thursday night, three council members successfully joined by Zoom or by phone, said McClure.
An initial hearing in the lawsuit is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 25, before Northampton County President Judge Craig Dally.
