Today was a happy day for County Executive Reibman and Councilpersons Brennan, Grube, and Leiberman, all of whom are running for reelection. Although Northampton County was formed on March 6, 1752, the current administration has decided to start the 250th celebration now. Today, in the bowels of the government center, there was free cake, coffee, and pearls of wisdom by Messrs, Reibman, Grube, and others. They must have been especially happy to see TV cameras filming this historic occasion.

Why this joviality? And why does the celebration start now, seven months in advance of the actual birthday? The obvious reason for this joy is that Messrs. Reibman and his incumbent council candidates will get a great deal of media and public exposure on a neutral issue without having to spend a penny for advertising. To make this totally unfair to nonincumbents, they have been barred from participating in the 250th birthday celebration, which will climax with a September parade in Easton, giving these folks much needed exposure.

To make sure that everything runs smoothly, County Council decided recently to give $50,000 in taxpayer money to cover expenses. Although there is much sermonizing on the importance of this historic occasion, the simple truth is that $50,000 in taxpayer money is being used to finance the campaigns of incumbents, and those who do not hold office are not welcome.

What has been done is an insult to all the principles of democracy and fairness upon which this country and county were formed.