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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, August 02, 2016

NorCo Court Administrator Jill Cicero Resigns

Jill Cicero, assisting PJ Stephen Baratta at Council
After 35 years with Northampton County, Court Administrator Jill Cicero, age 56, announced her retirement today in a brief letter to Thomas Darr, who oversees court administrator offices throughout the state. She first started out as a probation officer in 1981.

In April, Jill's husband passed away, and she has been battling health issues of her own. She was highly respected, both by the judges for whom she worked as well as other county employees. She always left people with the impression that she was one of them, not a superior.. In reality, she supervised well over 300 county workers while assisting the courts in ensuring that cases were heard.

J. Jermaine Greene, who currently serves as a Deputy Court Administrator and has been employed at the County for the past 16 years, is her obvious successor. He has performed admirably as Jill has recovered from her illness and would bring diversity to an important administrative position. But that will be a decision for the courts.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

No apology for the people you called "liars" who commented on this weeks ago? Let me clue you in on something else, Jill didn't want to resign but sadly a certain individual made it impossible for her to stay. By the way not so fast on anointing Jermaine the heir apparent, he has many detractors in places of power.

Bernie O'Hare said...

You were lying. The rumor you were pushing was that she had resigned, and it simply was untrue. It was denied by the state court administrator. She was on medical leave. You obviously have an agenda. When Jill did retire, I reported it that day. I think it is unfortunate that she is gone, but I have every reason to believe this is her decision, and her decision alone. And as I have already observed, her successor will be picked by the courts, not me and certainly not some anonymous coward.

Anonymous said...

The judges rule their turf. I believe they decide who stays and who goes.

Anonymous said...

Yea, I have to agree with the previous poster. Jill didn't want to resign; she was forced out. It's a shame because I really like/respect her. But anyone "in the know" knows that the judges wanted her gone.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Whether she was forced out is a question of fact. It is not a matter of opinion that you choose to agree with or not. I have been provided no evidence leading me to believe that this was anything but her own decision. I have heard no words critical of her performance from anyone. Ever. I have no reason to believe that her departure is the result of anything other than her own wishes. I have heard several rumors, but they proved to be untrue when I checked. I believe someone, for his or her own reasons, is attempting to create an issue that does not exist. I am "in the know," and what I know is that judges do not talk wildly about personnel matters.

Anonymous said...

You are not "in the know". Far, far from it...loser

Bernie O'Hare said...

Ah and now the anonymous personal attacks. So typical of these trolls.

Anonymous said...

Bernie you obviously aren't in the right loop on this one because this has been an open "secret" for a month or more. The truth of how this all went down is actually quite sad. 90% of the judges were firmly in her corner but unfortunately the other 10% made it difficult for her to stay on board. Let's just say the picture you chose to include with this article is very ironic. We have to remain anonymous not because we are cowards but because our jobs could be on the line if we revealed ourselves. Jill was a devoted public servant who deserved better!

Bernie O'Hare said...

I don't believe you. I'd have to hear it from her or someone who actually identifies himself or herself. You are not helping her, but hurting her, nit that it matters to you. If what you say is true, and she still wants to work somewhere, it will be more difficult for her when a prospective employer reads these anonymous slurs. Some friend you are.

I also get your attempt to slam PJ Baratta. If doubt he asked her to step down, but if he did, i am sure he had his reasons, and they are none of your or my business.

Jill has in essence not worked since her husband passed. If the court wanted to be bad ass, they would have fired her or made her come back. So I repeat. You are likely full of shit. And you are hurting someone you profess to admire. Do her a favor and let it go.

Anonymous said...

I have to concur, Bernie must be out of the loop. He STILL hasn't written about David Tidd's recent resignation. Even though all the recent newspapers reported it over a week ago.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I write nothing about Tidd's resignation precisely bc that story was covered in the dailies you mention. I had nothing to add and nothing original to report.

Anonymous said...

You are 100% incorrect, dig a little deeper, you'd be surprised how many people are being unfairly shown the way to the exit door!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Worried?

Anonymous said...

I've heard the conflicting rumors as well but never from a source I trusted 100 percent to be "in the know." But after the "honorable" retirement of james onembo, after "years of excellent service," and being "in the know" on that one, I'm sure there's something deeper here.

Anonymous said...

"Impeccable service?" Jill was always full of herself. Have never seen such a self-absorbed statement in a resignation letter. No gratitude to the county's citizens, judges or coworkers. Good riddance.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, have you reached out to Jill on this? Just curious...

Anonymous said...

Baratta wanted Jermaine in the position all along. He only gave it to Jill with the understanding that she'd retire in a few years. With the tragic passing of her husband I do believe that she probably decided that now's the time. But she'd still be there but for Baratta.

And everyone knows that this medical leave was just a way to use up some accrued sick time prior to taking retirement. Not knocking her for that, but rumors of her impending retirement have been circulating for months.

Anonymous said...

Feel the Bern!!!

E Mest said...

Jill was a professional ,very personable, and down to earth person. She deserved that job and not all this rumor stuff. Let her alone!!!!!

Anonymous said...

The Judges (all Judges) are politicians and not "just" politicians, they are "master" politicians. With all the rumors around the Court House (at the time) most of us were shocked to see Jill get the head job. Personally I think it was the right choice. However, She had personal friends that had her ear and some decisions were made on those personal friends lobbying efforts. Not all the Judges wanted Jill but Baratta did the right thing. He appointed Jill. The Magisterial system is a joke in Northampton County. Look at Tidd, Look at the Slate Belt, look at Bethlehem minus a Magistrate. Look at who fills in these spots. Sherwood Grigg??????Need I say anymore? The person responsible for our fouled up "minor Judiciary" had more to do with Jill's resignation than Jill herself.

DMonek said...

I don't usually comment, but I feel I need to on this one. Jill is a amazing woman and has served the County well at many levels. She has always conducted herself as someone who is there for the people. She was respected as a Probation Officer and continued to keep that as she rose thru the ranks. As we all know Politics can bring out the ugly in people but Jill is and has always been a class act

I am grateful to call her a friend for 25 years. Best of luck Jill you deserve only the best !

Dan Monek

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Jill had a good reputation, for the most part, within the county. The wording in her short resignation letter was odd though. Let others say you provided "impeccable service" ... don't say it about yourself.

Anonymous said...

You need to dig deeper with this. Way more to what is going on. Shame on those making these decisions. Jill was a dedicated employee respected by all! Good luck in her retirement she deserves nothing but the best. Shame on those folks that are ruining our county. Hope they hire from the outside for her replacement.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Bernie, have you reached out to Jill on this? Just curious..."

I got her announcement late yesterday and posted it immediately. There was no reason to reach out. I pursued these rumors several months ago and posted about it here. If there was something Jill wanted me to know, she had months to let me know. So I had no reason to bother her. But I will reach out now.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"She deserved that job and not all this rumor stuff. Let her alone!!!!!"

Well said, Elaine.Her "friends" are hurting her, not helping her.

Anonymous said...

I have been seeing all these comments and it's nothing but foolishness! By most accounts Jill has done a good job for the county for 36 years. She has now decided to retire. leave it alone people especially those asking Bernie to dig deeper! Would you like him to dig deeper into your affairs? Seems to me he is more than capable to do so. Please let the lady that served your County with pride, walk away into the sunset. All the negative comments toward judges etc. are ridiculous! Furthermore leave Bernie alone, he is only speaking on the facts that he has received. Seems like a lot of speculative posts on here...as for Jill's replacement,that as well will be left up to the judges therefore no need to speculate on that either. #noneedtobesoangrypeople #Jillhasagreatlegacy #letherrideoffinthesunset #FEELTHEBERN!!!!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Thanks for your comment. I actually did dig deeper and had a new post on this topic, but decided to take it down after reading what you wrote. It would just lead to more speculation and would be unfair. I have high regard for Jill. She and I had one disagreement in all her time with the county, which is pretty amazing. She always responded to emails. She listened to everyone.

She would know whether she was asked to step down, but has chosen not to speak publicly. If that changes, I am sure I will hear.

My primary concern here is for the county and for Jill. Some of the comments posted by her so-called friends could actually hurt her should she decide to seek an administrative position elsewhere.

She leaves behind a well-run office with several very good people. Who succeeds her is up to the courts.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I remember Jill from the bike path. I used to run there every f=day after work with Mike Vedomsky, and Mike Vedomsky and I usually ran into her. She was a rollerblade girl, and always was friendly.

Jill Cicero said...

Bernie- I am hoping this ends the speculative comments. My reasons for retiring and my leave are personal and known only to my family and close friends. I choose not to share them on any public forum. I have had a great 35+ year run with the Court and believe that I have served the Court, County, Commonwealth, and their constituents well. I will miss my daily interaction with all. Further, I thank you for finally using my correct last name and for those long ago memories of rollerblading. Thank you. Jill

Anonymous said...

Well, I can't argue with that...thanks for chiming in Jill. You are/will be missed!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Jill, I never told you this, but seeing you on the bikepath was always a highlight for Vedomsky and I. You can file a PFA tomorrow. But file it against Mike, and I'll testify for you. I finally get your last name correct on the day you resign. I am very sorry to see you go. You touched very many people in a positive way, more than you know. I do hope you will join your fellow workers for a party. If not now, soon. I am also very sorry for your loss. As I told you, I had not known until several weeks had passed. I also respect your desire for privacy.

Anonymous said...

Jim Onembo was a better person in charge than Jill will ever hope to be. She always turned her head when things needed to be addressed.

Bernie O'Hare said...

The only person I know with a high opinion of Onembo is Onembo.