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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, September 22, 2016

NorCo Needs a Grants Administrator

Northampton County's budget is due soon, and I doubt it will include any tax hike. Since Executive John Brown is running for state auditor general on the basis that he is the Savior of county finance, he's in no position to raise your tab. But when that budget does come in early October, Council should take a very hard look at a reorganization of its redundant Department of Community and Economic Development. In June, Council rejected Brown's request for raises and a new position in that department. But now that crunch time approaches, Council should consider a budgetary reorganization. It provides no economic development, and should stop pretending it does. It does provide valuable community development and assistance to county authorities. That should be its focus.

I'd reorganize the office and rename it Office of Community Development, and place it under Director of Administration. There is no need for a separate director in this department. Former Exec John Stoffa went without one for eight years. The one who was hired by Brown put the county in reverse.

Grants Administrator. - Believe it or not, this county has no grants administrator. As a result, it is missing out on huge sums of money. One person should be tasked with identifying and going after grant opportunities for every department. Two people might be needed.

HUD Compliance Officer. - The County receives millions each year in HUD block grants. One person should identify projects and then monitor them after they are funded for compliance. This might also be a two-person job.

Authorities Administrator. - This position would serve as the administrative arm of the county's General Purpose Authority, Industrial Development Authority and Gaming Board.

Environmental Officer. - Currently, this position deals with recycling events. I think the position should be expanded and monitor environmental hazards, especially since our air quality is among the worst in the nation.

Of course, I would want to give existing staff ample opportunity to prove the current organization works.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

After listening to the John Brown interview on PCN talk about his Auditor General race, I am firmly supporting him. He made great points. He spoke of his thirty years of executive experience in the private and public sectors. I was very impressed with all the waste he found when taking office in Northampton County and how explained the steps he took to save the county millions of dollars it was wasting.

He identified county weaknesses and how he was confronted with the "that's the way we do it", old attitude that the county was using. He also spoke of the incompetent handling of Gracedale and how he turned it around.

He was very impressive and nothing like your hateful hit pieces portray him. Eloquent and knowledgeable. He has mine and many others votes.

Bernie O'Hare said...

The mantra is complete bullshit, and though only three people saw him, he will be exposed at the debate.

Anonymous said...

2;am please list the accomplishments

Anonymous said...

For one thing he cleaned up the fiscal mess and incompetent spending he inherited from his predecessor. As he said he is returning millions to the general fund every year, whereas before his term the county was deficit spending for eight years.

That angers O'Hare because he was the chief propagandist for Brown's predecessor.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Brown alienated the county work force, illegally reduced medical benefits for half of them, hired a propagandist at taxpayer expense, posted armed guards to prevent Council members from attending a news conference, caused a record number of retirements, raised taxes one mill, has slowed down the delivery of county services, abused expense reports, is using a tax deadbeat in foreclosure as his number two, refuses to respond to emails or phone calls and will cost taxpayers at least a half million for violating the constitutional rights of a county solicitor. He attempted to raise vehicle registration fees and will do so again at budget time. He is pretty much a disaster with two legs.

Anonymous said...

We are stuck with Brown..the clown..for at least another year. He has no clue and is dead on arrival in November. His resume is full of holes and it won't hold water. He needs to prepare for life in the real world. He never solved any ones problems..only created new and even worse ones. One man wrecking crew and demolitions expert..that is John Brown..THE CLOWN!

Anonymous said...

The non-transparent Mr. Brown, who rules like his hero Fed Ed in Allentown, should tout his economic progress by refusing to fill critical staffing, ignoring blatant manpower gaps and by signing alleged contracts that reduce efficiency and services.
he surely made an economic impact in NC, one that will take years to reverse. Granted, things had to change in NC, but the path this psychopath took would have him thrown out on his ear in private industry.

Anonymous said...

Breaking up the county DCED department is a good first step. The Donaher experiment was a disaster and now the clean up must begin in earnest. Your plan has merit but will council have the stones to tell Brown off and start the reconstruction project without him?

Anonymous said...

Brownie needs to fill empty employee positions first. Some offices are running out of personnel and the clown from Bangor isn't replacing them. LESS STAFF = LESS PRODUCTION.

Anonymous said...

DCED is a bloated, inefficient department that should be dismantled. Your suggested reorganization makes perfect sense. It would cut overpaid staff in half, saving the county hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Anonymous said...

I think 9:15 is wrong and no one is overpaid. Aren't their salaries public? Can't you list them Bernie?

Bernie O'Hare said...

They are not overpaid.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

They are overpaid for the results of their labor.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I agree the results are not there. The office should refocus and concentrate on what it does best - community development. Let LVEDC bring in the business.

Bernie O'Hare said...

2:29, Attach your name and I will publish your shot. That way you can be properly sued for defamation.