tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post3658944544567269112..comments2024-03-29T07:55:45.977-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: The Devil and Tom WalkerBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-54657426216187891292014-03-14T04:54:28.945-04:002014-03-14T04:54:28.945-04:00At least he was more qualified than Ross Marcus an...At least he was more qualified than Ross Marcus and he got the job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-50658575915624479182014-03-13T11:21:57.434-04:002014-03-13T11:21:57.434-04:00I would have voted for him, simply because the pic...I would have voted for him, simply because the pickins are slim. Why would anyone who is really accomplished in this field want to work for a county when he or she can only count on 4 years? Wouldn't it make more sense to stay in a job that pays nearly as much and where you can't be fired at the drop of a hat? <br /><br />I believe that if both counties want to attract quality people to these jobs (and I mean no offense to Walker bc he is a quality person), they need to change the Charter and revisit how these officials are selected. <br /><br />This is just one of several examples making clear that it is time to revisit the HRC in both counties. <br /><br />I feel very bad for Tom Walker, who as I said seems so sincere, but I don't quarrel with the decision.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-14278696551740957052014-03-13T04:16:11.867-04:002014-03-13T04:16:11.867-04:00Bernie. Lehigh County voted down Tom Walkers nomin...Bernie. Lehigh County voted down Tom Walkers nomination for lack of experience. It is unfortunate but in reality this is one vote they probably got right.<br /><br />A couple of your posters brought up interesting posts about only a few people that have really done this well.<br /><br />In my dealings with the two counties over many years, I would say that John Stoffa and Ron Heckman were probably the most accomplished and well rounded Human Services Directors I dealt with. They both possessed a very expansive and deep understanding of the responsibilities of the entire department as to service sand budgets.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-59023868375512421832014-03-12T04:04:01.888-04:002014-03-12T04:04:01.888-04:00Didn't Lehigh County even have Frank Kane as D...Didn't Lehigh County even have Frank Kane as Dir. of Human Services? That is the wildest. After over eight years people still don't know what his job really is or what he does.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-45237983583120747702014-03-11T23:43:23.515-04:002014-03-11T23:43:23.515-04:00I'm not suggesting it run on its own. I'm ...I'm not suggesting it run on its own. I'm suggesting that the Director be appointed differently so that it attracts more competent people. here's an idea.Continue to appoint, but do it in the year after the Exec is elected, and make the appointment for 5 years. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-53466818491288161162014-03-11T23:39:04.846-04:002014-03-11T23:39:04.846-04:00Disagree completely with you Bernie. Too big a dep...Disagree completely with you Bernie. Too big a department to run away on its own. It merely shows how "some" county executives treat a very important decision.<br /><br />Lehigh County has a reputation for just "plugging" people into that position who had no business of being there to begin with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-56993575003637454032014-03-11T22:49:24.165-04:002014-03-11T22:49:24.165-04:00He's no clown and stikes me as very sincere. t...He's no clown and stikes me as very sincere. this is what you get when people are selected to these highly specialized jobs that may last only 4 years.I believe it is time to make Human Services Director a career position, not a political plum. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-59566847276086947052014-03-11T22:28:24.520-04:002014-03-11T22:28:24.520-04:00This guy looks like a psycho. His interview at the...This guy looks like a psycho. His interview at the last commissioners meeting was embarrassing. He is totally unqualified for the position. What has Muller been smoking to nominate this clown?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-2258043197078197002014-03-11T14:50:22.837-04:002014-03-11T14:50:22.837-04:00Agree with 12:03, probably even a lower number. Pe...Agree with 12:03, probably even a lower number. People love to attack some of the people who did it but it is a pressure cooker job that has many sides to it.<br /><br />I have a known a couple people who did it and if you want to do the job well it is hard and thankless.<br /><br />Of course between Musty Muller and Kluless Kane in Lehigh County you would expect this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-28221219525245874802014-03-11T12:03:54.053-04:002014-03-11T12:03:54.053-04:00Everyone underestimates the complexity of this job...Everyone underestimates the complexity of this job. There are fewer than 6 people who can do it in the Lehigh Valley. None is in office or being considered for so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-60937728557709129392014-03-11T10:38:16.835-04:002014-03-11T10:38:16.835-04:00Simply not qualified.Simply not qualified.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-19132287317208473732014-03-11T07:21:48.468-04:002014-03-11T07:21:48.468-04:00I can't expand on the fifth point bc i know li...I can't expand on the fifth point bc i know little beyond what he said. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-24426118448379542452014-03-11T06:08:27.550-04:002014-03-11T06:08:27.550-04:00Bernie, pease expand on your fifth point above. H...Bernie, pease expand on your fifth point above. How does Walker plan to make children more literate?<br /><br />Isn't that the domain of schools? Does the county have the money available to cross over into an area that should already be getting addressed by the school districts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-68911468878544617692014-03-11T01:07:37.853-04:002014-03-11T01:07:37.853-04:00This is similar to the John Brown Human Services e...This is similar to the John Brown Human Services episode. <br />what the hell is going on?<br /><br />County Human Services isn't some sweet little "do good" operation. It is a huge bureaucracy, employing hundreds of people. It works though a myriad of state and federal funding and laws and regulations. How can someone like this even be considered?<br /><br />Wanting to do good is admirable but you are asking a counter cook at a greasy spoon to be head chef at the Ritz.<br /><br />How can there be no real experienced and qualified people out there?<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com