tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post7144937270144651929..comments2024-03-28T19:03:28.661-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Phillips, Geissinger Hint at Labor Cuts and Tax Hikes Bernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-2266463215774826812014-09-17T15:41:36.990-04:002014-09-17T15:41:36.990-04:00I agree with 5:18. I was told that recently the ca...I agree with 5:18. I was told that recently the captain at the jail who had been there for a mere 5 years was promoted over people who had over 20yrs of experience becuase he was a minority and was snitch. I was shocked to hear about this. Unfortunately this goes on not only in the public sector but the private sector as well. No way around it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26067696753921717742014-09-15T15:19:59.248-04:002014-09-15T15:19:59.248-04:00how about trying to make money instead of saving m...how about trying to make money instead of saving money? they ended the prison academy for new hires which doens't really save much money because then they have to pay to send those to the state academy. what they should be doing is running the academy year round and invite other counties to use our facility for training. this would bring money into the county. but they rather save a couple dollars than make some.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-50969321795732246632014-09-15T13:37:59.504-04:002014-09-15T13:37:59.504-04:00Brown made it very clear in his campaign mailers t...Brown made it very clear in his campaign mailers that we could count on him to LOWER our taxes now he is going to increase them! what gives, we were lied to. He told us what we wanted to here and we bought itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-53993066986834664112014-09-14T20:12:07.132-04:002014-09-14T20:12:07.132-04:00I say county workers should call on the big rat......I say county workers should call on the big rat...STRIKE!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-63375345256142347622014-09-14T20:10:50.334-04:002014-09-14T20:10:50.334-04:00I don't think it's fair that the workers a...I don't think it's fair that the workers are not getting the raises that they deserve especially with our benefits going up...we make less now then when we started! You can't up our benefits cost and not up our salaries! Some of us are being paid so little we actually qualify for county assistance! So sad! If there's any cuts to be made cut PR that can't even spell...76,000ish? Let alone rumor has it they get all out of pocket expenses reimbured for gas...food...for everyday things...wth is that?! Yet we get nothing..,.Brown expects a lot for nothing from the workers...smh he'll never see another term...is it 2017 yet??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-34467975887636127682014-09-14T16:35:38.970-04:002014-09-14T16:35:38.970-04:00Just STOP! Blame solves nothing. Enough of this al...Just STOP! Blame solves nothing. Enough of this already. Solve the problems and work it out! That is why these people were elected. Your agenda and mine mean little now. hindsight is useless. Deal with the here and now. No cheese for your whine!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-80529905252171071412014-09-14T12:40:34.608-04:002014-09-14T12:40:34.608-04:009:59, You are not spelling those names properly, ...9:59, You are not spelling those names properly, which makes me think you have no direct knowledge. Also, Gawlick was an exempt employee. It's pretty clear you don't really know what you are talking about, and should not have stated what you did bc you are misinformed. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-62249553172533470722014-09-14T10:07:32.829-04:002014-09-14T10:07:32.829-04:00All hiring must go through HR and I highly doubt t...All hiring must go through HR and I highly doubt that they bend the rules for the benefit of the Sheriff or DOC. In the distant past maybe but not recently.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-16685747441903566612014-09-14T10:00:20.533-04:002014-09-14T10:00:20.533-04:00By the way, did you ever hear of "Gawlick&quo...By the way, did you ever hear of "Gawlick". Just wonderingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-16948190438128853432014-09-14T09:59:19.623-04:002014-09-14T09:59:19.623-04:00The Northampton County Prison under Joe Onembo and...The Northampton County Prison under Joe Onembo and the Sheriff's Department under Dumideo were notorious for hiring friends and friends of friends. The rules have been circumvented and no one is paying the price. Council refuses to get involved in these issues. Just ask them?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-37188139748436455182014-09-13T17:22:04.702-04:002014-09-13T17:22:04.702-04:00Not quite sure what your comment has to do with ne...Not quite sure what your comment has to do with next year'S budget. Also, I'd like you to list specific examples of your claim. It should be a simple matter to check .Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-23041066056726071502014-09-13T17:18:25.153-04:002014-09-13T17:18:25.153-04:00People have taken county tests and scored in the t...People have taken county tests and scored in the top three. However, people with lower scores were hired. The system is a game and people with connections are picked. It has been known for years the county's hiring system is a joke.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-12757690638151159162014-09-13T07:59:43.713-04:002014-09-13T07:59:43.713-04:00Most of the employees aren't bringing home the...Most of the employees aren't bringing home the salaries you reference and sure as hell have never seen a pay raise like that. And you are incorrect again because most did take that test you speak of. You can say suck it up all you want but you are misinformed and really don't understand. The one person you reference doesn't represent the majority of the county workforce. And when your taxes go up, don't whine about how he broke his campaign promises. Suck it up cupcake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-11034343337747770132014-09-13T00:26:24.481-04:002014-09-13T00:26:24.481-04:00County jobs are doled out to insiders and connecte...County jobs are doled out to insiders and connected people. The so-called tests that are given are not even used. They hire whoever they want.<br /><br />Look at the huge pay raise Ferraro's daughter just got. Stop whining you have a job, benefits and a great pension.<br />Suck it up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-86285493604459851992014-09-12T22:54:02.380-04:002014-09-12T22:54:02.380-04:00Most county employees are also the taxpayers of No...Most county employees are also the taxpayers of Northampton County. So if this insurance plan goes as stated not only will workers take a hit with higher insurance, they will also see no pay raise, and as a taxpayer see a possible tax hike. For those who want county employees to "suck it up", come do their jobs at the pay rate they receive. And next time you receive any help from a county program, remember the people providing that service to you are the same ones you told to suck it up. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26816044592509661892014-09-12T19:14:54.102-04:002014-09-12T19:14:54.102-04:00These so called conservatives just got elected and...These so called conservatives just got elected and already want to raise taxes. What else is now. I can't believe men that campaigned on small government are the first to scream spend more money raise taxes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-6854184973407405532014-09-12T17:59:16.010-04:002014-09-12T17:59:16.010-04:00Shall we pray for wisdom?Shall we pray for wisdom?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-56791934292573084902014-09-12T15:12:51.972-04:002014-09-12T15:12:51.972-04:00These are just outright lies. Neither Angle nor St...These are just outright lies. Neither Angle nor Stoffa referred to Gracedale as a "rat-hole" or "hell-hole." That was Chris Miller, an extremist who was not speaking for anyone but himself, thank God. <br /><br />As for the claim that an Islamic company was buying the facility, that should be irrelevant. But in fact, the facility owners are Jewish.<br /><br />That battle is over. The people decided to keep Gracedale. Now they must pay for your lies, as you've just demonstated. <br /><br />Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-82047628150674964982014-09-12T14:52:23.426-04:002014-09-12T14:52:23.426-04:00"This was NEVER a possibility and they've..."This was NEVER a possibility and they've NEVER retracted this horrible scare tactic"<br /><br />Ronnie, John, you can keep shouting this till the cows come home. The real reality was and is that once Gracedale was sold the policy would be, "out of sight out of mind". The horrible lies were terrible I remember both the Admisntration and Angle getting more and more desperate, using terms like "Hell-hole" and "rat-hole" to describe the facility.<br />Once in private hands the Islamic owned company that was buying it would have done as they wished and the county would turn their heads the other way.<br /><br />Fortunately the voters saw through the grand deceptions. People unafraid of Stoffa and Angles goon like methods made the case and we saved Gracedale.<br /><br />I notice your anger at waste does not extend to a new building with a thirty year "triple-net" lease that costs over a million dollars a year with a built-in 2.5% increase every year. Wonder were the money for Human Services sis really going?<br /><br />Ronnie, John you are gone now we must pick up the pieces. Please just fade away. You have done enough harm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58402087271659034682014-09-12T14:35:15.966-04:002014-09-12T14:35:15.966-04:00"Phillips has certainly done so, more than th..."Phillips has certainly done so, more than the other Council members, but hius statements about personnel are scary."<br /><br />So are his statements about a tax increase. Thanks Gracedale goons. You've delivered higher taxes and fewer services in order to pay for a county-funded jobs program.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-79713662381050755542014-09-12T14:19:04.879-04:002014-09-12T14:19:04.879-04:00We'll have a good notion what the admin is pla...We'll have a good notion what the admin is planning when we see the budget. My hope is that it includes a taxx hike that has been needed for two years. Do it now. This is the year. Then get tough. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-2527088838501697922014-09-12T14:16:33.288-04:002014-09-12T14:16:33.288-04:00they want to treat the county worker like a privat...they want to treat the county worker like a private sector worker , but don't want to pay the wages!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-18103640208261004212014-09-12T14:00:06.381-04:002014-09-12T14:00:06.381-04:00"Just wait until 2015 election cycle. If they...<em>"Just wait until 2015 election cycle. If they get just one more Tea-Bagger or another John Birch Society member on council you won't have to worry about your job. It will be outsourced to a firm that pays minimum wage and no benefits."</em><br /><br />I will reserve judgment until I see what kind of budget is porposed and how Council members react. <br /><br />Instead of getting caught up with goofy residency ordinances and $10,000 conrtract limits, Council members need to start paying attention to the bigger picture. <br /><br />Phillips has certainly done so, more than the other Council members, but hius statements about personnel are scary. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-20816432278267323302014-09-12T13:56:47.535-04:002014-09-12T13:56:47.535-04:00They have less security, fewer benefits, but do te...They have less security, fewer benefits, but do tend to make much more money for equivalent work.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-493713271867354782014-09-12T13:53:45.115-04:002014-09-12T13:53:45.115-04:00people in the private sector make at 3x the amount...people in the private sector make at 3x the amount of public employee!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com