Last year, in a meeting attended by a sea of green T-shirted AFSCME workers, Council member Lamont McClure demanded she step down, knowing he had no right to do so, in a mean-spirited attempt to embarrass Stoffa. A bare majority joined McClure. Although Sutton-Flak was present, she was never given advance notice and was never given an opportunity to defend herself.
Whatever you may think of Ms. Sutton-Falk, that was Council's lowest moment. What they did to her can easily be done to any County employee.
Interestingly, when Sarah Cassi called Sutton-Falk about her departure, she heard back from an attorney.
61 comments:
No great loss. Her track record just keeps following the same pattern, termination from all jobs. I guess everyone across two states are wrong right Bernie?
Who cares?
Besides...Bernie has no credibility on anything about women because it's all dirt.
Well although you thought Council made the wrong decision it looks like someone finally acted on their recommendation..Apparently it finally dawned on someone that everyone else's feelings about her were correct. There is no expectation that anyone in her post should be beloved but if you are the head of human resources you need to have some kind of warmth and compassion. Maybe a tad, no? Maybe it wasn't handled correctly but it doesn't mean they weren't right..
What's wrong is the disgusting way Council acted, with McClure leading the charge.
Entertainment Tonight is interested in Connie Sutton Falk?
Not Entertainment Tonight, Extra Terrestrials!
what's wrong is that she was appointed in the first place. john stoffa made a mistake. can you admit that bernie or is your love for him too great. Forget council for a minute bernie: are you ready to admit that she shouldn't have been hired in the first place.
Karma....
Bernie:
Human Resources! Not Human Services. Don't let your editor catch that mistake.
When a solid majority of Council called on Sutton-Falk to resign, she rejected the call. Stoffa did not ask her to resign and a year passed. Now, after a year Sutton-Falk is out. I'm told she wasn't even permitted to serve the calendar year out. Why did Stoffa do this to her ? It had nothing to do with Council, Stoffa didn't care what Council thought.
She was a Republican hack Stoffa was forced to hire by his Republican overlords who ran his 2005 election.
She was a disaster. Ohare cried and cried when Council brought it to Stoffa's attention. She has done irrepairable harm but thats OK if Stoffa is happy.
Hey Cassi, what a shity article! Have you ever heard of the follow up question? Why is she gone? Was she fired? Did she quit? Will she sue? Why the attorney?
In the past, Administrations were grilled by the Press, with Stoffa it is a simple press release. Might as well be paid staff. Your paper is no better than Ohare's kiss ass blog!
Well as far as her not being able to defend herself...she never gave me that opportunity and as a Human Resources Person it was her responsibility to hear both sides...I as a twenty some year employee with a good record never had a problem until a work injury occurred and I voiced my mind to administration...I was accussed of things that were outside my character and the issues were exagerated and if I had been given the chance to prove myself I don't feel things would have progressed negatively against me. I was always proud to work for the County and took Great pride in the job I held...and still hold however the way I was treated was hurtful physically and mentally...it was a personal attack on my character and I thought once I was able to explain the situation my good name and character would be cleared. I was given a greivance hearing in which I was under the belief that I would be able to answer to the charge against me however this did not happen due to hostile behavoir by the accussing management party the meeting was suppose to be continued and then a few weeks later I received a letter in the mail from the Human Resources Director basically judging me and sentencing me without ever allowing me the basic right to defend my position or present any evidence or facts. I thought in this country you were innocent until proven guilty but I found out that this County Represenative could try, judge and sentence you without you being able to say even one word to defend yourself. I feel if she would have heard all the facts and circumstances she would have realized what had transpired and what was transpiring was wrong. I used to believe in Truth and Justice but since this experience I don't have alot of faith in those in power or the system or the County for which I work and I beleive there are alot of those who share my belief.
Continuation to previous post...I wanted to add that at the time this was done to me it was shortly thereafter that MRS Sutton-Faulk filed the petition with the Labor Board of Unfair Labor Practices working in a hostile environment...it made me laugh because what did she think she did to me and allowed to be done to me...if anyone felt they were working in a hostile environment it was me. It was her job to mediate and hear both sides, look at all the evidence and make a fair decision...I wanted to tell my side...I wanted her to hear what was going on...I wanted someone to listen and know what was being done to me. And by the way MR O'HARE I agree the manner in which council went about their situation was maybe not appropriate but it was basically the same experience I encountered with MRS Sutton Faulk and her Management Buddies the only difference is she cried out and got a lawyer and I was just thankful to still have my job to be able to help support my family and trust me..what was done to me was much worse than what she experienced.
Anon 10:59, you must be a troll of some sort. In the world of Ohare all things Stoffa are perfect. Those who complain are all one person and that person must be an angry nut.
Sorry but if the Stoffa Administration decided you did wrong you will find no solace here. We are the Stoffa Squadron and we follow the orders of Bernie the Minister of Propaganda. You are obviously unbalanced and should be ashamed of yourself.
All Hail Stoffa!
What comes around...goes around.
" are you ready to admit that she shouldn't have been hired in the first place."
Sure. Stoffa has made many mistakes and this is one of them. Unfortunately, CSF is too much like me. She is very knowledgable and a hard worker, and deep down, I know she cared deeply about the people who work for the county. But she was always on the defensive and alienated too many people.
I liked her and think she could have worked out. She certainly wouldn't be the first county worker who is a tad caustic. But she never had a chance.
Lamont McClure allowed AFSCME to play him like a chump, not that it will get him any votes. His pandering to the union damaged Connie, and her own personality hurt her.
Stoffa has made several mistakes, and I think he'd acknowledge that. His failure to negotiate contracts during his first year in office was a big mistake. He acknowledges that, too. He could have made a better effort with Council in his first term.
He also made some brilliant appointments, including John Conklin, Vic Mazziotti and Ross Marcus.
"She was a Republican hack Stoffa was forced to hire by his Republican overlords who ran his 2005 election.
She was a disaster. Ohare cried and cried when Council brought it to Stoffa's attention."
This is the kind of ridiculous comment that gas resulted in the defeat of the Long Dems. Connie was fairly nonpartisan and I don't think she even voted. Council did not pring her to Stoffa's attention; they demanded she resign to the thunderous applause of AFSCME clowns who just managed to send Dertinger down in flames.
That's the difference betwween Stoffa and the worst Council I ever saw. They pandered while Stoffa tried to do the right thing.
"I as a twenty some year employee with a good record never had a problem until a work injury occurred and I voiced my mind to administration...I was accussed of things that were outside my character and the issues were exagerated and if I had been given the chance to prove myself I don't feel things would have progressed negatively against me"
I am sorry to hear of your experience and know you are not alone. (I've heard similar stories from people I know). We are all entitled to be treated with a little dignity and should not be on the defensive, judged from the outset. Your points are well taken and you've been heard.
I think you have every right to complain about the way you were treated and to take it to the next level if you can. But just as I would not you or the people I know to be mistreated, I do not want to see CSF mistreated, either.
Most of the AFSCME crowd who participated in that lynch mob now realize they made a mistake, and one that could come back to hurt them. What Council did to her could easily be done to any one of you, union or not.
Personnel matters should alsways be discussed privately, even when they involve the Director of Human Resources.
Bullshit Ohare! When Angle and other County Council members were publicly roasting and making career damaging comments about past Administrations cabinet members you cheered with the mob.
You and Angle are two hypocrites made for each other. YOU are damaged goods in the eyes of employees and your behavior over the past four years has made most realize you are not to be trusted.
First of all, I have never advocated the termination of a county weorker under any administration. I find that distasteful.
Second, I don't give a rat's ass what anyone thinks of me.
Third, this comment was posted by Bob Daday, who lost his marbles when Stoffa cut off his unemployment.
Seems like Mclure was on the right track foreseeing the future perhaps? She did not treat people right and tried to screw them out of what these hardworking people deserve. Hopefully she will be replaced with someone with atleast alittle compassion.
Bernie-- while not a fan of Falk, she did not deserve to go out this way. There is not one local government Human Resources Director position in the Lehigh Valley where labor "likes" that person. Unless, that person lets labor do whatever they please. That is fact. I find it amazing how local government is now trying to crack the whip on its management while giving sweet heart deals to unions. Then, the local government politicos want management to keep the union labor in line and to deliver top shelf service. Go figure.
9:27 AM..
That is one of the dumbest posts I have ever read..There is not one Human Resource person that Labor likes unless they do their bidding??? Are you 5 years old or what?
All of this misses the point. Stoffer didn't care what AFSCME or McClure thought. Council called on CSF to resign and she didn't resign. Stoffer said he wouldn't ask her to resign, and he didn't. What really happened. I believe Viktor Mazzerati and CSF got into a fight or a series of fights and Mazzerati gave Stoffer an ulitmatum. CSF is out because of Mazzerati not because of any union or some councilman Stoffer ignores.
These posta make me laugh....
Ohare blames every post he wants to discredit on this Dady guy.
You are really nuts Ohare. so is Stoffa.
Bob Daday, We had you figured out a year ago. You even embarrass your cousin. Get help.
So the story here is the Finance Director Mazzioti says it her, her being CSF, or me. John choose Vic over Connie. When did he tell her ? Sometime in November ? Bernie why don't you know this ?
Are you going to delete this again Bernie? As I said "Merry Christmas to the employees of Northampton County!" What's wrong with that? It appears that every employee and supervisor have had those words come out of their mouth on Friday!!!!!
The Maziotti conspiracy theory is just plain nuts. Whoever believes it should immediately check in at the mental ward.
That's whacko & former Reibman hallwalker Bob Daday. He posted at 6:53 & 7:45. Her really lost his marbles after Stoffa caught him with his hand in the uemployment cookie jar. He sure delights in badnews for others, and is ot above making things up as he goes along.
I think you are mistaken about Mr. Dady. You could be facing a lawsuit. So could the officials who "helped" you figure out it was him. If you are wrong Mr. Ohare you are in some serious trouble. At the very least a proven liar that cannot be trusted!
Mr. Daday, The only proven liar is you, and I've had to do it time and again. You are shaming your own family.
The above was posted by Disbarred Bernard. He will delete this because he can't handle the truth. How is that woman you screwed out of money? Way to go Berno...the only thing better than CSF going is if you follow her out the door!!
Mr. Daday, You are shaming your own family with all the hate you post here. And you're not just a liar, but a coward afraid to sign your name. Too late! We've known for a year.
Bernie, you talk to Stoffer everyday. Ask him what happened. Did she quit ? Was she fired ? Is it true she was originally given until the 31st, only to be told not to return after last Friday ? Is Stoffer mistreating ? What happened between her and Mazzerati ? Ask him ?
Crazy Bob Daday,
Why don't you make your family happy and get a psychological evaluation for Christmas? Frankly, I don't talk to Stoffa all that often and he certainly does not discuss other people's employment with me when he does talk to me. But it was common knowledge that CSF intended to leave at the end of this year and that she was quite upset and insulted by the way Council treated her bc it made her difficult job just that much more difficult.
Ohare it is hard to imagine you telling someone else to get a psychological evaluation. Between you and Angle you could keep a State Hospital busy for years.
There is more to the story with CSF. The only question is will the press go after it or continue to give Stoffa a pass.
Not a Dady
There you go again, Daday. We've known who you are for a year. Get some help.
Between the Sherrif's Dept and the 13,000 Unions, I think this is one of the hardest jobs in the County. I don't envy whoever replaces her. I'd rather clean out the monkey cages at the Philly zoo or work for an insurance company than do HR for the County.
Stoffa has already been told who he must hire for the position. I just wonder how CSF's lawsuit will proceed and if the dirty secrets of the Stoffa Administration will come out. Or will the County pay her off to keep her silent.
Should be interseting.
Anon: 4:05 PM
As a member of the cabinet, I(like Connie Sutton-Falk) work at the pleasure of the County Executive. I did not present John Stoffa with an ultimatum, and I never would. I work at his pleasure, not the other way around.
Vic Mazziotti
Vic Mazziotti's ethics are beyond reproach. Whatever nut job is promoting a CSF conspiracy should go back on his meds or be prepared for a 301 admission to ASH.
The day to day activities of the County are a business of the people. Since when do workers believe they ought to be coddled? You work, you get paid. Very simple. As a fed up taxpayer and one who has to go to the courthouse frequently, I am sick and tired of the line help that tries more often than not, to find ways to make me go home instead of serving. CSF was attempting to right that wrong and was crucified. Typical County. Continue to allow bad worker habits and punish those who try to correct them.
No ones "ethics" are beyond reproach. That is an inane comment. Anyone who believes that, deserves the governemnt they get. For years Oahre has whitewashed many untold stories.
All political appointees are subject to scrutiny not just the ones Ohare does not like. He has hardly distinguished himself as someone who should sit in judgement of others.
No, that would be Charles Dertinger, you and Lamont McCkure, who judged and executed CSF without giving her an opportunity to be heard or a chance to defend herself. Then, when she does leave, you anonymously slime a decent man and blame him for her departure, trying sdesperately to deflect your own sins.
If council had anything to do with this, this would have happened when they made the vote. It didn't happen then. Instead several months later. Bernie you are talking about 2 totally different things. Yes council did try, but they were not successful. So lets not try to pin this on them. I think we all know there is more going on then just what was reported. But again council didn't make this happen. That was far to long ago to dig it up again.
Council most certainly did attempt to make this happen, and they deprived Sutton Falk of her civil rights, exposing her to a witch hunt so they could ingratiate themselves with AFSCME. They also joined other union employees in disparaging comments about her, some of which have been repeated on this blog.
They cut out her legs from under her, destroying her effectiveness in HR. They alienated her even more.
Unfortunately, the County will have to pick up the tab for their transgressions.
Once approved by County Council only the County Executive can fire a Cabinet member. Ohare knows this but the facts diffuse his silly argument about Council voting displeasure with CSF. So what, they could have voted 9-0 to dump her and it would be as meaningless as Ohares Law license.
County councils have zero power over Cabinet members. This was an Administration move period. It would be interesting to know why it happened but the Press won't cover it and Oahre won't report objectively on Stoffa.
Hell, after the Republicans took control of Council in 2001 If I am not mistaken I believe at the behest of Angle they voted for a censure of County Executive Reibman, the only time it was ever done. Pure partisan politics since it had the effect and weight of a handful of dung. Same princilple here.
The chickens of the Stoffa Administration are coming home to roost. More to follow. Wait until the massive deficit in Human Services is to big to hide even by the Press.
Good Luck to the new County Councilmen, you are going to need it. Your vetern Republican brethern have drank the Stoffa bullshit and you must now help clean it up to the tune of a 20% tax increase.
"Council most certainly did attempt to make this happen"
You are correct. They attempted to make it happen, but it didn't happen. This is NOT the doing of Council no matter how you want to spin it. The final say is Stoffa. It is that simple.
That, of course, is precisely why Council should have kept itrs nose out of this. They only made things worse and I am sure we will be hearing from CSF again. I'd save your arguments for the inevitable lawsuit.
I can only hope the truth comes out. I would love to see the skeletons in the Northampton County closet!!
One of them is you, crazy Daday.
You honestly have me confused with someone else.
Hostile Work enviornemnt. Hell every one of Reibmans cabinet members should have filed suits.
Angle alone called most crooks. The other Republican lackeys piled on.
When you take one of those jobs that comes with the terrirtory. His people though attacked mercilessly, didn't whine and complain they just kept doing their jobs. Don't you think they felt undermined as the Republicans continued to attack them?
CSF, has only herself and Stoffa to ho;ld responsible. A suit against County Council will have no success. If whe feels betrayed that is at the feet of Stoffa and other Administrators. Let the games begin.
Stoff has already cost the taxpayers millions, sounds like a few million more won't make a differenvce.
Keep telling yourself that.
Poor Debbie DePaul was in a hostile working position caused by Stoffa. Hell he even appointed a committee of his campaign workers and supporters to tell him she could do better.
You cheered that Ohare. You are a hypocrite!
That committee, which I did cher, focused on improving our elections. It was never intended nor used to force DePaul out of her job.
The Hr Department is a mess. Unqualified people who are on ego trips.
It is need of a major overhaul. Sadly Stoffa is not the type of leader to get that done.
I am sure CSF's replacement has already been assigned to him.
DOESN'T THE BLACK SERGEANT IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WHO ALLEGEDLY HELD A FEMALE CO-WORKER CAPTIVE UNTIL SHE SEXUALLY SATISFIED HIM HAVE A LAWSUIT AGAINST CSF.IF THIS ISN'T THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.
That's one rumor I never heard.
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