I have no idea why Wheeler was let go. The person who does, Court Administrator James Onembo, would be violating Wheeler's rights to confidentiality if he were to discuss it. I do know that there has been friction between Onembo and Wheeler for months. I also know there are two or three sides to every story.
Wheeler serves at the pleasure of the Court. The Executive has no say in this matter, and those trying to blame this on John Stoffa are being irresponsible.
46 comments:
Stoffa deserves all the crap the citizens of Northampton County can give... Sadly though Bernie is right on this one. What is it Bernie... The first time in a few months. Maybe 2012 will be a bit better for you.
I suspect the crap being dished at Stoffa as planted there by your "blog mentor."
People behave. Now repeat the Northampton County pledge,
"All Hail John Stoffa"
As per his faithful Igor, Bernie O'Hare
Stoffa has absolutely no say in lead court officers, probation officers, judges' secretaries, etc. They are judicial employees and serve at the pleasure of the Court. If you want to attack someone, start with President Judge H.P. Kimberly McFadden.
The only tme the admin comes into play is when setting the budget. They could decide to eliminate or defund positions. But if they did, they'd be opening themselves up to a lawsuit from the Courts and one that the Courts would win because it has happened in other counties.
You don't know what you're talking about, don't even know Lance or the sad situation concerning this whole story, and all you can do is lash out at the wrong person.
Pray for his daughter, and hope he finds a new job.
Whoever is responsible,
why didn't they wait until Christmas Eve? Then they could prove what humanitarians they really are.
From what I was told today, Lance was "let go" today because he is and was a constable ( which is an elected position) also, he worked the polls in this past General election. From my understanding a court employee is prohibited from both of these activities, and it finally caught up to him. I feel bad for him.
I heard something like that, too, but don't know the details. I wish they could have waited until after Christmas.
Way to go Northampton county a man that has the responsibility of caring for a sick daughter now has no job no health ins.
They could have disciplined him and and let him stay till after the holidays at least.
The County that cares.
If he was working at a poll and overheard saying something about a candidate Stoffa endorsed, Stoffa may have said something to the court administrator.
You never know. Stoffa is known as a behind the scenes backstabber. Politics can really suck. All the best to him and his family.
Give me a break. You don't give a shit about Lance, and are just looking for an excuse to bash Stoffa, who does not have a mean bone in his body.
Bernie is that a picture of his daughter?
She is a cute kid.
If as the other poster said he was/is a constable and it is an elected position, how can they fire him?
I hope he gets employeed quickly.
Those health bennies are important in his circumstance.
Under rules that apply to judicial employees, they are (1) barred from holding any elected office; and (2) barred from engaging in any kind of political activity.
You know I posted earlier this really is getting to me.
May I suggest since you are in a position where you have much more information and connections than most of us, maybe you could compile information regarding all of the programs that help people in the area. Post it in here.
There is not a good time to lose a job and having this happen at this time of year complicates that situation all the more.
Maybe a list of food banks and local outreach programs.
My favorite is The Salvation Army I contribute year round.
Another is Second Harvest
The Boy Scouts..Scouting For Food
You know people eat more than 2 meals a year. It is nice to feed the poor around the holidays however now more than ever these local food banks are in need all year.
IMHO
The time of year has nothing to do with it. If he did something that was serious enough to warrant termination, then he should have been terminated.
You can't wait until "after this" or "after that," there will always be an "after something" for someone who is losing their job.
I have heard the same rumors as posted in here, and as I understand it he was warned several times.
If he knew he was wrong, and continued to do it then it is his fault he lost his job and the benefits that go with it.
I give it less then 2 weeks for the race card to come out.
Information I received was that he was let go only because he holds the elected position of being a constable in direct violation of his job duties. It is sad but he should have checked with his bosses before doing something like this considering his situation and all. I am under the impression his wife also works for the county so if that is the case they should still have health benefits.
I also am aware that he does currently work as a constable and does court work for a Northampton county MDJ. This was done while performing his judicial duties for the court of common pleas.
It is very clear that a constable is NOT a judicial officer and cannot be considered such per a PA Supreme court ruling in 1991.
It seems holding the job he had and that as a constable is a major conflict of interest.
Bernie, question here. We are all speaking of an elected position and working in the courts. How do District Judges hold elected positions yet they can still practice as Attorney's?
From what I understand, that is what many of the Attorney's are doing now in these times. They get a nice $80,000 a year job, benefits, if elected twice from what I understand they get a pension and they can still practice law. Wasn't there a time when being an Attorney and being a District Judge was like a slap in the face as to why someone would want such a position after paying $100,000 or so to be a lawyer.
If Mr. Wheeler is a constable and works in the courts, tell me what the difference is? I don't believe his position deals with making decisions, fighting for people in arguments, or anything an Attorney can do... Sounds fishy to me.
"whether we fall by ambition, blood or lust -- like diamonds we are cut with our own dust..."
Under rules that apply to judicial employees, they are (1) barred from holding any elected office; and (2) barred from engaging in any kind of political activity.
So then why are you people saying he should have been fired after Christmas? He clearly flouted the law and he clearly knew it.
No, let's keep all corrupt public employees on months after they are discovered.
9:07 post -
Again, I don't know if you read my post but why do District Judges get to practice law then? How does Mr. Wheeler being a constable (who many of them only work for certain Judges from my understanding) hinder him working at the courthouse? Do constables even deal with the Court of Common Pleas. I am sorry, I do not know this answer and am not being ignorant.
Anyone who blows a NorCo courts job where you work half time for full pay and benefits is just stupid. NorCo courts are the single most gold-plated gravy train in all of Lehigh Valley government, right after the bridge commission hammock for disgraced Dems, of course.
Lance was a Deputy Constable. He was appointed to his position, not elected as the Ward's Constable. There is a difference. BO, check with elections, that should be easy enough to find out. I don't believe Lance ever ran for election. He was appointed a Deputy, technically. If that is the case, he did not violate that portion of the law. However, he may have violated policy accepting pay for two county jobs.
I'm pretty sure the prohibition is on holding another public office, whether appointive or elective. For example, senior magistrate Sherwood Grigg recently got into hot water bc he was going to sit on a ZHB, an appointed position. He had to resign or lose his job as a magistrate.
You are wrong, he won via election in 2009 and wrote his name in.
He is an elected constable and NOT an appointed or deputy constable for Easton Ward 6.
http://www.northamptoncounty.org/northampton/lib/northampton/northamptonvote/sum_1109.pdf
"Bernie is that a picture of his daughter?"
One of them. She has a sister.
I will do that.
". How do District Judges hold elected positions yet they can still practice as Attorney's?"
There are no rules prohibiting that, but there are rules that make it impossible to work for the courts and hold another public office.
I personally am offended that some magistrates continue to practice law.
" let's keep all corrupt public employees on months after they are discovered."
I don't think there's any reason to conclude that Lance's transgressions come close to making him corrupt.
These laws are in place to prevent corruption.
Yes it is my understanding they knew he was a constable and was performing those duties.
I think he might have done something and the powers that be said..."Oh wait we have this little thing here we can use to get rid of him legally."
Inquiring minds do want to know the real deal.
"Why did onembo tell him to keep it quiet that he was a constable and why did onembo GIVE HIM JOBS TO DO AS A CONSTABLE?"
If this is true, and it's a mighty big IF, then Onembo himself is in trouble.
"Anyone who blows a NorCo courts job where you work half time for full pay and benefits is just stupid. NorCo courts are the single most gold-plated gravy train in all of Lehigh Valley government, right after the bridge commission hammock for disgraced Dems, of course."
The person who made this comment, what an idiot! That's why or 'sister' counties make 2-3x more than this county pays people to start, that, fool, is a disgrace in itself. Northampton County should be ASHAMED of themselves!
It's not an "IF", sir. It's very very true. It's proving it that will take time, but the truth shall prevail!
The comment at 12:21 was removed at the request of its anonymous author, who sent me an email message from an untraceable cellphone.
The comment at 1:22, posted by a Stoffa hater with absolutely nothing but venom, was deleted on my own.
Just heard that Lance was replaced by former deputy sheriff and McFadden ass-kisser Chris Fegley. Another ex-Allentown cop who took advantage of retirement and living comfortably. Believe me, the sheriff's department is glad to get rid of this good for nothing rat. He'll fit in well with Onembo and his corrupt cronies. Just don't look for him after 3 o'clock on any given day. Also hearing part time sheriff Bernie Tolliver will be the princess judges next tip staff when they get rid of Leo, should happen by the end of the year. Fegley's boat will be getting a lot of action to repay all those who helped him screw Lance. Hopefully he still has time to care for his special needs child.
Well Lance could easily have the last laugh here. So long as his wife maintains a county job with benefits Lance can easily make over 6 figures a year as a constable with enough work and believe it or not have a more flexible job as well.
TOLLIVER AS A TIP STAFF, HELL HE IS MASQUERADING IN THAT POSITION AS HE WEARS HIS SHERIFF UNIFORM. RANDY MILLER SHOULD HAVE PUT AN END TO THIS THE FIRST DAY HE TOOK OFFICE SINCE HAWBECKER DIDN'T HAVE THE BALLS TO. EVERYONE KNOWS TOLLIVER WAS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION "TOKEN" HIRE WITH THE STATE POLICE, AND HIS ANCESTRY OF SERVING THE WHITE MASTERS MAKES HIM QULAIFIED FOR HIS NEW JOB.
COURTHOUSE EMPLOYEES UNITE - TAKE OFF THIS COMING MONDAY IN SUPPORT OF LANCE AND LET ONEMBO, MCFADDEN, AND FEGLEY HANDLE THE FIRST DAY OF CRIMINAL COURT WEEK.
Wow O'Hare, you really have raised a stink in the courts. They already think you are nuts, now they must hate you as well.
I beleive Onembo was the guy that caught O'Hare and his "friend" in the men's bathroom in women's cloths. I am sure the courts are well aware of the O'Hare "charm" and reputation.
They didn't catch B O in the men's room. It was the ladies room. Keep your facts straight.
Living in easton suck people of color don't have a chance here
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