On Friday afternoon, Northampton County dedicated its new archives building, located at 999 Conroy Place in Forks Tp. This 9,750 sq ft building has been completely renovated with climate-controlled high-density shelving, along with a public reading room in the front.
That room is named in honor of Maurice Dimmick, the county's first archivist, and a fixture at Northampton County for many years. He started in 1961 in the Register of Wills office, and was one of the good guys who truly cared about the County. He helped design what the state recognized as the finest archives facility in the state. Glenn Reibman is the Executive who tore it down. on that day, though retired, Maurice drove to the courthouse from Northampton and watched the wrecking ball.
And cried.
That wrecking ball also lured someone out of retirement. Executive John Stoffa.
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| The plaque |
That was a bad year for Northampton County, the year of the $25 million swaption, as well as the demolition of the best records facility in the state.
This new facility was supported last year by just five members of Council: John Cusick, Peg Ferraro, Scott Parsons, Bob Werner and Ken Kraft. They all came to yesterday's dedication. Lamont McClure and Tom Dietrich voted against it, while Barb Thierry and Bruce Gilbert were absent that day. For the past nine years, the County has been paying $110,000 a year to store its records in another County, where they were hard to access and sometimes went missing.
Glenn Reibman, the Executive who tore down a state-of-the-art facility, now wants to "finish the job" he started. Another candidate, Lamont McClure, opposed the purchase and never bothered showing up for yesterday's dedication, even though a large part of it involved a special recognition of Maurice Dimmick.
After receiving a proclamation from Stoffa yesterday. Maurice tried to shake Stoffa's hand, but Stoffa gave him a big hug instead.
It was a touching moment.
We read all the time that government workers are lazy bums who do not deserve their jobs, blah, blah, blah. But most of them are like Maurice. One of them is his successor, Renee Drago. She spent years driving back and forth to Lehigh County to retrieve records as needed. How she did it is impossible for me to comprehend. If a second reading room is ever dedicated, it should be in her honor.
Northampton County's first archive building, incidentally, was built in 1926, and is probably the first ever in the Commonwealth. It was rebuilt in 1953, and again in 1984.
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| Renee Drago, Northampton County archivist, with predecessor Maurice Dimmick |
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| These old Sheriff Deed books are still in active use. I had to use one just last week for a title search. |
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| Specialized shelving |
Well done, Renee! Thank you, Maurice!
ReplyDeleteBill, You are another one of the many good people in local government.
ReplyDeleteLamont couldn't make it. He was especially busy with something.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that one of YOUR HOT TAMALIES from NorCo has been a "big wheel" in JC run? You tell me is that the right thing for her to do?? It is up to you to tell the whole story!
ReplyDeleteUnder the NC Home Rule Charter, political activity by county employees is permitted on their own time. So yes, it is the right thing to do. she has a First Amendment right to support whomever she wants, Glenn.
ReplyDeletewhat does she have on you? Or what do you have on her? Last I checked she was still married!
ReplyDeleteThis post is about the good people who make government work. That person happens to be one of them, yet you make outrageous insinuations just bc she won't support you, Glenn. I guess that she hasn't heard about the Constable Gilmore endorsement.
ReplyDeleteWho's Glenn? Glenn Reibman? The Jeanette Reibman coat-tails rider?
ReplyDeleteI suspect it is Glenn or someone very close to him.
ReplyDeleteWhen getting paided by my $ already,she should not b
ReplyDeletebe playing, "I LOVE THIS GUY HE should be my BOSS" Stop kissing her ass!
Well we bought another uneeded warhouse in forks so some politicans could get their names on a plaque. Stop the bullshit O'Hare. Save money and let the bureaucrats cry. You know damn well the rent was paid by fees.
ReplyDeleteBy the way is the JC loving chick from Human Resources. I bet she is. No secrets in the center.
You know as well as I know, this is a FACT she is doing this on NORCO time!! Now even us trolls know that is wrong! Maybe she should spend more time with her husbnd!
ReplyDeleteI think you are mistaken anon 2:48 The person you may be refering to is not the one referenced. She was part of an old rumoered romance that her husband stamped out some years back.
ReplyDeleteThis may be the Econoimic
Developenet deal. Since she may have been promised a new big promotion by the JC klan, she is a big booster. Frankly can't keep her mouth shut about it. Hopefully the new county council will not let JC goive payback jobs for the sake of paying off his cmapaign debts. A few council people are aware of this and not happy?
That is the word going around at this point.
3:48 am,
ReplyDeleteHell if that is the case, then over half of the employees at the Gov't Center would have to go. And more than half in the other departments outside of the government center would have to go. And almost all of the employees within the courts would have to go, too. So what you propose, might just get you and council (if what you say is true) trampled on. Be careful what you wish and ask for; you might just get a rude wake-up call. If you think the unions fight dirty what until you see cronyism and nepotism people fight!
I don't like people coming into my neck of the woods and trying to tell me what to do. And on top of it, they aren't even approachable. They are down right rude and feel like they are untouchable and it is beneath them to talk to use proletariat. That's why I want someone homegrown. I know everything about them and their family. I don't know nothing about the one candidate, not even his schooling. And he is definitely not cut out to be a public servant. His track record is pathetic on the simplest measures of caring: just plain old showing up. That is why Lamont McClure will never ever get my vote. I don't know one thing about him and I have been searching for his history. And every time I approach him, that is when he is around because he is hardly around, he gives me a hard time and appears to be doing me a favor. And when he does give an answer it is all that kind of political lawyer mumbo-jumbo p.c. double speak. And all I asked him was where did he go to college. What is so hard about that question? He could have made up a name and I wouldn't have even known it. So I hope one day soon he packs up shop and goes back to where ever he came from Scranton or where ever. He still won't give me a straight answer - like he is hiding something. I don't trust anyone that can't even tell me where they grew up and went to school. I know it was a long time ago and probably not even relevant, but what is so hard with communicating decently with people especially with something as simple as to your alma mater and your stomping grounds. Well to hicks and beyond with him. He lost my vote and my confidence, again! Actually he never had my confidence, but I was willing to vote for him since he helped out my youngest daughter and her job with that whole Gracedale situation. I was scared that if they went private she might be one of the ones let go because of cutting back. She wasn't hired all that long ago and the new hires are usually the ones to go first. And in this economy, who knows when, where, and if you'll find another job quickly that has any kind of pay. But she loves it there. Too bad, McClure can't understand that he lost my vote, probably my husband's and most of my children's vote because he doesn't have time for his constituents. All I wanted to know was his background. And I got a blank stare and a smart-alec answer. It will be interesting after the primaries who I will vote for because I hope McClure and Reibman aren't there. I don't want Reibman again because of the mess he created and left us with the last time. All that money and didn't do anything with it - windows at Gracedale didn't get anything instead we had half of a baseball park up in Williams Township that got ripped down anyway. Someone should write a book about the last few Co. exects and the councils abilities to work together over the past few administrations. It has a little of everything - politics, money, passion, suspense, crime, sex, drugs, and all that is missing is rock and roll.
ReplyDeleteThis should have been a wonderful story about a man's life, dedicated to a cause and working for the betterment of his community. Instead you sick bastards have to go on a tangent about your own self egos and perversions. Why can't you just stay with the subject matter of an article? There is plenty of time for your negative comments in other segments of this BLOG.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteFact: Bernie mentioned the destruction of a "State of the art" Archives Center by Glenn Reibman. That made no sense and is cannot be defended. Bernie also mentioned McClure who voted against the new facility. SSOOOOOOO they are all fair game.
ReplyDelete"It was a touching moment."
ReplyDeleteI hope he liked it...cause when the truth comes out about Johnny boy, it looks like his wife will never "touch" him again.
A man cries for two reasons:
ReplyDeleteThe first reason is when he has a super hot pamela anderson stripper type sitting on his lap, waiting patiently, but his cock wont work, so she left, with his $2,000 tip
the second reason is the government mafia tried to take away his toys..or something else of value, like freedom, earning power...etc...that makes encounters with strippers even more possible
McClure is clearly focused on working for a living, not photo ops. I want to put him to work as the County Executive, he's got my vote.
ReplyDeleteMcClure neglected an opportunity to honor a dedicated public servant. He neglected an opportunity to see the County's wonderful color guard. he neglected an opportunity to meet with numerous county employees from the row offices, who were there. That's why he should never be elected Exec. It is my hope that voters neglect the opportunity to vote for him for Exec this Spring, and for Council in the next District race.
ReplyDeleteHey, I liked being accused of having an illicit affair with someone in economic development. Now I read that it is Callahan, and it is actually someone in Human Relations. I liked the first rumor better. It's true, too. I have illicit affairs with almost all of the female employees at the courthouse. Some of the males, too. Glenn Reibman and Lamont McClure have found me out.
ReplyDeleteAs you folks can see, they have used this post to savage county employees, when it was published by me to honor them.
People like Maurice (Yes I had an affair with him), Renee Drago (She turned me down, too much hair.
I hear you've been getting physical lately, kicking and pushing people. I can't wait for you to try that on me.
ReplyDeleteWords are a much more effective weapon. Instead of responding to them, you make ridiculous and false accusations.
ReplyDeleteWasn't it caught on camera when the Blob Jack D'allesandro knocked over a woman out of her chair and knocked your camera out of your handed because you were filming his childish behavior at a County Council meeting? Talk get physical. That lady went flying out of her chair.
ReplyDeleteMaurice plays a mean organ, too. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteYou people are sick, this was a great event. Can you even go to sleep at night with all that hate and rage rattling around in ur brain?
ReplyDeleteLove the article!!!! The Archive's has been neglected by the county for years and it's about time they get the building that they deserve! Many props to all the people who fought for it!
ReplyDeleteIf we are going "there", when will we see the old Conklin governemnt center security tapes with the empolyee. The one that Mrs McHale requusested and you and the media deep sixed?
ReplyDeleteThe Economic Development persons promised promiotion and job is old news at the courthouse.
Oh my, oh my!
I repeat--I can't wait for you to try that physical BS on me. No I won't respond with words. But you'll understand me.
ReplyDeleteHey Bernie is that true? I've heard it before. Are you kicking people or deliberately bumping into them? Heard you were escorted out of the courthouse. How about a public denial for the record?
ReplyDeleteGreat story the off topic nonsense doesn't diminish your work, anyone who knows is well aware of how gentle and kind you are.
ReplyDeleteUter
So how about that public denial? Or is it all true?
ReplyDeleteGrow up you villian. Give credit where credit is due.
ReplyDeleteYou know Bernie, it is fair to point out some things. The conservative lame ducks on county council do not mind paying for a plaque with their names on it for this building. They will also demand the plaque be made for the new human service warehouse. Funny how conservative values wane when you get your name on a building on the taxpayer dime.
ReplyDeleteAs to bureuacrats crying, wahh!! Great reason for a builkding. So we are to build a building everytime a bureaucrat cries?
What a bour Gene Harzel who is roilling in his grave over the
Wolf Building. Where are the tears for hium? His vision of a downtown Easton county anchor was left to rot by John Stoffa and he has the gall to bitch about Reibman knocking down a building for needed space. The fact is the Wolf building wasn't that bad but Stoffa let it rot for seven years to get the project he wanted in his first year. Just like he wanted to sell Gracedale to finance his screwing up the swaption debt and the crazy cost of the developer built HS building.
Where are the tears for the county taxpayer. The lease in Allentown payed entirely by fees and not hiomeowners, was evil but the overpriced terrible lease with Gentile for the uneeded HS building is good?
Yes, you are a hypocrite and always have been when it comes to your mancrushes and the victims of your hate.
Facts be told, Stoffa has played off the sucess and revenue of the previous Adminstration and has still managed to leave a looming dungpile of problems for the next group coming in.
You just keep advocating buying and building more taxpayer funded buildingso for crying county employees. Wrd the taxpayers don't mind.
6:45 pm is Jim Gregory. Hey Jim, retire already and then run or council, please
ReplyDeleteWhy is your touching someone become a recent issue? Did you touch the Fake Rev. recently? Or is his imagination playing tricks on him? Or does he not have anything to refute you so he is just embellishing things? Inquiring minds want to know and the Fake Rev. isn't coming up with answers.
ReplyDelete6:54 is not Jim Gregory. I know that for a fact.
ReplyDeleteUter,
ReplyDeleteActually, I am as mean as cat shit. But my weapons are my words.
The first time I saw the Fake Rev Mario Martinez was at a crowded Council meeting several years ago, in which Gracedale was under discussion. There was a line to get into the building bc everyone had to be searched. After standing in line a good half hour, the Fake Rev showed up and cut in front of about 100 people, including me. That was my first exposure to this Man of God, whom I called rude on the occasion. He sneered.
The second time I had any interaction with him was after a Council meeting in which I had exposed him as a fraud. I related those circumstances several comments above They occurred over two years ago.
Since that time, I refuse to have anything to do with him or the goons in his flock. If he attempts to engage me, I ignore him.
On his blog, he certainly makes it seem like I just pushed or assaulted him in some way, but he held back. In reality, I have not seen him in over six weeks and will only see him at meetings where there are numerous witnesses. I really have no idea what he is talking about.
His rants here, along with those of his fellow travelers, makes pretty clear that he doesn't give a shit about the county employee.
This post was for them. For Maurice. For Renee. For the row office workers. Fr the corrections officer who spent s much time to organize a wonderful color guard.
How sad to use these people ignored by self-serving political hacks and false prophets like the Fake Rev.
Thnaks 6:54 for telling it like it is, not like O'Hare and Stoffa want it to ne. Facts are nice for a change.
ReplyDeleteLets see, we have been paying $110,000.00 a year to an outside service in another county, so they build a building with funds from the fees for archives, they stop paying 110 thousand a year to others and keep it right here in our county to pay off the little that is left for the building that we now own. I don't know what kind of math or logic 6:54 has but seriously, get your head out of your ass and wipe the hate from your eyes and find a REAL PROBLEM to bitch and make no sense over.
ReplyDeleteAlternate reality check required with this assclown
Anon 12:52 now apply your logic to the county paying a developer for an overporiced building that we will pay over two percent a year more every year for a shell and also pay all the other expenses.
ReplyDeleteI am sur eyou can make that was a logical idea. Also why use
Allenotwn until you have a more comprehensive plan for all the county needs. This way you can buy more buildings and get more plaques. Governement at its best. spending money to see their names in bronze.
Once you get your head out of Stoffa's ass, maybe you can explain.
I have deleted a Reibman contact continuing the attack on an emplyee who refuses to support him. This post is not about that, Glenn. It's about the dedication of an Archives building after you tore down a state of the art building that was the envy of the state. It's about the people who make this county click, the ones you chose to lay off and drive to unions.
ReplyDeleteOr the ones that Stoffa tried to sell off and has layed off over the past seven years. The most unfilled and deleted postions in the history of the county. Hey, what the Hell, he got another plaque.
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