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| Randy Miller |
Miller was told to take all the time he wanted, but the Human Relations office later told him he has two weeks.
Bethlehem's former police commissioner, Sheriff Miller has served as Sheriff since 2009. He was the unanimous pick of former Executive John Stoffa, the Courts and County Council.
A graduate of Madison University, Miller supervised approximately 70 deputies, as well as civilian staff. He chairs the Northampton County Chiefs of Police Association, and prides himself on the use of law enforcement technology. He implemented 37 uses of technology in his years at Bethlehem, from GPS tracking to covert and overt camera systems.
The Sheriff is considered an at-will employee who serves at the pleasure of the Executive. During the campaign leading up to Brown's election, Miller supported Brown's opponent, John Callahan.
Who will succeed Miller? That's unclear. Brown failed to answer a phone call and several emails from The Bethlehem Press. Brown told County Council at their January 9 meeting that he will advertise for candidates, which is required by the Administrative Code. But he told The Express Times that he has several candidates in mind.
Brown has named Chief Deputy Chris Zieger as Acting Sheriff, effective January 10.
Northampton and Luzerne County are the only two counties in Pennsylvania with appointed, as opposed to elected, Sheriffs.
In Luzerne County, which recently adopted a Home Rule Charter, the Sheriff is selected as a result of a merit-based hiring procedure.
In Northampton County, the Administrative Code requires the Executive to advertise for qualified candidates, after which he must consult with the Court. The final choice must then be confirmed by County Council.
Miller's dismissal has prompted Council member Lamont McClure to urge Council to consider a referendum that will enable the people to decide whether they want to return to elected Sheriffs. "Almost all Pennsylvania counties give the people the right to decide who their Sheriff is going to be," he argued. Echoing McClure, Council member Ken Kraft said it would make sense to have a Sheriff who could run concurrently with the District Attorney, and a time when people have law enforcement on their minds.
Blogger's Note: This story, which first published on Tuesday, has been updated as a result of last night's County Council meeting.
78 comments:
A position opening up for Mr.Sletvold ?
Another mistake ...piling up now.
Word on the street is Mark Kessler is being looked at very closely for this position, if that comes to fruition Boonie can expect a cavity search every time he enters the courthouse.
Politics, oh well! Next...
Does this imply that the President Judge concurred ?
Not at all. As Miller explained it to me, the courts have a say isn who is selected,but have no say over a termination. But once again, Brown is stepping on the wrong toes. His PD appointment and this are going to interfere with the courts big time.
If he wants to go to war with the courts, he loses. Big time. I don;t care if all 9 Council members are Rs.
But this is more than a turf war. As I indicate in comments to my post above, Brown's patronage choices could endanger lives.
The one time I didn't vote along my party's line and a Republican gets in. I am so glad I didn't vote for Brown. He had no credible prior experience and it shows. Did he ever return the money to Bangor for his ill-advised management trip?
What can be meant by moving in a different direction?
Nowhere to go but down if that's what he means!
I guarantee you- this is just the beginning. His decisions so far underscore his lack of experience. The voters of northampton county were fooled by this imposter...
Isn't Craig DeFranco (Chair of the Republicans) a former Chief of Police? Maybe there's another patronage government handout job coming.
It happens. Your boy Stoffa did the same thing to people. Life goes on!
As an employee of the sheriff I am greatly saddened by this. He was doing great things to correct the mistakes made by the last sheriff with policy, staff and equipment. I looked forward to working with him. He brought in polite hard working people and updated our office.
I understand that Brown has every right to choose his own people. But what perplexes me is he has no one lined up. This is not like Bangor, which went without a chief for years. He has fired a guy who did a phenomenal job by his own admission, and has no one to succeed him. That is what makes no sense.
Guy's been in office for ten minutes. He knows who the replacement is. I'm enjoying the very very very sour grapes. You lost badly and whining is all that's left to do. I shall enjoy it richly. It sounds like victory. Bernie, please accuse him of being a racist and let him know exactly whom he's not dealing with! Go get 'em!
Strike two, I can't wait for the next one. Why would you tell him to pack his bags when you do not have a confirmed replacement? It takes a minimum of a month to get a person in front of the personel committee for confirmation, what are we supposed to do here, have a department without a head to run it until this clown picks someone and county council approves?
Signed:
I have a bad feeling about this.
More like 3 mos. minimum here. They will advertise. It will go to the courts. It will go to the Exec. It will go to Council.
" He knows who the replacement is. "
really? Does that mean the advertising is a charade? Dies that mean the courts will have no say? Name this replacement. You can't even identify yourself.
Brown is an idiot.
"I'm enjoying the very very very sour grapes"
Let's get one thing straight. Brown has every right to install his own people. I get that. But he has cut off the head of a vital department with no replacement in mind. I also question whether he discussed this with the court.
i'd like to tell you his response, but he has not returned my call. he apparently has not answered Tom Shortell, either.
If he said he is here to serve, he can do that by being transparent and accountable.
Bernie, it sounds to me like the Brown Hole of allentown is in the Hole of the valley? ReNewdaHole of lehigh valley?
redd
patent pending
Brown was a terrible mayor and lost this election in Bangor. it will take Bangor years to recover from Brown, and the county, decades. One term will be 4 years too long. Chief Kerrigan must be laughing his ass off, as collects the money from his illegal firing.
Call a waaaaaahhhhhmbulance! I support all politicians of all sides who ignore Bernie. Playing along with Bernie can only turn out badly for a public official.
I feel bad for Sheriff Miller, I met him during the Citizen's Academy and he seemed to be very knowledgeable and passionate about what he did for the County, and by all accounts from folks I spoke with in the department, there were no complaints. Does Brown have an issue with the law and it's enforcement? Firing the Police Chief in Bangor and never replacing the position, installing a conflict of interest in the Public Defender's office and now firing the Sheriff with no successor. I just find it all odd at best and questionable at worst. No sour grapes here, just intrigued.
Hopefully Donchez gives Miller his old job as dog catcher back. The only thing Miller did for the department is outfit the deputies with blue shirts and put fancy stickers throughout the department.
The Accredidation process was started long before Miller took office. All he did was hire a former Montgomery County police officer to plagerize the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department Accredited policies at a salary of $50,000 per year. This could have been done by anyone with a brain in the department.
The Union prez better get some new knee pads now that his boy Miller is gone.
Wait til Brown eliminates deputy positions and people are unemployed since you let Miller hire the blue coats, took away work from members you are suppose to represent, and will eventually loose the Union when the County establishes that deputies no longer provide security for the building entrances - this is what allowed you to be your own Union in the first place. Hopefully the union prez will supplement the lost wages of these out of work deputies with the 6 six salary he was given by Miller for overtime (and other) jobs.
Stoffa dumped a guy because he was pissed about what he said over a decade earlier. Appointees know that they are there at the whim of the top elected official. If you don't like it leave.
I find Bernie's outrage amusing considering how it was never a problem when one of his mancrushes did it.
Hell, he is more upset about this then the illegal hiring of Stoffa hack Ross Marcus by CACLV.
Sheriff Miller is a big Callahan supporter. I believe he even contributed to Callahan's campaign. So I get that Brown would be uncomfortable with him. But I think he should have kept Miller there until his successor was confirmed. This is not some tiny police department. It is responsible for serving papers, prisoner transport, and courthouse security. The lives of people, especially judges, are in the Sheriff's hands. Brown should have asked Miller to stay until his replacement was confirmed. That would be asking a lot of Randy, but he cares about what he does and I am sure he would have made the transition smoother and ... Safer.
Well said Bernie, well said!
Miller made himself a political operator and earned his political dismissal. He placed a bet and lost. The Callahan coronation was cancelled. Next item, please.
The canceling of coronation will be best thing that ever happened to callahan. 150k per yr and no bullshit. Yeah who lost the election?
"...The lives of people, especially judges, are in the Sheriff's hands. Brown should have asked Miller to stay until his replacement was confirmed..."
While I agree that the new County Executive should have kept Miller until the next Sheriff was approved by County Council, I take exception to your assessment that the lives are in the "Sheriff's" hands. Much like any other department, the next officer in charge, in this case, Chris Zieger, by law, would be the interim officer in charge. He has at his disposal, several capable Lieutenants and other Supervisors to assist. For the most part, through recent hirings, training and accreditation, the rest of the deputies will suffice in providing the safety of the judges and the public-at-large. One person does not provide this alone. I have faith, that in the interim, absent a Sheriff, the rest of the department will function and provide the same professional service as before. Your lack of confidence in them is apparent. Appalling and apparent. Again, I don't agree with Brown not keeping Miller until another Sheriff is appointed, but your assignment of Miller's omnipresence is astounding.
Is this the same John Browne who was awarded the weekly, Thursday RenewLV Fab Photo contest on a Monday, one day before the election?
My sincere apologies if am confused with bike enthusiast and creative photographer John M. Brown from Palmer Township. Maybe someday he will submit a Fab photo.
a Kessler appointment for sheriff would be a fine choice replete with new uniforms, "Brown" shirts perhaps?
To anon 6:24...
Hey guys, no need to waste tax paying money on finding a replacement, we have an all knowing candidate right here! Or perhaps this false prophet is a two bit mole. A former, or interesting enough, a CURRENT employee with a crateful of earth shattering ideas but not an ounce of fortitude behind their low brow gibberish. You're not fooling anyone with your anonymity...
"A call to John Brown was not immediately returned"
Ever get that call Bernie? Now that your buddy Stoffa is out I'm sure that phone will be really silent! Don't wait around. I'm sure your last on Brown's list to call.
I believe 8:58 is smoking crack. I agree that the Chief should be able to run the department, but is this guy capable. He failed miserably during the bomb evacuation last year. His only asset is that he kisses the judges asses.One of his LT. has cried openly in public on several occasions, and the deputies have "no faith" in her leadership abilities. The department is sergeant heavy, and hopefully Brown will address this before he considers raising taxes. This department can easily function with half the sergeants it now has if they were made to work.
And the statement that the deputies provide security is so far from the truth. Miller hired unarmed, old "blue coat" deputies to work at door entrances - replacing armed full time deputies. This was a sale out by the Union prez for his acting sergeant position at a salary higher than any current sergeant.
Revenue from civil service has declined since Miller became Sheriff and the civil sergeant could care less as long as he gets his OT - at the price tag of 10 additional weeks of comp time last year. The sergeant works an additional 250 hours and civil revenue still declines. This is a problem that Miller should have addressed.
Please address this incompetence before you raise any taxes Executive Brown.
Randy is a good man who has done a fine job as sheriff, but took a risk in openly endorsing and contributing to Callahan's campaign. He was at Johnnie Casino's election night headquarters as were other county employees at the political feeding trough. He picked the wrong horse and it had to be shot. His arrogance cost him. Time to move on.
9:36 is quite apparently a disgruntled and uneducated employee. Everyone, but this idiot, knows that the Sheriff's Department is NOT a revenue producing department. All fees are generated and collected in the Prothonotary's Office and has been since 1993 regarding civil process. The Sheriff's Department just executes such process. Sheriff's Sales are at an all-time high with the bad economy, unfortunately, but such fees are rolling in the County coffers. You are just a disgruntled employee and should do the public a favor and resign.
"Randy is a good man who has done a fine job as sheriff, but took a risk in openly endorsing and contributing to Callahan's campaign"
I get that. See my comment at 6;30 pm.
9:23, aka Tricia Mezzacappa, I do not need access to break stories. In fact, I broke this story before either of the dailies. the call to Brown was so that he could have his side of the story told as well. It'scalled fairness, a concept that eludes you.
8:58, Chris is a great guy and so are most of the deputies. They are a very impressive bunch. But when you cut off the very active head of a department, without someone to replace him right away, you are asking for serious trouble. So yes, I would and do argue this is a matter of public safety, not just the typical patronage politics.
10:16 - You are the uneducated idiot. The Prothonotary has Sheriff's employees who work in this office, and the accredited policies of the Sheriff's Department make note of this. So the fees are generated by the Sheriff asshole. Sheriff sales may be at an all time high, but civilian process servers are serving the complaints, not deputies. Thus, the County is losing money for the service. And good money at that. The Sheriff Department generates revenue from the service by its deputies. Put down the crack pipe you are sharing with 8:58. The County is in bad shape for employing derelicts like you.
Miller like Karner in Bethlehem hitched their wagons to Callahan. Karner was even part of the inside group that helped endorse Willie against Bob in the mayors race.
Good she had Lisa Boscola helping her. Many in Bobs camp were shocked he gave her a job.
She lucked out Miller did not. Actually Miller is a good guy.
Unlike you. You are an anonymous coward.
I understand these patronage positions. That doesn't mean I like the concept, or think they are the best way to get the work done, but I get it. Still, to let someone go w/o a confirmed replacement ready to step in seems a bit thoughtless. Much like the PD's appointment of Sletvold, I am REALLY concerned about Brown's ability to think anything through before acting. Even though Randy Miller supported Callahan, he has always brought a lot of integrity to any position he has handled. Brown could have easily relied on him to have kept the shop running w/o any trust issues until he had a confirmed replacement ready to go. I am trying my hardest to be open about the next 4 years, but Brown is making it very difficult right now.
I supported Callahan, but Brown is the better man in the eyes of the voter. I am trying my best to be fair to him. He is entitled to his own cabinet, but that should not be at the expense of the public safety. These days, courtrooms are scary places with people who do not think twice about getting violent. Northampton County can operate without a Sheriff bc of its excellent leadership, but only for a brief time. It will take three months minimum to replace Miller. Brown has every right to insist on someone he can trust, but Randy Miller should have been asked to stay until his replacement could be confirmed.
As for the PD, this really is a no-brainier. One of the sletvolds has to go. I thought Jennifer wanted to be a judge, but the conflicts have not only handcuffed her, they are going to get someone hurt. This is not political. Nor is it a swipe at Bob Sletvold's ability as a lawyer.
But the hubris displayed by both Sletvolds and Brown is jaw dropping.
Wouldn't Mr,Sletvolt,Esq. be a great Sheriff if things conflict with the PD occupation? Administration and leadership, delegation and education.He would have it all in one bag.Why not?
That is Brown's call. I see a number of deficiencies, the chief of these being that he is not a trained police officer. The whole point of an appointed Sheriff is to professionalize the office. Also, I doubt Sletvold would take it. It is FT while the PD job permits him to keep his private practice. But that would present nothing in my mind that would pose a threat to public safety.
I don't believe having been a POLICE OFFICER is a criteria, I'm I wrong? . After all police usually don't know about civil law issues,and only fractionally ever touch the issue. Although ,What did Teddy Roosevelt know about being a NYC police chief,or Schwarzkopf for NJSP? LEADERSHIP!Law enforcement as we know it at the "head end of a crime" in commonly not an issue here in Pennsylvania.,with exception to a couple of counties of 67.
Peter, as I have already told you, I doubt very much that Sletvold would want a FT position that prevents him from practicing his chosen profession. But as I also told you, I see nothing that would disqualify him.
Miller allowed his goons to run amok and did not hold them accountable for transgressions against those brave enough to stand up his termination is to be applauded.
The above comment is from Michael Holmes, who recently pleaded guilty to harassment. He had insisted he would go to trial and, if convicted, would go on a hunger strike. He had a web page accusing the Sheriff of dastardly deeds. But he quietly pleaded guilty, took down his moronic web page, and is now too cowardly to sign his name. It is no wonder Holmes disliked Miller. Holmes is one of the bad guys. He disgraces his supposed Irish ancestry by his refusal to take responsibility for his words.
Bernie, you are a tech guy obviously, I am on other end of spectrum. I do agree with you that Sheriff Miller helped this department from his angle go forward.He is an articulate man and possess a professional appearance . BUT, Personally ,he could not return my phone call while I had county business as State Constable.This issue was pertaining to a fugitive .He also lost 3 people at domestic relations as the the result of unresponsiveness, I personally engineered them out and their union president did nothing!Shortly--- No Constable will work for domestic relations s and the people in charge don't know why yet.Sorry- Sheriff Miller that I'm a neophyte in your mind but, good buy.
Peter, what you appear to be saying is that Miller was no good based on your own personal experience. That's fine. My own experience was much different, and I have a hugh opinion of him.
brown hhas the right to replace him, but the way he is doing it is foolhardy. He should have asked Miller to stay on until a replacement could be found.
Stop whining. You cheered Stoffa's crazy moves now you are whining like a baby.
Callahan lost and Brown won. Too bad for you. So now you are going to bang on Brown until he kisses your ass like Stoffa did.
Hey Bernie boy
Check the IP address @
12:58 PM
Stop blaming bullshit on me
@6:21 Bernie boy is afraid of the truth behind Miller's nice guy facade so he tries to discredit real Irishmen like me and you with his despicable distortions straight out of the Saul Alinsky playbook.
Brother Mike get back in the blogosphere and let your voice be heard.
I propose this for Executive Brown's theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrnZSLwfzVs
(Listen closely to the lyrics, particularly at 2:45 - such irony!)
I'm to busy fishing and enjoying the warm weather.
9:26 good one! Boy was Marley stoned that night.
Irish, the nwords of Europe.
I apologize and did not broadcast my rational self. I had a bad day I guess, as you can imagine I had been attuned to my work with a passion!! I think Mr Miller is a fine man and I take back some of my self centered statements.The world does not revolve around me. Had we knew each other, we probably would have had conversations about the same characters and maybe HE WAS indeed too busy to recall anyone that day.Again, I do wish him well.
Peter, you were right on the money. All Miller cared about was himself. The stickers throughout the office with HIS NAME on them - waste of taxpayer money - exemplify this. He never produced the extra jobs he promised the deputies, and lost the ones previously had. Miller bribed deputies with perks to avoid union grievances, and the new prez bought into this hook, line, and kneepads. On the surface he appears to be a nice guy, but he is a vindictive self centered ass. He got what he deserved. Maybe he should apply to be a blue coat since he can't qualify with his sidearm.
"On the surface he appears to be a nice guy, but he is a vindictive self centered ass"
Sounds like Stoffa. Those are the kind of people Stoffa liked to hire.
I being firearms forward,and former'Governors Twenty'8 years in a row shooter did not like the 'POLICY" about use of ammo in issued guns. How ever the people that protect the Judges are so poses to know how to ....if the shit hit the fan ... if they don't get range time , / I have worked with a couple of his people to get them ready to qualify and I will say this is not just Mr Millers fault , the last sheriff did not do anything ether.So, take heed or lose the first battle.,in your own house.I like a lot of folks at the court house,and they like me and I hope they are safe this year.Don't know what a Governor's 20 shooters is Google it,
Peter, deputies are given no less than 9 chances to qualify each time. A handful use six to eight chances every time they qualify, and this is with some generous help from the instructors. If the shit were to hit the fan at the Courthouse, there would be bullet holes everywhere but in the bad guy.
I hate the fact you keep kissing Miller's ass, as he and you know it is the Executives prerogative to do this. I also love the fact that Mr. Brown is giving a big F-U to you and your Bethlehem Press rag. Good for him, like him already. A refreshing change from that attention whore Stoffa.
As to Lamont McClure and Ken Kraft they are grandstanding and their idea is trill stupid. Just as they are. County would be better off if the executive could fire them.
I think I make it clear in my story that the exec can fire Miller, and that Miller supported Callahan. That is not the issue. The point made by McClure and Kraft is that, since this is apparently a political decision for brown as opposed to one based on merit, the people should be involved. I will wait to see how the courts react to what is happening before forming an opinion of my own. Right now, I tend to think the appointment process is better, but it should be non-political.
As for you loving his big FU to the press, which at least initially included all the media outlets, I still was able to brake the story, and wanted input from Brown so that the story would give the reader his perspective. he chose not to provide his perspective. That does not hurt me bc I still broke the story, but it hurt him bc he did not get his side told to the people he claims he is serving,unless he is serving the LV partnership.
If Brown thinks he can manage the news, he is about to be sadly disabused of that notion.
"since this is apparently a political decision for brown as opposed to one based on merit"
You know this how??
As a republican I am offended. Your asshole buddy Stoffa dumped at least a couple people I know were more qualified then the people he brought in, yet somehow you will justify or sugarcoat that. And these people were democrats I am referencing.
So Bernie. This comes off as a hissy fit on your part. As every executive could be blamed for making decisions to dump people and hire new ones based on politics, whims and etc. and not merit.
You really are stretching this because Brown has pissed you off.
I doubt he feels he is depriving the "people" by not responding to your bottom feeding hateful blog that is arbitrarily outraged.
As a Republican, you may be offended, but you are also biased in Brown's favor and are looking at him through rose-colored glasses.
This is undeniably a political decision. I know this bc Sheriff Miller has been exemplary and had the confidence of the courts and his staff. He improved the office and professionalized it. But he supported Callahan. So Brown could not trust him. I get that. It is politics. I have no problem with that decision either. I do have questions about it.
As for Stoffa, you have no idea what you are talking about. His Director of Court Services is an R. His HR Director was an R. His Director of Admin was an R.
And yes, Brown's refusal to return a call or respond to emails betrays a lack of transparency that has existed since his days as Bangor Mayor. Those were fair, not insulting, questions. They were posed, not just for this blog, but subscribers to The Bethlehem Press. He said he was elected to serve. If he is serving the LV Partnership, then I could see why he refuses to answer. if he serves the people who elected him, he should have responded. he appears to be giving the brush off to the dailies, too.
You missed the point by accident or on purpose and you know it. Keep singing the song. No one is listening except those of us who will call you on your bullshit.
Your point, as I take it, is that every Executive makes political decisions. That is true. The HRC gives every Exec the right to make political decisions with respect to his cabinet.
But my point, which you seem to miss, is to ask whether the Sheriff's office should be political. If it is an appointed position, then perhaps the determination should be based on merit as opposed to patronage politics.Why else would the court be involved?
And if it is merit-based, then perhaps a condition of employment should be an agreement to refrain from political activity, as the court imposes on its own workers.
If not, then perhaps the office should be elected.
Every position in county government is political at its roots.
Anon 10;08-enough said, Just the task of articulation of a GLOCK trigger to single action takes practice ,a lot! Adding the fact that cycling this firearm beats up a shooters trigger finger after 60 rounds. They need a coach to help with gradual increase of familiarity just like anyone else who wants to excel.Get ether or both Steve Himmokie's, and he would be the best you can get,locally for your need, no question in my military mind he is the best fit.If they want to fix it,and give the staff confidence they MUST practice.Look even world class shooters like TUBBS and golfers like Tiger Woods have coaches.
Anon. 9:36pm
Chief Deputy Zieger is more than capable of running the department. He is one of the few people in the Sheriff's Department that takes pride in his work. He has integrity and doesnt speak negatively about the department. Never has, never will. He's made mistakes and he's learned a lot. Deputies may not always agree with his decisions and thats okay, you don't have to. Like I said before, he takes pride in his work. It's unfortunate he has assholes like you working for him. Or are you one of the deputies that lost their job due to their own illegal conduct??
I have known Chief Zieger for many years and he is a class act all the way. I believe he would be Sheriff Miller's logical successor. Miller got rid of the dead wood, and as you can see, they've been reduced to posting anonymous smears on a blog.
Miller was a Callahan clan flak much like Karner.
Bernie, I know you loved Callahan. I knew him to be an overblown jerkoff. He had a well earned reputation as a slick and sleazy politician. His showing on his 150 vote win in the city confirms that.
However, I am not one to vote for "anyone" if I dislike the other person. I could not vote for Brown because I met him and I realized he was singularly unimpressive as far as running a large operation.
This is what happens when people get "angry" and vote for the other guy without researching the other guy.
At least with Callahan I had hope he know enough to want experienced and qualified people in the county to help. On the other hand Brown looks like he is getting some shitty advice and is just treading water at this point. That was my fear about this guy from the beginning. The last time the Partnership decided things in Northampton County it went to Hell in a handbasket.
Wait 'till you see my posts for tomorrow. The danger is not the tea party. It is the LV Partnership. Looks like they have their boy.
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