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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Harp Resigns as NorCo Director of Administration

I had predicted that Northampton County Director Tom Harp would be canned on March 15, right around the time that the Centralized Human Services building was dedicated.

"Beware the Ides of March!" I would warn him.

But he lasted a little longer. He is resigning, effective May 2. In a letter to Executive John Brown, Harp states, "I was pleased to be able to complete the very important Human Services Building project, and to see that facility become fully operational."

In a memo to Council, Brown praises Harp. "He has done an excellent job with the Human Services building and managing the closure of the Bechtel and Wolf facilities. His support and guidance will be missed."

Harp is an avid baseball fan and is resigning in time to watch his grandson play.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tom is a 20 game winner!

Anonymous said...

It is about time that Brown canned him. Hopefully he cleans what's left of the past disaster.

Anonymous said...

...and get ready for the Brown hurricane.

Anonymous said...

Word on the street is a former cabinet member interviewed for the job. he was seen talking to Brown. Any news?

Anonymous said...

don't be coy...who you talking about?

Anonymous said...

BO,

I never would tell you what to write on your blog, but a suggestion...

Why don't you write a two (2) part series on the worst and best County cabinet members that have taken office? Looks like a perfect time to write a piece like that, with so many open positions. What would a County Executive look for in qualities of a cabinet member?

Just askin...

Anonymous said...

tom harp doesn't deserve accolades for the stoffa building ...shotty job and the county doesn't even own it !

Anonymous said...

Same for the West Easton jail. Shoddy construction and Atiyeh owns it.

Bernie O'Hare said...

What these people don't realize is that it is very stupid for government to build on its own. It is stuck with all kinds of restrictions that do not apply in the private sector, and could spend double what the private sector pays to build. The smart thing is to lease and then buy. That is what the County did.

Anonymous said...

@ 7:00 am,

that would be a HORRIBLE idea.

Sincerely,

A Former Cabinet Member

Anonymous said...

why not build on there own property for example at gracedale? i'm confused as to why the gov. or county has different resrticitions then anyone else ?

Bernie O'Hare said...

GraCedale is the geographic center of the county so what you say does make sense. But it is not the actual center of those who receive human services. The vast majority of those are spread out between Bethlehem and Easton. Thus it makes perfect sense to locate this facility between the two cities

As goofy as it sounds it is actually cheaper to lease than it is to buy at first. This facility was built in 10 months. At the county on the land it would've taken three years. It would also be much more expensive because everything has to be bed out and because labor costs are so much higher.

For many economic viewpoint this is the way to go.

Anonymous said...

Brown should bring in Jim Hickey or Ron Heckman. They kept Reibman from falling completely off the charts.

Anonymous said...

and what, precisely, have Hickey or Heckman doe to deserve such punishment?

Anonymous said...

7:01 AM

Jim, very funny!