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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Brown Reverses Course on Barron Blunder

John Brown
Last week, Northampton County Executive John Brown removed a fraud reporting link that Controller Steven Barron wanted posted on the County webpage. I can think of a veritable buffet of criminal charges just asking to be filed. For starters, it's an obvious obstruction of a governmental function. He then things even worse for himself with a denial of service attack. He decided to prevent an independently elected official from contacting County employees. We could argue criminality, but it was certainly a childish and petty move. It's what I'd expect from someone who posts armed guards at news conferences. But Brown has apparently reversed course. The web link will be restored. Email access has reportedly been reinstated.

Barron reportedly had a sitdown with Director of Administration Luis Campos this morning. Brown was in surgery on Friday - (he's apparently getting things done before his new health plan goes into effect) - so I think it is likely that Lehigh County resident Campos took it upon himself to deny email access to an independently elected official.

There is no question that a portion of Barron's Friday email was irrelevant to his job as Controller. But it is totally wrong for the Executive to censor the speech of other elected officials. It is completely unAmerican and antithetic to good government.

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just because a thief returns some money back to someone he has just robbed, doesn't absolve him of the criminal act, neither should John Brown and/or Cathy Allen be absolved of their possible criminal actions. If I was the Controller, I would ask the District Attorney to file criminal charges against John Brown and/or Cathy Allen for either/both of the following:

§ 4703. Retaliation for past official action. A person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree if he harms another by any unlawful act in retaliation for anything lawfully done by the latter in the capacity of public servant.

or

§ 5101. Obstructing administration of law or other governmental function. A person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree if he intentionally obstructs, impairs or perverts the administration of law or other governmental function by force, violence, physical interference or obstacle, breach of official duty, or any other unlawful act, except that this section does not apply to flight by a person charged with crime, refusal to submit to arrest, failure to perform a legal duty other than an official duty, or any other means of avoiding compliance with law without affirmative interference with governmental functions.

The Amateurs of Administration went one step to far on this one.

Anonymous said...

I doubt that Campos did this alone. Either Allen brought it to his attention or was in on the decision to restrict access. Or Jordan held it up and ratted on Barron to score brownie points (no pun intended) with his boss. But Brown owes everyone an explanation. This administration is in the toilet.

Anonymous said...

In his email to the Controller, Mr. Jordan specifically mentions John Brown and Cathy Allen as having given him direction to obstruct the Controller in his administration of his office.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure Sahl Communications will spin this as a mistake. Just like Bonnie and Clyde didn't mean to rob a bank.

Bernie O'Hare said...

The first Jordan email, which presumably was penned earlier in the week, mentions brown. The second does not. Brown was clearly involved in the decision to remove the link, but it is less clear whether he had any role in blocking Barron's email. Even the act of posting armed guards outside Council's door is a form of intimidation. But I would be very hesitant to consider criminal sanctions without compelling evidence. Just as Barron is an independent elected official whose very office demands respect, so is Brown.

Tired of Being Broke said...

This man needs to go.....plain & simple!! I'm starting to think he's alittle clinically crazy!! It boggles my mind how he got into office in the first place!! Ugh!!!

Anonymous said...

He is just the tip of the iceberg. Watch how most of his republican county council performs. You are doomed.

Anonymous said...

I'd vote for Brown over Barron any day. Barron's time theft and numerous, outrageous actions and his complete lack of qualification for the job he apparently does poorly, if at all, has been well documented on this blog.

Anonymous said...

Who was acting CE when Brown was in surgery?

Anonymous said...

Enough is enough. Brown obstructed business of the controller and should be charged. Glad he came to his senses but if nothing is filed the Controller and DA are enabling this insane unethical behavior.

Anonymous said...

isn't it time for you to find another woman to beat up?

Anonymous said...

Mr. Campos is so over his head. The rest of the appointments as well. I thought the DHS appointment had hope but sadly she is just as bad as the rest. No integrety at all.

Anonymous said...

there isn't any trust in this administration ,they are simply here to futher there own agenda's while jeopardizing the workforce 's futures. it truly is a sad situation in Northampton county when the employees have zero confidence in john brown and his cronies and why ? because they work for a living ? john brown has a lot of explaining to do he clearly is in over his head and unfit for the job.the previous county executives on either side must be cringing at his actions we sure could use Gerry seigfried around here ,he's a straight shooter and stand up guy !

Anonymous said...

Can a citizen file the complaint nd request court action for these charges?

Anonymous said...

@ 7:10

Brown qualifies.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Surgery on Friday? Couldn't have been too serious, he was spotted on Saturday evening at the Smokey Robinson Gala at Lehigh University's Zoellner Arts Center. He sat in the second row.

Anonymous said...

Sahl Communications just put out a press release.......Mr. Brown had succesful surgery to remove his head from his ass, recovery time should be 1 or 2 weeks.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Who was acting CE when Brown was in surgery?"

I believe that is Vic.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Surgery on Friday? Couldn't have been too serious, he was spotted on Saturday evening at the Smokey Robinson Gala at Lehigh University's Zoellner Arts Center. He sat in the second row."

That's good. Glad to know he's well and that whatever he had done must have been very minor. So you were with the blue bloods, too. Were you wearing a tux?

Bernie O'Hare said...

8:18, Your personal attack is OT and anonymous. You really need to ID yourself before making a statement like that.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Can a citizen file the complaint nd request court action for these charges?"

If you are referring to possible criminal sanctions, any citizen can contact the police or can file a private criminal complaint with your locAL MAGISTERIAL district judge. The matter is then forwarded to the DA. If he declines, you can appeal. But the burden is heavy.

If you are referring to civil sanctions, your remedy is at the ballot box.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure this strong armed political clown remembers and knows a thing or 2 about the above laws....Doylestown 2001. Things might be buried deep but eventually it will come out. Your past will always catch up to you especially when you didn't learn from it. Perhaps Bernie you can do a general piece on the referendum process, how it works and maybe some history on its use. Just so we can all be educated on the process. It might b something we'll have the pleasure to see sometime soon. Mr. Brown is not in the little town of Bangor any more. He's playing with the big boys now.  

Bernie O'Hare said...

9:49, instead of being cryptic, please state what you know about Doylestown

Anonymous said...

No I was not wearing a tux at the gala, I was in the second to last row, cheap seats, it was a wedding anniversary gift. Mr. Brown also was not in a tux.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, I can't yet because its burried. Record is sealed tight.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Email me what you know. BOHare5948@aol.com. You can set up a false email address but I will keep your identity to myself. I googled and am unable to find anything. I'd like to know bc there is much about John brown's past that is simply unknown.

Anonymous said...

8:40 Are you certain the surgery was successful? That's a pretty complicated operation.

Anonymous said...

Tom Muller announced that he is vetoing 16 budget amendments passed by the Lehigh County Commissioners. These include the Happy Meal/Domino's tax cut.

He did this with out armed guards. Does Lehigh County rock or what?

Anonymous said...

11:24 Per Sahl Communications the doctors are cautiously optimistic that the surgery was succesful but they did mention that his head was farther up his ass then they expected. The good news for Mr. Brown is that he got the surgery done before his increased deductible and 10% coinsurance kicked in!

Anonymous said...

11:48 are there any analcran1al surgeons in the Valley or did he have to go out of town? I believe the procedure is a Brownectomy.

My understanding is that once you stick your head up your ass your likely to do it again, so they also have to mount a device to your head to prevent reinsertion. I imagine that the new medical insurance plan will not cover this plan.

Anonymous said...

Barron has had similar surgery to have his feet removed from his mouth. But the Brown procedure is not as successful. Chances are his head will have to be extracted several more times in the near future. At least Nanny Kim keeps a good supply of K-Y Jelly on hand to make it less painful.

Anonymous said...

So Gracedale is not the problem. The actual cost driver is the need for elected county officials to constantly have unusual medical procedures( Not to mention the truck load of K-Y Jelly). If this foolishness can be stopped then there will be no need for the concessions demanded by Brown.

Anonymous said...

funny comments

Anonymous said...

This man needs to go.....plain & simple!! I'm starting to think he's alittle clinically crazy!! It boggles my mind how he got into office in the first place!! Ugh!!!

I think everyone was surprised the day after the election including Bangor Brown himself. The mayor of a shitstain beat the mayor of a city of 80,ooo people. And then people wonder why and how we got fucked.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to know bc there is much about John brown's past that is simply unknown.

I'm still trying to figure out what he did for a living and who he worked for. He's a middle aged person so he must have extensive employment history. Who elected this guy?

Anonymous said...

To steal a joke from Monty Python about Richard Nixon:

Peron 1: I heard that Brown had an asshole transplant.

Person 2: Yes, and the asshole rejected him.

Anonymous said...

Brown outright steals tax payer dollars every day he and his appointments, and contact service staff have jobs.

Anonymous said...

staunch pro-union Democrats in all their glory

see you cupcakes in November

Anonymous said...

Mr. Campos is so over his head.

Will you like Bernie, call him a brown lackey.

Anonymous said...

Yes we will see. I for one will make sure Last November never happens again.

Anonymous said...

Yes he is (notice the capital B) Brown lackey.

Anonymous said...

LOL

Anonymous said...

LOL

Anonymous said...

Wow Sahl worth every penny. Now I understand why he needs them.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA

Anonymous said...

Where is the stories about Chief Cupcake and Kid Cupcake Troxell?