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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Has Cranial Rectosis Hit John Brown?

Cranial rectosis is common among elected officials
I've been supplementing a story that first broke in Friday's Express Times. It concerns a bizarre week of unprecedented abuses of power by Northampton County Executive John Brown. He removed a link for online fraud reports that Controller Steve Barron wanted posted on the county webpage. Then when Barron sent out an email concerning that fraud tool and other matters, Brown actually blocked all group emails from an independently elected official, outside of his own office staff.  Brown also lashed out at Council in a statement he robotically read to the press, using goofy words like "craven".  Then, he strangely walked out of his own office without answering questions. He posted armed guards outside his office, to keep both the public and members of Council away during his news conference. Brown reportedly reversed course on Monday, but I happen to know he hasn't learned a thing.

Brown had a minor surgical procedure on Friday. According to some of my readers, he was suffering from cranial rectosis, a very common ailment among elected officials.

He needs to have the procedure repeated before his health plan reductions go into effect.

Though he reversed course, Brown is telling his supporters that Barron should thank his lucky stars. Brown claims that Barron's Friday mass email was illegal. What really is illegal is obstructing a governmental function. That is what Brown did. He interfered with an independently elected official. It's true that part of Barron's email was nutty, but Brown has no right to censor another elected official. Also, IT operator Al Jordan works for Brown, but he also works for Barron, the DA and the courts. He needs to listen to them all.

Brown reportedly is also considering attacking Barron because our full-time controller does some part-time work as a referee.

The Exec really must have a bad case of cranial rectosis. His head is so far up there that his voice echoes.

Let me tell you about Barron and Lamont McClure. I know them better than most.

Barron von Footinmouth
The transformation of Barron and McClure   

If you ever have a chance, ask Barron who has been his harshest critic over the years.

C'est moi.

I have nailed him repeatedly as a political Controller. Instead of acting as a fiscal watchdog, he's been more of a union agent.  I hammered his extortion at T-Mobile and his witch hunts. I happen to be the person who broke the story that he was spending a good 12 hours every week, during the work week, away from his office. I even won an investigative journalism award for that report.

I've also been somewhat mean. Though I did not invent the name "Barron von Footinmouth", I sure as hell ran with it. I even snapped and published a photo of him outside a yogurt shop this summer, which drove him nuts.

It's been fun.

But John Brown is ruining everything,

Same thing with Lamont McClure. I've been hammering him since I started blogging. But thanks to Brown, McClure has transformed from a lazy and mean-sprited partisan to an indefatigable advocate for both fiscal sanity (he spoke against these consultant contracts) and the downtrodden worker. An asbestos lawyer whose most noteworthy contribution to council has been his record absences, has changed from contrarian to a powerful voice for those who have none. He's even calling in at committee hearings. 

This really pisses me off.

Brown has been such a disaster as County Executive that he has made two of my usual targets look good by comparison. He may have guaranteed theur victory at the polls next year.

Was Barron's Mass Email Illegal?

Without question, Barron's Friday email was a bit over the top. That's because, in addition to discussing his fraud link, he went on to gossip about incoming employee Nancy L. Jones, disclosing what her job would be and how much she would be paid. This was an outrage to a secretive Executive. But is it illegal?

Of course not. While his Jones' comments certainly had nothing to do with the Controller function, Barron only revealed information that already was in the public domain.  Jones herself made her new job known when she notified Bangor's Mayor and council of her new job. Her salary and job classification are public information.

In fact, Brown should probably announce hires like these instead of trying to keep everything hushed up. The public does have a right to know who is working for us and how much they are paid.

He may not like that kind of exposure, but as one of his consultants says, "Nobody subpoenaed you to work here."

Barron von Footinmouth, Referee 

An angry Brown has reportedly told insiders that they're going to come after Barron because, though he's our full-time Controller, he also works as a referee. This is something I wrote about last year. It did not bother me then and does not bother me now.

Barron, who is paid $65,000 a year, is bound by the County's Home Rule Charter.  It clearly states that the Controller "shall devote full time to the office, and shall not actively engage in any other business or occupation."

I seriously doubt anyone but a rank partisan would consider a part-time job as a ref on weekends the active pursuit of another business or occupation.

Neither Barron Nor Council Work For Brown

The message Brown needs to learn is that the Council, Controller, DA and Judges are all separate branches of county government. None of them work for him. In fact, Brown's HR Director and IT Director work for them.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Where did you get that picture Bernie ? I`M going to bed laughing!

Bernie O'Hare said...

A medical journal.

Anonymous said...

Just shows how damaging Brown's dumb decisions have been. He is dimwitingly turning zeros like Little Stevie Blundy and Lamutt McClueless into heroes.

Anonymous said...

That would've be Little Stevie Blunder aka Barron von Footinmouth...

Anonymous said...

As a Gracedale employee, I'm used to disagreeing with most of what you write. Since John Brown was elected, however, I'm not only agreeing with what you write, but even admiring it. It really pisses me off too, but please keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Barron and McClure should not even be elected officials. They are pandering to employees and always play the crowd.
Brown is actually helping elect to bums that should be taken out by decent Republican candidates next year.

Barron and McClure are very beatable. If they win their respective elections they can thank John Brown.

Anonymous said...

Awful mayor, terrible executive; Doylestown, Bangor, Northampton county. Some things never change.

Anonymous said...

Doylestown?

Anonymous said...

nothing news worthy here - just bo beating a dead horse to death, but what should one expect. this is his MO ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Anonymous said...

Another example of abuse of power. If my budget needed to be cut I would not be filling unneeded positions. That positiin has been vacant for over a year. Somehow Doran was able to perform his duties without it. Why is she comming in at step 3? That means she will be making more than an employee who has been working for at least 2 years. This wt a time when he claims the county workers are over insured, over paid, and have too many benefits.

Anonymous said...

So you think your man Brown is acting in a rational manner? You may be suffering from a similer affliction. It involves you nose.

Tired of Being Broke said...

Way 2 go Bernie!!!! John Brown needs help.....too bad some of the State Hospitals have closed!!! Lmao!!

Anonymous said...

Secrecy and hatred of Bernie and what he can do for transparency are at the top of this administrations to do list. They are consumed by it and it needs to be dealt with and addressed at all times. How dare you question his authority? How dare you question a King? The guy is whack and has surrounded himself with sychophants and yes men and women who kneel at the throne. I thought we won the war for independance? Evidently not!

Anonymous said...

Its not that the hatred changes....its just that since Barron ad McClure hate Brown, and since Brown cut off O'Hares open access card to the courthouse, O'Hare hates Brown, so by default, anyone else who hates brown , can do no wrong in the O'Hare playbook

It has noting to do with logic, but more with a para-schitz personality and is all based on pure emotion and nothing else.

When O"Hare is a fan of yours, something is very wrong...opposite is definatley true


A word of advice to Barron and McClure, the wrong endorsement can actually ruin your chances at re-election

Anonymous said...

Gracedale was "always a budgeted item" but times have changed and the county contribution is at an all time high. You won one battle but are losing the war. Counties continue to get out of the nursing home business. Soon the Warren County Freeholders across the river will make the fiscally sound decision to get out of the business as will the Commissioners in Schuylkill County. Demonize Angle and Stoffa all you like but they were right about the financial future of Gracedale.

Anonymous said...

Agreed

Anonymous said...

sort of the same thing with his west easton obsession. transparency seems to be worse there, than it is in the county

but because there is a common hate involved, west easton's total secrecy is a good thing....

all based on emotion, not logic

Anonymous said...

Brown/Mezzacappa for Gov in 2018!

Anonymous said...

Somebody has to do the dirty work. Whistleblowing is an accepted mode of getting the truth out there for the public to see. blame Bernie all you want and throw dirt at him all day long but the bottom line is this..we need him and others like him..to stand up and say what it is and who it is and too bad if your feelings get hurt. We all agree to disagree on things but transparency is called for and will be sought with every ounce of energy possible. There will be no more dictators here in America. Democracy has consequences.

Anonymous said...

The Aristocracy is dead and buried..or is it? Some want to revive rule by wallet and portfolio size. That will not happen on this watch. Democracy will prevail..against any tyrant..big or small.

Anonymous said...

Bernie did not post armed guards outside his office to prevent council from entering. He has not toured the county telling workers he will not negotiate with any of them. He has not hired advisors who tell workers that they "were not subpoenaed to work here." The biggest of all, by far, concerns will be the decision of balancing the budget with a $20 million loan is legal

Anonymous said...

What is the new fiscal directors background. Does he follow the Bangor connection?

The Central Scrutinizer said...

Barron and McClure should not even be elected officials. They are pandering to employees and always play the crowd.

The very definition of elected official is "playing to the crowd." Glad you could join us in reality.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"What is the new fiscal directors background. Does he follow the Bangor connection? "

He is from the Slate belt and may very well have asked for this person.

Anonymous said...

Or she was assigned to Hunter. He was the Merchants Bank in Bangor office loan manager. More of the same.. friends helping friends?

Chris Casey said...

Geez Bernie, you are going to give me a heart attack! Yo have agreed with Steve multiple times in the last few weeks! Maybe you should see a doctor!

Bernie O'Hare said...

" because there is a common hate involved, west easton's total secrecy is a good thing."

Mezzacrappy, tell it to Jim Gregory and leave the rest of us alone.

Anonymous said...

Even panderers and councilmen of lesser repute are right now and then. In light of what goes as leadership these days from this executive..they look sane and make sense too. The lesser of evils perhaps?sprespti which

Anonymous said...

6:37 am I've worked for the county 7 years and I'm on step 2. You guys have to realize we aren't getting steps anymore. We are getting a bonus instead of a raise. It doesn't help my bottom line so I will never be able to get a good loan for a house. Exec sec level 3 is over $15000 more than I make. Warm and fuzzies all over!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Barron, McCloure, have my vote with out doubt...Peg Ferraro may as well. She had made some stance in identifying reality.

Anonymous said...

I've worked in the system for 15 years, have a degree, and a lot of experience. What I do in one day would make a persons head spin. I am a program specialist. I have been with the county for five years and in this position for four. In the last 4 years I've gotten only cost of living increases. My pay has remained stagnate. To know that a secretary will come in making about 5k less than what I make today makes me want to vomit. I am the lowest paid employee in my department. I know we've been told if we don't like it leave, but besides the pay I am in my dream job and love what I do. Something has to change!!!

Anonymous said...

Dear Justus James..What are you going to do now? A huge employee/union busting operation is underway at the county level. When is AFSCME going to take a stand? Leadership is desperately needed here. You are the biggest public employee union in the nation..right? Time for some political action is here.

Anonymous said...

Nobody subpenaed you to work there.

Anonymous said...

Bernie @ 9:10 AM,

Haven't heard much about your attempt to collect your judgement from "Mezzacrappy." She is still posting on her blog and polluting LVR with her comments. Care to provide an update on your legal case?

Bernie O'Hare said...

She refused to allow the Sheriff to levy, so we are taking things to the next level. We are getting an order that will require her todivulge the location of the assets she has hiddedn, and will get a "break and enter" order authorizinbg the sheriff to knock in her door.

Anonymous said...

20 + years not at my top step but someone in DHS got big raise.... mmmm pays to be republican in this administration.

Anonymous said...

Actually when I was hired they told me about the pay and benefits. I chose to leave my employer. So now they tell me you have too many benefits. We need to fix that. Are they going to pay me for all the lost wages I could have received from the employer I left.

Anonymous said...

Bernie what is this Doyelstown connection that keeps comming up?

Anonymous said...

John Browns next appointments....Lucy Lennon - Clerk of courts....Hector Nemes - Prison Warden.......LMAO.........

Anonymous said...

Brown or that Frat Boy from Bethlehem.
NORCO never had a chance.
What a shame.