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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Brown Staff Cuts Hampers DA Attempts to Notify Defendanta of Trial

Though Northampton County Executive John Brown denies there's a hiring freeze, he's not replacing people as they leave. One of the departments affected by this is the County's printing department, where John Niski worked for many years. He's the man who prepared County stationary and envelopes with the correct return addresses. But like many others, he has retired. His position is vacant. Now his absence is hurting the District Attorney's office and the rights of criminal Defendants facing trial. That's because the office has run out of envelopes containing the return address and other postal information necessary to prove that notice of trial was delivered. Secretaries in the District Attorney's office have been forced to hand-stamp envelopes for criminal trial notices.

District Attorney John Morganelli, who was made aware of this problem this morning, fired off this email to Executive Brown.
John
I was just informed that due to your decisions not to replace people in the printing department, the District Attorney’s Office is without sufficient envelopes with the proper return address information to mail thousands of notices to criminal defendants and victims for the upcoming criminal court.

With the retirement of John Nisi, there is no one to perform his printing duties. Our plain white envelopes were ordered by him who printed the District Attorney Office required information on the return address part of the envelope to comply with postal regulations. My staff is literally trying to hand stamp thousands of individual blank envelopes to attempt to meet our obligations. We have no ability to individually hand stamp envelopes, and then place each in a typewriter to add the required language not contained on the stamp. This is going to crash the criminal justice system in Northampton County and result in public harm. Quite frankly, this is unprecedented and unacceptable. I cannot stand by and watch you create a mess here. I have informed President Judge Baratta and he is prepared to issue a court order at my request ordering your administration to supply us with our needs immediately.

John Morganelli
Director of Administration Luis Campos came down to the DA's office, and offered to help stamp envelopes.

65 comments:

MOLON LABE said...

Keep cutting John Brown, the bloated carcass of NorCo government should be lanced unleashing the gasses accumulated over years of stagnation.

Unfortunately the stench will do little to repel a certain cretin from Nazareth who is immune to malodorous environments due to his lifestyle.

Anonymous said...

i'm not a brown apologist, but isn't this something that could be cranked out relatively easily on a PC and printer?

Course, presuming the answer to that is yes, it's something Brown should either:
a) have done, or
b) notified the affected departments they would have to do themselves,

before they ran out.

seems to me that Brown has no idea what the County does. he's just shutting down functions until something breaks (as in this instance) and then figuring out what to do next.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Well, IT did come to the rescue and will have the forms ready for the DA tomorrow. But as you note, Brown should have alerted the DA and other departments who have an obligation to provide notice of upcoming trials.

Bernie O'Hare said...

2:58 is Tricia Mezzacappa, who has yet to surrender her car to the Sheriff, but has instead hidden it after levy.

Anonymous said...

Where's Cathy Allen when you need her!?!!!!

Anonymous said...

John Morganellie help John Brown get elected and now look what happened. None of this would be happening if John Callahan would have been elected. But people like John crossed party lines just because John Callahan supported Willie Reynolds for Mayor in the City of Bethlehem.

Anonymous said...

John nisi warned some of us at the prison to put orders in about 2 weeks before he left. We were then told to make sure we ordered enough to last us at least 6 months bc there was no plan in place to replace him.

Bernie O'Hare said...

4:06, I'm sure Morganelli is surprised to hear he helped get Brown elected.

Anonymous said...

This is one thing that can be done on a computer or outsource to a company., We need a fulltime person to make Johnny Morgo's letters, really?

Good for Brown. Keep exposing the waste. And thank you Bernie O'Hare for showing us how wasteful the county was under your old buddy.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Oh I see. Outsource the county stationary and postal reg requirements. Why didn't Brown do it? Have IT DO IT. Why didn't Brown tell them? He knew his printer was retiring and made no effort to ensure that those functions would continue seemlessly. This was simply bone-headed.

Anonymous said...

4;48, you have no clue of what your talking about. this was a one man department, down to no one. who did the printing countywide. stop talking so stupid.

Anonymous said...

btw, the name of the one man show who worked his ass off for the county was NISKI. Work- something some commenters on this site know nothing about.

Anonymous said...

It certainly should have been handled better, but if Morganelli's staff can't figure out how to print envelopes off their PCs, they 1) have been wasting a lot of taxpayer money and 2) are either stupid or unmotivated. This indicates a problem needed to be fixed. I agree with 3:22. But Brown is bending a wasteful paradigm that's been decades in the making and he has lots of enemies. Better tact won't prevent him from getting blasted for everything from envelopes to accusations of killing a county employee. Political silly season is always in season. Try cutting one dollar from the Leviathan's budget and the hair-trigger response is soon to follow from those who think a reduction in the rate of growth of spending is a cut. Go figure. Nothing changes.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry allentowns administration will harbor all northamptons garbage¿ Anyonelse see three arrested today and the girl is DA martin¿

Anonymous said...

2:58........get a job and contribute to the tax base instead of feeding off the government. You are a sponge riddled with mental illness. Mr. John Niski was a hard worker with integrity, 2 things that would never describe you! Go back to New Jersey, SKANK!

Anonymous said...

Every person involved in this story looks like an imbecile.

Even Jose Campos who came down to volunteer to help stamp. That was certainly an efficient use of county resources.

Anonymous said...

Bernie the envelope shortage is only the tip of the iceberg, John handled 99% of the printing duties for the entire county. He was in charge of printing everything from business cards to public defender applications. There were a shortage of pd applications at the jail which resulted in prelim hearings being postponed because the defendant wasn't assigned legal representation.

Anonymous said...

This is almost comical. Envelope printing could be done inexpensively at a Staples store.

Anonymous said...

Employees have to give 30 day notice to retire. Didn't anyone plan for this man's retirement? How STUPID! I would imagine that Mr. Campos is responsible for this since he is Director of Administration. What the hell does he do??? WANT TO SAVE THE COUNTY TAX DOLLARS, FIRE THE ENTIRE WORTHLESS ADMINISTRATION!

Anonymous said...

The girl is DA martins illegitimate child from allentowns carnival back midway of years past¿

redd
patent pending

Anonymous said...

Instead of Campos stamping, send Kathy Allen, ex-secretary, and Camille Bartlett, ex- Kathy Allen and ex-Administrative Services to handle the job. Does not EVERYONE have to take on more responsibilities OR are they excluded because they make the big salaries? Their individual salaries equal two positions of the lower positions.

Anonymous said...

So Campos IS useful - for stamping envelopes. Our tax dollars at work.

Anonymous said...

6:02 Yeah staffing shortages in every department at the county is hysterical. This isn't about envelopes moron, this is an article to expose the staffing shortages and the consequences of those shortages. What's comical are the trolls that continue to support this anchor of a county executive!

Anonymous said...

So Moganelli is freaking out about envalopes and writing memos and having court orders drafted while Brown, his administration, the courts including president judge Baratta, Norco council AND Morganelli sit back and allow the prison to be danderously understaffed, cyf without caseworkers needed, court offices understaffed, allowing people to be fired left and right for no reason and it is now that someone is doing something because mail is not going out? Where are the priorities here in this county? This is a joke. So happy my hard earned money is going to taxes to help fund this inept and clueless county government. Elections have concequences. Just wait until something goes drasticly wrong due to this incompetent county government. Civil attorneys should be lining up at the court house doors to start litigation because it is just a matter of time. Shameful and

Anonymous said...

Hopefully, the department that sends out notices associated with levying and auctioning off the goods of deadbeat county residents in order to pay off lawful judgments has sufficient resources. That woman needs a serious bitch-slapping.

Bernie O'Hare said...

6:02, the envelope printing could be done there, but they also needed to be coded for tracking. On top of that, this is for the District Attorney, and official prosecutor letterheads should not be entrusted to a third party without a contract, vetting and a bond.

Anonymous said...

Think about 10 Cathy Allens doing the work of one retiree. That sounds about right.

Jim Gregory and his bosom buds in State Prison could whack out a few boxes of these envelopes in a day. We'd actually be getting something in return for our money.

Anonymous said...

Its about time John Brown steps down because he does not know one thing about running a County Government. Look how he messed up Bangor him and his Cronies. They should all go back to Bangor.With his cuts in employees it is hurting all County residents one way or another. John take your ball and your team back Home!

Anonymous said...

I am a county employee. For the first time in my life I voted Republican. Voted for Brown. I'm staying anonymous because I am embarrassed. Practically shot myself in the foot.
EVERY department is a mess. There is a hiring freeze. Short staffed, forced overtime, exhausted employees. My dept hasn't had a raise in 4 yrs with none in sight.
I have 12 yrs with the County. My Dad used to be proud as I was. I'm a Northampton county resident and employee, who lost all pride. Shame.

Anonymous said...

where's allen in this mess? Oh yeah, she's too busy digging up dirt on employees thru her snitch squad. What a bunch...

Anonymous said...

J.M. is not going to let J.B. mess his department up. He should be looking outside his office to see the mess he has already made and continues to make! If J.B. refuses to hire staff he should figure out how the work is going to get done. It is left up to those who make a quarter of his salary to try and pick up.

Anonymous said...

the admin. knew he was gonna retire for months, but did what they know best....nothing.

Anonymous said...

maybe t.m. could lend a hand. but she's too busy running her mouth.

Anonymous said...

or maybe she will make her house disappear next...she should have her own show like criss angel.

Anonymous said...

Morganelli, county council, Judge Baratta and anyone else in the position of power over this administration is letting every department, every service, every employee her messed up. Everything in this county is becoming one big gigantic messy disaster. If the general public even had a peek of the mess that is being made there would be outrage from tax payers. Red flags are all over the county in every single department.

Anonymous said...

Neglectful?

Ovem Lupo Commitere said...

One of Brown's campaign fliers I saved told us that he had "30 years of experience leading multiple corporate enterprises... (and) now plans to bring his business acumen and leadership to work" for us fortunate residents of Northampton County.

Of course that meant, if taken at face value, that he was "leading" corporate enterprises since age 22. What enterprises did he lead? Seeing his leadership of Northampton County I am curious-- Are any of them still in business as a result (or in despite) of his leadership? Do any of them have names? How many people did any of these "corporations" actually employ? In other words, was there any real correlation to his resume vs running a "public" enterprise with a $334 million budget? I wasn't, but majority of voters were certainly taken by the rhetoric. Was there any truth behind the vague biography? It seems like weekly we read in the papers and blogs of one misstep after another that belies 30 years of supposed corporate "leadership."

Anonymous said...

Allen should have been in charge of administrative services and had a succession plan in ace before Niski left. But she was too busy meddling in the prison and getting her friends hired. This administration is so inept and negligent, it isn't funny. Morganelli should launch an investigation of Brown's neglect in providing an essential service to his critical operation.

WestEastonian said...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/253339134/Gregory-SLams-O-Hare

Excellent LTE from JG

Dandy Paul said...

"Excellent LTE from JG"

You're the only one who would think so. It's an immature rambling mess from a mental basket case. Your alleged Mensa member friend must have lost half of his brain cells since his alleged admission. And what the heck does it have to do with this post? Nada. Settling in for a long night of drinking booze?

Anonymous said...

When I heard John Niski was retiring I emailed CAthy Allen and gave her a list of all the printing he did for our department. I asked her who we were to give it to once John Niski left. I never got a response.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"
http://www.scribd.com/doc/253339134/Gregory-SLams-O-Hare

Excellent LTE from JG "


Your constant attempt at attention are getting rather boring, Mezzacappa. You need to surrender your vehicle and sign over the title.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Moganelli is freaking out about envalopes and writing memos and having court orders drafted while" ...

You're off base. Way off base. Morganelli is NOT the County Exec or a member of Council. He is the DA. His first and foremost obligation is to prosecute the bad guys. And he's been quite busy for the past several months. If his office can't function, the constitutional rights of both innocent and guilty people could end up being violated.

As the Mancini verdict makes clear, Brown has little regard for constitutional rights. But they are important to JM.

If there is evidence of criminal behavior on the part of Brown, there is little doubt in my mind that he will be prosecuted. But being a lousy elected official is not a crime. in fact, it's pretty much the norm.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"I am a county employee. For the first time in my life I voted Republican. Voted for Brown. I'm staying anonymous because I am embarrassed. Practically shot myself in the foot."

You voted who you thought was best. It's not your fault you were schnookered.I can tell you I have made many bad choices over the years, and I really try to inform myself.

But then again, I am an idiot.

Anonymous said...

@6:02,
Picking up and going to Staples is easier said than done, and is not economical. The volume of printed matter used by the county is most cost effective and best served by using a printing press to produce whatever is consumed, not a photocopier. If the county wants to outsource its printing, fine. But that should have been put into motion months ago.

Anonymous said...

the wannabee ag crying like a baby - too, too funny

Anonymous said...

This is ridiculous on all fronts.

Business forms companies will manage all of this for the privilege of getting the contract. They will custom print when necessary, crash imprint stock forms whenever possible to save money, gang your orders with those of their other customers to max print quantity discounts, rack, inventory and provide reporting, work with whomever is the point person is and improve their efficiency. Many will store securely offsite as well, if you lack your own storage.

Purchasing managers, materials managers, accounting managers, even individual department heads with print expense as PART of their responsibilities IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR all know how it is done. But not government goofs. Myopic, self absorbed, they see the train when it runs them over.

Assclown Brown and his bimbos of renoun are poseurs, for sure. But those who find they are without critical supplies only when they run out are equally incompetent.

You cannot, CAN NOT, make this shit up. If these folks weren't playing with our dough, it'd be hilarious.

Feed on, feeders. Feed on...

-Clem

Used to own a RAV4 said...

"the wannabee ag crying like a baby - too, too funny"

You're just plain ignorant. The DA can't do his job if this seemingly simple job function is not performed - and Judge Baratta agrees as was covered today in the paper.

Keep laughing - ignorance is not an asset.

Anonymous said...

Clem,

Department heads have been told to cut their operating budgets by 10%. How do you propose they find the money in their already strapped budgets to pay for a major reccuring expense at a moment's notice? Keep in mind that a vast majority of their budgets are currently being devoured by having to pay over-time to essential employees thanks to Brown's unreasonable healthcare hike causing a mass exodus of employees and his refusal to hire replacements.

The fact is, department heads saw this coming. Hell, file clerks saw this coming. The administration was warned. Questions went unanswered. Contrary to what you must think, department heads do not have carte blanche when it comes to purchasing and other budgetary matters. Should they have written personal checks to Staples and then requested reimbursement? Would you have?

I don't know why you have such a negative opinion of county employees. But you can't really blame them for this one. Who could've predicted the damage Brown would cost the taxpayers? If the department heads would have gone to Council last year and asked for more money in their coming year's budget to be allocated towards increased over-time and supplies (such as the cost of buying and printing their own forms, envelopes, etc.) you would have called them crazy; printing costs were being covered in house and even Mr. Nisi didn't know he'd be retiring by year's end. It is Brown's responsibility to ensure that county processes and services do not suffer until a solution is reached and he's dropped the ball.

In case you haven't heard, 10% of the county's positions are vacant. I would encourage you to submit an application and become part of the journey towards finding a solution to wasteful government spending and inefficiency, but I heard they are only hiring a select few people whose only qualifications are that they scratch Brown's back and he scratches theirs.

Anonymous said...

A friend told me she's been waiting 3 mos to get business cards now that Mr. Niski has retired and that it must go through Allen for approval. Talk about micromanaging?? Gee wiz !

Anonymous said...

12:38 -

Transitioning from in-house to contract printing/management, if that was the goal, has obviously been thoroughly botched by AC Brown and Associates. It is not enough to be FOR minimalist government, you have to have the basic skill set to implement it without screwing things up so badly you never get another chance. I thought I was clear on that.

However, there is no excuse for a department head, or that department head's relevant underlings, to wait until the box is empty to sound the alarm, especially if the potential damage is to "...crash the criminal justice system in Northampton County and result in public harm."

Turtles all the way down...

My negative opinion is not of "County employees" per se, though I've shared many of my own nonsensical experiences with them over the past several years. More accurately, my negative opinion of governemnt, at all levels, is informed and bolstered by this post, yet another fine example of government ineptitude.

Governments and their extensions do very little well and, what success they do show comes at a very high price in dollars, social dependency, and infringement and burden on those who pay for it.


-Clem

Anonymous said...

This is one thing that can be done on a computer or outsource to a company., We need a fulltime person to make Johnny Morgo's letters, really?

I don't work for the county but don't be an idiot. NC is the largest employer in the county and any organization that large requires its own Kinko's type operation in-house. To ignore this means you never worked anywhere larger than a small office or McDonalds.

Anonymous said...

This is almost comical. Envelope printing could be done inexpensively at a Staples store.

You are an idiot and naive. Get some life experience before making asinine comments.

Anonymous said...

8:57 - Who know. Idiots in the county voted for the guy not knowing any of those answers. They didn't care. They knew Callahan had experience with names and dates of running large organizations. Yet they went with this character. I personally love it. Tea Party idiots need to be exposed and their voters taught a valuable lesson.

Anonymous said...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/253339134/Gregory-SLams-O-Hare

Excellent LTE from JG


"moronic atheists"??

WE are the morons because WE don't believe in fantasy and imaginary creatures?

Morganelli, please don't let this guy out of prison. He sounds like a menace to society.

Anonymous said...

Business forms companies will manage all of this for the privilege of getting the contract. They will custom print when necessary, crash imprint stock forms whenever possible to save money, gang your orders with those of their other customers to max print quantity discounts, rack, inventory and provide reporting, work with whomever is the point person is and improve their efficiency. Many will store securely offsite as well, if you lack your own storage.

Clem, once again, chimes in with his vast fast food experience. Clem, here is a clue. The county did all of the above with ONE MAN.

Anonymous said...

Oh and Clem. If you are trying to pretend that private sector businesses are not filled to the brim with ineptitude, you too need a bit of life experience.

Anonymous said...

"Clem, once again, chimes in with his vast fast food experience."

Ooooh, pj boy, dependent one who can say "fast food" and "faux news" and "you probably drive a..." .

As I've told your pathetic ass on another occasion, did my fast-food time proudly in my youth. Glad I did, so I didn't turn out to be a pj boy like you.

Why does a feeding taker like you feel the need to disparage honorable work?

The answer, of course: Usted es un perdedor... Like a termite, chokin on the splinters.

-Clem

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Why does a feeding taker like you feel the need to disparage honorable work?

Clem. I'd agree that work in a fast food restaurant is honorable work. But so are all public jobs. That is something that seems to elude you. I see it every day. Most of these people care very much about what they do and are proud of what they do. You bristle at being slammed over your days in the fast food industry, but needlessly disparage and belittle good people who would not think twice about saving your life.

Anonymous said...

Why are the papers referring to the county's retired printer as "Nisi"? His name is " Niski."

Bernie O'Hare said...

It's a typo, and one I made myself until I was corrected by a reader. I have no editor, and I have 5,000 editors among my readers. If I get something wrong, I find out pretty quickly.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, I am talking about the Morning Call and ET articles. Both referred to him as Nisi. That leads me to believe that they were provided erroneous information from press agent Kim. Pretty sad when they can't even get the last name right for a long-time employee. Very disrespectful.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I never heard from Plyler on this topic, and assume her days here are numbered.

Anonymous said...

Bernie,
Is this northampton county eggzect senetor pats brown's baby brother or something like that? I thought he was a dressmaker of the rich and famous?


redd
patent pending

northampton county sucks said...

Since we get paid shitty, do your work half ass , maybe we will get paid at a fair wage.