Let's say a job opens up at the courthouse, and Brown departs from his normal practi ce and actually decides to fill it. Under the County's Administrative Code, that job must first be offered internally.If no one applies, or those who ado apply are unqualified, the County can look to the outside.
At Gracedale, two Housekeeping Supervisors' positions opened up last year. The job was duly posted, the way it was supposed to be. But while some County employees were busy filling out applications, Allen was taking her own outside choice for the job on a tour. In fact, while this job was still posted, Allen's buddy was already taking her physical.
The fix was in.
One applicant for this position, a county employee, had just graduated with a degree in restaurant and hotel management. I'd say he was qualified. But he never hear anything. When he contacted HR, he was told his application had been rejected for failure to include his resume, something he said was included. Other applicants who heard nothing were told they had neglected to attach a cover letter.
The fix was in.
Instead of filling the position with someone who was familiar with the County, Allen picked her pals, defeating the whole point of merit selection.
At the jail, where Allen has removed most of the personnel files and is conducting a major investigation, she's managed to find another crony. A corrections officer snitch. A tea party acolyte, no less. One who has been suspended at least twice. Allen has voided disciplinary action taken against this tattle tale while she conducts her investigation.
It's one that will no doubt recommend privatizing the jail. That is a recipe for disaster, but is what I would expect from a high school grad who is using her county position to take care of her pals.
As has reinstated before, Allen is a menace. She has no right to conduct a witch hunt for her own benefit. Is there no one who can convince Brown to dump this toxic moron?
ReplyDeleteWhile the public does not see what is actually going on within the inner circle of the county employees, all I can say is ineptitude brings contempt. Some may say crybabies, some may stand behind. The type of thongs going on do go on in private sector jobs we know that. We are just fortunate for Bernie to give us an outlet to vent frustration. I'm sure the situation within all departments will get worse (some more than others), before it gets better. But allowing Ms. Allen to conduct her investigation at the jail is beyond belief. That is what you have a internal investigator or if you don't trust that county detectives to conduct the which hunt.
ReplyDeleteWell it is either Cathy, Tricia or JG. You decide.
ReplyDeleteThis is the sad state of county affairs. Elections have serious consequences. The inmates have gained control of the asylum now and there is very little recourse for any of us who come into contact with the results. 3 more years lie ahead of us under Brown's control. Nightmare on courthouse hill.
ReplyDeleteYou all wan56ed this, now you got it.
ReplyDeleteDid bangor lawyer Dave Ceraul get a job too? It seems the people who know the dirty laundry get hired. Allen. Hunter, Jones, ceraul etc.
ReplyDeleteYes..Ceraul got a job working for the Sheriff's department. How cozy?
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing County Council can do to stop this? This is what the people wanted and they went to the poles to have it.
ReplyDeleteit is time DA Morganelli gets involved before it is to late...Allen has NO idea NONE!!! about prisons what the hell is going on...Just recently I have found that Lucy Lennons daughter was hired in the Coroners office...how did this happen with several more qualified applicants ahead of her...I'm sure Brown & Allen also allowed this after all Lennon was a big campainer for Brown...this is a sinking ship and
ReplyDeleteit is taking on water rather quick..I can't believe council is just sitting there allowing all of this......
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Council has already done something..They passed a tax increase in opposition to Brown. That signals a rift now exists. More rifts to come..hopefully and saner ideas will reign instead of insanity.
ReplyDeleteGive them enough rope to hang themselves.
ReplyDeleteWhen will this end. I had to take a test and score in the top 3 to get my job. You have to wonder why this admin. Is allowed ti break all the rules. those they dont like they just change. Ahhh.. I have to find a new job because everytime i see one of these fools i feel like i need to hurl.
ReplyDeleteThe DA has other things to do..namely his job. This can only be solved at the ballot box and by county council to rein this joker and his posse in as much as they can.
ReplyDeleteThe county is an equal opportunity employer ,isn't what brown and allen doing breaking the law ? HR should be investigated it isn't the first time they used that excuse . Applicants should have to bring them in and have each page stamped that it was received by HR ...there is definetly a serious problem and a corrupt bunch at the county , but if applications are vbeing messed with look at MARKWITH AND CHINITZ ! find out who is forcing them to do these things including lie ...
ReplyDeleteSchintz is an exempt employee and does what she is told or faces termination. However, there is whistleblowers protection in county policy. Someone needs to step up and expose this farce.
DeleteAllen has been in charge of HR and is surely breaking the rules to hire her and Brown's cronies. These practices should be investigated. Where is Controller Barron now? He has become a turtle hiding in its shell. Bernie, you and Steve should launch an investigation of the hiring practices of this administration. It stinks to high heaven.
ReplyDeleteif your an equal opportunity employer I think federal law prevails here ... notify the authority's ... they are corrupt
ReplyDeletekeep up the good work, John. Your actions have eliminated waste. Now privatize the prison and gracedale.
ReplyDeletefrom all outward appearances it doesn't appear anything being done at the county is being done on the level in a place where truth and justice should be ,where truth matters ,it isn't any wonder these people have lost all respect Allen slithers around like a snake in the grass , brown is black widow spider spewing his venom everywhere ! disgusting!
ReplyDeleteJudge lets bail bond company continue business with Northampton County Court
ReplyDeleteWhat's the deal Bernie.
I know very little about it, other than what I have read. i do know that NorCo judges have never much cared for bail bond companies.
ReplyDeleteWhat's with this Campos guy? Figurehead only? He seems too nice and professional to be part of these shenanigans.
ReplyDelete". Where is Controller Barron now? He has become a turtle hiding in its shell."
ReplyDeleteBarron is actually the person who made Council aware about all the personnel files that Allen moved from the jail. His job is to watch the purse. i am not certain that a Controller has much to say about hiring.
aren't veterans supposed to get first crack at jobs ? are they mistreating our veterans ?
ReplyDeleteI have some information about that. Stay tuned.
ReplyDeleteBernie, don't be naive. Barron has always been able to argue his investigation into seemingly non-fiscal related county practices to money. In this case he could claim that he is concerned that the county will be sued for illegal personnel practices, costing the county millions. Allen has no right to keep personnel files in her office. I am sure she will claim she keeps them under lock and key, but those files should be under the custody of HR, who have trained staff more familiar with privacy rights of employees. What is the purpose of the Allen personnel file review? Can we at least get an answer to that? Is this just a vindictive witch hunt? Nothing is too LOW for this administration.
ReplyDeleteThis woman sound a lot like Valerie Jarrett. Veterans don't get "first crack," but they get additional points added to hiring scores.
ReplyDeleteStill no HR director?
They don't want to hire a legitimate HR director until they have hired all of their cronies under the table. That seems to be the primary reason for a 4 month delay.
ReplyDeleteWTF?
ReplyDeleteAllen, Ceraul, Jones- the 3 stoogies of Bangor, now Northampton county. Ceraul is petrified of the courtroom, so solicitor to the sheriff made sense.
ReplyDeleteWish they were as funny as the Stooges.
ReplyDelete9:38 Get a job and stop milking society, im tired of paying for your internet! Once you contribute to the tax base you can contribute to the discussion.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I can't believe there's cronyism in government. Have Marty Till call Staten Island and stop presses!
ReplyDeleteOther than the tax increase the new county council has given Brown a pass. They are working hand in hand. You won't find any relief from those clowns.
ReplyDeleteCathy Allen , you hired a winner, not maybe a loser!!!!!
ReplyDeleteStarts and ends with a Y?
ReplyDeleteDrives a green Mustang, works nights, self tattoos, and exudes class?
ReplyDeleteExactly.. ^^^^
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ReplyDeleteBrown needs his head examined for hiring her- the way she carries herself, Her incompetence, appearance, even her home are an embarrassment. Her property in Bangor looks like a junkyard- and "Brownie' wishes he had ten of her- we're doomed!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen entities fail to hire under the natural selection process,everybody involved--loses !I can and might write a book about it when I'm 90. Nothing will have changed.In the public sector it becomes worst ,because the complacent become rampant after it starts a decay of standards.
ReplyDeleteNorthampton County has become John Brown employment agency. Started with bringing in his cabinet at a pay scale higher than those who left. Then 2 family members who help him get elected get unheard of raises ($20,000) and ($4 per hour) for jobs they already are doing. Then they bring in their friends and fill positions (Sec. to Fiscal) that were vacant for years. To fund this madness they don't fill needed jobs, freeze all raises (except his buddies which get raises when hired) and gut health care. Council either can't or won't do anything. I could not believe that JB actually was able to send a memo out today to the employees and did not need Sahl Com. to do it for him.
ReplyDelete"Bernie, don't be naive. Barron has always been able to argue his investigation"
ReplyDeleteI believe Council needs to step forward and start demanding answers.
Where are the Council members on this?? President Ferraro? Others?
ReplyDeleteAs to "will no doubt recommend privatizing the jail": this is wrong. The justice system is a basic function of government. Whether it be Abe Atiyeh floating the idea in Bethlehem Township, or GEO in Upper Mount Bethel--both a few years ago-- it is wrong for the gov't to abdicate such a function to for-profit enterprises. The idea has been sadly flirted with in NorCo, so it doesn't surprise me to read your suggestion that Brown might be thinking of it. It is bad government, none the less.
"Other than the tax increase the new county council has given Brown a pass. They are working hand in hand. You won't find any relief from those clowns."
ReplyDeleteFrom one perspective, they did give him a pass on the tax increase. There was no other option, but Brown didn't suggest it - Republicans on council did. IMO, this was a total pass - they could have let him spend us into the red.
It has been rumored that the tax increase was a secret deal between Brown and the Republican council.
ReplyDeleteDeal? Are you joking? Brown incapable of making deals..he rules by fiat! Council did the right thing despite his entrenched ideas of borrowing money to meet expenses. Brown deserves to be marginalized and now he has been by his own party. The honeymoon and the affair are over.
ReplyDeletelet's just say that somebody who aligns themselves with this administration has a questionable character themselves.
ReplyDelete9:25 Very True!!!
ReplyDelete