President Judge Stephen Baratta has notified NorCo Executive John Brown that his refusal to staff the Civil and Criminal Divisions has reached crisis stage. Things are so bad in the Civil Division that in one instance, a default judgment was incorrectly entered against a litigant because the Court was unaware that the claim was being contested. Judge Baratta has warned brown that his effort to save a few bucks "negatively impacts the public's constitutional right to access to the courts. Court Administrator Jill Cicero warns, "[I]t is only a matter of time until a serious mistake is made due to the working conditions and the lack of appropriate knowledgeable staff."
You can see President Judge Baratta's memo here.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Friday, January 16, 2015
19 comments:
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Looks like The Clown Admin is about to get a lesson into who really runs NorCo.
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily a strong memo...?
ReplyDeletePublic safety is being compromised too. Criminal division must now by law do entry work of cases that DA office did. If they lose cases, deadlines, criminals go free.
ReplyDeleteSad that the County Council seems to be going along with this. I always thought law and order was perceived as a Republican strong suit...guess Brown and Council's majority are more concerned with bottom lines and minimalist government.
ReplyDelete@ 10:58: Because the last time a rule 600 motion was granted in this county was.... hmmm, can't think of a time.
ReplyDeleteBrown is horrible, but don't make things up.
They could hire Mezzacrappa at the civil division, and kill two birds with one stone. She'd get a job to pay off her debts, and she's familiar with half the cases, because they involve her - so that would expedite filing time.
ReplyDeleteOnly problem is, it is the "civil" division, and there is nothing civil about her.
John Brown is having problems because his top political consultant isn't around. He was hoping for help from Jim Gregory but that didn't happen. Maybe in the future Gregory will be able to give him the political and governmental advice he needs.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, P.J. Baratta! I only hope this is a start. As is known, it doesn't stop with the row offices. The more Brown disrespects the employees the worse it will continue to get. Pays frozen + a significant amount of that pay taken to pay for medical NEEDS, with some related to the stress of the job = continued VALUABLE,KNOWLEDGABLE employees leaving and/or doing less along with no one to train any new hires. It's just a matter of time before things really are disastrous.
ReplyDeleteStaffing at gracedale is a problem as well just saying
ReplyDeleteThe county is a mess because Brown is a disaster. I fear the shambles the county will be after his 4 year reign of arrogance.
ReplyDeleteHave the DA file charges against Exec already. Lots of posturing no action.
ReplyDeleteImpeach him and his clown for not knowing how to run the county. There running it into the ground. Gracedale is worse than it ever was, short staffed everyday. The residents dont get the care they deserve because the privatized administration only cares about numbers not human beings.
ReplyDelete"Staffing at gracedale is a problem as well just saying" I am better informed about the courthouse than other areas of the County, so please do me a favor and tell us where staffing is short at the nursing home. I also need to learn what is going on in human services in more detail. i have heard of shortages at CYF, which is disturbing as well.
ReplyDeleteActually, Baratta and Cicero were very reserved in their request to fill court-related positions. They could have blasted Brown for his indifference and neglect. And I am not sure why Baratta doesn't just issue a court order forcing Brown to fill the positions. In any case, this is another example of the ineptitude of Brown and his Blundering Herd.
ReplyDeleteNot surprising with no Directors of HR or Court Services. You are making a good case for going back to electing row offices. Doubt this would be happening if there were an elected Clerk of Courts.
ReplyDeleteThank God the Judge did not address JB as Honorable. He is far from it. NC workers are underpaid and overworked. JB and his crew should be tossed out before more staff leave.
ReplyDeletePresident Judge Baratta afforded Brown the same respect that was shown to him.
ReplyDeleteIf people only knew what went on
ReplyDeleteThat's why this blog exists. Enlighten us.
ReplyDelete