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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

RumorMill: Scomillio to Resign as NorCo Solicitor

At Northampton County Executive John Brown's Christmas party last year, Solicitor Vic Scomillio reportedly told guests that he would be resigning his job with the County. I have asked him to confirm or deny this rumor, and will let you know when I know.

A Scomillio resignation might be an attempt to distance himself from Brown's disastrous first year in office. There have been mass retirements, brought on by unnecessary staffing shortages and Brown's unilateral decision to reduce health benefits. Scomillio defended sole-bid consultant contracts of questionable legality, and went along with budget for this year that is balanced by an illegal $20 million line of credit.

Scomillio's decision to fire an Assistant County Solicitor, over the phone from his car and just two days before Christmas, has just resulted in a $94,000 verdict against the County. A jury determined this employee's constitutional rights were violated. This has to hurt Scomillio's chances in a judicial race, at least among those who believe in following the Constitution.

Democrat Abe Kassis, an Assistant District Attorney, has already announced his intention to run. Another Democrat, Juvenile Court Master Sam Murray, is reportedly weighing his options as well.  

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

To paraphrase Stevie Wonder's song, Arrogance, ignorance, living in perfect harmony.

Anonymous said...

Maybe his resignation will encourage Brown to do so as well. Corporate efficiency at its finest.

Anonymous said...

Official reasons for resignation:
1. Devote more time to judicial campaign;
2. Devote more time to private office after I lose judicial campaign
3. All the time saved not having to read the Home Rule Charter
4. More time to call people on cellphone while driving.

Anonymous said...

A better move would be to abandon his campaign for judge. He's not going to win anyway and it might take Brown another year to fill the position. Kasis may even take both sides in the primary.

Anonymous said...

the man lacks vision

Anonymous said...

Beautiful eyes and teeth he has my vote

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Beautiful eyes and teeth he has my vote"

That makes a lot of sense.

Anonymous said...

Working for Brown is like being sprayed by a skunk. That odor just doesn't go away.

Anonymous said...

Abe Kassis gets my vote

C said...

Abe is one of the most rock solid people that I know. I went to high school with him and even though he was much older than me, he always treated me with dignity and respect. He was always on the straight and narrow, even as a young man. I wish him all of the best.

Bernie O'Hare said...

They are all good guys, but Vic has been tainted by Brown.

Anonymous said...

Your Vic did nothing to advise Brown against the serial violations of the HRC and Administrative Code. The taint of Brown resulted in large part from his abject failure as a solicitor.

C said...

That's too bad. I have nothing bad at all to say about Vic. Throwing his hat into the ring will do nothing but bring him good name recognition.

Anonymous said...

C what do you have good to say about him? He seems like another Brown lackey. He should have left the disaster long ago.

c said...

I have nothing good or bad to say about him. Simply put running for office brings name recognition, so if he loses and chooses to run again his name is already out there.

Anonymous said...

You called it Bernie, he's resigni to focus on judge race.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Yep.