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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Friday, April 01, 2016

Brown Clamps Down on Parking Abuse

On Wednesday, I told you that a few Northampton County workers are parking their cars in six "30 minute parking" places at the parking deck next to the courthouse. These have been set aside for members of the public with small errands like paying a tax bill or buying a dog license. County workers from Gracedale or Human Services might use it, too, for small deliveries. It was never intended as a reserved parking spot for county employees who are too lazy to either get to the courthouse earlier or find a spot somewhere else. In addition to my story, I also sent an email to Executive John Brown and County Council, complaining about the situation.

On Wednesday morning, I received an email from Brown, telling me he would address the matter. By Wednesday afternoon, the practise had largely stopped.

Sheriffs are now monitoring these spots and anyone who is there too long gets a call.

Unfortunately, I've been able to confirm that some people were also parking in handicapped spots. Two of the offenders were honest and actually admitted it to me, once they knew I had no intention of shaming them. The justification given was that "there was no other place to park."

Of course, that's nonsense.

After publishing this story on Wednesday, I figured I'd be in hot water with county workers. When I went to lunch in the cafeteria, one of them summoned me to her table, and I was sure she was going to let me have it. She is quick to tell me when I'm wrong, so I braced myself.

Instead, she told me she was glad I wrote the story, and other workers have said much the same thing.

As I said before, I have no desire to shame the offenders. I just want them to do the right thing.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

All of Brown's cronies get their own permit parking spaces, so he could care less about the unwashed masses of employees who out of frustration resort to parking in 30 minute spaces. So it is no surprise that he would crack down on those who have not been gifted their own private spaces under cover in the garage. It is good to be king!

Anonymous said...

We all know why you did not push this with the individuals involved. Had it been someone else you would have gleefully named them, right? Shame

Anonymous said...

Brownpants was the worst mayor and is the worst executive. He will add worst auditor candidate to the list.

Anonymous said...

That is some real leadership out of brown. I think you should run for president next.

Anonymous said...

Whoever is parking in handicapped spots is the lowest of low. I have never once parked in one and would feel incredibly guilty if I did. Apparently, some people have little remorse.

Anonymous said...

All of Brown's cronies get their own permit parking spaces, so he could care less about the unwashed masses of employees who out of frustration resort to parking in 30 minute spaces. So it is no surprise that he would crack down on those who have not been gifted their own private spaces under cover in the garage. It is good to be king!


Oh, cry me a river. Yes, it's completely unfair that those people who have worked hard to attain a position that comes with a parking spot. Maybe you should have worked harder in school?

Anonymous said...

The one who summoned you to her table knows all and is better than anyone else, so she thinks, and her little minions would never be the lowest of low by parking in a handicapped spot although they could, because just by being her minions, they are handicapped and lower than whale poop which is on the bottom of the ocean.

Anonymous said...

Good work Bernie, thanks for addressing this the right way.

The Banker

Monkey Momma said...

I would advise this "guilty" parkers to invest in decent outerwear and good shoes, and embrace the daily "walk" that is required during the work commute. It doesn't have to suck. Maybe get a fitbit or similar device to count steps as incentive. Or just enjoy being outside. Selfishness and laziness are not good qualities - perhaps this story can be a life changing event for the people who have so far only cheated the system for their own benefit.

I can understand why some of have felt the need to call these "guilty" people out...clearly, it was necessary. It's bizarre that no one was policing these spaces prior to this, however - makes me think a bit of an agreement was made to overlook these violators up until now.

Anonymous said...

8:29 Brown's cronies, "those people who have worked hard" deserve private parking spaces? Really? Are you implying that all other county employees, some of whom have devoted over 30 years to the county, do NOT work hard? You must be one of Brown's arrogant short-termers who were handed a plum job at an inflated salary, a big private office and private parking space. What do you care about loyal, long-term front line county employees who must scramble to find a parking space every day? Well, enjoy the perks while you can. Brown will just be a bad memory in two years.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"We all know why you did not push this with the individuals involved. Had it been someone else you would have gleefully named them, right? Shame"

Had it been Cathy Allen, I would have named her bc of her history. But no, I am more interested in seeing people do the right thing than in public shaming.

Anonymous said...

Imagine union pukes having to walk and not park at the front door?

Anonymous said...

So who is going to monitor the Sheriffs Department abuse of public parking? Surely they will not police their own.

Anonymous said...

the employee who brought this parking situation to Bernie's attention regularly parks her car in back of the old Milides building across the street in her own special, unmarked spot because she is late for work every day. this person apparently feels there are two sets of rules, one for her and her last few remaining friends, and one set for everybody else. perhaps if she spent less time worrying about what other people do those frown lines wouldn't be all over her face.

Bernie O'Hare said...

You have no idea who brought this to my attention. But you're as wrong as you can be. Instead of focusing on the persons who brought this to my attention, you need to pay attention to your own shitty behavior.

Anonymous said...

wanna bet?

Bernie O'Hare said...

With someone who lacks the personal integrity to ID herself yet slams the wrong person? Sure, state your name and address and identify the "rat." If you are right, I will buy you a pizza. If you're wrong, you will personally apologize to the person you falsely accused and offer three sick days to someone in need.

Anonymous said...

"shitty behavior"? you mean like forgery, fraud, deceit, moral turpitude, dishonesty? these are words used to describe your evil transgressions in the Supreme Court of Pa's conclusions as to why your license to practice law was yanked.

Anonymous said...

everyone knows you regularly blog as Anonymous. you are pathetic...put down the pizza, fatty

Bernie O'Hare said...

Now we know who is posting this hate. Thankfully, not a county employee. Just crazy Mezzacappa.

Anonymous said...

Can we say HR?

Bernie O'Hare said...

No, we can't.

Anonymous said...

More of these special, permitted spaces have been added recently, leaving some of us common folk to wonder, if you had to do well in school to cop a space, why did it take so long for you to figure out how to get one? And if you're so smart, wouldn't you be able to get a more permanent, less suck-up job?

FRED said...

Wouldn't it have been better to just tell someone in charge there? Sheriff's...Executive?

Why go to the level of stalking parking spots to put it out here? Just curious.

Bernie O'Hare said...

This comment comes from one of my enemies, who are acting up this weekend. Rational people know that effecting change by exposing public wrongdoing is far more effective than telling someone, who could easily ignore it.

Anonymous said...

Check chronic unenforced illegAL parking by Lehigh county Mdj Devine and staff