NorCo's Former EMS Director Seeks Hellertown Judgeship

Robert Mateff

When he was in Northampton County, he may very well have been the county's MVP. Aside from Council Clerk Frank Flisser and Budget Administrator Doran Hammon, no one understood the county better. As Director of the county's Emergency Management, he completely revolutionized the department and made it an effective tool that planned for every emergency, from hurricane to chemical spill. Now Bob, a lifelong Hellertown resident who started his career as a dispatcher in their police department, would like to be the Magiserial District Judge for Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township.

He's a Summa Cum Laude graduate of DeSales University with a degree in Criminal Justice. His start as a Hellertown Borough Police Department led toaquarter century career in public safety.

He got his start in NorCo as a Deputy Sheriff, where he participated on the Emergency Response Team, was a Firearms and Chemical Aerosol Spray Instructor and took part in executing civil judgments and criminal arrests. He then helped to establish the first 911 center in Northampton County, overseeing the consolidation of multiple independent answering points and the conversion from a private to public center. He was ultimatelynamed the EMS Director. Former Exec John Stoffa wanted Bob to serve as Administrator as well..

In 2015, Mateff was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf to oversee Pennsylvania’s transition to Next Generation 911. He is currently working as a public safety consultant.

“I have spent my career ensuring the public has equal access to emergency services and providing for the safety of the residents of this community,” said Mateff. “I see service as a District Judge as a continuation of ensuring the public’s safety.”

Mateff has served as Chairman of the Northeast Pennsylvania Counterterrorism Taskforce and President of the Keystone Emergency Management Association. He is a Certified Emergency Manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers, is an Emergency Number Professional through the National Emergency Number Association, and holds a certification in Preparedness Leadership through the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health.

Mateff has served the community in various roles, including President of the Hellertown Lower Saucon Little League, and was a youth baseball and basketball coach. He is active with his local church and service groups, including the Boy Scouts, the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Hellertown Civil Service Commission. He was a volunteer with the Leithsville Fire Company, and was a Captain of the Dewey Fire Company Ambulance Squad.

“I would like the opportunity to restore dignity to this position in Hellertown and Lower Saucon and look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the public as a district judge,” said Mateff.

Mateff is the father of two boys, Robert, Jr. and Kevin.

Two other candidates have also announced for this seat. One is James Hill, a local attorney and borough council member. The other is David Repyneck, who was defeated when he ran against David Tidd four years ago.

Of the three, Repyneck is a bad candidate who would be a terrible magisterial district judge. I will explain why soon.