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| Mike Mohn |
Mohn's a big guy, about 7'6." I also see him tossing heavy weights like tootsie rolls at my gym. So when he said, "Be nice to me," I better comply.
Actually, he was one of our best. In addition to his physical prowess, Mohn has a degree in criminal justice from Kutztown University. He is also a past President of the Pennsylvania Deputy Sheriffs' Ass'n. In the years I've known him, he's always been very passionate about his role.
Mohn had a handout for everyone, but his argument is simple. "The Sheriff of the County should be accountable to the people, not the County Executive," he said. He clarified that he was making no attack on Executive Lamont McClure, but believes the will of the people should trump the desire of any county executive.
He points out that 99% of the nation's Sheriffs are elected.All but two Sheriffs in Pennsylvania are elected. He asked County Council to put the question to the voters in a referendum.
One county official told me he believes the voters would quickly agree.
The voters already decided when they adopted our Home Rule Charter in 1977. They want appointed row officers, including the Sheriff.
In many cases, a Home Rule Charter can be amended by referendum. But when it involves a change in the form of government, there must first be a government study commission. Changing an appointed Sheriff to elected is almost certainly a change in the form of government.
Our Supreme Court actually considered this issue in 2013. Lackawanna County, a home rule charter county, wanted to abolish the elected position of sheriff and replace it with an appointed sheriff. The state high court ruled that this is a change in the form of government and requires the election of a government study commission.
If changing an elected sheriff to an appointed position is a change in the form of government, it necessarily follows that the reverse is true.
Sadly, having elected County Council member doesn't matter. They still do what McClueless/Dertringer want. One term and gone!
ReplyDeleteWhat a goof, always was. Your not serious writing about him. "Shrek" is he is fondly called does not have a clue let alone a brain. He should enjoy his retirement and return to the forest or volunteer at the animal shelter. Who ties his shoe's?
ReplyDeleteMike Mohn is a good guy and was a great deputy . I believe he also held office on Statewide Sheriff’s Association so his opinion does carry some weight
ReplyDeleteMike was always a good guy.Didn't know he retired. He seemed to have gotten a tad taller since the last time I talked to him
ReplyDeleteI like Mike
ReplyDeleteMike Mohn has always been a class act and always stood up for his department. I disagree with him and see nothing but trouble if we start electing row officers.
ReplyDeleteMike Mohn was one of the best in a department stacked with great people. I will support his efforts. Good luck Mike.
ReplyDeleteThis should not be a tough decision for Council. As Mike stated, the Sheriff should answer to the people, not the Executive.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, the taxpayers of Norco have footed the bill for 24/7 deputy coverage to watch Giordano's house when he was in a dispute with his neighbor and 24/7 deputy coverage at McFatass' house when raccoons knocked over her garbage cans and she thought it was an intruder. The judges are state employees and the taxpayers of Norco should not foot the bill to protect these primadonnas after hours. But since the Sheriff really reports to the judges since they are included in the selection process, any appointed Sheriff would not have the balls to tell them NO. The Sheriff in Northampton .actually works for the President Judge.
Further, having an elected Sheriff would more than likely end the Sheriffs Union from ever going to arbitration when a contract cannot be reached; an elected Sheriff can remove the discipline grievance procedure for deputies if the Union files for arbitration. Another savings for the taxpayers of Norco County.
Council, put this item on the ballot - people's thinking has changed since 40 years ago.
As I state in my story, I believe a change like this is likely a change in the form of government. If so, that means a government study commission is needed. And what that means is a possible return to the commission form of government. I personally favor a home rule government study because we might want to make changes to the charter after 40 years. But the last time this possibility was brought up, it was killed by Council members who fear a possible return to the Comm'r form of government. This short-sighted view is preventing good government, but there it is.
ReplyDeleteAssuming that no government study is needed or Council now decides to conduct one, I would oppose any attempt to make row officers elected.
You and Mike say, "Let the people decide." They have. They voted to make this change.
A row office is not really a policy maker, not even the Sheriff. So I see no reason for elections, but see plenty of reason to oppose them.
I have seen row officers as political hacks before home rule and row officers as professional county employees. I prefer the latter. Because they work for the exec, any diminution in customer service is a reflection on him, not the row officer. So people still have a say.
Under elected row officers, you would have numerous budgets over which Council has little say. It is very difficult to veto the budget of an independently elected public official. This would dilute the power of Council and the ability of the people to insist on responsible budgets.
If we elected sheriffs, we would have arguments over licenses to carry, which should be above politics.
If we elected row officers, we would be creating mini-fiefdoms and encouraging hacks more interested in cronyism than career service. We would see a return to macing, where employees are illegally required to get involved in partisan politics.
So I oppose elected sheriffs. Ken Kraft and some others pushed this time the question will be on the ballot. If so, I will encourage people to vote no.
Having an elected sheriff takes the power from "the good ol boys" and gives it back to the people of the county. I guess the rest of the Commonwealth has it all wrong when voting sheriff's into office.
ReplyDeleteThe good old boys is exactly what bothers me.the people of this county decided they want an appointed sheriff. Jus because other counties encourage a system full of corruption and cronyism is no reason to repeat that error. This is being pushed by some deputies who want to establish a little kingdom, and politicians who want a power base.
ReplyDeleteRon Angle for Sheriff! Let's make Northampton County great again!
ReplyDeleteMike is a solid human being. I trust his perspective.
ReplyDelete