Before I start this, I want you to know I had a very high opinion of Judge Edward Smith, both as a judge and as a person. I'd often see him in the courthouse cafeteria at lunchtime, talking with lawyers and employees. He was a Navy Captain who served his country with distinction, and his passing is a tragic loss for us all. I nevertheless think it is a mistake to schedule his viewing for today in Historic Courtroom 1 at 5 pm.
Typically, memorial services for deceased judges and lawyers are conducted by the bar association at the courthouse or some other venue. Family is invited. But this is a first. I've never seen the actual viewing of a judge scheduled for Courtroom One, and after normal business hours. Not for President Judge Clinton Budd Palmer, who I believe died in office. Nor for Judge Al Williams or numerous other judges who have since passed away. Moreover, Judge Smith himself will be participating. Funeral directors plan to bring his casket to lie in state. Because they lack personnel to bring his body up some of the steps, deputy sheriffs will be enlisted to assist.
Judge Smith had been a federal judge for the past nine years. He was no longer a county judge. But his viewing could not be conducted at a federal courthouse because it would be a misuse of public resources for private purposes. This is also improper on the county level. The very judges who are doing so just sentenced Bethlehem's former finance director for misusing city resources for private purposes, but they think themselves above the law.
This decision is going to force the county to provide security, at its own expense. Both entrances, including one restricted to employees, will have to be opened. Deputies will have to monitor the hallways to keep members of the public away from vital records and computer systems and to respond to possible medical emergencies.
I believe Judge Smith, who was always a bit humble and self-deprecating, would be embarrassed. This is more about making the living county judges feel like big shots than it is to honor a good man. If they really wanted to honor him, they could start by acting more like him.
As much as I liked Judge Smith, I have to ask, Where do you draw the line?
If we conduct a public viewing for a judge who left the county nine years ago, do we have to do it for them all? How about former Executives? Do we conduct their wakes as well?
This is a county government, not a funeral home. We should be more focused on core county services than in giving special treatment to anyone. Our court should know better.
UPDATED 11:57 am
As much as I too respected Judge Smith, having his viewing and funeral service in a county courtroom is a travesty. It is nearly obscene. Why did his family request this? Taxpayer paid resources should not be used for a private funeral service.
ReplyDeleteBernie should offset the costs via his advertising from his blog !
DeleteSimple question: who is responsible for this? A person with a name authorized this. It's the last thing Ed Smith would have wished. Who did this?
ReplyDeleteActually, my understanding is this what he wanted. . The court did their best to carry out his final wishes.
DeletePlease pass along to Ron Angle that I look forward to his viewing in courtroom 1...
ReplyDeleteVert true BO. This leads to a big party to celebrate your passing. You are so beloved I know the county will go out - not a viewing but a weeklong festival.
ReplyDeleteLamont sees this he’ll want to be mummified and permanently displayed.
ReplyDeleteDumbass agrees with you on this one. Have a wonderful weekend, maybe I'll see you on the trails.
ReplyDeleteDumbass
Your reasoning sounds very sensible, logical & ethical Bernie, but do you think the county leadership is any of those things?
ReplyDeleteIsn’t this illegal. Is the expense being paid by the courts to reimburse the county? Keeping in mind that is probably also a misuse of taxpayer money
ReplyDeleteWhile I share the sentiments of all the accolades, respect and fond memories of Judge Smith since his passing, the honor of lying in state and lying in honor in a prominent public facility is not suitable to a trial judge. I do hope the current judges favoring this decision
ReplyDeletetake a step back to realize their position is not worthy of this honor, and none of them are in Judge Smith's league of having the same respect of the bar and the public, or service to his country.
Weird and not appropriate. I look forward to a three part Netflix documentary about the bad decisions that lead up to this colossal fuck up. This is not what Judge Smith would want. A military salute? Yes. This? Uhh…no.
ReplyDeleteOur part time Judges are out of control. They make 250K a year and none of them puts in a 40 hour week.
ReplyDeleteHow much is this wake costing the taxpayers ?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a Jermaine Greer idea. The court should get rid of him.
ReplyDeleteSo, the Feds said no, and the County said yes ?
ReplyDeleteDid anyone ask the County Executive what he thought ? I guess he’s in the tank for the robes too.
ReplyDeleteThis is the pinnacle of judicial arrogance in Northampton County.
ReplyDeleteIt’s just plain weird.
ReplyDeleteDally’s rich. Maybe he can reimburse the county.
ReplyDeleteSince Greg Daily thinks this is such a good idea, let him pick up the tab.
ReplyDeleteThis may have been a request of the family and if so, it should have been denied. He was a judge. He was a veteran. He was, reportedly, a class act. There are, fortunately, many who fit these descriptions, yet their passing isn’t a show. If the judge was truly humble, this wouldn’t be happening because his family would want something more low-key. Frankly, I find this tacky.
ReplyDeleteI would imagine the family has requested this and the estate/family is bearing the costs. I can't imagine one county functionary would just give the go-ahead. In any event the family and friends should be given some deference. Protestors can address the next county council meeting.
ReplyDeleteThe county, and not the family, is bearing the cost. One county "functionary" - the President Judge - waved his judicial wand and blessed it. Family and friends are entitled to deference, but not entitled to use county resources to conduct a wake. What this does is exalt some people over others - the antithesis of being an American.
ReplyDeleteYou’re comparing a guy stealing $17k from the City and being criminally convicted to using Courtroom 1 for a few hours a former Judge’s funeral? It’s far too late, but you should seek help.
ReplyDeleteI will be filling a right to know request on what this costs the taxpayers of Norco County on Monday
ReplyDeleteThe family is paying
DeleteDo they have a plan in place to deal with how Courtroom #1 is going to be forever haunted?
ReplyDeleteEaston should consider covering the cost with revenue generated from county employees by the Panto commuter tax.
ReplyDelete"The family is paying"
ReplyDeleteNo one has conveyed that information to the county. The use of public resources to benefit oneself or another is a crime. It is public corruption, contrary to what the Legislature states in the preamble to the Ethics Act: "-The Legislature hereby declares that public office is a public trust and that any effort to realize personal financial gain through public office other than compensation provided by law is a violation of that trust."
The family or Judge Dally should request a bill and pay. No one is above the law.
Anyone on thois blog who is speaking negatively about this man or his funeral arrangements (.including those seeking a right to know) apparently have no fear of God or anything else. It truly is no one’s business. A great man has been lost. Let’s leave it at that!
ReplyDelete"Actually, my understanding is this what he wanted. . The court did their best to carry out his final wishes."
ReplyDeleteAssuming this is true, that is no justification for using public resources for private purposes. The court should have advised the family that Judge Smith would be honored and remembered in a bar association ceremony to which they would be invited.
9:11, I have great admiration for Judge Smith, but it's everyone's business when public resources are used to convert a courthouse into a funeral parlor for one person.
lighten up, Francis..
ReplyDeleteYou've defended some true lowlifes. This is not your best hour. May Judge Smith eventually rest in peace and may his family eventually be comforted. It's a shitty world full of shitty people.
ReplyDeleteI particularly disagree, Ed was a Federal Judge (Federal) just like when highest political figures ,- a President s wife passed, who pays that bill? Yes ,it’s a step down but he was our highest Federal person to pass while in office. . Additionally, it is highly unlikely that this would happen again in our lifetime. Don’t forget ,he wasn’t retired , he was walking around vertically just prior to his unfortunate demise. Don’t forget all the good he had done for us ,for this country and county that most of us wouldn’t Evan been qualified to attempt. Shame on some of you talking about costs, what ever was absorbed by they county ,is easily wasted every month by some lack of supervision, vehicles idling or driving unnecessarily , lights and heat on at wrong times, etc, because of the size of “us”. It’s just going to happen. Good day.
ReplyDeleteWhen I die, I want to be dismembered and mailed to my enemies.
ReplyDeleteGuess what part you're getting bernie
A very nice man who served his Country as a veteran and public servant has passed away. May he rest in peace. He earned my respect by his dedication and commitment "in service to others".
ReplyDeleteCounty Executives have their pictures hanging in the Rogue Gallery on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse/government center. Nobody says anything about that. Not all of them earned the respect of the general public, yet they permanently take up room on the wall. Some of these politicians may have had, or, in the future may have only two pall bearers when they pass. After all, there are only two handles on a garbage can.
Judge Smith presided over a county court matter I was involved with, and he seemed like a very fine judicial officer. I didn't know him personally, but all reports are he was a well liked and respected human being. I believe that holding this service in the county building is not appropriate, however. Rest in Peace.
ReplyDeleteYou know? Judge Hogan was such a wonderful human being. He served in the Armed Forces. Why was he honored in the same way? Bogus!
ReplyDeleteJJ Cordi
ReplyDeleteAre you asking why WASN'T JUDGE HOGAN HONORED THE SAME WAY or do you mean JUDGE HOGAN was honored the same way? Please clarify
"County Executives have their pictures hanging in the Rogue Gallery on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse/government center. Nobody says anything about that."
ReplyDeleteI have no issues with portraits of former Execs or the portraits of our Council. That is our history, and we do that for judges as well. We also do have memorial services for judges who pass. What we do not have are wakes in which someone's casket is actually paraded into the courthouse. Judge Smith was a federal judge and had not been in Northampton County for nine years. I admired him, but this was entirely inappropriate
Well, whatever happens, I'm sure the Judge wont be aware of it.
ReplyDeleteThis man gave 30 years of his life for military service! I don't mind using my tax dollars to grant his last wish, County uses tax dollars for things way less important than this!
ReplyDelete