Last week, I posted the resume of Dr. Michael Pittaro, who was nominated by Executive Lamont McClure as the county's new Director of Corrections. In addition to an impressive education, which includes a Ph.D. in criminal justice as well as a master's degree in public administration, Pittaro has direct experience at the county jail. He was a filed investigative officer for five years, where he received several commendations for assisting on the capture of escapees. As Treatment Services coordinator, he created the jail's first therapeutic community. He also worked as an internal affairs investigator and criminal records administrator at the jail.
At Northampton County Council's April 18 meeting, Pittaro was confirmed in a 7-2 vote. The two dissenters were Council members John Brown and Lori Vargo Heffner.
Traditionally, an Executive is given great deference in his selections for cabinet positions, which are exempt. In the past, I have only objected to three nominations: a Chief Public Defender under John Brown whose wife was a judge (that nomination was withdrawn); a Fiscal Affairs Administrator under John Stoffa who had a history of bad checks (that nomination was withdrawn); and an Administrator under John Brown with no experience and several tax liens (that nomination was confirmed).
Neither Bown nor Vargo-Heffner provided any rationale for their No votes. If there was something seriously amiss with Pittaro, that should have been disclosed.
Maybe Lori and John were just being Karens and Dicks. Dr. Mike sounds perfect for the job.
ReplyDeleteNo mystery here. Vargo-Heffner and Brown have a plan to obstruct McClure.
ReplyDeleteLori Vargo Heffner is just serving as a check on the Administration. In this instance, she privately told a colleague that Pittaro was not “qualified.” Why she did not say that in public is a question that should be put to her.
ReplyDeleteAt the behest of St. Luke’s, will Lori Vargo-Heffner deprive thousands of Northampton County employees and family members the ability to use an Employee Health Center ?
ReplyDeleteExcellent choice. I remember him well from years ago. Intelligent, compassionate and has common sense. Doesn’t fly off the handle, or abuse his subordinates. I can’t believe that this County finally got something right…
ReplyDeleteDon't worry Lamont and his buddies do enough flying off the handle and abusing county employees for him.
DeleteMaybe you should look into this guy.
ReplyDeleteFirst all his degrees seem to be from online schools. Or lehigh valley College....how did that place work out.
Ask him how long he held keys.. when some has a 16 page resume it is because they are hiding their work history. Catching escaped inmates. Might want to get those escaped inmates names.
Being a records specialist doesn't make you a CO working in a jail. Talks about mandates but never been mandated.
Maybe if you dig a little ask some serious questions might get some interesting answers.
I know officers who get put on gang units because the boss likes them. Not because of job performance or ability.
Didn't see his act 120 which you need to be an investigator.???
"Lori Vargo Heffner is just serving as a check on the Administration"
ReplyDeleteAn Exec is entitled to deference in his picks for cabinet position. Tghis is something Peg Ferraro would often say. A No vote should be based on serious shortcomings in the nominee. He is certainly qualified. I believe her No vote betrays a personal animosity that is contrary to good government.
Lori doesn’t hate Lamont. She hates herself and is projecting it on to Lamont.
ReplyDeleteBernie O’Hare (10:57 am) said “An Exec is entitled to deference in his picks for cabinet position.”
ReplyDeleteWhat section of the Home Rule Charter is that in? I can’t find it in my copy.
Now let's get a new sheriff
ReplyDelete"At the behest of St. Luke’s, will Lori Vargo-Heffner deprive thousands of Northampton County employees and family members the ability to use an Employee Health Center ?"
ReplyDeleteThousands? Does this able researcher have any idea how many people work for the county? I'll play along: LVH is protecting the interests of 104 billion St. Luke's employees who make up 324% of NorCo's workforce. GFY.
"An Exec is entitled to deference in his picks for cabinet position. Tghis is something Peg Ferraro would often say."
ReplyDelete1) He's "entitled" to that which is in the HRC.
2) Peg struggled to show up while always taking her check. She was a model for horrible government. She set a terrible example for future public servants.
On behalf of the thousands of employees dependents and retirees of Northampton County, we ask President Lori Vargo-Heffner to acknowledge her conflict of interest and refrain from participating in the debate regarding the Partnership Health Center.
ReplyDeleteToo many on-line degrees for me. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe if you graduated from an accredited Medical or Dental School, you've earned the title of "Dr." Too many Jill Bidens in today's society.
ReplyDeleteBernie where is the Article or comments on the Palmer Police officer exposing himself to a 16 year old student? You talk about an investigation!! If the officers father was not a retired trooper and the son being investigated by another retired trooper working for DAs office he never would have just been charged with corruption of a minor. If guilty he would get probation and or Pre trial!! Where are all the other charges anyone else would have been charged with? Use of a cell phone to commit a crime , paying the girl off, conspiracy to commit institutional sexual assault?? Look back at the history of charges given out, using a cell phone to send pics always gets a cell phone charge! More Bias from Northampton Cty. Charge everyone equally.
ReplyDeleteI think ou intrepid investigator/blogger needs to get on this pronto!
Delete2:53 I agree with you- charges are very light. If his father weren't a retired trooper, he'd had the book thrown at him. And, Baratta being from Bangor also helped.
ReplyDelete