tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post9078679568735118200..comments2024-03-28T17:07:56.753-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Northampton County's Chief Probation Officer: Fired!Bernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-32465396954866660092008-08-06T21:33:00.000-04:002008-08-06T21:33:00.000-04:00I have deleted 2 OT remarks that attempt to blame ...I have deleted 2 OT remarks that attempt to blame Angle or Stoffa for everything, just like Anon 5:56. Further OT comments will be deleted w/o comment.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-70246953816107645782008-08-06T18:06:00.000-04:002008-08-06T18:06:00.000-04:00Most of the employees o nthe exec side were there ...Most of the employees o nthe exec side were there before Stoffa ever became exec. But I'm curous.<BR/><BR/>1) Who are John Stoffa favorite who got promotions? Name them, please. <BR/><BR/>2) How did these promoted John Stoffa favorites run up tax dollar spending? Please provide specifics.<BR/><BR/>3) Who are the John Stoffa favorites in the county drug and aclohol program?<BR/><BR/>4) Who are the friends to whom contractsd were awarded? <BR/><BR/>I want answers to these questions. If you can't supply them, it's very safe to conclude that you are the unethical person. You've already made a good start by challenging someone's integrity anonymously. <BR/><BR/>If you want to attack Stoff, fine. But try something that people will actually believe. When you attack the integrity of the most honest official in local government, you just marginalize yourself. <BR/><BR/>Call him slow. People might buy that, but you're just making an idiot out of yourself.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-88205684515657267262008-08-06T17:56:00.000-04:002008-08-06T17:56:00.000-04:00It is very upsetting to see Mark slammed by some w...It is very upsetting to see Mark slammed by some who where never on the side of good things he has done. I know Mark for over 20 years and saw the many individuals he has helped. He is honest and caring and sometimes abrasive, but he is by far much more ethical than many of the John Stoffa favorites who get promoted for running up tax dollar spending and giving contracts to their friends like in the County Drug and Alcohol Department. Mark is not perfect, but he is NOT UNETHICAL like others in the county system. County hiring and firing is based on friendships and not the well job done by many of the employees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-85657567133796698172008-08-04T20:25:00.000-04:002008-08-04T20:25:00.000-04:00I will have more to say about this soon. I had hop...I will have more to say about this soon. I had hoped it would be ready for publication today, but it's not. <BR/><BR/>This is what happens when you work for a boss who can fire you for any reason, even a bad reason. <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, there is a movement afoot to place the civil division, criminal division, archives, register of wills, orphans court and PFA office under the control of the courts. That will effectively render the employees in those offices as little more than slaves, who can be bullied and forced out. <BR/><BR/>I will have more to say soon.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-57678073030491781242008-08-04T20:16:00.000-04:002008-08-04T20:16:00.000-04:00When I heard this story, I did not know what to sa...When I heard this story, I did not know what to say. Everyone seems to point the finger, but who's is the blame in this situation?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-75834452466806581912008-08-04T18:53:00.000-04:002008-08-04T18:53:00.000-04:00Mazz definitely had and has a heart of gold. anyt...Mazz definitely had and has a heart of gold. anything you needed, he did for you. he was a personable guy...it's a shame that his behavior got him into trouble, but he'll be fine. he has had nothing but bad luck lately. his wife is fighting (and winning) her battle with breast cancer. i will keep them and their family in my prayers.<BR/>God Bless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-36704891754299478862008-08-03T19:35:00.000-04:002008-08-03T19:35:00.000-04:00The Exec Branch, the one that's supposed to be pol...The Exec Branch, the one that's supposed to be political, is a lot different. And that's not just with Stoffa. That was true w/ Reibman, too. Other than cabinet level officials and one "exempt" employee for each, all the workers are governed by careeer service. There is no politics. <BR/><BR/>It's very disturbing to see it run so rampant in the judicial branch, which is supposed to be above politics. Domestic relations employees are considered judicial. Tell me, how can anyone trust a judge to impartially decide a question in which domestic relations is one of the advocates? <BR/><BR/>I think that emplyees considered judicial need more protection. Otherwise, a certain few with access will just install their pals and cronies. <BR/><BR/>Government by crony is never a good thing. <BR/><BR/>As far as Morganelli is concerned, I have never hesitated to point to his heavy contributors, which include people like Ayiyeh and Angelos. The only reason I'm not too upset is bc he is running for statewide office, and lots of money means very little in those races.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-82408751340826701822008-08-03T19:10:00.000-04:002008-08-03T19:10:00.000-04:00"Who you know" hiring isn't just alive and well on..."Who you know" hiring isn't just alive and well on the Court side of Northampton County. The prospective employee you mentioned was hired by Morganelli himself after probation refused for a very valid reason. The employee was hired for a position in the DA's office. Check out whose attorney papa is a big donor to the Morganelli campaign. I doubt the Executive branch is any different. If you choose to throw stones, just throw them evenly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-71004008436683838962008-08-03T09:58:00.000-04:002008-08-03T09:58:00.000-04:00That's true, too. McFadden would not comment, Mazz...That's true, too. McFadden would not comment, Mazz still has not returned my calls but Onembo damns him with faint praise. I suspect this is a violation of Onembo's privacy rtights.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-62300132273735248102008-08-03T01:07:00.000-04:002008-08-03T01:07:00.000-04:00Court Administrator Onembo should be fired from hi...Court Administrator Onembo should be fired from his position, the Mazziotta termination is a personnel matter and should not have been commented on in the press. The county may have violated Mazziotta's rights by Onembo commenting on the matter. I hope Mazz sues the county for millions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-87519968691417866852008-08-02T21:16:00.000-04:002008-08-02T21:16:00.000-04:00What Jack Bradt and Brackbill did was attempt to d...What Jack Bradt and Brackbill did was attempt to demote a long-term human serives employee. I can't recall her exact title. That action resulted in a lawsuit that the county eventually lost.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-48090343559827221912008-08-02T20:16:00.000-04:002008-08-02T20:16:00.000-04:00Didn't Jack Bradt toss out the CYF and MH/MR direc...Didn't Jack Bradt toss out the CYF and MH/MR directors to put in his own and Brackbills people?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-23659837917298211442008-08-02T19:58:00.000-04:002008-08-02T19:58:00.000-04:00County Executives dump good administrators all the...<EM>County Executives dump good administrators all the time.</EM><BR/><BR/>Wrong! County execs have the right to choose their own cabinet level positions. They do not and are not permitted to replace department heads like the Recorder or Register of Wills. <BR/><BR/>When judges are permitted to replace a department head ... for any reason that suits their fancy ... that is pushing patronage too far. It becomes too easy for people who are looking to advance themselves to start sticking knioves in other people's backs.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-66079670824741683972008-08-02T19:36:00.000-04:002008-08-02T19:36:00.000-04:00County Executives dump good administrators all the...County Executives dump good administrators all the time. What's the difference? Other than O'Hare thinks this one is unfair.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-46324889899905770612008-08-02T16:16:00.000-04:002008-08-02T16:16:00.000-04:00Hey Anonymouswhat are you YELLING at. And why do ...Hey Anonymous<BR/>what are you YELLING at. And why do you need to maintain your anonyminity? ...hmmm et tu Brutus!MRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09433668628319311258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-27635381023508891432008-08-02T15:33:00.000-04:002008-08-02T15:33:00.000-04:00AGAIN, DID YOU EVER WORK UNDER HIM? HAVE YOU SPOKE...AGAIN, DID YOU EVER WORK UNDER HIM? HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO THE OTHER 18 OR 19 EMPLOYEES IN PROBATION? AND IT WASN'T JUST INAPROPRIATE JOKES THAT MADE HIM A POOR MANAGER AND THE STAFF IN PROBATION KNOWS PERFECTLY WELL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-71029560107924936742008-08-02T12:30:00.000-04:002008-08-02T12:30:00.000-04:00This is untrue. I spoke to one person who is quite...This is untrue. I spoke to one person who is quite upset and I rec'd a telephone call -unsolicited - from another probation office employee who thinks Mark was set up. <BR/><BR/>We all know he has a tendency to tell inapproprate jokes. But if that's grounds for termination, you better start cleaning out your desk bc it's only a matter of time before someone finds something wrong with you. <BR/><BR/>Where will you hide when the devil turns on you?Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91530386012920364822008-08-02T12:22:00.000-04:002008-08-02T12:22:00.000-04:00HOW MANY OF YOU WHO ARE SINGING PRAISES FOR MARK A...HOW MANY OF YOU WHO ARE SINGING PRAISES FOR MARK ACTUALLY WORKED WITH HIM???? BELIEVE ME, NO ONE WHO WORKED IN ADULT PROBATION IS CRYING OVER WHAT HAPPENED.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-60739739971953818432008-08-02T11:47:00.000-04:002008-08-02T11:47:00.000-04:00To all who care - don't cast stones lest ye be sto...To all who care - don't cast stones lest ye be stoned. <BR/><BR/>BO, your right, Mark is a classy guy, but more than that he is a VERY giving individual with a heart of gold. Just recently he genorously donated his free time and efforts to help conduct a charitable event in which more than $10K was rased to help two families with children battling cancer. This after his sister Marie lost a valiant fight against the same disease. Mark could have just as easily said, "the hell with it", my sister is gone I don't care what happens with anyone else who has cancer. But, Mark is not one to sit on is duff and just let things happen. He is a fighter who knows right from wrong and is always trying to do the right things for people. <BR/><BR/>I strongly suggest other commentors find out the person behind the man before labeling him like all others. <BR/><BR/>As you said BO, let's wait until the dust settles on this one. I'll bet you'll be surprised where the dirt ends up (BTW, black robes don't always hide dirt well)MRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09433668628319311258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-87294486368370029522008-08-02T11:27:00.000-04:002008-08-02T11:27:00.000-04:00Although there are career service regulations and ...Although there are career service regulations and unions all over the place, patronage is alive and well in Northampton County. Judges have control over a significant and growing number of employees in probation and domestic relations, to say nothing of their personal butlers, called tipstaffs.<BR/><BR/>I had naively assumed for years that these employees were selected fairly and based upon their knowledge and experience. But about two year ago, I learned that is not so.<BR/><BR/>I found this out when a highly ranked elected official (not Angle) began complaining to me that Onembo had rejected one of his recommendations for a position in the probation office. She was rejected in favor of someone else the court wanted. "We have someone else in mind."<BR/> <BR/>Both this elected official and the court administrator were discussing a position that had not even been created or approved by Council. Although the position had not yet been advertised, it was already filled by the courts.<BR/><BR/>Fortunatel;y, Mazz is on very friendly terms w/ John Karoly.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-90887686006671247592008-08-02T08:57:00.000-04:002008-08-02T08:57:00.000-04:00ledledAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-30287702823725726602008-08-02T08:56:00.000-04:002008-08-02T08:56:00.000-04:00"Your right, the President Judge had to approve th..."Your right, the President Judge had to approve the firing. But what if the President Judge had someone in mind for Mark's job all along. I'll bet the decision to fire Mark was made at the 45 million dollar lunch table high above the rotunda."<BR/><BR/>BULLSEYE.<BR/><BR/>This blog lead the cheers for the new prez judge. New prez judge; same old story of putting your faves in place. If the guy had a reputation for locker room talk, he'd been tempting his fate for a long time. It was just a matter of time before a woman rose to a position where she could do something about boys being boys. Payback is a .... well, you know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-76623947135664923262008-08-01T19:42:00.000-04:002008-08-01T19:42:00.000-04:00ask anyone who actually worked in the department w...ask anyone who actually worked in the department what they thought of Mazzy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-852668916335412172008-08-01T18:33:00.000-04:002008-08-01T18:33:00.000-04:00Anon 6:15, I said two years ago that the way judic...Anon 6:15, <BR/><BR/>I said two years ago that the way judicial employees are hired and retained needs to be re-examined. I said it again a year ago. Quality people should not be dismissed simply bc someone knows someone.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-83673794976501593252008-08-01T18:20:00.000-04:002008-08-01T18:20:00.000-04:00bernie i hope you can help him somehow. he is a cl...bernie i hope you can help him somehow. he is a class act and nice as they come. i wish him the best.bad things seem to happen to good people all the time. i'm still trying to figure that out. tc bernieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com