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.

NorCo EMS Director Bob Mateff Going to PEMA

If you were to ask former Executive John Stoffa to name his MVP, it would be a toss up between Budget Administrator Doran J. Hamann and EMS Director Bob Mateff. Unfortunately, Northampton County is losing Mateff. He's been selected by Governor Wolf's office for a new role at the Pa. Emergency management Agency.

Amazingly, Director of Administration Luis Campos called Mateff's departure "a great opportunity for the County," as his nose grew yet another inch. Mateff will be sorely missed, not simply because of his knowledge of EMS, bit because of his knowledge of County government.

It is at this point unclear who will replace Mateff, but Executive John Brown is reportedly looking st someone from Venezuela.

Northampton County Emergency Management Sees 36% Rise in OT

Northampton County's Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Mateff, whose department oversees both 911 and emergency management, had to explain a 36% increase in OT in 2011 during Monday's budget hearing. Between 2007 and 2010, OT had been going down.

Part of the reason, according to Mateff, was the hiring freeze last year. But then he pointed to Winter storms last year, the Nicos fire in Plainfield Township, Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and, of course, that earthquake.

"I'm pretty sure pestilence is next," he said.

Who Can Replace John Conklin in Northampton County?

Conklin & Stoffa

The Express Times broke the story that Northampton County's Director of Admin., John Conklin, is leaving for a homeland security job in the private sector, effective October 31. The Morning Call has told you that two people are in the running to replace John Stoffa's right hand man. I'll tell you who they are, but before I do that, I want to say a thing or two about Conklin.

He's originally from the Johnstown area, but became known in this area when he worked in Lehigh County's emergency management. He left Lehigh County for Florida in 2003, but continued working in emergency management until he got the call from Stoffa.

Unlike most Directors of Administration, he's completely apolitical. He just did his job, and did it well. His weakness was his unwillingness to play the political game with an erratic Council, but that was also his strength. He played no games. He just executed flawlessly.

First, he applied his managerial skills to rescue an election office that was out of control. Second, he took the lead in establishing many of the innovations in Northampton County's emergency management, from reverse 911 to coordinating with other groups in Lehigh County. He could also be counted on to execute plans flawlessly.

Over the years, I became friendly with John and will miss him. Whoever is getting him is very lucky.

Now who's under consideration as Conklin's replacement? One of them is Bob Mateff, the current Director of Emergency Management. His office is among the most efficient and successful in Northampton County. It's hard to decipher where Conklin's expertise ends and Mateff's begins, but there's no question that Mateff has played a big role. From chemical spills on Route 33 to a swine flu scare to the recent handling of Hurricane Irene, Mateff has been there.

But like Conklin, Mateff is also apolitical. He may be an expert at dealing with tornadoes and hurricanes, but those are nothing compared to the snakepit known as Northampton County Council. Many people have gone into their star chamber, never to return.

The second contender is right at home in the political world. Alicia Karner, the County's Economic Development Analyst, knows how to deal with the politicos. After all, she was State Senator Lisa Boscola's District Chief of Staff. Karner serves as the Administration's eyes on the gaming authority, general purpose authority, industrial development authority and a host of other projects. She is the person who recently made an excellent presentation concerning the proposed Rte 33 TIF in Palmer Township. That will probably pass unanimously, thanks in large part to her fine work.

She even persuaded me!

Another difference between Karner and Mateff s that when you call her, she gets back to you. That's not a strong suit with Mateff. Sooner or later, that will get him in trouble with the politicos.

I believe Karner would look better to the administration that follows Stoffa, too.

Either one of these people would be an excellent choice. I would prefer Karner, but the County Executive makes his own decisions.