I Won't Be Able to Kick Steve Barron Around Anymore

 

This meme was actually created by a member of Steve's staff. 

Over the past few weeks, I've had to bite my tongue when several readers suggested that Steve Barron would be running Northampton County should Tara Zrinski be elected as Executive. What they did not know is that Barron had already given notice of his intended resignation, which will take effect tomorrow at the end of the day. I kept quiet about it because some malicious people would almost certainly attempt to sabotage his new job. He is leaving county employment for a higher-paying job with considerably less stress, and I wish him the best. 

According to the meme, Barron has been providing content to bloggers on slow news days since 2007 and is a proud supporter of citizen journalism. That's right on the mark. 

I suspect that in tghe years to come, I may be able to start kicking Steve around again. He's the public official that County Council loves to hate, but he also is one of the few people in government who actually reads the Home Rule Charter and Administrative Code. True, he doesn't always follow it, but he tries. 

He'll be back. 

Steve Has An Emotional Support Teddy

NorCo Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron is the administration official that Council members love to hate. They've called him condescending, a bloviator and worse. But the ugliest rebukes come from comments on this blog. Anonymous, of course. Is all this venom taking a toll?

All I'll say is that I caught him a few days ago with an emotional support teddy bear. He was having a nice conversation with it, too. 

There's a Reason Steve Barron Handles NorCo's Money

Steve Barron, Northampton County's former Controller, is currently Director of Fiscal Affairs. He's got the right job, too. He can squeeze a buck.

I called him over the weekend about six union contracts approved by NorCo Council Thursday night, trying to make sure my story was accurate. I heard back from him late Sunday. He told me that he had taken his family to see Hamilton on Broadway. Those are $1,000 tickets, so I demanded an explanation. His youngest daughter, who is going to be an actress when she grows up, really wanted to go. He checked repeatedly for sales and was able to get four tickets at a price that even I could afford.

Today, he let me in on another secret. There's also a daily online lottery that opens up the first four rows for just $10. The only drawback is that it is for a next day performance.

I've already applied.

Did Brown and Allen Snub Barron?

Northampton County Controller Steve Barron put a lot of long hours into getting Lamont McClure elected as County Executive last week. Incumbent John Brown noticed. He has complained bitterly about Barron's involvement to several of his allies. In a rare display of pique, he appeared to snub Barron during yesterday's Council committee meetings.

Brown and Administrator Cathy Allen arrived together for yesterday's personnel and finance committee hearings. Things moved along quickly until Council reached the final item on their agenda, a review of hotel tax audits.

As Barron approached the podium, Brown and Allen both got up and walked out, and without acknowledging anyone.

It could just be that hotel tax audits over a few dollars are boring, but it was odd that both would get up and walk out during a meeting that was already brief.

Brown and Benol: What Happens in Vegas Should Stay in Vegas

Mat Benol hangs Ten Commandments behind
him before every meeting

On Monday, NorCo Controller Steve Barron suggested to Council that tighter internal controls might be needed for staff training and development. He pointed out that, in 2016, Human Resources spent $56,758.15 for training, nearly ten times the $5,749.35 spent the year before. He noted a "training" trip at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, and another trip by the same employee to New Orleans. He told Council that training costs this year are already close to $20,000, even though only $35,000 is budgeted. His report fails to get into various P-card purchases made by Trapp and others in the Human Resources Department, including an $800 popcorn machine and $1,000 spent at Target for gift cards in violation of county policy. That will be coming later, I can assure you, and may even be flagged by external auditors. Pointing to the practice in other jurisdictions, Barron suggests it might be appropriate for Council to approve trips more than 100 miles away from the county. Executive John Brown defended this spending at last night's Council meeting. Council member Mat Benol attacked Barron.

Brown claimed this spending was really an attempt to build the foundation of Human Resources by providing better training to managers and supervisors in other departments. "It is the number one thing we need to do," said Brown. He said he'll be increasing the amount of money the County spends for staff development and training. He argued that the County employees themselves recognized, in a recent survey, that they need more training when named to supervisory roles.

The problem with Brown's explanation is that the $56,758.15 spent by Human Resources in 2016 is more than the $30,000 budgeted. He spent most of 2016 running for state auditor general instead of the job that the people of Northampton County elected him to do, and over much of that year, no one was at the helm. When I go into Brown's own expense reports next week, you will see yourself that there was a leadership vacuum in 2016.

It's the kind of vacuum that would enable Trapp to raid the health and wellness fund for an $800 popcorn machine she keeps in her office. The smell alone should have given that away.

Brown also failed to explain why Human Resources Director Amy Trapp has already spent over $20,000 of the $35,000 set aside this year for training and staff development in her department.

Trapp herself was unavailable. She is recovering from an automobile accident earlier this week, and hopefully makes a complete recovery.

Brown told Council he would make her available to explain these expenditures. Council President John Cusick is a big proponent of a statewide county organization called CCAP (County Comm'r Ass'n of Pa) and has for years encouraged even his fellow Council members to participate. But CCAP meets at places like Mechanicsburg, not Las Vegas or New Orleans. "The optics of that don't look particularly good," he said. Brown still justified the trips because they were highly recommended by a third-party consultant.

Hayden Phillips said that the idea of conferences and conventions is diminishing. He thinks Council might consider, as Barron suggested, a greater role in approving outside travel.

Bob Werner also is concerned because CCAP ismore locally located. He added, "There are best Western hotels."

Brown was unable to say whether the county seeks discounted rates.

Mat Benol, however, is angry that Barron had dared to question these expenses. "This type of report is nothing more than a political football," he said, calling it an "inflammatory" report.

"This is another one of those knee-jerk things that our Controller has done to try to make the Executive look bad. I'm just getting tired of it. At the next meeting, I plan on taking some action on the Controller because the Controller is a financial position, it's not a political position. To me, it's a bean counter position. I understand that this is one of the areas that technically falls to that position, but if you're going to do an objective report, you talk to both sides. You don't just grab some things and make it inflammatory and throw it out there to get the headlines. I'm tired of it. And because I'm not running for re-election, I'm politically expendable. This is just me as a Councilperson getting tired of our Controller using that position as a political pulpit."

Under Northampton County's Home Rule Charter, the Controller is the person responsible for the internal control of the fiscal transactions of the county. This includes trips to Las Vegas and New Orleans. It includes department heads who exceed their spending budgets. It includes spending more money than permitted for meals. It includes the purchase of $800 popcorn machines and the abuse of the county purse to purchase gift cards that violate county credit card policy. As an independently elected official, the Controller has the power, at any time and on his own initiative, to review the fiscal transactions of any county agency without first seeking permission from John Brown or Mat Benol. That's what the Controller did, and that is his job. He has in the past found that the Executive himself was abusing his expense reports, and money had to be paid back to the County.

Now Barron is a Democrat who supports John Brown's opponent in the Executive race, Lamont McClure. Without question there are political overtones to what he is doing. But what he is doing is the job the people elected him to do. "If I really wanted to be political, I'd gather this information and just sit on it until September," said Barron. "I told Council about it now because I want to keep staff training and travel expenses in check.If I failed to disclose it now, Benol would be asking, 'Where's the Controller?'"

He's doing his job.

Benol is supposed to provide oversight of the executive branch as well. But he apparently thinks he's a cheerleader.

Barron: Stronger Internal Controls Needed For NorCo Staff Training and Travel

Controller Steve Barron

What happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, they say. But word that two Human Resources staffers went on a junket there, and to the Mirage Hotel no less, is just one of many disturbing details disclosed by the information I've received from Northampton County in response to a Right-to-Know.

It disturbs NorCo Controller Steve Barron, too. Below is a memo he sent to County Council yesterday, calling for greater internal controls over staff training and travel instead of an out-of control county that has authorized trips to Vegas, New Orleans, Atlantic City's Harrah Resort and other posh destinations. Specifically, he suggests that Council should approve all travel requests that are over 100 miles away.  

As Controller, I have the duty to audit the fiscal transactions of all agencies that receive or disburse county funds, and report to you and the Executive if I determine that the potential for waste or abuse exists. I am empowered to audit the account of any agency, at any time, without interference and on my own initiative. The purpose of this report is to put you on notice that the potential for waste and abuse exists with staff development training and travel expenses, demonstrating a need for stronger internal controls.

Year-end budget numbers for 2016 reveal that the budget for staff development in the Department of Human Resources jumped from $5,749.35 to a staggering $56,758.15. This is an increase of 987% in one year (Exhibit 1).

I reviewed other county departments to compare those costs of staff development and training within the county (Exhibit 2). As you will see, the jail had the highest cost for staff development and training, but that is because the County was addressing drastic staff shortages and the training was mostly done in-house. The jail now has filled 196 of its 200 positions.

Human Resources did a lot of training away from the courthouse campus. To prevent potential waste and abuse and conserve taxpayer dollars, internal controls are needed to ensure that training and travel expenses are not abused.

As an example, I refer to an airfare charge for a two-night trip to the NeoGov User Conference (October 12-14, 2016) in Las Vegas (Exhibit 3). There is a hotel bill for that time period for two employees at the Mirage Hotel. There were two rooms purchased as one male and one female traveled on the trip. Conferences like this are meant more for networking and less about training. NeoGov was brought online in late 2014 and used through 2015. This conference was not so much about training and seems to be excessive if not outright abusive. The total cost for the airfare, conference fees and hotels was $2,434.32. This total does not include meals. This seems excessive when the Department of Defense only allows $102 max for a hotel and a $166 dollar per diem total in Las Vegas (Exhibit 4).

A second example is an airfare charge that came two months after the Las Vegas trip. This trip was for a Worker’s Compensation Conference in New Orleans, LA. Two male Human Resource staff members were scheduled to go on this trip, but only one went. Interestingly, this staff member is one of the two who had just traveled to Las Vegas two months earlier. He stayed from 11/29/2016 until 12/2/2016 in New Orleans (Exhibit 6). The cost for airfare and hotel on this trip was $1,297.68. This cost does not include fees for the conference or meals. The Department of Defense per diem rate in New Orleans is $192-220, and the funds expended by the County appear to have been in excess of that allotment.

This same staffer is currently registered for a Harrisburg Worker’s Compensation Conference in June. This begs the question whether the New Orleans travel was really necessary as there are clearly conferences much closer. Also, how many training conferences does this employee need to be proficient in Worker’s Compensation?

The Controller’s office uses software for data analysis called ACL. This software has a user conference as well. In 2017 it is in Nashville, TN. While I would love to send my staff to this conference, it is would be a poor use of taxpayer money. We have instead formed a user group with several members of the Institute of Internal Auditors and that group meets at PP&L on a regular basis.

I am sure there are users of NeoGov in close geographic proximity to Northampton County where the Human Resource Office can apply a similar strategy to save taxpayer money. The next NeoGov User Conference is at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in October of 2017. It is my hope that Council can work to convince the County Executive that sending people this year would be a waste of taxpayer money.

I decided to check what other counties do when travel expenses are approved. In Lehigh County it is largely a function of the department head to anticipate training and travel during the budget process. In Cambria County (Johnstown, PA), County Commissioners must approve all travel outside the state. Cambria County is a 4th class county. Allegheny County has a very strict policy on travel, which I have attached (Exhibit 5). You can see that they limit travel and require several approvals. Allegheny County is a 2nd class county. Finally, Dauphin County, who is a 3rd class county like we are, has the county commissioner vote on all travel outside the routine mileage taken by workers who are required to travel off site as part of their job duties.

The final highlight of these expenses would be a $7,050.00 bill paid to Northampton County Community College for five employees in the Human Resource Department to be trained (Exhibit 7). These trainings were titled:

• Effective Interactions
• Situational Leadership
• Conflict Resolution Strategies
• Managing the Performance of Others
• Coaching for Improved Performance
• Basic Management Skills

This cost was approximately $1,400 per employee. This is excessive. In 2016, we spent approximately $700.00 per correction officer at the jail for their training and staff development. Someone hired into a professional human resources position should be proficient in them before they are hired into that department.

I wanted to also note that there are several meals that seem to be purchased and paid for on these trips and at these conferences that look to be in violation of Northampton County’s Policy on Travel, Meal and Mileage Reimbursement (Code 3.708). However, I will address those in the Procurement Card Audit that will be beginning this month. Several of the meals purchased in the Human Resource Department and throughout the county are purchased using Procurement Cards. This way we can do a universal look at the reimbursement policy and make recommendations based on a larger countywide view.

In closing, it is important to bring this to your attention now since the cost for this line item is already at $19,906.26 (as of 4/12/2017). At the end of 2016 there was discussion of budget transfers to pay a vendor that ultimately led to that bill being paid in 2017. In the e-mail attached Doran Hamann said to one of the disbursement staff that there was no more money to move in 2016 (Exhibit 8). The bill was paid in the 1/06/2017 check run when there was money in the budget to cover the expense. The e-mail exchange was attached to the bill that was paid in 2017 as justification for holding the bill and delaying payment.

Clearly some of these 2017 expenses are not budgeted for and the budgeted amount for 2017 in Misc Employee Benefits in the Human Resource Department (which includes staff development) is only $35,000. That means that already 63% is spent for 2017, and we are only in April.

Alerting Council to this matter in advance highlights a potential problem. Hopefully, this memo will curb spending as more scrutiny is placed on these expenses and ultimately prevent the frivolous and abusive spending of taxpayer money. I also included a complete list of these costs for 2016 in Exhibit 9 and total for 2017 expenses as Exhibit 10. If there are any other items you would like reviewed or to inquire about you now have ready access to the information.

I also recommend that Council take a larger oversight role in travel matters that could lead to large costs. Something reasonable like council approval of all travel that is over 100 miles from the county (excluding the District Attorney, Courts, Sheriff duties for the Courts or routine travel in departments like CYF) would not be too burdensome and allow you greater oversight of the budget expenses which you approve as part of your duties under the Home Rule Charter. The 100 mile limit would not limit travel to places that county employees usual travel to for conferences and training (Philadelphia, Harrisburg, New York), but will provide oversight and an additional approval when airfare and additional taxpayer money would be required to be spent. Council may also want to consider adopting adherence to the DOD rates for travel and reimbursement.

Thank you for your diligent review of these concerns, and I would be happy to provide additional documentation if requested.

DA John Morganelli Rejects Politically Inspired Complaint Against Controller

Hayden Phillips

A mid-week snowstorm resulted in a large number of absences at the NorCo courthouse on Thursday. But DA John Morganelli was at his office as usual. "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays his couriers of criminal justice from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Morganelli is pretty busy right now with a homicide in Bethlehem and another in Palmer Township. But he had to drop those matters to respond to the latest political vendetta against Controller Steve Barron.

Northampton County Council is embarrassed, as it should be, over its head-in-the sand reaction to the senseless rape and murder of a 15 year old girl named Grace Packer. The woman accused of hatching this plot and then getting off as her boyfriend raped this 15-year old girl was the girl's adopting mother, Sara Packer. She was employed by NorCo between 2003 and 2010 and was amazingly an adoption supervisor. This raises all kinds of questions about NorCo's Children Youth and families (CYF) division, especially since a caseworker there was sentenced to 12 years behind bars in 2010 for sexually abusing a child. Rather than answer those questions, which would reassure the public and provide some solace to CYF workers, both Council and Executive John Brown hung that department out to dry while ignoring the press.

Brown, whose last updated the county website with "News" on November 7, has never understood the importance of being transparent and keeping the public informed. His Council is just as bad. Instead of addressing the jail, reassessment, or the low morale in the county workforce, meetings have deteriorated into 20-minute sessions in which Council members pat themselves on the back.

The Brown administration both ignored press inquiries from NBC10 and WFMZ-TV69 concerning Grace Packer, or actively misled them by saying that Sara Packer is not a current employee. NBC-10's Deanna Durante was ignored by all Council members, too,save for Ken Kraft. He put her in touch with Barron.

Barron, whose career started in group homes, was unwilling to circle the wagons like Council and Brown. He reviewed Packer's records and determined she had been employed by the County CYF as an adoption supervisor for seven years, between 2003 and 2010, when she was fired over, believe it or not, the sexual abuse of Grace Packer by her the husband. Instead of stonewalling, Barron released this public information to the media. He did the job that the Brown administration refused to do.

And he paid for it.

During one session with WFMZ-TV69, a camera zoomed in on his computer screen, and for less than a second, showed a number that might be Packer's social security number. Executive John Brown was made aware of this error.But instead of notifying WFMZ so they could correct this error, he tucked this information away so he could blast Barron at a Council meeting that occurred over a week after his discovery. He also had Barron's access to computer records cut off.

Council wanted to make political hay, too. Hayden Phillips was as quiet as a church mouse when NBC-10's Deanna Durante came to Council to demand answers. But once she was gone and out of the way, he decided to exact revenge against the man who defeated him in the last Controller race. He asked Council Solicitor Phil Lauer to draft a memo indicating what laws were broken and laying out Council's options.

Lauer told him what I had said here. Because the disclosure was unintentional, there is no criminal liability. Unsatisfied with that answer, Phillips then referred Lauer's opinion to DA John Morganelli,and without authority from the rest of Council.

Morganelli reached the same conclusion that Lauer did before him, and that I did before both of them. There is no criminal liability. Barron's disclosure was unintentional. The DA also refused to refer this matter to the US Attorney, so Barron can stow his rubber underwear for the time being. You can read the District Attorney's opinion below.

Speaking of criminal liability, if anyone acted intentionally, it is John Brown. He was aware of a continuing disclosure of an employee's social security number and did nothing to stop it. If he really cared about employee privacy, he would have reacted immediately. Also, when you prevent a government official from doing his job, that's called obstruction.

In the meantime, Council's Human Services Chair Seth Vaughn has refused to invite CYF and Human Services officials to a hearing to answer some questions that would violate no one's privacy, would reassure the public, and would give the CYF division a much-needed boost in the arm. He has refused to convene a hearing because the questions come from me,just as Council has failed to lest their county emailadresses on the county website.

They are afraid someone might ask them a question.

Instead of burying their heads in the sand or playing vindictive political games against the person who beat him in the Controller's race, Hayden Phillips and Seth Vaughn needs to get answers concerning the following:

1) How a CYF caseworker is hired;
2) What training a certifications and continuing education are required;
3) How complaints against a CYF caseworker are handled;
4) How many complaints have been made against CYF caseworkers, year by year;
5) What is the caseload of each caseworker;
6) Does this caseload exceed the state recommendation:
7) How are caseworkers supervized,and how are supervisors themselves supervized;
8) How are foster parents selected;
9) How many foster parents are there in NC?
10) How are foster parents paid?
11) Are caseworkers allowed to be foster parents?
12) How are complaints against foster parents handled?

DA: Accidental Disclosure of SS Number Not Criminal by BernieOHare on Scribd

NorCo Blocks Barron's Access To Financial Data

Barron was at Lamont McClure's side when
he announced for Exec on Thursday. 

NorCo Controller Steve Barron's access to financial data has been cut off by the Brown administration. Barron is the county official who confirmed that Sara Packer, the ex-adoption supervisor accused of murdering her own adopted daughter was a NorCo employee. At a time when the rest of the county was stonewalling or providing misleading information to reporters, Barron told the truth. And now he appears to be paying the price.

A letter from HR Director Amy Trapp dated Thursday but not delivered until Friday accuses Barron of "intentionally" disclosing the social security number of a county employee to the press.

Though Barron denies deliberately furnishing a social security numbers to anyone, a WFMZ-TV video of Barron at his computer, published on January 10, did reveal reveal Packer's social security number for under a second. There was nothing to identify that number as Packer's social security number or even as a social security number. When Barron became aware of this unintentional disclosure on Friday, he contacted WFMZ-TV69, and the station immediately removed the video.

Brown or Trapp, if they really cared about the privacy of county employees, could and should have done this themselves, as soon as either were aware of this matter. They instead allowed this private information to remain in the public domain for over a week so that they could retaliate. Brown did so at Council's Thursday night meeting, right after Barron said that Brown owes CYF workers an apology for hanging them out to dry. Trapp retaliated when she cut off Barron's access to a menu in the county's system that enables both Barron andhis staff to review payroll.

"This adjustment will in no manner impair your office's or your ability to discharge your duties," Trapp claims. But Baron, who is an independently elected official charged with responsibility for monitoring county finances, disagrees. He said that without the menu, he would never have noticed that employees were being awarded raises without Council approval,or that Brown and Administrator Cathy Allen were improperly seeking reimbursements for expenses.

This is the second time Brown has actively interfered with Barron's access to county systems. In 2014, Barron was briefly barred from blanket emails to county employees that inappropriately referred to Brown as "Dear Leader." Barron's access was subsequently restored.

Barron has asked for a meeting with county officials.

Barron Delivers Greatest Speech in Career

I often torment Northampton County Controller Steve Barron because he tends to go on and on forever. It's like he's paid by the word! Things are really bad when he starts out with, "I'll be brief." But I have to congratulate him. Last night, Barron delivered the best speech of his career.

"No report!"

If I participated in pre-meeting prayers, I'd say they've finally been answered.  

Barron Gets Beach-Bashed at NorCo Council

Though noting in the Home Rule Charter requires it, Controller Steve Barron usually attends Northampton County Council meetings. He even has an agenda item for any remarks he wants to make. Bur he was absent on Thursday night. He and his family were at the beach for their fourth one-week vacation during his eight years in office. A week before the meeting, he advised Council Clerk Linda Zembo in writing that he'd be on vacation. Council used his absence to bash him.

"Is Mr. Barron still employed by the County?" asked a smug Glenn Geissinger when Council President John Cusick noticed that Barron was absent. Now Geissinger missed meetings when he was running for Congress. Unlike Barron, he is required to attend Council meetings. But he was going to be a Congressman. Geissinger also very often attends meeting by phone because he's too important to be there in person.

Ken Kraft, a fellow Democrat, asked to have the Controller's report removed from the agenda. "I don't really want it," he said, noting that Barron has more than enough time to say whatever he has to say during Finance Committee meetings that Kraft usually skips.

Peg Ferraro and Seth Vaughn were all for removing this agenda item. Cusick said he wanted to hear from Barron first. 

To be fair, Cusick or Linda Zembo should have told everyone that Barron had notified them he would be on vacation. But it's pretty clear that no one on Council is interested in being fair to Barron.

I know Barron talks a lot, and I hate it, but I'd rather have a public official who is transparent than some smug and condescending bastard who phones in to meetings because he's too important to hang with the vulgari.

When Juliet said, "I'll be brief," she meant it. She stabbed herself with Romeo's dagger, ensuring that there'd no sequel. But when Barron says "I'll be brief," it's my cue to hunt down Romeo's dagger and join Juliet. He talks too much. I've told him this. Ken Kraft has told him this. But it is because he cares.

I think it's unfortunate that Council would trash Barron over a family vacation when most of them skip meetings themselves.

NorCo Controller: Procurement Practices Need Review

Northampton County's procurement practices, outlined in the Administrative Code, are badly in need of an overhaul. That's the biggest recommendation made by Controller Steve Barron in his detailed annual report on county operations. (You can read it here.)

The County's procurement practices have resulted in two lawsuits within the past two years, pitting Council against the Executive, over interpretations of bidding practices contained in the Administrative Code. Barron calls these provisions "unclear, inconsistent, and in some cases, overly restrictive. As a result, it does not always provide clear and reasonable guidance for the procurement of goods and services."

Given what is going on in Allentown, this should raise all kinds of red flags to anyone interested in good government. Moreover, no one who disagrees with Barron's assessment. Throughout the past year, members of Council and the Administration have both expressed dissatisfaction with the procurement provisions. Yet Council has failed to take action.

Barron is recommending a "comprehensive revision" of procurement practices, which he suggests should be a "cooperative effort between representatives of both the Administration and County Council."

In other aspects of his report, Barron makes the following findings:

1. DA Drug Forfeitures. - "The County Detective should document the procedures for processing Drug Forfeiture Agency Fund transactions."

2. Public Works timekeeping. - "We were unable to reach a conclusion about the overall accuracy of payroll in the Public Works Department due to the lack of adequate documentation, and supervisory review and approval."

3. County's P-Cards. - These are responsible for nearly $1 million in purchases every year. "The Procurement Card Program continues to be an efficient, cost-effective method of paying for purchases without the need for petty cash, small purchase orders or accounts payable checks. Overall the program is working as intended."

4. Tax Claim Agency, (handles tax sales of real estate). - "[T]axes recovered through Upset and Judicial Sales are disbursed prior to obtaining an order confirming distribution from the court, in violation of Section 205 (3) of the Real Estate Tax Sale Law."

5. Hotel Tax Grants - "The Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development should ensure that these grants are monitored for compliance with Ordinance 484 and the terms of the grant agreements. Monitoring is a valuable tool that could have resulted in the avoidance or correction of non-compliance issues that were experienced by ArtsQuest."

6. Medical Claims - "In 2014, the County spent just under $22.8 million to pay for medical and prescription claims for enrolled employees, retirees and eligible family members, and an additional $1,213,535.66 in administrative fees to CBC for third-party administration and stop loss insurance."

7. Conservation District. - "The application tracking process involves eight different logs covering approximately 113 different data fields. The number of logs maintained results in inefficiencies in the office as it is a duplication of effort."

8. Constables. - According to Barron, they are "overpaid for server fees," payment sheets are not signed, duties are not rotated.

9. Mail. "Savings could be attained by the County in the handling of postage machine leases. Some machines aren’t necessary, such as the one at the Jail and one of the machines at the Human Service building. Mail that could be processed through the Mailroom should flow through there as it will reduce the need for manpower to operate the offsite machines, and correspondence would be mailed at a cheaper rate."

10. Recorder of Deeds. - "[P]erform more frequent random cash drawer verifications."

11. DUI Offendors. - "Offender supervision fees were not assessed on defendants under the supervision of the DUI Office. Defendants under the supervision of DUI are charged a $30 monthly “DUI Parole Fee” which amounted to $307,036 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014."

12. Payroll. - "We identified three instances in which employees did not receive the longevity payment to which they were entitled."

Updated 10:20 pm: County Stonewalls Controller on Allen Mileage Logs

Last Friday, I told you that NorCo Deputy Administrator Cathy Allen is in a bit of hot water. She is facing both a mortgage foreclosure and several tax liens. The Express Times picked up on this story on Monday. Though Allen is not a cabinet-level official, she is Executive John Brown's most trusted staffer.

These reports have in turn led to several complaints to Controller Steve Barron that Allen is misusing a County-owned vehicle, which has been spotted at her home. These may turn out to be unfounded complaints, but Barron asked for the mileage logs on Friday. As of this moment, they have not been produced.

Director of Administration Luis Campos told Barron they would be produced later in the week, but he wanted to have a meeting first to "discuss the big picture strategy of efficiency optimization throughout the County."

That "big picture" is contained in Article IV of the Home Rule Charter, which imposes a duty on the Controller to "audit at any time" the potential misuse of County funds. Barron made clear to Campos that he is more than willing to participate in a meeting, but needs to see the mileage log now, not later in the week. The longer the County takes to produce it, the more an opportunity for mischief presents itself.

Campos has still refused to turn over the mileage log.

Barron tells Council that his request "for one or two pages of information is not that big of a deal, as it is a document being produced and maintained as a business record of the day to day operations of the county. It makes me wonder what is being hidden."

Instead of receiving the log, Barron has received a sermon from County Council member mat Benol, who thinks Council should be able to meet in secret. He accuses Barron of engaging in a "political endeavor," and then attempts to deflect from the issue by telling Barron he should be looking at Xerox contracts for IT services. He tells Barron to put "petty partisan issues aside and do what the Controllers office was truly set up to do. I really do not want to dig up the past and review missteps of prior administrations that you neglected to investigate with the same vigor."

He also instructs Barron that "[a] true controller with a background and experience would know how to properly utilize the expertise of the Controllers department and know how to dissect large contracts for inefficiency in order to truly save County finances."

Barrron advised at the end of today's County Council budget hearing that Campos has agreed to turn over the mileage log. ... Tomorrow.

I Will Be Brief

When NorCo Controller Steve Barron says, "I will be brief," it's time to break out the cold weather camping gear. It's going to be a while. He's a politician, and like all politicians, he likes to talk. So much so that he used to write himself in during courtesy of the floor. Council finally decided to give him his very own spot on the agenda if he really, really has something to say. He always does, and the November 19 meeting was no exception despite a packed agenda.

He just had something to day the day before. At the Finance Committee , he waxed on with about 137 audit reports.

If you have trouble sleeping, listen to them some time.

"I will be brief," he said then, too.

Council President Peg Ferraro tried to give him a hint when she asked, "Do you have a report?" Of course he did, and up to the podium he went. He is very excited about his new anonymous tip hot line, which employees and residents can call to report fraud and waste.

The number is 610-829-6616.

His brief remarks went on for about five minutes. And then Council members, who are politicians and like to talk, too, went on with about another five minutes worth of questions.

Seriously, what about an anonymous tip line that merits five minute of explanation followed by five minutes of discussion. They even managed to get Solicitor Phil Lauer involved with questions about liability.

When Barron had finally finished, it was Executive John Brown's turn to give his report.

"I will be brief," he said.

So if anyone wants to call this tip line to report government waste, you have a few good examples.

The Colonel Comes Up Short

Republican Hayden Phillips is so admired by even his Democratic colleagues on Northampton County Council that they call him "the Colonel" in honor of his service as a Marine. But I am glad he lost his attempt to take the Controller's seat from Steve Barron. Smart an independent, Phillips has been a force for good government. If he defeated Barron, his replacement would be a pale imitation. On top of that, Barron has matured and is no longer the partisan he was when he first took office. He has been an effective check on Executive John Brown and abuses that have extended from charging improper expenses to illegal raises.

Barron's razor thin victory (532 votes), however should serve as notice that taxpayers are unwilling to tolerate any more instances of immaturity.

NorCo Controller Race Stretching Campaign Dollars

Steve Barron on the left and Hayden Phillips on the right. Dean Browning is referee.  

Northampton County Controller's race pits incumbent Steve Barron, a Democrat, against challenger Hayden "The Colonel" Phillips, a Republican. Both candidates are going to have an opportunity to demonstrate who is best at running a campaign with limited funding. The federal investigation into pay-to-play in Reading and Allentown has made potential contributors think twice. For that, many mailmen will be thankful as election day approaches. So how are the candidates reaching the voters.

Barron appears to be making heavy use of technology. He has been placing Facebook ads strategically that are designed to reach a targeted audience. He also purchased an auto dialer and is using it to reach super voters and for polling.

Phillips appears to be relying heavily on a grass roots effort based on supporters from the Lehigh Valley Tea Party, along with mainstream Republicans.

The Colonel is Running for Controller

(Incumbent Controller Steve Barron, far left; challenger Hayden Phillips, far right; and referee Dean Browning in the middle. Though Barron and Phillips oppose each other, they were kind enough to pose for a picture together.)

As expected, Northampton County Council member Hayden Phillips, filed the paperwork on August 19 to make official his candidacy as the Republican nominee for County Controller. Ron Angle, who won the primary election on the basis of a write-in vote, withdrew from the race on August 7 for personal reasons. Phillips was the unanimous choice of the County GOP Executive Committee. In fact, Angle nominated Phillips as his successor.

Phillips, who refers to himself with some pride as a tea party conservative, has established a reputation for thoughtfulness and independence in his two years on Council. His capital improvements committee has focused on establishing maintenance plans for long-neglected county property. "Say what you're going to do, do it, and prove that you did it," has been his simple but effective mantra.

He sided with Democrats over contracts proposed by Executive John Brown for both business and press relations consultants.

He also spearheaded the one-mill tax hike narrowly approved by Council last year.

Phillips is held in high regard by his fellow Council members. In fact, Democrat Ken Kraft is the one who gave Phillips his nickname as The Colonel. Phillips wears no white suits, but served in the U.S, Marine Corps, and retired as a Colonel in 2003.

Phillips has a bachelor's degree from Mansfield University and a master's in Business Administration from Lehigh. He recently retired as a project manager in the information technology industry.

Incumbent Steve Barron is the Democratic nominee. He is seeking a third term. He is a graduate of Widener University and its School of Law. He is also a certified fraud examiner who occasionally assists the District Attorney in white collar crime.

Barron has the distinction of drawing the ire of both Republican Executive John Brown as well as his predecessor, Democratic Executive John Stoffa. His recent audit of a treatment program at the jail refuted boasts that it was ending recidivism,.One of his audit findings showed that two persons who were supposedly free of new offenses were in fact residents at the jail. This led to the termination of a $5 million contract.

You can read more about this race in a story written by Tom Shortell for The Morning Call.

Ron Angle Withdraws From NorCo Controller Race

Former Northampton County Council member Ron Angle has filed papers to withdraw as the Republican nominee for Controller. In a phone interview, Angle told me his reasons were "personal."  If it were just him, I think he'd stay in the race. But I believe he pulled out to shield his family from the inevitable attacks that always seem to be directed at him.

At the moment, incumbent and Democratic nominee Steve Barron has no opponent. The county party hierarchy does have the authority to name a replacement. I am unaware if that has happened.

On a personal level, I am glad Ron has pulled out. I consider him a very close friend. I adore Ron's wife Sharon, who is as far from politics as you can get. And I really like his sons Max, a natural body builder who may soon be the first Angle to graduate from college, and Ron, Jr., who is battling an illness.

Contrary to Ron's popular image, he is one of the finest and most compassionate persons I've ever met. It always bothered me to see him attacked.

A Ron Angle Controller Race Would Help Elect Sam Murray

Although the official tally is not expected until later this week, WFMZ-TV69 has gone out on a limb and reported that Ron Angle has attracted enough write-in votes to get on the Republican ballot in the Controller's race against Steve Barron. I'll go out a little farther and report that Angle has over 550 write-ins, well in excess of the 250 votes required. A few votes went to RAT candidate Anthony Catino, who wanted to twerk his way into office. There was even a write-in vote for the "Mediterranean Manslab" in Bethlehem's eighth ward. But Angle, who spent no money and did no campaigning, really kicked ass. Nobody will be more grateful than Sam Murray, if Ron really runs. And that is a Big If.  

If the judicial race between Democrat Sam Murray and Republican Vic Scomillio were held today, Sam would lose. He would go down even though there are more Democrats than Republicans.The reason for this is that Republicans vote in municipal races while Democrats watch John Stewart. This is why John Brown, who was widely unknown, was able to beat John Callahan in 2013.

Republicans are pretty smart in these races. Look at Bethlehem and Easton. You'll see there are no Republicans on the ballot. Even in the County Council races, Republicans offered no challenger in Bethlehem or Easton. As a result, Democrats stay home in the urban centers. They think they have no real reason to vote. And the Republicans crush everywhere else, especially in county races. So despite having the Brown anchor around his neck, I believe Scomillio is currently the odds on favorite for judge and that Sam is going to have to do everything he can to bring out the vote if he expects to win.

In the old days when there were real party bosses like Justin Jirolanio, Democrats were a real machine on election day. They spent immense amounts of money to drive voters to the polls and make sure as many Democrats as possible voted (and some would add as many times as possible).

Over the years, as unions and party structures have weakened, that real get out the vote effort has been replaced by political consultants who send mailers to the wrong addresses or conduct bogus polls. Candidates with no money get stuck with zealots like Gloria McVeigh, who scare normal Democrats away.

Republicans need no one to drive them to the polls. They will come in on walkers and wheelchairs. You have to respect them for their willingness to be engaged. I wish more Democrats were like that, but they only get fired up in presidential races.

If Ron runs for Controller, things change. Sam's chances of getting elected as Northampton County next judge improve considerably. Ron will bring out the Democrats. In fact, he'll probably bring out more Republicans than might otherwise vote. He is a master at drawing attention to himself, and has already done it in this race. The Express Times was unwilling to do a profile on the judicial race before the primary becauseit  might interfere with their prom coverage. But the paper published a story about Angle's write-in campaign, even though he was not even a candidate. He sells papers.

Now WFMZ is reporting on the barbs being exchanged between Steve Barron and Ron, in what sounds more like the trash talk before a professional wrestling bout than anything else.

Good stuff.

As most of you know, I think Barron is a much better Controller now than he was before John Brown took office. He has matured, and Brown has also managed to make him look pretty good. But as most of you also know, I consider Ron Angle one of my closest friends. In my mind, no one would be a better fiscal watchdog than the man I dubbed the Northampton County Bulldog.

But is Ron really serious?

I think he was running solely to prevent Barron from waging his own write-in campaign, or even worse, seeing the nomination going to a wingnut  like Catino. I doubt he really wants the job. He is simply too busy to be tied down to an office every day. If Ron Angle turns down the nomination, party bosses can select someone else to take his place. That's what I expect to see happen.

But not right away.

He's having too much fun.

UNOFFICIAL: Ron Angle Has Enough Write-Ins to Run For Controller

According to the unofficial tally, Ron Angle will be on the ballot this Fall as the Republican candidate for Controller. That's bad news for incumbent Steve Barron, who has been effective in recent years. It's worse news for John Brown, who has been a disaster as Executive and is sitting on a slush fund of casino table games revenue.

Brown Incorrectly Accuses Barron of Promoting Without Council Approval

Yesterday, I told you that Controller Steve Barron has requested NorCo Executive John Brown to suspend the temporary pay hikes he's awarded to top officials, pending Council review. He made this request after Council Solicitor Phil Lauer ruled that these payhikes are ultra vires. Brown responded with this poorly researched memo, essentially making a pot-meet-kettle argument.

Brown Memo to Barron

John Brown

The problem with Brown's argument is that it's wrong. This is what I mean when I suggest above that he is hampered by inexperience and naivete. Here's how Barron replied, almost immediately.

Dear John,

These raises were presented before council at my budget hearing in 2013 and presented in my budget as part of the budget process. I presented this when I presented my budget to council that year and it was approved when council approved the 2014 budget. I also had lengthy discussions with Mr. Stoffa and Ms. Siemenkowski who agreed with the changes presented.

This was discussed as a way to promote internal movement of Auditor II positions in the office and Mr. Cusick at the time did not agree with the move, but it was presented to council and justified and passed by council during the budget process.

Please check the meeting minutes and record of my budget hearing. You will find that I brought this before council as required by law.

The minutes of the October 9 2013 Budget Hearing, which Brown incidentally attended, proves that Barron is correct and Brown is mistaken. 

NorCo Council Minutes Oct 9, 2013