What Stoffa Is Doing About Asbestos

About a year ago, Northampton County Controller Steve Barron was sending emails to the EPA's Harry Boyer, asking him to do something about "the problems we've had ongoing with asbestos and lead paint abatement." Barron, in turn, was being fed information by Gracedale union official and safety committee member Ted Harris.

The EPA finally came in September, although the County has yet to receive a report. But two weeks ago, Ted Harris stood County Council, flatly declaring that "no one is doing anything" about asbestos and lead paint at the Courthouse. While standing there, basically calling his boss a murderer, Harris went on to claim he could fill Courtroom 1 with people who have complaints, but was advising them all to remain silent for fear of retaliation.

County Executive John Stoffa has responded to Barron and Harris with a written report to Council, in which he details the steps he's taken to test for and remediate asbestos throughout the County buildings. He also includes a list of the disbursements made by the County during 2011.

I spoke to Stoffa and his Director of Administration, Tom Harp, about the asbestos problem that is supposedly being ignored, and this is what I've learned.

1) Many of the complaints are from 8, 10 or even 15 years ago. - Harris and his Committee complain about doors at Gracedale that were cut in half, even though there was asbestos in them. What he fails to point out is that this occurred at least 8, and possibly as long as 15 years ago. The same is true of ACM material left behind a wall at Gracedale. That was 15 years ago. "Anybody who has a home built more than 30 years ago will have asbestos," noted Stoffa. "This place was built in 1861."

2) Over the past four years, Stoffa has spent $800,000 in taxpayer money for asbestos and lead paint testing and remediation. Last year alone, the County spent $432,800. "And we don't take it seriously?" asks Stoffa. "I don't know how much more we can do." There are 144 separate invoices. "There was a lot of work over the last year," notes Harp. "We're trying to do things the right way. Whatever happened 10 or 15 years ago, we're trying to do the right thing."

3) It will cost at least $200,000 to remediate the law library. The law library was remediated during Courthouse renovations started by Executive Glenn Reibman, but dust began appearing on the books. According to Harp, the County is investigating how that could have occurred.

4) The County has cooperated fully with the EPA. During his re-election campaign, Controller Steve Barron claimed that the County threw up a few roadblocks to slow down the EPA. That's not true, according to Tom Harp. He indicates that when the EPA came and asked to interview different people, he had to make sure they had that right, and asked for a legal opinion. As soon as that question was researched, the EPA was provided unfettered access.

5) There is no asbestos contamination in the DA's storage area.

6) It is no longer clear whether the County will be fined. Despite several requests, the County has received no report from the EPA. Ironically, their lab results might have been contaminated. "We are trying to do whatever they thought we should be doing," notes Stoffa.

7) No retaliatory action has been taken or planned against any County employee, including Harris. When he appeared before Council, Harris basically accused Stoffa of criminal negligence. Although Stoffa is concerned that Harris' accusation creates undue anxiety among County workers, he plans no disciplinary action against Harris or anyone else.

8) Training is underway. The County provides asbestos awareness training to O&M and custodial workers. It started in 2010 and continued in 2011.

9) Medical surveillance is under review. Stoffa is undecided whether the County should pay for "medical surveillance." He notes that at Penn State, that is afforded only to workers who actually do asbestos abatement.

"To say that we have been nonresponsive, as Mr. Barron and certain workers allege, lacks credibility," concludes Stoffa.

Northampton County. Land of Asbestos?

Last week, financial adviser Gary Pulcini reviewed the $25.2 million swaption, which was $24.5 million at budget time, and is growing every day. The bill comes due on October 1, and it has to be paid. About the only thing he could come up with, at least that I could understand, is floating another bond that will cost the County $6.8 million in addition to what he calls the $25.2 million "breakage fee."

Although nobody on Council understood him either, they put on a brave face and tried their best to ask intelligent questions. But the bottom line, after you're done discussing LIBOR and basis points, is that we're screwed. In exchange for a quick $1.9 million in 2004, former Executive Glenn Reibman has sucked us into a growing, $25.2 million, hole.

While Pulcini tried to educate us (and I get an F), you'd think that Northampton County Controller Steve Barron would be glued to his seat. After all, he was making a rare appearance at a Council meeting. But instead of listening to the County's Financial adviser,  Barron huddled in the hallway with a group of Gracedale maintenance workers who had come to complain about asbestos.

You see, Barron injected himself into this issue long ago. In response to a RTKL request, I've learned that this time a year ago, Barron was sending the EPA hazardous material books and internal County correspondence revealing "the problems we've had ongoing with asbestos and lead paint abatement." Barron was being fed information by a maintenance worker from Gracedale, whose name he redacted. When this person complained that somebody was going through his desk and looking at his emails, Barron offered to help. When Barron did not move fast enough to suit this Gracedale maintenance worker, he got this email. "We are no longer going to play a submissive part in this caper. It will be with your help or not."  Barron even offered to intervene with the Personnel Director when this worker received a sub-par evaluation.

Last week, it was Gracedale maintenance worker Ted Harris who told Council they need to conduct an investigation about the the County's failure to address its asbestos problem. Barron has, of course, already filed complaints with the EPA and Attorney General, and fines are likely, so I guess this will be a third investigation. Harris added that people who've been exposed are not being examined.

"Most everyone knows about this, but no one is doing anything about it," complained Harris, who warned that he could fill Courtroom 1 with people who know about the County's asbestos and lead problems, but has advised them to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation by Executive John Stoffa. He warned that once it gets into an air filter, asbestos "has no boundary. It affects everyone."

All Stoffa would say at the meeting is that there are two sides to every story. He is currently working on a report for Council, which will detail all the steps he's taken to deal with asbestos and lead paint since he's been in office.

I find it very difficult to believe that anyone would knowingly expose other people to a safety hazard. That's where Harris loses me. Also, the emails to Barron from his anonymous Gracedale maintenance worker reveal someone who deliberately leaves county administrators out of the loop when he has a safety concern. That's just childish. Finally, I know Harris' claim about the County doing nothing is simply untrue.

According to Director of Administration Tom Harp, who has been involved in this issue for several years, the County spent at least $300,000 to remediate asbestos and lead paint in 2011. That's in addition to all the money spent during courthouse renovations.

Barron Plays Politics With Asbestos

Back in 2007, I posted "Diary of a Sick Worker at the Northampton County Dustbowl." The problems started when construction on the Courthouse began under the helm of then Executive Glenn Reibman. Before he left, renovations began in the Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Civil Division and District Attorney's office. People became seriously ill from mold, dust and Fiberglas particles. One employee in the Register of Wills office, who couldn't stop breaking out in rashes, was forced to quit.

Although some precautionary measures were taken, the problem returned when John Stoffa took over as Exec and renovations extended into other row offices. Some people caught pneumonia, while others experienced itching, coughing and watery eyes.

As a result of complaints, the state DEP was called. Investigator Don Koehler inspected the Courthouse, and found no evidence of any asbestos violations. Director of Public Works Steve DeSalva told me safety is his primary concern, and asked anyone to call him if something seems wrong.

Bill Hillanbrand, then a Stoffa cabinet member (he's now in Emergency Management), wrote this: "It's 2:50 a.m., and I am awake. I am concerned that an employee feels that the administration does not care about their employees. I am also a county worker. ... If any county worker wishes to contact me, stop me in the hallway of the courthouse; phone me 610-559-3091; or email me at whillanb@northamptoncounty.org or come to my office. My office is located in the basement with Orphan's Court. I am not a miracle worker, but I will do the best I can to help. Thanks, Bill"

When a Stoffa administrator reaches out like this, it's pretty obvious that he cares. When someone like DeSalva puts in the hours he puts in, doing the work of three engineers, it's clear he's doing his best.

Our County Controller, Barron von Footinmouth, cares, too. But it's not about employee welfare. It's about his re-election. Last Septemer, Barron was awarded an ET Turkey for a "thinly veiled threat on behalf of union organizers" at T-Mobile, and a subsequent "non-apology" in which he refused to admit "he misused his authority by hinting at official retribution against an employer." He was also censured by County Council.

Barron's next little trick was to complain to the DEP about possible asbestos contamination, some of it from as long as 14 years ago. They've investigated again, and this time, they might have found something. There might be fines, which we will have to pay. Thanks, Steve.

Barron tells the Express Times he went public because the Stoffa administration "left me no choice." In other words, an administration that loses sleep over safety complaints, would callously disregard concerns about asbestos.

I smell a bit fat bullshit burger.

When you come right down to it, I know of NO business or government with aging buildings that could avoid an asbestos contamination claim. Years ago, that was what was used.

Barron's real motives became clear in an email that Dem Party Boss Walt Garvin sent to Committee members yesterday, encouraging them to vote in an Express Times poll on whether Barron handled this situation properly.

He didn't, but Dem Committee members will help their "independent" boy.

As one of my readers noted, "the County is left paying for [Barron's] childish antics. He is going to cost the County big bucks on something that was already being handled. I hope the voters send him a message and give him his walking papers. He can't even do his job, yet he cries to the EPA, because he has a beef with Stoffa. Who can we cry to when we have a beef with Barron for not doing what he was elected to do? This guy needs a strong dose of reality."

Stoffa Administration Reacts Quickly to Employee Illness

Yesterday, I told you Northampton County courthouse workers are getting sick. They're scared, too. Asbestos removal signs, warning of cancer, tend to do that. Contractor Alvin H. Butz is in a hurry to finish the judges' overbudget Taj Mahal, and is kicking up clouds of dust.

County workers' biggest concern is that the Stoffa administration just doesn't care what happens to them. I found that out last week, when I first started sticking my big nose into this matter. Let me tell you what I've learned over the past week.

1. First, the good news. No asbestos contamination.

Whatever it is, it's not asbestos.

Last Friday, after hearing asbestos concerns from several courthouse employees, I called the state DEP. Within an hour, my call was returned, and the courthouse was inspected that day by investigator Don Kehler. He assured me that the precautionary measures taken by Butz don't just meet, but exceed, what is required by law. Anyone with concerns or fears about asbestos should call Kehler directly. His phone is 610-861-2079. Unlike me, he knows what he's talking about.

2. Butz has been sloppy in its renovations, creating a dust problem.

The county's director of public works, Steve DeSalva, has only been on the job for three months. But in that time, he has repeatedly admonished Butz over its lax attitude towards dust and debris. Obviously, Butz is under pressure because it is both over budget and behind schedule. There's a temptation to cut corners.

Last week, DeSalvo gave Butz an ultimatum to get its dust under control. As he explained the situation in layman's terms to me, Butz "needs a boot in the ass." He's also asked the court administrator for help in getting this under control.

DeSalvo told me the contractor must make a better effort to block ventilators in a construction area. Their goal is to keep dust at a minimum and out of the hallways. "Once dust is in the hallways, it will be circulated through the building. You won't see it, but it will be there." Employees should not have to see a fog of particles. DeSalvo also made clear that safety is his primary concern.

If you see something that doesn't seem right to you, I'd suggest you give his office a call. His number is 610-559-3197.

3. County Administrators Will Listen to Complaints.

Last week, when I first hinted about this problem, I posted an employee's sincere criticism that the Stoffa administration has been distant and unresponsive. That prompted a response from Bill Hillanbrand, Stoffa's director of court offices. His office is not on the fourth floor with the other hotshots. He instead chose an office in the most contaminated office of all - register of wills. Here's what Bill said in the wee morning hours.

"It's 2:50 a.m., and I am awake. I am concerned that an employee feels that the administration does not care about their employees. I am also a county worker. ... If any county worker wishes to contact me, stop me in the hallway of the courthouse; phone me 610-559-3091; or email me at whillanb@northamptoncounty.org or come to my office. My office is located in the basement with Orphan's Court. I am not a miracle worker, but I will do the best I can to help. Thanks, Bill"

Bill's hearfelt comment demonstrates that the Stoffa administration, contrary to popular opinion, does care.

On Monday, I went down to the public defender's office, where employees have suffered for weeks. They were packing their stuff. Stoffa told them to clear out. One employee is working from home, and the office is being relocated during construction. This is yet another demonstration that the administration does care about courthouse workers.

And guess what? The Butz employee whose sole job was mopping hallways, has magically reappeared.

4. County Administrators and Workers Need to Open up Lines of Communication.

Although county administrators genuinely care about the people who work at the courthouse, morale is very bad. Now, more than ever, it's important to open up lines of communication with rank and file workers. Stoffa and his inner circle need to circulate much more around the courthouse. County administrators should be tell people about asbestos instead of letting them find out about it by seeing a sign or some guy who's wearing all kinds of protective clothing and a mask. Some have suggested a weekly newsletter, but nothing is better than personal contact.

Communication must improve. And that's a two-way street.