At last week's NorCo Council meeting, Bob Werner argued that Executive John Brown's need for a PR firm, if it ever existed at all, evaporated once he filled his cabinet. Today, he makes that same point in an Express Times LTE.
Yesterday, when the Sheriff was confirmed, PR consultant Kim Plyler was there. She took no pictures. She issued no news releases that were forwarded to me. So why the hell are we paying her?
Updated 2:20 pm: Plyler has contacted me to say (1) she had employees who were taking pictures at this event; and (2) the failure to notify me of the ceremony was an oversight.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Tuesday, August 12, 2014
22 comments:
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The County Executive has directed departments not to send you press releases.
ReplyDelete8:19 - She is not a county department, asshole...
ReplyDelete8:33 a bit testy. Hit a nerve?
ReplyDeleteGood LTE and good question, "why are we paying her?"
ReplyDeleteHowever, as of now there are no comments on the Express website to his letter.
When its one of their own, the Republicans will look the other way at such waste of tax monies... but they still get out to vote when they get the fliers telling them what they want to hear: "no taxes", "limited government", and even though unrelated to County government maybe throw in a "pro-second amendment". Key point, even though an odd number year (for Co races) with lower voter turnout, they will not split their tickets.
Democratic voters (and all Dem council members are up next year) on the other hand are even less inclined-despite numerical advantage-to get out and vote, especially for odd-numbered year elections. No vote = keep doing what you are doing Republicans. And they can be a little more willing to split their tickets in November than Republican voters.
Long story short, Brown can get away with it because the voters apparently don't care about this issue. Yes, the mantra of "fiscal responsibility" sounds a bit hypocritical, but ... when in Rome they all do as the Romans do.
@8:58 Not really. 8:19 and everyone knows who you are, and the noun fits. If it looks like an a-hole, smells like an a-hole, and sounds like an a-hole, it's an a-hole. Or should I say "its an a-hole"?
ReplyDeletewerner is right!
ReplyDeleteThe PR contract is a tremendous waste of precious county resources. Benol, being a loyal R tries to smokescreen the issue by comparing a "paltry" (my word not his)$76,500 contract to the far more important county budget in the millions. But the county executive needs to set an example. And that would be not to waste thousands of dollars on an unnecessary contract. Werner is right. PR is a function of the county administrator who, with S&B is already costing the county in excess of $100 K a year. And now, Brown is proposing to spin off most of the divisions under the department of Administration to DCED. An asinine move that will only free up more time for Campos to do God knows what to earn his keep. The sooner that Brown can come to his senses and cancels the Sahl contract, the better.
ReplyDeleteBrown is proposing to spin off most of the divisions under the department of Administration to DCED. This is a smart idea. The Sahl contract is not.
ReplyDeletewhy isnt Morganelli cunducting a grand jury into Brown use of county resources for political gain. would seem we already have the smoking gun?
ReplyDelete11:42 exactly WHY is this a "smart idea?"
ReplyDelete1:47 I don't have specifics on the proposal, only what's been mentioned here by you so I'll make generalizations.
ReplyDeleteAg Extension has a goal of promoting, developing and growing the business of agriculture in the county. They "help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future." That sounds a lot like economic development. Farmland preservation seeks to preserve the business of farming in the county and preserve the rural character and economy of certain areas of the county. The primary goal of the conservation district is "to promote soil and water conservation and economic development on local farms." Moving these to DCED makes sense.
Open space and municipal parks are about preserving natural areas in certain communities and improving or developing local parks in others. This sounds like community development to me. The staff already works with the local municipalities in those endeavors.
Weights and measures work with businesses in local communities to ensure customers are treated fairly. Most counties (like Lehigh) rely on the PA Dept of Agriculture for this function.
While he's rearranging things, Mr. Brown should consider moving emergency management back under the sheriff where it used to be before Stoffa moved it to administration. The new Director of Admin should have a full plate of union contracts to negotiate to keep busy if that's what you are worried about.
DCED is known as a bogus Department. they can barley manage to get out of their own way. They take most of their direction form the LV Chamber and LVEDC, so I can see why Brown wants to do this.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of his most stupid ideas yet and that is a saying a lot. Trouble is both his DCED and Admisntration Directors were picked by the business types. A long four years ahead.
Well, you have tried to make your case, Donaher. DCED should be more concerned with actual economic development, which it ha done NOTHING about so far that trying to take over programs that have been operating very efficiently and effectively under their current org chart. This is purely a power play by the director of DCED than actual process improvement. If the county had a strong director of administration this would never happen. DCED will compromise programs that are already superbly administered by professionals like Pysher, Bentzoni and others. The boards of those programs should come out in strong opposition to this unnecessary, ridiculous plan.
ReplyDeleteWerner sees himself as the next Czar of Northampton County! Word is he is shopping for a booster seat so he can sit at the Executives desk.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the county does not need the PR firm. But, what matters is the end of the day. The cost is insignificant compared to the county's financial problems. If Mr. Brown succeeds and holds the line on taxes or reduces them by some incredible trick, we will think the man is a genius. If he does not . . .well, that's why there are elections. Too early to make any predictions.
ReplyDeleteSo where are the pictures that were being taken?
ReplyDeleteFor use in future reelection campaign literature?
Pics being sold to other candidates?
Do we need to file RTK for taxpayer funded pictures?
If it works good don`t fix it.
ReplyDeleteWhy would Plyler notify you about anything. The minister of propaganda
ReplyDeleteJust a follow up to my comment that Republican voters/politicians will look the other way when its one of their own wasting tax monies so long as they see "no taxes" and "limited gov't" in their commercials and fliers.
ReplyDeleteIn today's Express there is an article about Corbett's former Ed. Sec, now "advisor", resigning after the "Pgh Post-Gazette...found scant evidence of work Tomalis was performing in the $140,000-a-year job...."
Just another example of paying for an unnecessary position while preaching the fiscal, "run it like a business" mantra. There is a Republican majority on Council, and so long as they back him, Brown can do whatever he seemingly wants. It reflects on all of them though: Ferraro, Geissinger, Phillips, Benol, and Vaughn. But the reality is, Joe Schmoe Public doesn't really follow county politics that closely to notice the hypocrisy.
The public needs to wake up and see what is going on in the World, USA, PA, County, and neighborhood. It needs to get out of the iPhone comma and investigate and get educated to what is really going on, not just listen to popular mediums and propaganda.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the public does this before it is too late!
Off your medication today?
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ReplyDelete