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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Friday, October 24, 2014

A Suggestion For a John Brown Consultant

NorCo Exec John Brown, as we know, can wave a magic wand and award a consultant contract to anyone he wants with no one being any the wiser, so long as he  keeps it under $25k. So here's a suggestion. Hire a listener. That's right. Hire someone to go to each office, pretending to be interested in something or another, and just listen.

If he does this, Brown will discover that what he considers the County's mist valuable asset considers him the least valuable. Morale is as low now as it has ever been. 

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good point Bernie. I look at this guy, listen to him, and I wonder what world he operates in. If he hires a communication czar, a REAL communication czar, maybe employees would have a shred of hope he listens to that person once in awhile.

Anonymous said...

The first question one must ask is would he listen to the listener ?

Anonymous said...

bo - grasping at straws.

maybe he should find another woman to attack

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work. Stay strong on your proposed healthcare changes. Ignore bloggers who supported your opponent.

Anonymous said...

Good suggestion, however this clown does not want to listen to employees and has no intent of any meaningful dialogue so compromise or improvements take place.

WRMaurer said...

Entering office with the preconceived notion that employees with vastly different jobs, salaries and responsibilities is irresponsible. Refusing to listen to them and refusing to negotiate with will have consequences, likely in the form of protracted court proceedings.

Anonymous said...

Out of curiosity, are the findings of 3c regarding healthcare changes subject to RTK? No info has been provided to us about the value of the plan proposed or how much this will actually save the county. Did they look into premium based fully insured vs. Self funded- which can hardly be budgeted for since it all depends upon utilization and the actual health needs of the insured? I'm fairly certain employees wouldn't mind paying a little more for a plan similar to current if it meant keeping the max out of pocket in check. However we have no idea what research if any went into all of this considering the new plan is the lowest level of benefit allowed by law. Also interesting is the fact that the open enrollment closes before the marketplace rates are even available for comparison.

Anonymous said...

"I'm fairly certain employees wouldn't mind paying a little more for a plan similar to current if it meant keeping the max out of pocket in check."

I doubt that. One serious alternative would be for all the employees to contribute 10 or 20% of the cost of the benefit instead a % of their salary. That is standard practice for most public and private benefit plans. I haven't heard AFSSME make that proposal.

Bernie O'Hare said...

They can't make any proposals when Brown refuses to meet them.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I have filed a RTK seeking those findings. I am supposed to hear back on or before 10/16. I believe Barron has filed a similar RTK as well.

Anonymous said...

Eager to see that report. Thanks Bernie!
Interesting about Nancy Jobes- isn't that a career services position? Vacant for two years? Where was the job posting?

Bernie O'Hare said...

I will have to see whether she goes into an exempt slot.

Anonymous said...

anon 2:20 Multiple sweet deal, just ask the Controller.

Anonymous said...

Why do you Stoffa-haters keep bringing up Ken Mohr? It is ridiculous to compare his contracts with the ones cooked up by Brown. Mohr was, and is a highly-qualified professional project manager who worked diligently to help the county with three major construction projects during the Stoffa administration. Those projects were completed on time and on or under budget. He did so for a highly reasonable fee and all hours were accounted for. Unlike C3, Sahl, and the other bogus contractors hired by Brown. Contact the controller if you doubt the legitimacy and quality of Mohr's services to the county. Ptherwise, keep your blind hatred to yourselves.

Tired of Being Broke said...

He's a laughing joke anymore!

Anonymous said...

The hypocrisy is with Brown. His central policy at this point is to reduce salary and benefits to the workers serving the county while hiring many outsiders at generous salaries. There was an attempt earlier in the year shot down because of the salary restrictions you mention to hire the Fourscore Resource Inc. for more than $700.000.

Anonymous said...

A ballot referendum is needed to vote on this incompetent wanna be tyrant