tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post1006438941481939687..comments2024-03-29T04:03:32.376-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Brown Proposes NorCo Fiscal OverhaulBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-82152162872991416862014-05-20T04:38:08.566-04:002014-05-20T04:38:08.566-04:00Why did Brown hire such an unqualified person to r...Why did Brown hire such an unqualified person to run such a large and important department.<br /><br />It sounds like he has no confidence in her ability to oversee the budget.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-82895767411307149392014-05-16T15:57:48.973-04:002014-05-16T15:57:48.973-04:00"if properly implemented, this could make mor... "if properly implemented, this could make more services available."<br /><br />In an ideal world this could be true. I have seen the exact opposite in similar situations, however. Preventing child abuse or caring for the elderly or chronically mentally ill are fundamentally different enterprises than most other county level fiscal concerns. Building a parking deck or buying linens for Gracedale are simply different endeavors than providing Human Services. I have seen fiscal decisions based on short term analysis of unfairly calculated unit costs imposed on HS providers that over the long term cost taxpayers money, but looked good short term to the bean counters. There is a true risk here, and we need to be careful of unintended consequences to an already strained safety net.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-42036431599359797422014-05-15T23:23:45.010-04:002014-05-15T23:23:45.010-04:00The idea here is not to stop human services. It is...The idea here is not to stop human services. It is to enable fiscal to have a better understanding of what is being spent so there are no 11th hour surprises. In fact, if properly implemented, this could make more services available. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-5198321660612858162014-05-15T23:19:40.050-04:002014-05-15T23:19:40.050-04:00Note: Don't take out "Human" in Huma...Note: Don't take out "Human" in Human Services! The Administrators of the programs know what and how to provide for the citizens of the county. <br /><br />It is great to have a fiscal component and they should be engaged from the beginning, but in no way should they be the final say. <br /><br />At the end of the day, the people of NorCo pay taxes so either they or someone they know can receive needed services. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-22910703747968367782014-05-15T22:51:30.562-04:002014-05-15T22:51:30.562-04:00This is a clear violation of the County's Nepo...This is a clear violation of the County's Nepotism policy. I can not see how this can be allowed. I know the policy well, as I have been denied advancement because of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-15034278613537054272014-05-15T13:44:04.675-04:002014-05-15T13:44:04.675-04:0011:10 good points. Having bean counters control th...11:10 good points. Having bean counters control the purse strings on budgets already approved by council seems draconian. What is the Director of HS getting paid for? Isn't that part of her core responsibilities? And how about her very capable HS Financial Director? Isn't that a core function of her job? So now all of the HS fiscal officers will be reporting to Peg's daughter who will be earning nearly as much as a department director. Why can't people in their current roles achieve the same goals under the strong leadership of the DHS Director? Is there so little faith in her abilities? Just what will she be doing to justify her $90K + salary? This administration seems bent on rewarding favorites with fat contracts or juicy promotions. An unqualified person is now acting Director of Administration probably pulling in over $70 K a year. This at a time when the average Norco taxpayer survives on half that amount, in many cases without the benefit package. Brown is just taking care of his darlings. No better than Reibman in allowing his cronies to feed off the public trough. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-56406619348625323712014-05-15T11:10:05.958-04:002014-05-15T11:10:05.958-04:00A potential devil in the details here: Human servi...A potential devil in the details here: Human service decisions need to include more than just fiscal concerns. Department heads need to be able to allocate resources based on needs in the community. Programs for children, the disabled, the addicted, the elderly need to be held accountable, for sure, but cost alone should not be the only criteria, and that is a risk if "bean counters" make the final decision. the human element of human services needs to be rigorously protected.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-40873429512269247922014-05-15T09:47:54.556-04:002014-05-15T09:47:54.556-04:00"This has been a gravy train ride for Peg'...<em>"This has been a gravy train ride for Peg's daughter, pure and simple. Brown is basically creating a position tailor-made for Einfelt with NO competition. Peg has been lobbying for a promotion for her daughter for years, and it has finally paid off. But not for taxpayers of the county who will have to foot the bill for this unfair promotion"</em><br /><br />One other employee has told me that Peg has been lobbying for this for some time. If so, she is wrong. She needs to stay out of it. But the notion of the taxpayers suffering is also wrong. This reorganization encompasses more than a big raise. It also is designed to save what could be millions annually at Gracedale and other Human Services departments. It adds some financial oversight that is sorely needed. <br /><br />But does the job need to be advertised so that anyone can apply? You may be right. I honestly do not know. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-31401878902402370552014-05-15T09:42:20.023-04:002014-05-15T09:42:20.023-04:00All three changes are career service changes. Brow...All three changes are career service changes. Brown stated yesterday that it does not need to be advertised, but I would want to hear that from an attorney who has looked into the questions you raise. My own knowledge in that area is weak. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-34035589301139902242014-05-15T09:37:10.811-04:002014-05-15T09:37:10.811-04:00Not a bad idea in principle. However, isn't th...Not a bad idea in principle. However, isn't this a career service position? If so, it needs to follow the county code and be posted, tested for, and interviewed. This is a $20 K promotion, almost unheard of in county government. The person selected would be earning as much or more than exempt cabinet level positions with NO career service protection. Einfelt seems highly qualified, but there could be other internal candidates with equal or higher qualifications who should be given an opportunity to apply. This has been a gravy train ride for Peg's daughter, pure and simple. Brown is basically creating a position tailor-made for Einfelt with NO competition. Peg has been lobbying for a promotion for her daughter for years, and it has finally paid off. But not for taxpayers of the county who will have to foot the bill for this unfair promotion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-14397903824078153212014-05-15T09:32:31.573-04:002014-05-15T09:32:31.573-04:00"Am not a fan of the Ferraro votes for promot...<em>"Am not a fan of the Ferraro votes for promotions and money deal. her daughter gest a $20K raise??"</em><br /><br />Other than Phillips, not one member of Council raised this concern. After reviewing the proposal and discussing it in detail with Einfalt, he was basically positive. I heard no objection raised by Kraft or Parsons. McClure tried to make a deal, and Barron would like to see new fiscal policies first. <br /><br />Basically, this is a good idea. I am no Brown fan,but I am a fan of good government and this is good government. <br />Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-83513456742624096602014-05-15T09:28:58.499-04:002014-05-15T09:28:58.499-04:00I don't see how this reorganization is "o...I don't see how this reorganization is "out of control." It makes sense to me. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-82303084476100149212014-05-15T08:38:05.964-04:002014-05-15T08:38:05.964-04:00John Brown is out of control.John Brown is out of control.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-36679658310900240692014-05-15T08:24:54.952-04:002014-05-15T08:24:54.952-04:00Good grief! Someone has been off her meds the past...Good grief! Someone has been off her meds the past few days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58694123635158133362014-05-15T07:31:59.850-04:002014-05-15T07:31:59.850-04:00Lamont is now attending committee meetings?
Anyw...Lamont is now attending committee meetings? <br /><br />Anyway, Brown is spot on about Premiere's Gracedale recommendations that Council chooses to ignore for political purposes. Privatize food service, laundry, and housekeeping. Use cheaper non-emergency transport. Cut the Cadillac benefits. Until tough decisions are made, the place will continue to lose millions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-41580723490313139202014-05-15T06:43:55.405-04:002014-05-15T06:43:55.405-04:00The money burning Gracedale whiners don't like...The money burning Gracedale whiners don't like it. That means it's sound fiscal policy. It's interesting that outside audits have revealed what Barron is incapable of understanding. No wonder he was caught flat footed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-85081249327042122212014-05-15T04:35:14.692-04:002014-05-15T04:35:14.692-04:00Mclure's new goatee is hot, bet you he is work...Mclure's new goatee is hot, bet you he is working got a little ginger in his whiskers that really brings out his masculine side Norco Twinknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-14548882340301417332014-05-15T02:16:49.554-04:002014-05-15T02:16:49.554-04:00Am not a fan of the Ferraro votes for promotions a...Am not a fan of the Ferraro votes for promotions and money deal. her daughter gest a $20K raise??<br /><br />Yeah, now I see why tea party Peg supported all of Browns expensive and whacky proposals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com