I just find out that the Bull Moose blog, along with Netmom's site and Atomic City Talk, has been blocked from all county computers.
I have no problem with access to non-essential websites being blocked on work computers, that is a standard practice. However, I find it interesting that my site has been blocked while access to www.insideandersoncounty.com, which is owned and operated by Alan Beauchamp, is still allowed. Do you think that we've touched a nerve? Exactly what have we said that the "powers that be" don't want read?
From them, in a warped sense, I'll take this as a compliment.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
THE TANGLED WEB
I wasn't able to attend the Operations Committee meeting last night, but did manage to speak with one of the Commissioners who did, and it seems to have been quite a night.
On the subject of employees being paid from multiple codes, Budget Director Gail Cook refused, once again, to provide a list. The next step, I am told, will be asking department heads to report information for their respective departments. While this should get to the bottom of it, I think it lets Cook and Mayor Lynch off the hook way too easy. There is no excuse for a request for public information to be denied, whether it was requested by a Commissioner, or a private citizen. I think Commission as a whole should not only demand that Mrs. Cook produce the list, but also abolish the practice immediately.
I also hear that insurance is a hot topic around the Courthouse. As premiums continue to rise, word has leaked that Insurance Services Group is being paid a "Consulting Fee" by Cariten, who refuses to disclose how much that fee is, although they charge the county a consulting fee, which is paid for by our tax dollars. It is interesting, although not surprising, to note that the owners of ISG have been major financial supporters of Mr. Lynch's campaigns.
With all that has been said lately about ethics in government, do you think they don't get it, or simply don't care?
On the subject of employees being paid from multiple codes, Budget Director Gail Cook refused, once again, to provide a list. The next step, I am told, will be asking department heads to report information for their respective departments. While this should get to the bottom of it, I think it lets Cook and Mayor Lynch off the hook way too easy. There is no excuse for a request for public information to be denied, whether it was requested by a Commissioner, or a private citizen. I think Commission as a whole should not only demand that Mrs. Cook produce the list, but also abolish the practice immediately.
I also hear that insurance is a hot topic around the Courthouse. As premiums continue to rise, word has leaked that Insurance Services Group is being paid a "Consulting Fee" by Cariten, who refuses to disclose how much that fee is, although they charge the county a consulting fee, which is paid for by our tax dollars. It is interesting, although not surprising, to note that the owners of ISG have been major financial supporters of Mr. Lynch's campaigns.
With all that has been said lately about ethics in government, do you think they don't get it, or simply don't care?
Monday, July 9, 2007
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Word has it that among the items on tonight's Operations Committee agenda is the release of a report showing which employees are being paid from multiple codes.
From what I gather, there is particular interest in the salary of Assistant to the County Mayor. Apparently, from multiple codes, she is making over $50,000 per year.
Who are her supervisors on these other jobs? How many hours does she work at each? How does she segregate her duties? All valid questions that need to be asked of her, and any other employee doing the same.
If she is a part-time employee working in three departments, you might be able to justify it. However, I would have to assume that the Administrative Assistant to the County Mayor would be a full-time position and, if so, that means that she is getting paid full-time, with benefits, but only working part-time in that office.
We have deputies risking their lives every day for each of us, yet the Mayor's secretary is making more than twice what they do? Unreal. She gets three salaries, yet they can't even get overtime. You have to wonder how many other employees are dipping in to multiple codes and, more importantly, who is authorizing them to do it. Something is wrong in the Courthouse.
9 years ago, the voters of Anderson County were promised professionalism, and this is what we get? In the local paper, dated 8/04/98, Lynch was quoted as saying that the County Executive should "set an example for all other departments to follow.", and that this example should include personnel practices and financial conservatism. I guess he forgot about that one.
Let's see what the Operations Committee comes up with.....
From what I gather, there is particular interest in the salary of Assistant to the County Mayor. Apparently, from multiple codes, she is making over $50,000 per year.
Who are her supervisors on these other jobs? How many hours does she work at each? How does she segregate her duties? All valid questions that need to be asked of her, and any other employee doing the same.
If she is a part-time employee working in three departments, you might be able to justify it. However, I would have to assume that the Administrative Assistant to the County Mayor would be a full-time position and, if so, that means that she is getting paid full-time, with benefits, but only working part-time in that office.
We have deputies risking their lives every day for each of us, yet the Mayor's secretary is making more than twice what they do? Unreal. She gets three salaries, yet they can't even get overtime. You have to wonder how many other employees are dipping in to multiple codes and, more importantly, who is authorizing them to do it. Something is wrong in the Courthouse.
9 years ago, the voters of Anderson County were promised professionalism, and this is what we get? In the local paper, dated 8/04/98, Lynch was quoted as saying that the County Executive should "set an example for all other departments to follow.", and that this example should include personnel practices and financial conservatism. I guess he forgot about that one.
Let's see what the Operations Committee comes up with.....
Sunday, July 8, 2007
WELCOME
Welcome to the Bull Moose blog. Whether the topic is politics (which it will often be, I'm sure), news of the day, high school football, or whatever, I want this blog to be an open arena for my thoughts and yours. Feel free to contribute, visit often, and don't be shy about speaking your mind, because I sure won't.
The woods can be thick, and sometimes hard to navigate, so be careful because.....
THE MOOSE IS ON THE LOOSE!
The woods can be thick, and sometimes hard to navigate, so be careful because.....
THE MOOSE IS ON THE LOOSE!
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