WCSH-TV is reporting that MSHA Exec Dale McCormick is stepping down

Thats one carbon credit for the taxpayer and true accountability in government!

Stand by for the sisters to be having the vapors !!!

"Ding dong the wit.............."

You all know the rest.

This is good news, if true. Given the ongoing revelations of MSHA spending under her watch, and the likely implementation of the new legislation addressing the position of MSHA's director, McCormick probably made a wise decision to leave before being fired.

Aaaaahh, it's a good day whenever a hardcore, far-left hack has to leave office.
I'm betting she's afraid of going to jail.

No Jim there too she would find loving comfort , just as perverse as the hackerama that kept her in office so long!
Hope OPEGA gets to the files before she does.
And the AG office!

I'm with you there, Bruce, so far as OPEGA and the Attorney General's concerned.

charlie

Retroactive jail time sounds good.

I'm betting she's afraid of going to jail.

And with good reason. Violette's transgressions pale in comparison to her shenanigans with taxpayer dollars.

Updated: 1:52 PM
Maine Housing Authority director resigns
By John Richardson jrichardson@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer

McCormick, a former Democratic state senator and treasurer, submitted her resignation today during a board of directors meeting.

McCormick, 65, has served as housing authority director since 2005. Her term would have ended in 2014. Details of her negotiated severance package were not immediately available.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/Maine-Housing-Authoritys-McCormick-resig...

==...==...==

Controversial housing director steps down amid growing criticism
By Matt Wickenheiser, BDN Staff
Posted March 20, 2012, at 2:00 p.m.

The Legislature’s Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee recently voted unanimously to support a bill that would give the MaineHousing board of directors the power to fire the executive director. MaineHousing and Democrats on the committee initially tried to have that bill take effect only in 2014 — when McCormick’s current term is up.

Lawmakers voted in late January to have the legislature’s investigative arm look into MaineHousing’s expenses over the past five years ....

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/20/politics/controversial-housing-dir...

"Details of her negotiated severance package were not immediately available."

http://www.pressherald.com/news/Maine-Housing-Authoritys-McCormick-resig...

charlie

Severence ? It better be small and l;limited to only what she gets for vacation etc..

Maybe part of her severance is no jail time

I doubt the board can absolve her of criminal conduct.

charlie

Maine has over 500 homes under foreclosure. I figure that 90% would make decent homes for low income Mainers. We could house five Maine families for the price of one condo overlooking Casco Bay. Dale McCormack would have none of it. Lets get somebody in that slot who knows what Maine people need and how to get it the the most efficient cost. MSH should be self supporting.

I'd be really curious about the immunity aspect as well.

Can you comment further Charlie?

In private business, one does not pay severance pay to an employee who quits or is fired for cause. Why do government employees get so much better treatment than their employers (the public) do not?

I'm looking forward to the spin tonight and tomorrow in the MSM.

Thufferin' Thuccotash!!!

A Theverance Package???

She should be escorted out in HANDCUFFS!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2012

MHPC Statement on Resignation of Dale McCormick

PORTLAND – Lance Dutson, Chief Executive Officer of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, today issued the following statement in reaction to the resignation of Dale McCormick from her position as Director of the Maine State Housing Authority:

“One year ago, The Maine Heritage Policy Center began seeking public information from Maine Housing as part of our ongoing Open Government initiative. The information we sought was the same information we had received from most all state government agencies.

“Over the course of the last year, we have run into an array of difficulties surrounding the release of this basic financial information. After months of delay, it became quite clear that leadership at the Maine State Housing Authority did not share our perspective on the critical need for transparency in government, and the responsibility of public employees to keep taxpayers informed about the use of their money.

“Once we were finally able to review this basic financial data, it became more clear why Maine Housing resisted our transparency efforts. Spending data revealed a pattern of irresponsible financial management, ranging from indiscriminate employee bonuses and political donations to taxpayer-funded ‘fun days’ that included personal masseuses, magicians, bouncy tents, and other ridiculous expenditures that directly limited the agency’s ability to serve the most needy in our state.

“The resignation of Ms. McCormick is the first step toward a long-needed review of MSHA’s operations, and we look forward to working with the new leadership to help restore fait h in the agency. The Board of Commissioners should be commended for their efforts to redirect the agency back toward its mission – to provide affordable housing for those most in need. ”

###

CONTACT:
Lance Dutson
207.321.2550
lance@mainepolicy.org

Watcher
In state service they DO NOT get it. The only thing you get is cash out of vacation time or it is credited towards service credit for retirement purposes.
That makes sense since if not the individual will just go on vacation and still get paid.
Now if a quasi is allowed to do it different they shouldn't and the only thing I could see is if there is a contract ,that allows for this. Which I doubt.
In end it is a small price to pay whatever it will be.!

In private sector many are ousted and reap great benefits!

J McKane read PPH comments the vapors have already started to consume the libs..

If the quasis do give a better severance package than what state workers receive, it sounds as if that's another item for the Augusta Republican "to do" list. Unless there are significant differences in other benefits which are lower on the quasi side, it seems to me the severance package deals should be the same as for any other state employee.

From the Maine Wire:

McCormick's severance package details.

DM's departure should be a good thing . Hopefully the current administration can streamline the operation and reduce costs, while providing the level of benefits and services it was intended to or maybe now lower level of benefits that are needed especially in the home finance sector.
Who knows what the final straw that pushed DM to resign. Maybe it was The MaineWire's latest piece on the $5 LIHEAP checks.... that enabled those receiving them to qualify for foodstamps .....worth the read.

What was the official reason for her resignation? To spend more time with her family?

Dear Colleagues,

I have been privileged to serve as MaineHousing director for seven years. Now MaineHousing has a number of commissioners with different policy perspectives. These differences have led to substantial disagreement about how MaineHousing can best serve the interests of its clients and the people of Maine. In order to bring an end to the current rancor, the Board and I have concluded that it is in the best interests of the housing authority and the people of Maine to reach an agreement on an early end to my term.

I have been proud in my seven years to have worked with staff and board members to insulate 11,347 homes, help 6,814 Maine people buy their first home, build 2,942 affordable apartments for seniors and working Maine households, and become the first state housing authority to take positive steps to address climate change.

For the better part of a year, MaineHousing has been subjected to a systematic attack that’s ground the important work of the agency nearly to a halt. In order to put this behind us, today I submitted to Governor LePage my resignation bringing an early end to my term as Director of MaineHousing effective March 31, 2012. I do so reluctantly, and in the hope that this will bring an immediate end to the campaign against an agency that so ably serves low and middle income Mainers.

In closing, I wish the best for the Housing Authority board, staff and new director. I'd like to thank Governor Baldacci and the Maine Legislature for this opportunity to serve, the Housing Authority staff for their dedication and support, and all of you, our housing partners throughout Maine who have made all our accomplishments possible. Most of all I hope that the mission of the Authority to help low-income people, help first-time homebuyers, promote energy efficiency and contribute to the revitalization of Maine's towns and cities, goes forward as strongly as ever.

Sincerely,

Dale McCormick,
MaineHousing Director

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!

She had the job seven years and gets a YEAR'S SALARY as severance? She was Receiving a six-figure sum too (notice I didn't say she "Earned" that sum!!!)

Her actions were selfish and stupid and probably criminal. I hope all that legalese mumbo-jumbo in the contract doesn't shield her incompetent ass from prosecution!

As a Maine Taxpayer, I repeat: This is ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!

To :The MSHA Staff
Re: the future.

Be advised the gravy train has left the station. Immediately determine who to blame for what!
P.S. This years bonus is on the train.

This years bonus Bruce? How about the next two year's raises.

A year' salary and health insurance for the next 16 months???? This is one huge pig at the trough. Good thing we have those fiscally conservative Republicans in charge of things or she might have been overpaid. But hey, it's only tax money, so no worries.

"Most of all I hope that the mission of the Authority to help low-income people, help first-time homebuyers, promote energy efficiency and contribute to the revitalization of Maine's towns and cities, goes forward as strongly as ever."

Horsefeathers!

This will be the best opportunity in generations for low income families to own their own homes. The impediment will be gone.

and become the first state housing authority to take positive steps to address climate change.

What this part of the MSHA'a mission? - I can't find it...