MSHA Reform Legislation (WAS) a Bi-Partisan Effort - Hearing on 1/31
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Really? Then why was she so shaky during the whole interview?
Without Plan, Maine Housing Fires All Section 8 Administrators
Jan. 19, 2012
by Terrilyn Simpson
The Maine Wire
....snip
....Peter Anastos, Chairman of ...Commissioners... found out (about the meeting)...by happenstance....
... MSHA staff member announced ... “these... changes.... were ... recommended by the board of commissioners.”
.... snip
Anastos interrupted to... clear the record. He told them ... “The only thing we suggested was taking photos ....and talking to code enforcement officers.”
“I’m the head of the board of commissioners,” he told them, “and I didn’t know anything about bringing everything in-house.” ....
*************
Wow. The longer this saga unfolds, the worse it gets.
I sure hope somebody videotaped that meeting.
This is nothing more than a paniced response to a way over-due scrutiny of this incompetent State Czar. Lets see how long it takes our gubbmint to actually do its job and investigate and clean up this mess.
This is a last gasp effort by McCormick to hold on to her power.
I would bet that within one year, she will be working in Iowa for the program she supported with OUR tax dollars.
Any takers?
How many other secret meetings has McCormick and MSHA held, over the last five years? What other untruths have been told to well-meaning, and trusting employees and state officials?
It's no wonder the MSHA resignation rumors are circling like the traffic patterns over Logan.
"Un-truth'? Is that even a real word. It is a political, Liberal kind of word. Wassamatta with lie?
Tomorrow's Board Meeting at MSHA should be a real "Gilbert & Sullivan" extravaganza, assuming the place doesn't shut down for a snow day.
Let me proffer a different perspective on the subject:
The education establishment convinces the local Govt.
that a perfectly good school building isn’t providing a
suitable learning environment. They claim that with a
new multi-million dollar complex, test scores will soar, dropout
rates will plunge, drug use will evaporate, teen pregnancies
will disappear Etc. We know that is so much BS that the advocates
of the concept must have Brown eyes.
When I read that Nathan Clifford School in Portland was being
closed, the first thought that came to mind was: Dale McCormack
must be salivating.
So, we should be able go to the multi-million dollar replacement school
and be provided with verifiable evidence of major improvement
in all the categories I mentioned above.
The way I see it the maintainence and upgrades to
a school building are purposely neglected, the building is condemned, an unnecessary
new school complex is built taking more taxable land off the rolls.
The bottom line is a corrupt incompetent education department is feeding
the corrupt incompetent MSHA with public assets they turn into unaffordable
(for the taxpayers) housing.
There is a larger issue in the school business.....the 'expert consultants' who review needs, project enrollments, and prepare the applications for state funding, and who no doubt lobby for their clients, and then the architects who specialize in stroking the schoolies and getting their taste of every project.
So far, we haven't seen quite that sort of parasitic activity on the MSHA side, but give it time.
The MTA issue finally went legal....with criminal felony charges. Wheels of justice grinding slowly.
MTA = "The felony charge stems from Violette’s illegal use of Turnpike funds for travel, meals and other expenses. ...
The Turnpike and it’s leader came under fire after an Office of Program and Fiscal Accountability report that noted some questionable spending and contracting practices. Additional reports from The Maine Heritage Policy Center showed huge increases in salaries and inappropriate, non-mission related, spending at the Authority."
So: Perform a similiar autopsy on Maine Housing, and get on with it so we can move OPEGA to the next site.....
Time to change the thread headline. This bill is bipartisan no more.
Senate Majority Leader Jon Courtney
For Immediate Release
January 19, 2012
Statement: Senate Majority Leader "Very Disappointed" by Democratic Reversal on Maine State Housing Authority Oversight Bill
It was very disappointing this morning to learn that two Democratic cosponsors have retreated in their support of LD 1778 'An Act Relating to the Governance of the Maine State Housing Authority,' a bill that simply puts MSHA on par with oversight used at other quasi-government agencies such as the Maine Turnpike Authority. That neither Representative John L. Tuttle, Jr. (D-Sanford) nor Representative Paul E. Gilbert (D-Jay) had the courtesy to speak with me of their reversal beforehand adds to my disappointment.
Senate Majority Leader Jon Courtney (R-Springvale)
####
Sen. Jon Courtney is the Senate Majority Leader. Courtney represents Maine State Senate District 3 which includes the York County communities of Alfred, Limington, Lyman, Sanford, Springvale, and Waterboro.
How utterly, utterly un-surprising.
They must have gotten the marching orders, issued from the nearest massage parlor/karaoke bar.
On pg 16 of the MSHA audit, "...as a result MahieHousing has decided to change the way Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is delivered.... and MaineHousing has control over program duties..."
"MaineHousing will : Phase out contracts with outside agents, starting with Avesta."
https://docs.google.com/gview?url=http://www.themainewire.com/wp-content...
In reading the paragraph in its entirety I would not have expected the Director, or any employee of MSHA to make any notifications to any "outside agent" that currently administers Section 8 housing that would lead that agent to believe they were in immanent danger of losing their contract in the short term. If anything calls should have been made to those agents to assure them that there would be no changes until there was a plan in place to assure a smooth transition/turnover of responsibilities.
I am assuming that the basis for the calls being made is the MSHA audit that is linked.
Am I the only one that does not, or can not see a date on that document? There are dates referenced within the document, but no date to indicate when it was created, or when the responses by MSHA or Avesta were provided (I realize it is a MSHA document).
You are correct: the report, on the opening page, is dated "January 2012."
I ask myself why anyone would renounce their sponsorship in this bill.
Just like one wonders why so many would vote against the bills mentioned here.
Those bills were about the MEA, who has most D's in their pocket:
===========================
Legislative Interest
In the past legislative session, two new laws were enacted. They went largely unreported by ‘mainstream’ media outlets.
The first is LD 1326, “An Act To Allow School Administrative Units To Seek Less Expensive Health Insurance Alternatives.” This law is not a mandate of any sort; it simply requires that school districts be given access to claims experience information needed to pursue competitive bids for health insurance; information that the MEA and their insurer have been able to legally withhold in the past. It passed on a strict party line vote.
The second is LD 404, “An Act To Assist School Administrative Units In Providing Health Insurance to Their Employees.” It requires that school department administrators seek competitive bids for health insurance for their employees at least once every 5 years, rather than being permanently locked in to the MEA statewide plan. It passed, but not on as clear a party line vote.
Why would anyone vote against these bills? The question fairly answers itself, and confirms the power of MEA big money in politics, and to whom it goes.
============================
In the case of this bill on the administrative reporting of the MSHA Director, the message is even more obvious. The wagons are being circled in a last ditch effort. And those who won't bring their wagon into the circle risk being sent out to face the marauding warriors on their own.
Their pictures and positions should be widely publicized on the virtual electoral "post office wall" for all to see, as the 'most wanted' for robbing Maine.
Interesting and Curious Update:
Those who read the MaineWire.com article about curious expenses for luxury hotels, magicians, masseuses, and all manner of other distinctly questionable 'public service' items know that the column referenced data provided by MSHA in response to an MHPC freedom of information request. And if you opened the list referred to in the article, you know that it was a 565 page long document that had only the names and addresses of 'vendors,' but no $ amounts and no dates of payments.
The article was written based on that information.
Strangely, shortly after the MaineWire article appeared, commentary challenging the column appeared 'elsewhere,' and questioned the integrity of the report and those behind it.
The challenges cited dollar amounts and dates of the payments, information that was with-held in the data provided to MHPC. This information was used to indict the allegations and suggestions in the MaineWire.com article.
Which leads to this question: why were other outlets given more information than was provided to MHPC in response to their formal request for data?
Some might say that MSHA sandbagged MHPC and gamed the system, hoping to trap MaineWire. Some might say that MSHA separately leaked information details withheld from MHPC to other 'outlets,' information that could be used to question MaineWire credibility. Some might say that MSHA and their established network of elected benefactors are playing the games that have worked for decades.
Some might say that. I won't.
But I will say this: information is power, and withholding it at the right times is power in its most despicable form.
But, there's no disputing McCormick's donation to the Sierra Club with our tax dollars. Let's see her explain that one. It doesn't go under the two headings she tried to use as her defense: employee training or "wellness". Donating to an enviro-nazi organization intent on stifling our free market system has nothing to do with housing the poor.
Mel wrote:
if you opened the list referred to in the article, you know that it was a 565 page long document that had only the names and addresses of 'vendors,' but no $ amounts and no dates of payments.
The article was written based on that information.
Strangely, shortly after the MaineWire article appeared, commentary challenging the column appeared 'elsewhere,' and questioned the integrity of the report and those behind it.
The challenges cited dollar amounts and dates of the payments, information that was with-held in the data provided to MHPC. This information was used to indict the allegations and suggestions in the MaineWire.com article.
**************
Isn't that curious, how MSHA failed to disclose that information to the MHPC in response to their FOIA request, but somehow, the computers "started cooperating" when MSHA used them to pull information for other media sources.
How very strange.
Since they have already had magicians around for entertainment, lets try this.
If we can get enough AMGers together to post the money, maybe we can hire magician David Copperfield to see if he can make this whole sordid mess....disappear!
WC
That's what the Dems would love to happen, with regard to Poliquin. He's the worst thing that ever happened to the Trough Feeders in Maine.
MTA
Maine Bond Bank
Bureau of General Services
DHHS
Maine Green Energy Alliance
MSHA
The continuing saga of the financial swamp in Augusta.
Question: In the video Dale is proud of her "wellness program" "it works" "our premiums didn't go up a nickle." Aren't MASHA employees on the state insurance plan? If so why would their "wellness" program have any effect on premiums?
According to Employee Health and Benefts the are not a ancillary group covered by that office i.e. like the rest of state agencies!
This was provided by a clerk there 5 minutes ago!
I checked the person on phone didn't realize she got a $10000 dollar bonus in 2010,becuase she didn't!!!!
Posted: 12:00 AM
Housing director and board quarrel
The high tension between Republican commissioners and Dale McCormick flares at a four-hour meeting.
By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer
AUGUSTA - Questions about ... vendors, sponsorships and politics dominated a testy meeting ....
Tempers flared, accusations of lying....a face-off between board Chairman Peter Anastos and Executive Director Dale McCormick.
...snip
...board members don't trust the information McCormick gives them. "I don't call them facts," Anastos said. "I call them misdirection."
***********
The lack of trust isn't helped by McCormick holding secret meetings, summarily firing agencies, and the lack of full disclosure in the reports to the board and the MHPC. I can understand why some board members feel as if MSHA isn't being run in a business-like fashion.
Interview: Lance Dutson, CEO Maine Heritage Policy Center, 1/2012
WVOM-FM 103.9-101.3 FM, George Hale/Ric Tyler Show
Sub-hosting for Ric Tyler, Senator Debra Plowman
“What’ s happening with Maine State Housing is they want to make this into a political fight. And they want to make this about Dale McCormick — and it really isn’t. The people of Maine work very hard and they’re taxed at a very high rate and we all need to make sure that those tax dollars are being spent in a responsible way.
“There were a lot of people back in the day who thought holding Paul Violette accountable for his actions at Maine Turnpike Authority was somehow a witch hunt. We heard the same thing there. Well, Paul Violette’s going to be sitting in a jail cell for five years, from what I understand. That’s how serious the law is about improper expenditures of money.
“This isn’t about Dale McCormick. This is about sunshine being shined in every corner of state government - and accountability.”
Lance Dutson from his 1/20/12 GHRT interview.
Everybody's calling this a witch hunt.
There is no hunting involved.
Govt. agencies seem to have their conferences/training sessions in
venues that are more about fun than training. There are a number of
computer programs available for online conferencing. Why not send just
one IT person to the conference to assure that data flows reliably back
to their agency. Think about how much money would be saved.
Hi Bullseye -
It's good hearing from you again. I missed you on AMG.
Best,
skf
Bullseye
What makes this even more frustrating is that in past years particularly the last 5 years at least in DOC conferences and tarining programs were severely limited particularly 2010/2011 they were essentially non exsistent !!!
I will say one of the curses of federal grants is they at times are tied to manadtory attendence at some conference usually for the person responsible for that program under the grant. The benefit of these things however is extremely limited in reality!
But Bullseye, these people are underpaid by 15%. If we don't send them to fun places they might take their "talents" to the private sector. just imagine how much Dale could make in private industry. ROFL.
Battle for Power at Maine State Housing Authority Heats Up
01/20/2012 Reported By: A.J. Higgins
Democratic House Minority Leader Emily Cain says [Sen. Courtney's] bill has could have a negative impact on the agency. "This has the potential to undermine the independent credibility of the Maine State Housing Authority, and really politicize them in a way that will undermine, I believe, their mission around affordable housing and housing generally in Maine," Cain says.
http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3478/ItemId/19900/Def...
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Republicans want investigation of Housing Authority
6:45 PM, Jan 18, 2012