Misplaced Envy?

Leaving enriches Howard officials

(from baltimore sun)

The story is that people leaving jobs in county government as a result in the “changing of the guard” following the election are benefiting financially in an unseemly, somehow undeserved boondoggle at the expense of the taxpayers.

 

Well, when there is public money involved, people ought to pay attention.

 

But let’s not jump to conclusions of inappropriateness too fast.

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(the Sun reports) “$400,000 paid to six departing employees who made way for new administration:

 

Nearly half that amount, $188,638.78, went to one person: former Chief Administrative Officer Raquel Sanudo, a 22-year employee who was the county’s top appointed official. The pay out, which Sanudo said included unused vacation time, 10 weeks of severance pay and her last week’s salary, is more than her $168,854 annual salary.

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Now, that does seem like a lot of money. Average citizens may be tempted to say “hey, fire me any day if you’re going to give me a check like that” — but read the details : “UNUSED VACATION TIME” – “LAST WEEKS SALARY” — that’s just money earned but not yet paid over TWENTY TWO YEARS.

 

 

22 years is a long time to work for a company – does anyone think she should lose that vacation time pay just because she was too busy doing the company’s business to take the time off? Would you like that kind of deal?

 

The 10 weeks “severance pay” is another question – but at her stated salary of $169,000 (ish) that’s $3250 per week – so the severance is about $32,500. Not a large part of the total.

 

Is 10 weeks pay after being “let go” because of a change in management reasonable? It is less than half of the “rule of thumb” for executive level basic severance in industry – which is (according the US Labor Dept) “one week pay for each year of service – but can reach much higher, beyond one month pay for each year of service”. At basic levels – “most” industries would have offered at least 22 weeks of pay – more than twice the amount HoCo offers.

 

I don’t know the severance pay details of the other payouts – though the amounts listed below would consist of unused (earned) vacation time and final paychecks (earned but not yet paid).

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Six Howard County officials received substantial cash payouts as they left county government:

Raquel Sanudo, chief administrative officer $188,638.78
Nina Benz, information technology director $63,754
Leonard S. Vaughan, housing director $52,962.47
Neil Gaffney, deputy housing director $39,620.64
Victoria Goodman, communications director $36,600.36
Rufus Clanzy, director of Office of Human Rights $25,592.99

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Once you get beyond the misplaced envy for the “windfall” of a lump sum payment of earned/deferred income – there are a couple of questions that are reasonable and “might ought” to be looked into.

 

Ken Ulman seems to have a reasonable perspective on the situation. It is not a question of whether these payments are fair or reasonable — if they were the agreed upon “deal” for these folk’s employment – then they must be honored.

 

However, these kinds of “lump sum” bills coming due at one time without being adequately budgeted for could be problematic for the budget.

 

“This is a system I inherited,” Ulman said. “My concern is getting saddled with big numbers that weren’t budgeted for.”

 

Greg Fox also brings up a good question. “Severance” pay is a reasonable benefit to offer employees, especially those who might be “let go” through no fault of their own with limited advance notice. It is supposed to ease the financial impact from their abrupt departure from gainful employment while they find a new job or make other income arrangements. It may not be appropriate for someone who was going to retire anyway.

 

Does planned retirement qualify as an “involuntary severance”? If the “retired/severed” employee collects a severance and simultaneously begins collecting a public pension — is that a permissible or reasonable “double dipping” situation?

 

Whether the current batch of departing employees “deserve” the payments they are receiving…. or whether they are reasonable amounts of money … is hard to argue. Earned money must be paid – and fair and equitable severance is not only fair but smart unless you want to be involved in lawsuits .

 

However, the questions of whether it is fiscally sound business practice to allow these kinds of “payables” to be accumulated … ie, unused vacation … to be “dropped like a bomb” at some future date —- and what the appropriate definition of “involuntary severance” should be – are matters our Council might want to take up to avoid excessive unbudgeted financial burdens.

 

There are several ways to avoid the kind of accumulation of deferred payouts HoCo has just experienced. It is not uncommon practice to have a “use it or lose it” vacation policy. This can mean requiring folks to actually take their vacation time – which is a well known tool to avoid and detect fraud as well as beneficial to employee morale and avoidance of burnout — or to zero out vacation accounts at the end of every fiscal year and make whatever payment is necessary to compensate each employee for unused vacation time.

 

The question of reasonable severance pay and future plans may be more problematic. What an individual’s plans are for after they are involuntarily “severed” – whether it be looking for a new job or not- may not be the important factor. Perhaps a provision to disallow “double dipping” with both severance and immediate retirement benefits would be in order. In any event – the “loophole” which might allow an employee who is actually “voluntarily” vacating a position to collect “involuntary severance benefits” should be closed. Only employees who are truly being involuntarily replaced through no fault of their own should be compensated.

 

The bottom line is – these things must be clear and agreed upon as conditions of employment. “The deal” between employers and employees must be honored – no matter how jealous we might feel when we hear about someone getting a large chunk of money at one time…. and the “business” of the County ought to be coordinated to avoid budget “surprises”.

 

Cindy Vaillancourt

Introduction for PZGURU

A while back, several months I guess, David Keelan asked me about writing some posts for his blog.  I said sure, but with the election, and Christmas, and all of the other things that preoccupy the life of a thirty-something with two children, I just never took that next step.  Well, I’m taking the next step.  You can stop twisting my arm now David.

 Before I get into postings, I wanted to take a little space to introduce myself and give some background on myself. 

My name is Harold Bernadzikowski.  I was born in Baltimore, lived in Bowie, MD, until I was 3, and then moved to Severna Park where I remained until after college.  I then lived in Annapolis, MD (a great place to live), then Elkridge, then West Friendship, and now currently reside in Sykesville, MD, just into Carroll County. 

I attended the University of Maryland (there’s only 1, and it’s in College Park), where I earned a degree in Urban Studies and Planning, with a concentration in Architecture.  After college, I worked for a short time as a surveyor/draftsmen, then spent 3 years as the Associate Planner for the City of Laurel.  I moved on the Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning, where I spent 7 years as a Planner, the last 3 years as a Planning Supervisor.  Two years ago, I left government work and incorporated myself as an independent contractor doing zoning consultation work.  I now work as a project manager for a development company, doing mostly commercial office and flex buildings.

Although I don’t live in Howard County, I work there, and I’ve spent my entire life around or in Howard County, so I feel that qualifies me as a “local”.  

I am married and have to children, and two cats to round out the family.  I do love dogs, and our next pet will be a dog.  Cats are just less maintenance.   

Anyway, that’s enough about me for now.  I want to thank David for inviting me to participate on his blog, and I hope I bring interesting topics and perspectives to the table. 

  

New Positions For Maryland Republicans

First at the National Level we have Michael Steele replacing J.C. Watts as Chairman of GOPAC

WASHINGTON, D.C. GOPAC today announced former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. will be stepping down after serving nearly four years as Chairman. Former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele will be named as GOPAC’s seventh Chairman.

GOPAC was founded by Delaware Governor Pete du Pont in 1978 in an effort to build a farm team of Republican officeholders who could then run for congress or higher state offices later. Other past Chairmen of GOPAC were: former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, California Congressman David Dreier, Arizona Congressman John Shadegg and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

We also have Fulton resident Louis M. Pope elected as RNC Vice Chair

As RNC Vice Chair, Pope will help steer the Party and provide oversight to the various RNC committees. He will also ratify any decisions of RNC Chairman Mike Duncan. Pope has pledged to work closely on issues such as candidate recruitment, fundraising and voter registration and hold a regional conference for all Republicans in the next year.

On the minus side, newly elected Republican Central Committee member Trent Kittleman as reported in the Baltimore Sun will be leaving the Maryland Transportation Authority.

The one agency head who is definitely out is Trent Kittleman, a staunch Republican who resigned as executive secretary of the Maryland Transportation Authority this week. She had earlier said she hoped to stay on.

In a second article, Trent Kittleman is quoted saying:

Kittleman said yesterday that her departure was the result of “a mutual meeting of the minds” after a conversation with Porcari. Though she had previously stated a willingness to stay on as head of the toll agency, she said the meeting was “very professional” and “very nice.”

Gov. Ehrlich dismissed 340 at will employees and the Democratic delegates and senators launched a year long investigation. (From the Washington Post)

“This legislative committee was pulled together to see if anyone was fired” illegally, Del. Jean B. Cryor (R-Montgomery) said afterwards. “But after months of testimony, the simple fact is that no one was fired because of their political party.”

Anyone keeping track of Gov. O’Malley’s numbers? Any sign that Del. Cryor is carefully monitoring this? Just asking.

Hillary Clinton’s Candidacy – The Grand Deceit?

(h/t Michelle Malkin)

From Gerard Baker and the London Times: The vaulting ambition of America’s Lady Macbeth

There are many reasons people think Mrs Clinton will not be elected president. She lacks warmth; she is too polarising a figure; the American people don’t want to relive the psychodrama of the eight years of the Clinton presidency.

But they all miss this essential counterpoint. As you consider her career this past 15 years or so in the public spotlight, it is impossible not to be struck, and even impressed, by the sheer ruthless, unapologetic, unshameable way in which she has pursued this ambition, and confirmed that there is literally nothing she will not do, say, think or feel to achieve it. Here, finally, is someone who has taken the black arts of the politician’s trade, the dissembling, the trimming, the pandering, all the way to their logical conclusion.

Fifteen years ago there was once a principled, if somewhat rebarbative and unelectable politician called Hillary Rodham Clinton. A woman who aggressively preached abortion on demand and the right of children to sue their own parents, a committed believer in the power of government who tried to create a healthcare system of such bureaucratic complexity it would have made the Soviets blush; a militant feminist who scorned mothers who take time out from work to rear their children as “women who stay home and bake cookies”.

And he closes with:

All politicians, sadly, lie. We can often forgive the lies as the necessary price paid to win popularity for a noble cause. But the Clinton candidacy is a Grand Deceit, an entirely artificial construct built around a person who, stripped bare of the cynicism, manipulation and calculation, is nothing more than an enormous, overpowering and rather terrifying ego.

Wow, somehow I don’t think Hillary’s offer to “Let’s Talk. Let’s chat” is going to change his mind.

Jane Fonda in DC, Will Jon Carry Be There Too?

The AP is reporting that:

WASHINGTON (AP) – Protesters energized by fresh congressional skepticism about the Iraq war demanded a withdrawal of U.S. troops in a demonstration Saturday that drew tens of thousands and brought Jane Fonda back to the streets.

A sampling of celebrities, a half dozen members of Congress and busloads of demonstrators from distant states joined in a spirited rally under a sunny sky, seeing opportunity to press their cause in a country that has turned against the war.

No word if Jon Carry is going to borrow some ribbons or medals and reenact his 1971 publicity stunt protest .

For those that want to compare Vietnam with Iraq may want to read The Vietnam history you haven’t heard by Mark Moyar. The closing paragraphs:

These are just a few of the numerous cases where the writings of Halberstam, Sheehan, and Karnow got it wrong. The record shows they were wrong, as well, to portray North Vietnam’s revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh, as a xenophobic nationalist who put national interests ahead of global communism’s interests. They were wrong to accuse America’s military leaders of employing faulty military tactics. And they were wrong to claim that the US could not have won the war.

So, has Iraq become another Vietnam? For all the apparent similarities – and differences – it is much too early to tell. For all the books on the Iraq war, many critical facts are not yet known. As with Vietnam, it may take 40 years or more to uncover them. Most important, we do not yet know how Iraq will end. Ultimately, it was the contest of wills – not predestination – that determined the outcome of the Vietnam War. A similar contest will determine whether Iraq is one day remembered as another Vietnam.

Read the whole thing.

Along the same theme, Mark Steyn writing about John O’Sullivan’s new book The President, the Pope and the Prime Minister

Now as then, America seems less a sleeping giant than a helpless one, ensnared by Lilliputians and longing for release. Some Republicans distance themselves from the President’s “surge” in Iraq, others dutifully string along with it, but without any great confidence it will make a difference. Democrats, meanwhile, are all but urging on defeat. Explicitly threatening to cut off funds for “Bush’s war,” Senator Ted Kennedy trotted out the old Vietnam “quagmire” analogies but added a new charge, bizarrely formulated: “In Vietnam,” he recalled, “the White House grew increasingly obsessed with victory, and increasingly divorced from the will of the people and any rational policy.”

“Obsessed with victory”? In the history of warfare, most parties have been “obsessed with victory” to one degree or another, ever since Caveman Ug first clubbed Caveman Glug. If you’re not “obsessed with victory,” you probably shouldn’t have got into the war in the first place. It would be more accurate to say that Kennedy and his multiplying ilk are obsessed with defeat, and they’re prepared to do what’s necessary to help inflict it.

Six Local Bills Approved by Howard County State Legislators

As reported in the Baltimore Sun Howard hopeful on state funding and a follow up to Park Funding, and Tax Credits, and Machetes. Oh my!

The Howard County State Delegation met on Wednesday and passed 6 of the 18 bills awaiting action. Keeping the numbers from the earlier post, the six bills that passed unanimously are:

1. Robinson Nature Center Bond Funding ($500 K)
2. North Laurel Community Center Bond Funding ($500 K)
3. Blandair Regional Park Funding ($500 K)
4. Historic Main Street Ellicott City Parking Garage ($500 K)
6. Property Tax Credit for properties jointly owner with HoCo Housing Commission
7. HoCo Annual Report Filing Date

Here’s what remains:

5. Zoning Regulations – Administrative Proceedings
8. Organic Beer / Wine Liquor License
9. Carrying Machete – Prohibited Hours
10. Local Aggregation of Public Utilities (withdrawn)
11. Union Service Representation Fee
12. Board of Education – Qualifications and Election of Student Member
13. County Superintendent of Schools – Termination of Contract
14. Auxiliary Police Officers Workers Compensation
15. Aging in Place Act – Senior Tax Credit

Apparently, some bills have been added to the agenda since the Jan hearing and will be discussed at the Feb 8th hearing:

16 Bond funding for the private Norbel School ($250,000)
17,18 Bargaining rights and expanded worker compensation for county sheriff’s deputies.

Each of the 6 bills must now pass the full General Assembly, but according to the Baltimore Sun, “though that is often perfunctory as a matter of local courtesy.” The delegation will meet Wednesday to consider the other bills.

Dr. Janet Siddiqui Appointed BOE

For full press release – see attached link.

NEWS RELEASE

January 25, 2007

Media Contact:

Kevin Enright, Director of Communications, 410-313-2022

Siddiqui to fill vacant seat

Ulman Appoints Janet Siddiqui, M.D., to Howard County Board of Education

http://www.co.ho.md.us/News/News_20070125.htm

 

If Mary Kay Sigaty had resigned prior to the election – in anticipation of a win -  Dr. Siddiqui would have been elected outright as the 6th place vote getter.

Using that logic, this is a reasonable and “voter friendly” appointment.

As it happens, Dr. Siddiqui is all the very nice things being said about her – kind, caring, intelligent, – and I believe truly committed to children’s issues …. and without any obvious agenda or alternate political ambitions.

I offer my warmest congratulations to Dr. Siddiqui – and look forward to seeing her assert a deliberate presence – and a backbone – on the BOE in the interest of the children it serves.

Sincerely,

Cindy Vaillancourt

 

The Ostrich – Official Symbol of Dems. In Annapolis?

From the Examiner Miller warns budget crunch could force special session next year

What seems to be a theme here – Management by crisis or putting of today what will be a bigger problem tomorrow. Well, today we have Senate President Mike Miller warning that lawmakers may need a special session to deal with projected budget deficits; a special session that will be held in the summer of 2008. Yes, 2008, roughly 18 months from now.

I’ll just skip over the “fiscally responsible” budget proposed by Gov O’Malley. The budget that uses $967,000,000.00 from the state piggy bank called the rainy day fund. Never mind low unemployment of 3.9% in Dec 2006, 18th in the Nation, record tax revenues – it’s raining cats and dogs out there.

The Democrats like to throw around the state’s “structural deficit.” and talk about the looming crisis that they all see coming. The problem is that they could cut (or maybe just freeze) spending or they can raise taxes. Either option will be “unpopular” so, why solve the problem today? Kick the can down the road some more. No reason to do anything this session. Probably can’t get it in next session. No, we’ll wait for 18 months and then call an emergency session. That way we can wring our hands and rush those unpopular proposals through and claim we were forced into it, we had no choice.

Note: For the sake of accuracy I was going to suggest that they adopt the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal as a mascot instead of perpetuating the ostrich myth, but I could not find a good picture of one (Thank you Douglas Adams)

Thank God for Good Neighbors

I have been blessed with good neighbors all of my life.  When I read stories like this I know that my neighbors have been a Godsend.

…an eight-year feud that has spawned more than a dozen criminal cases and required more than 100 visits to their street by Howard County police… [this fued has persisted] since 1999, and the animosity between the two couples began before their virtually identical homes were constructed.

At the risk of being sued let me add this.

Aside from animosity running wild have these people given any thought to the more pressing needs of the community?  Have they any comprehension that the police might have better things to do?

The silver lining here is that (as reported) this has not escallated into a physical confrontation and perhaps the police presence has been responsible for that.  I don’t know.

Feb 8th – Public Hearing on Statewide Issues and Proposed Local Bills

The Howard County Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 8 on statewide issues. The hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD.

From Howard County Office of Public Information

The bills that are currently scheduled to be heard are below the fold