Anonymous reader offers this:
Ray has up'ed the ante... now not only are DRMC employees not allowed to cruise to the Delta Scoop website, but now "immediate termination" will occur if you:
a) discuss Delta Scoop at work
b) print Delta Scoop and bring it to work
c) contribute to Delta Scoop.
AND...how about that new marketing campaign? We were told that the "drops" of blood couldn't be red as Mr. Humphreys is NOT an Ole Miss fan. Therefore, orange had to be used instead. I just wonder with all the financial distress and cutbacks, how much did THAT cost????
How in the world has our community ended up in this shape with the Humphreys and Richards of the world in power?? It is a very sad state of affairs when we sit by and watch these events unfold. There are very real patients with very real needs as well as children who desperately need an education. Yet, these things that should be most important are not. They are being overshadowed by the political power hungry tyrants.
PLEASE let's wake up and vote for a change. It is past time.
Should we fear that book burnings and ethnic purification are next on Ray's "to-do" list? This is just further evidence of this man's paranoiac obsession with power. When does an employer dictate what we as citizens believe, read and discuss?
Rather than close his correspondence and memos with Bible verses, I would suggest that Ray brush up on the first through fifth amendments of the United States Constitution. Unless recently nullified by his board of trustees, I am pretty sure that they still apply to DRMC employees as well.
Forthright
A "Concerned Resident" inquires, "For Whom the Bell Tolls":
Having lived in the Delta for a number of years, it is disturbing to see and hear the conditions of the medical community in this area. It has become apparent that the “village idiots” run DRMC. There is no excuse for the deplorable health care that this facility gives this community. These “idiots” have destroyed the morale of its employees and the confidence of the regions.
I have often heard of DRMC referred to as the “slaughter pen”. Having read of the recent firings of the NP and other staff at this facility, there is no wonder how this reputation has been earned. I know people that have checked out AMA because the facility is understaffed and they cannot get the services required. A business is as only as good as its employees.
It is incomprehensible that this facility that does not do everything possible to promote the loyalty and well-being of its employees. The aforementioned employee has done everything asked of her to serve the facility. The only conclusion that can be drawn from this and other terminations is that they occurred to cover the cost of the “village idiot’s” ego. They have purchased numerous properties in the area and have no way to pay for them other than the dismissal of loyal employees.
Even more disturbing is while these employees were dismissed due to cost cutting, DRMC was advertising for positions on various employment finding agencies and web sites. Sadly, DRMC is not the only institution in our area with this same problem. There is a facility west of Itta-Bena and east of Indianola that has these same issues. Their employee’s morale is at an all time low. They are scared to speak up for fear of retribution.
As with the case of DRMC, this condition exists because of the egos of its leaders. You may ask for whom does the bell toll? Sadly, it tolls for the residents of the Delta unless our leaders realize that the “Village Idiots” need replacing. This is a prime example of the level of incompetence that people can attain.
Signed "A Concerned Resident of the Delta"
The "cost cutting layoffs" are all a piece of a much larger puzzle... and one that Ray himself can no longer control. Taking on HUD as a "silent partner" has not bode well for Ray and the "horsemen". Government agencies have a nasty habit of wanting to know how their money is spent and holding people accountable.
Uhmmm, seems that the construction at DRMC has suddenly halted... or should we "notice" that?
As for DRMC's new marketing campaign, it will reportedly cost the taxpayers another $4 million dollars. It is hard to imagine what they have left to market... no nurses, fewer doctors, a failed "heart center" program and a "Doc-in-the-Box" ER with 8 hour wait times. Coupled with a corrupt and incompetent administration, I can hardly wait for the unveiling of what shall surely be recorded in history as "Ray's last Hoo-rah!"
Forthright
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Common "Threads"
"Sonnett Sones" sees similarities:
I am amazed when I read the letters about DRMC and Ray Humphreys. One could remove his name and DRMC and insert Ilean Richard's name and Leland School District and you would have the exact same story of misuse of power and abuse and intimidation of employees.
Evidently, they both suffer from the same narcissistic personality disorder. Additionally, they both apparently have weak, inept and inefficient boards which allow them to behave with unchecked authority. We, the taxpayers, elect these boards (Board of Supervisors and Leland School Board). We must not re-elect people who do not take their offices seriously.
Tell your elected officials exactly how you feel. These are our communities and we can take them back. Remember this at election time. The voters have the power to do what needs to be done..
Sonnett Sones
"Sonnett" makes a good point. There are some very frightening similarities between these two stories. Both deal with blatant abuse of power, corruption and collusion by board members who obviously have a "vested interest" in maintaining the status quo.
Both Humphreys and Richards share a quest for power and openly threaten those who challenge their rule. Both Humphreys and Richards also project a self-righteous devotion to God and are quick to use "His" word in their defense.
Perhaps the most frightening parallel between these two notables is the blind public trust that has been bestowed upon them. Our health care and our children's education have been placed in the hands of officials who repeatedly make bad decisions and remain unchallenged and unaccountable to the public they serve.
As a final note, both Humphreys and Richards have threatened "retaliation" against their employees who dare to read or contribute to the "Delta Scoop". They share a common fear of public exposure and accountability. They both remain silent in the hopes that public apathy and indifference shall sustain their rule.
"The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that is the essence of inhumanity." George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950), "The Devil's Disciple" (1901), act II
Forthright
I am amazed when I read the letters about DRMC and Ray Humphreys. One could remove his name and DRMC and insert Ilean Richard's name and Leland School District and you would have the exact same story of misuse of power and abuse and intimidation of employees.
Evidently, they both suffer from the same narcissistic personality disorder. Additionally, they both apparently have weak, inept and inefficient boards which allow them to behave with unchecked authority. We, the taxpayers, elect these boards (Board of Supervisors and Leland School Board). We must not re-elect people who do not take their offices seriously.
Tell your elected officials exactly how you feel. These are our communities and we can take them back. Remember this at election time. The voters have the power to do what needs to be done..
Sonnett Sones
"Sonnett" makes a good point. There are some very frightening similarities between these two stories. Both deal with blatant abuse of power, corruption and collusion by board members who obviously have a "vested interest" in maintaining the status quo.
Both Humphreys and Richards share a quest for power and openly threaten those who challenge their rule. Both Humphreys and Richards also project a self-righteous devotion to God and are quick to use "His" word in their defense.
Perhaps the most frightening parallel between these two notables is the blind public trust that has been bestowed upon them. Our health care and our children's education have been placed in the hands of officials who repeatedly make bad decisions and remain unchallenged and unaccountable to the public they serve.
As a final note, both Humphreys and Richards have threatened "retaliation" against their employees who dare to read or contribute to the "Delta Scoop". They share a common fear of public exposure and accountability. They both remain silent in the hopes that public apathy and indifference shall sustain their rule.
"The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that is the essence of inhumanity." George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950), "The Devil's Disciple" (1901), act II
Forthright
Thursday, October 25, 2007
A "Heated" Debate
Anonymous speaks up for Hudson:
You can't be serious. Mayor Hudson has brought a 3 million dollar grant to Greenville and you "PEOPLE" over look that in order to "FIND " reason's to vote for a white person. tsk, tsk tsk. I smell an old familiar scent. Could it begin with an "R" and end in "ism"? Don't stop there. Why don't you be true to form and hang a noose in her front yard instead of this pitiful attempt at a subtle high tech lynching?
You all haven't acknowledged that Greenville has been under white administration for years and it didn't get into the condition that it is in over night. All you naysayers, why don't you get off your butts and do something yourself. Namely acknowledge that a mayor is only as strong as the resources that are coming into the second congressional district as a whole.
The time to give input is at the board meetings all along, not try this BS once you have found the GREAT WHITE HOPE!
If you really want improvement be truthful and put the blame where it lies with your governor, Haley Barbour, who is draining this district and the state dry or is that to much like right for you?
Go ahead admit it, get and that poor excuse for a transportation commission.
"Tencent's" Rebuttal:
Yes, it starts with "R" and ends with "ism".
Borrowed from Internet dictionary:
Republicanism is the ideology of governing a nation as a democracy, with an emphasis on liberty, rule by the people, and the civic virtue practiced by citizens. Republicanism always stands in opposition to aristocracy, oligarchy, and dictatorship.
More broadly, it refers to a political system that protects liberty, especially by incorporating a rule of law that cannot be arbitrarily ignored by the government. Or as John Adams put it, "They define a republic to be a government of laws, and not of men." Much of the literature deals with the issue of what sort of values and behavior by the citizens is necessary if the republic is to survive and flourish; the emphasis has been on widespread citizen participation, civic virtue, and opposition to corruption.
Hanging a noose in someone's front yard comment leads me to believe that the person still holds some grudge. Racial and biased.
I'm not looking for a GREAT WHITE HOPE. I just want someone to stand up and rebuild Greenville. And I don't mean repaving streets or BS programs like marking jogging paths. Education and getting OFF of WELFARE should be primary concerns. Decent jobs are not going to flow back into Greenville until there are enough educated people to fill them.
Blaming Gov. Barbour and the "transportation" commission is a weak excuse from some liberal.
Ooops... there's that race card again. Anyone who takes an objective view of Mayor Hudson's first term would have to admit that she has made some significant improvements to our community... perhaps no more, but certainly no less, than previous mayors given the economic challenges that currently face the Delta.
Perhaps the greatest lesson we can take from Mayor Hudson's first term in office, is that race, gender and age are all irrelevant factors in predicting "effective leadership". There is no "Great White or Black Hope" for Greenville as long as we focus on race rather than issues.
Finger-pointing at the governor and transportation commissioner won't change our lives, nor will who we elect as mayor in December. Greenville will never change until we replace our fatalistic, defeatist view of our community with one that is collaborative and cohesive in our desire to seek positive change for all residents.
Forthright
You can't be serious. Mayor Hudson has brought a 3 million dollar grant to Greenville and you "PEOPLE" over look that in order to "FIND " reason's to vote for a white person. tsk, tsk tsk. I smell an old familiar scent. Could it begin with an "R" and end in "ism"? Don't stop there. Why don't you be true to form and hang a noose in her front yard instead of this pitiful attempt at a subtle high tech lynching?
You all haven't acknowledged that Greenville has been under white administration for years and it didn't get into the condition that it is in over night. All you naysayers, why don't you get off your butts and do something yourself. Namely acknowledge that a mayor is only as strong as the resources that are coming into the second congressional district as a whole.
The time to give input is at the board meetings all along, not try this BS once you have found the GREAT WHITE HOPE!
If you really want improvement be truthful and put the blame where it lies with your governor, Haley Barbour, who is draining this district and the state dry or is that to much like right for you?
Go ahead admit it, get and that poor excuse for a transportation commission.
"Tencent's" Rebuttal:
Yes, it starts with "R" and ends with "ism".
Borrowed from Internet dictionary:
Republicanism is the ideology of governing a nation as a democracy, with an emphasis on liberty, rule by the people, and the civic virtue practiced by citizens. Republicanism always stands in opposition to aristocracy, oligarchy, and dictatorship.
More broadly, it refers to a political system that protects liberty, especially by incorporating a rule of law that cannot be arbitrarily ignored by the government. Or as John Adams put it, "They define a republic to be a government of laws, and not of men." Much of the literature deals with the issue of what sort of values and behavior by the citizens is necessary if the republic is to survive and flourish; the emphasis has been on widespread citizen participation, civic virtue, and opposition to corruption.
Hanging a noose in someone's front yard comment leads me to believe that the person still holds some grudge. Racial and biased.
I'm not looking for a GREAT WHITE HOPE. I just want someone to stand up and rebuild Greenville. And I don't mean repaving streets or BS programs like marking jogging paths. Education and getting OFF of WELFARE should be primary concerns. Decent jobs are not going to flow back into Greenville until there are enough educated people to fill them.
Blaming Gov. Barbour and the "transportation" commission is a weak excuse from some liberal.
Ooops... there's that race card again. Anyone who takes an objective view of Mayor Hudson's first term would have to admit that she has made some significant improvements to our community... perhaps no more, but certainly no less, than previous mayors given the economic challenges that currently face the Delta.
Perhaps the greatest lesson we can take from Mayor Hudson's first term in office, is that race, gender and age are all irrelevant factors in predicting "effective leadership". There is no "Great White or Black Hope" for Greenville as long as we focus on race rather than issues.
Finger-pointing at the governor and transportation commissioner won't change our lives, nor will who we elect as mayor in December. Greenville will never change until we replace our fatalistic, defeatist view of our community with one that is collaborative and cohesive in our desire to seek positive change for all residents.
Forthright
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A "Witch" Hunt for Halloween!
Pinched Nerve for Ray Humphreys?
It seems that DRMC administration is completely focused on finding out who Forthright is and shutting down this website. I am an insider and I can tell you that the things discussed on Delta Scoop concerning DRMC are the truth; it is the only forum through which employees can air their honest feelings and report the ridiculous injustices without being terminated.
Trust me, Forthright, you are cheered on daily by most of the DRMC crew. And, by the way, there are lots of good folks there at the hospital. I have worked with them for years. However, after trying to survive the Ray/Allyson era, many of them have lost their passion and dread coming to work. And, for those brilliant, know it all citizens in our community who say if ya don't like your job, then quit – let me tell you, DRMC has bought up anything and everything in town except for a handful of MDs who refused to sell their souls in return for repayment of their malpractice insurance. Therefore, jobs in healthcare here in Greenville are limited at best.
I found out today that Ray issued the warning at a leadership meeting: SURFING TO THE DELTA SCOOP WEBSITE WHILE AT WORK IS GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE TERMINATION. Notice that Ray didn't proclaim that surfing to non-work related sites would mean your walking papers, but DELTA SCOOP will get ya the death sentence. Maybe, just maybe, the truths written here have struck a nerve with ole Ray and that's why he is so adamant about putting an end to this blog. Thank goodness we live in America where free speech is alive and well, and protected, yes – even from the likes of Ray Humphreys.
--- A Fly On The Wall
Anonymous said...
As a clinical professional in the healthcare business, I know how it feels to clinch your teeth when administration walks in...are you the next to go?? Well, in my opinion, administration needs to be made up of people who have actually laid there hands on patients (and i am not talking about a little pat on the back)..heard about a patient's aches and pains..and guided them along to being discharged.
Being a leader, is more than sitting behind a large expensive desk barking orders..it is finding out what the patients have to say...are they getting quality treatment?? is the hospital well staffed so that the patients are not sitting on the call button, having trouble breathing waiting for the one floor nurse to make it to the nurse.
I had a relative recently tell me that while she was at KDH..when KDH was KDH..she would hit the buzzer and not one nurse but two would come to her room to check on her. Then she was at DRMC and hit the buzzer and nothing..nothing...nothing...then someone who cannot speak clearly come on the intercom in the room and say "mu i hel you" about like that....ok, which would you choose???
Get rid of Ray and put some administration in there who has cried with a patient, lifted a bed pan and stayed a little longer on their shift to see to it that their patient got a decent dinner...
Anonymous said...
How could DRMC lay off this NP. She is someone I would ask to see my family. She had the best bedside manner, great clinical skills, and super fun to be around. We have lost so many great employees, but have we lost any administrative people.
It seems every time we have budget issues lab personnel are cut, nurses are sent home early, and nursing nonRN staff is reduced. I am not an expert in medicine, but aren't those important for patient care. Do we ever see administration staff cut their salary. It makes me sick... I am so sorry for the staff at DRMC.
If Ray Humphreys is so worried about negative press on the Scoop, I will gladly give him equal time and space to provide his explanation of what is going on at DRMC. With every issue, there are always two sides and I have often solicited readers to discuss the "positives" of the hospitals' merger.
Rather than be concerned with revealing my identity, I would suggest that Ray focus on the reasons that more and more disgruntled employees and doctors continue to flee the hospital. His public reproach of the "Delta Scoop" not only bolsters this blog-site's credibility, but also demonstrates this man's total disregard for his employees' right to the freedoms of speech, thought and press. (I would however, caution DRMC employees to wait until they are at home to read the Scoop. I am sure that Ray's "threats" are quite real.)
The greatest injustice of all in allowing this administration to continue is that people's lives are literally at stake. As a health care professional, I personally know of many untimely deaths that have occurred at DRMC due to incompetence, negligence and political "finger-pointing" by administration. The authors above are correct in that there are many very dedicated and skilled professionals left at DRMC, who care about patients and positive outcomes... but they feel trapped in a monopolistic health care system in which leaders arbitrarily terminate qualified medical professionals who dare to question Ray's motives.
My best advice to the many concerned citizens of Greenville and the employees of DRMC is to stand your ground. Change will come when WE demand it. Speak up, get out and vote, and let your voice be heard via the Scoop, letters to the editor, or whatever public forum you choose. If we succumb to the fear and intimidation tactics of Ray and his lot, he will have won the battle without a fight.
Forthright
It seems that DRMC administration is completely focused on finding out who Forthright is and shutting down this website. I am an insider and I can tell you that the things discussed on Delta Scoop concerning DRMC are the truth; it is the only forum through which employees can air their honest feelings and report the ridiculous injustices without being terminated.
Trust me, Forthright, you are cheered on daily by most of the DRMC crew. And, by the way, there are lots of good folks there at the hospital. I have worked with them for years. However, after trying to survive the Ray/Allyson era, many of them have lost their passion and dread coming to work. And, for those brilliant, know it all citizens in our community who say if ya don't like your job, then quit – let me tell you, DRMC has bought up anything and everything in town except for a handful of MDs who refused to sell their souls in return for repayment of their malpractice insurance. Therefore, jobs in healthcare here in Greenville are limited at best.
I found out today that Ray issued the warning at a leadership meeting: SURFING TO THE DELTA SCOOP WEBSITE WHILE AT WORK IS GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE TERMINATION. Notice that Ray didn't proclaim that surfing to non-work related sites would mean your walking papers, but DELTA SCOOP will get ya the death sentence. Maybe, just maybe, the truths written here have struck a nerve with ole Ray and that's why he is so adamant about putting an end to this blog. Thank goodness we live in America where free speech is alive and well, and protected, yes – even from the likes of Ray Humphreys.
--- A Fly On The Wall
Anonymous said...
As a clinical professional in the healthcare business, I know how it feels to clinch your teeth when administration walks in...are you the next to go?? Well, in my opinion, administration needs to be made up of people who have actually laid there hands on patients (and i am not talking about a little pat on the back)..heard about a patient's aches and pains..and guided them along to being discharged.
Being a leader, is more than sitting behind a large expensive desk barking orders..it is finding out what the patients have to say...are they getting quality treatment?? is the hospital well staffed so that the patients are not sitting on the call button, having trouble breathing waiting for the one floor nurse to make it to the nurse.
I had a relative recently tell me that while she was at KDH..when KDH was KDH..she would hit the buzzer and not one nurse but two would come to her room to check on her. Then she was at DRMC and hit the buzzer and nothing..nothing...nothing...then someone who cannot speak clearly come on the intercom in the room and say "mu i hel you" about like that....ok, which would you choose???
Get rid of Ray and put some administration in there who has cried with a patient, lifted a bed pan and stayed a little longer on their shift to see to it that their patient got a decent dinner...
Anonymous said...
How could DRMC lay off this NP. She is someone I would ask to see my family. She had the best bedside manner, great clinical skills, and super fun to be around. We have lost so many great employees, but have we lost any administrative people.
It seems every time we have budget issues lab personnel are cut, nurses are sent home early, and nursing nonRN staff is reduced. I am not an expert in medicine, but aren't those important for patient care. Do we ever see administration staff cut their salary. It makes me sick... I am so sorry for the staff at DRMC.
If Ray Humphreys is so worried about negative press on the Scoop, I will gladly give him equal time and space to provide his explanation of what is going on at DRMC. With every issue, there are always two sides and I have often solicited readers to discuss the "positives" of the hospitals' merger.
Rather than be concerned with revealing my identity, I would suggest that Ray focus on the reasons that more and more disgruntled employees and doctors continue to flee the hospital. His public reproach of the "Delta Scoop" not only bolsters this blog-site's credibility, but also demonstrates this man's total disregard for his employees' right to the freedoms of speech, thought and press. (I would however, caution DRMC employees to wait until they are at home to read the Scoop. I am sure that Ray's "threats" are quite real.)
The greatest injustice of all in allowing this administration to continue is that people's lives are literally at stake. As a health care professional, I personally know of many untimely deaths that have occurred at DRMC due to incompetence, negligence and political "finger-pointing" by administration. The authors above are correct in that there are many very dedicated and skilled professionals left at DRMC, who care about patients and positive outcomes... but they feel trapped in a monopolistic health care system in which leaders arbitrarily terminate qualified medical professionals who dare to question Ray's motives.
My best advice to the many concerned citizens of Greenville and the employees of DRMC is to stand your ground. Change will come when WE demand it. Speak up, get out and vote, and let your voice be heard via the Scoop, letters to the editor, or whatever public forum you choose. If we succumb to the fear and intimidation tactics of Ray and his lot, he will have won the battle without a fight.
Forthright
Monday, October 22, 2007
The "Death Ray"
Anonymous asks:
WHAT is going on in the horrific world of DRMC now?!? Employees are all shaking in their boots at the cutbacks. They are all wondering who is next? It is pitiful to sit by and watch more and more layers of administration with high dollar salaries and non-productive roles added on at DRMC while the folks who are actually providing patient care are living in fear that they are Ray's next hit.
If the hospital is in a true crisis mode financially as he ALWAYS claims, let us have a look at HIS salary and maybe we could start a reduction in workforce with him and his team of cronies. How ironic that we are all concerned about growing Greenville, investing in our community, the supposed nursing shortage, and the health care crisis in the Delta, yet Ray Ray is busy booting out long time, loyal productive employees.
Yes, that's right - One of my personal friends received her "thanks for serving in every role we've asked you to for the past ten years, but now we don't need you anymore" papers last week. This is not a lazy or non-productive nurse, but a nurse practitioner in a DRMC clinic who is well liked by her patients, her collaborative MD, and her co-workers. She has been a team player and enthusiastically agreed to their every whim over the last ten years. I dare say she sees just as many - if not more patients than some of the MDs employed by DRMC who make 7 – 8 times the salary she does.
It seems though, that she was the pawn in one of Ray's political battles with a MD and because he is a ruthless power freak, she lost her job. (meaning Allyson Williams' battle - as we ALL know she is the one running the show while Ray plays with his newest electronic gadget and yells at IS because the Internet is down).
This means that our np and her family will most likely be forced to relocate out of Greenville where another employer will be happy to have her as she is a professional and she will be valued for her hard work, skills, and compassion. I found it quite ironic too that she told me it took THREE "administrators" to lay her off….two of which I understand hold HIGH SCHOOL DEGREES. Ummm, maybe we are laying the wrong folks off and keeping the wrong ones around?!?!?!
Over the years, I have listened in disbelief at some of the "going-ons" at DRMC, but she hung in there always saying that things were going to get better. As I have told her before, the only way things will get better is when the board wakes up and gets rid of the root of the problem - Ray Humphreys and his hand picked army of "yessah" administrators.
Does the board have blinders on? Does Ray intentionally choose board members who are his YES men? Do ANY of them have any clinical background that qualifies them to make decisions about healthcare that affect us all??? I know that this particular "workforce reduction" of the nurse practitioner was brought to the attention of a board member. I heard he replied, "we can't micro-manage". What a profound and caring response. It sounds like he is serving his community so well!
If the media in our community would investigate morale at our only hospital in town without identifying employees by name, everyone would quickly see that the crisis here is not financial, but administrative. Ray has created a culture of fear. His first long time employer finally saw him for what he was and said no more. Someone throw Ray overboard and exile the board to an island far, far away so that we can start to build a healthcare system here in Greenville that we deserve.
------ANONYMOUS (for fear of my job!)
You share the sentiments (and fears) of many DRMC employees who continue to flee this "Titanic" of health care. The truth is that DRMC's 2007 fiscal year just ended... and I would bet that its accounting resembled a blood bath of red ink. As you noted, while cutting the jobs of those who provide direct patient care, the administrative staff just keeps on growing. So... what IS going on at DRMC?
The answer may be quite simple: "posturing"... a wall street idiom which roughly translates into "dressing a pig for slaughter". Former KDH employees should recognize the tell-tale signs quite well. I am sure that HUD is less than pleased with their multi-million dollar investment and being the "government", they simply don't like to lose! It seems that Ray has fallen into bed with a "not so silent" partner.
The fall of any evil dictatorship takes with it many innocent lives, but it also brings hope for those who survive and choose to learn from history. My prediction is that Ray Humphreys is history, but DRMC is not. Let's see what the next few months reveal.
Forthright
WHAT is going on in the horrific world of DRMC now?!? Employees are all shaking in their boots at the cutbacks. They are all wondering who is next? It is pitiful to sit by and watch more and more layers of administration with high dollar salaries and non-productive roles added on at DRMC while the folks who are actually providing patient care are living in fear that they are Ray's next hit.
If the hospital is in a true crisis mode financially as he ALWAYS claims, let us have a look at HIS salary and maybe we could start a reduction in workforce with him and his team of cronies. How ironic that we are all concerned about growing Greenville, investing in our community, the supposed nursing shortage, and the health care crisis in the Delta, yet Ray Ray is busy booting out long time, loyal productive employees.
Yes, that's right - One of my personal friends received her "thanks for serving in every role we've asked you to for the past ten years, but now we don't need you anymore" papers last week. This is not a lazy or non-productive nurse, but a nurse practitioner in a DRMC clinic who is well liked by her patients, her collaborative MD, and her co-workers. She has been a team player and enthusiastically agreed to their every whim over the last ten years. I dare say she sees just as many - if not more patients than some of the MDs employed by DRMC who make 7 – 8 times the salary she does.
It seems though, that she was the pawn in one of Ray's political battles with a MD and because he is a ruthless power freak, she lost her job. (meaning Allyson Williams' battle - as we ALL know she is the one running the show while Ray plays with his newest electronic gadget and yells at IS because the Internet is down).
This means that our np and her family will most likely be forced to relocate out of Greenville where another employer will be happy to have her as she is a professional and she will be valued for her hard work, skills, and compassion. I found it quite ironic too that she told me it took THREE "administrators" to lay her off….two of which I understand hold HIGH SCHOOL DEGREES. Ummm, maybe we are laying the wrong folks off and keeping the wrong ones around?!?!?!
Over the years, I have listened in disbelief at some of the "going-ons" at DRMC, but she hung in there always saying that things were going to get better. As I have told her before, the only way things will get better is when the board wakes up and gets rid of the root of the problem - Ray Humphreys and his hand picked army of "yessah" administrators.
Does the board have blinders on? Does Ray intentionally choose board members who are his YES men? Do ANY of them have any clinical background that qualifies them to make decisions about healthcare that affect us all??? I know that this particular "workforce reduction" of the nurse practitioner was brought to the attention of a board member. I heard he replied, "we can't micro-manage". What a profound and caring response. It sounds like he is serving his community so well!
If the media in our community would investigate morale at our only hospital in town without identifying employees by name, everyone would quickly see that the crisis here is not financial, but administrative. Ray has created a culture of fear. His first long time employer finally saw him for what he was and said no more. Someone throw Ray overboard and exile the board to an island far, far away so that we can start to build a healthcare system here in Greenville that we deserve.
------ANONYMOUS (for fear of my job!)
You share the sentiments (and fears) of many DRMC employees who continue to flee this "Titanic" of health care. The truth is that DRMC's 2007 fiscal year just ended... and I would bet that its accounting resembled a blood bath of red ink. As you noted, while cutting the jobs of those who provide direct patient care, the administrative staff just keeps on growing. So... what IS going on at DRMC?
The answer may be quite simple: "posturing"... a wall street idiom which roughly translates into "dressing a pig for slaughter". Former KDH employees should recognize the tell-tale signs quite well. I am sure that HUD is less than pleased with their multi-million dollar investment and being the "government", they simply don't like to lose! It seems that Ray has fallen into bed with a "not so silent" partner.
The fall of any evil dictatorship takes with it many innocent lives, but it also brings hope for those who survive and choose to learn from history. My prediction is that Ray Humphreys is history, but DRMC is not. Let's see what the next few months reveal.
Forthright
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Dowdy "Devotees"
Anonymous offers...
I would like to say a few words about Kim Dowdy. I've known her for several years. I served on the United Way Board of Directors with her. She has been in Greenville for several years now and knows what Greenville needs. She has worked with KDH and with the chamber, so she should be familiar with the "going ons" of Greenville. If people will put 'color' aside and vote for the person they think will really get out and work for bettering the community, I think Kim Dowdy would fit the bill. Just get out and vote!
Tencent said...
I also support Kim Dowdy because she has shown more true support for Greenville than Hudson has ever exhibited outside of the political gains. Dowdy cares. And she deserves a chance to prove herself as an elected civic leader.
Wayfarer said...
I have worked with Kim Dowdy in various situations for over a decade. She has a passion for Greenville which conveys into all her works. Mrs. Dowdy has given countless hours to our community and has pride in being a Greenvillian like no other. I have spoken to her many times concerning her mayoral run and she truly feels she can affect change. Politically savvy - she is not. Committed in her quest and love for her adopted home -ABSOLUTELY!
Granted she is not a born and bred Southerner but has been a faithful ,dedicated resident of Greenville for well over fifteen years. It’s not about her birth certificate but what’s in her heart and soul. Her love of Greenville and her commitment to better it can’t be disputed. Look where our city is now and where it is headed with the current administration. Do you want to stay the course?
There seems to be a great deal of support for Mrs. Dowdy throughout our community. As for political "savvy", I would prefer a good dose of common sense, which she certainly projects. As for her chances of winning an election in which race will play a greater role than qualifications, it will be difficult.
Mayor Hudson holds the distinction of being the first black, female and the youngest mayor ever elected in Greenville, and for that she will hold a place in history; albeit a "footnote". I feel that she has missed an incredible opportunity to expose the "race card" as a "joker". Instead, she has played the role that was most politically expedient to those who put her in office.
Personally, I voted for Mayor Hudson in the first election. I was impressed with the fact the she was formally educated as an attorney and one whom should at least understand the law and the concepts of "fair and equitable" treatment, unlike many who preceded her in office.
Regardless of who is elected in December, Greenville will still face the same obstacles of racism, apathy and indifference from citizens who seem to have simply "given up" on Greenville. What we need is a modern day FDR, who offers a new deal and a renewed hope for our community. Race, gender and age should be irrelevant. We are all in the same boat... and it is most definitely sinking.
Change will happen when we demand it. Get out and vote.
Forthright
I would like to say a few words about Kim Dowdy. I've known her for several years. I served on the United Way Board of Directors with her. She has been in Greenville for several years now and knows what Greenville needs. She has worked with KDH and with the chamber, so she should be familiar with the "going ons" of Greenville. If people will put 'color' aside and vote for the person they think will really get out and work for bettering the community, I think Kim Dowdy would fit the bill. Just get out and vote!
Tencent said...
I also support Kim Dowdy because she has shown more true support for Greenville than Hudson has ever exhibited outside of the political gains. Dowdy cares. And she deserves a chance to prove herself as an elected civic leader.
Wayfarer said...
I have worked with Kim Dowdy in various situations for over a decade. She has a passion for Greenville which conveys into all her works. Mrs. Dowdy has given countless hours to our community and has pride in being a Greenvillian like no other. I have spoken to her many times concerning her mayoral run and she truly feels she can affect change. Politically savvy - she is not. Committed in her quest and love for her adopted home -ABSOLUTELY!
Granted she is not a born and bred Southerner but has been a faithful ,dedicated resident of Greenville for well over fifteen years. It’s not about her birth certificate but what’s in her heart and soul. Her love of Greenville and her commitment to better it can’t be disputed. Look where our city is now and where it is headed with the current administration. Do you want to stay the course?
There seems to be a great deal of support for Mrs. Dowdy throughout our community. As for political "savvy", I would prefer a good dose of common sense, which she certainly projects. As for her chances of winning an election in which race will play a greater role than qualifications, it will be difficult.
Mayor Hudson holds the distinction of being the first black, female and the youngest mayor ever elected in Greenville, and for that she will hold a place in history; albeit a "footnote". I feel that she has missed an incredible opportunity to expose the "race card" as a "joker". Instead, she has played the role that was most politically expedient to those who put her in office.
Personally, I voted for Mayor Hudson in the first election. I was impressed with the fact the she was formally educated as an attorney and one whom should at least understand the law and the concepts of "fair and equitable" treatment, unlike many who preceded her in office.
Regardless of who is elected in December, Greenville will still face the same obstacles of racism, apathy and indifference from citizens who seem to have simply "given up" on Greenville. What we need is a modern day FDR, who offers a new deal and a renewed hope for our community. Race, gender and age should be irrelevant. We are all in the same boat... and it is most definitely sinking.
Change will happen when we demand it. Get out and vote.
Forthright
Friday, October 19, 2007
Update from Leland
I would like to bring you to date on the protest march that took place at Leland City Hall October 15, 2007 concerning the extremely high electric rates. We were very successful in terms of getting the people out to participate, and the news Medias support.
We will meet with the board on the next regular monthly meeting to discuss options, and try to work out something harmonious for both sides to get the rates down. If not, we will use other strategies that we have at our disposal which I am not at liberty to divulge at this time.
For those citizens who are having a rough time at staying afloat because of the extreme electric rates, I, promise you that we will not abandon you, and we are going to stay the course until we get the relief that we deserve.
James W. Lowe, Sr.
Good job, Mr. Lowe! It is good to see citizens getting involved in our communities in order to make them better for all. Perhaps you're the man to lead the parents of Leland Public School children into demanding accountability of public school officials.
Forthright
We will meet with the board on the next regular monthly meeting to discuss options, and try to work out something harmonious for both sides to get the rates down. If not, we will use other strategies that we have at our disposal which I am not at liberty to divulge at this time.
For those citizens who are having a rough time at staying afloat because of the extreme electric rates, I, promise you that we will not abandon you, and we are going to stay the course until we get the relief that we deserve.
James W. Lowe, Sr.
Good job, Mr. Lowe! It is good to see citizens getting involved in our communities in order to make them better for all. Perhaps you're the man to lead the parents of Leland Public School children into demanding accountability of public school officials.
Forthright
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Hudson or Dowdy... Speak Up!
I have had several readers inquire about Kim Dowdy and her qualifications as a mayoral candidate. As a native Greenvillian, I have met Mrs. Dowdy on several occasions and have always found her to be quite pleasant, knowledgeable and a great supporter of Greenville. I know that she was previously employed by King's Daughters Hospital, in marketing, if I recall correctly. She has been very actively involved in promoting Greenville through both the Chamber of Commerce and local charities.
I do recall commenting to Mrs. Dowdy that her accent was not exactly "southern". She confessed that she was a "Yankee" by birth, but she had fallen in love with both the south, and more specifically, Greenville. I was impressed by her extremely positive attitude and outlook towards Greenville, given that most "natives" have simply lost all hope.
Other than this, I confess that I don't know much of her qualifications as a mayoral candidate. Mrs. Dowdy seems to be a very devoted and outspoken advocate of Greenville... perhaps the best qualification of all.
One would assume, that as an attorney, Mayor Hudson could have foreseen some of the "errors in judgement" that have plagued her first term in office; albeit, "common sense" seems to be a rare commodity these days in all arenas. I must say that Mayor Hudson is also a very charming and intelligent candidate who has also done a great deal to promote and enhance Greenville's image.
As we move toward the mayoral election in December, I welcome those who know these two candidates to enlighten the "Scoop" readership as to their political "pros and cons". This election could be a major turning point for Greenville and the Delta. Speak up... let your voice be heard... both on the "Scoop" and at the polls in December.
Forthright
Saturday, October 13, 2007
"Electricity" in Leland
Public protest planned:
We have planned to march on Leland City Hall Monday October 15. 2007 beginning at 8:00 a.m. to protest the extremely high electric bills, and the City's unfair practice. All concerned are welcome to participate. There will be some posters provided, however you can provide your own as long as it is in concert with our theme.
James Lowe
Public protests might seem silly these days, but they are an effective means to gather public support. I must commend Mr. Lowe for speaking up for the many Leland residents who sense something is "wrong" in City Hall. As with the issue regarding the public schools, if officials have nothing to hide, then they should welcome the scrutiny that comes with public office.
Forthright
We have planned to march on Leland City Hall Monday October 15. 2007 beginning at 8:00 a.m. to protest the extremely high electric bills, and the City's unfair practice. All concerned are welcome to participate. There will be some posters provided, however you can provide your own as long as it is in concert with our theme.
James Lowe
Public protests might seem silly these days, but they are an effective means to gather public support. I must commend Mr. Lowe for speaking up for the many Leland residents who sense something is "wrong" in City Hall. As with the issue regarding the public schools, if officials have nothing to hide, then they should welcome the scrutiny that comes with public office.
Forthright
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
"Little" Greenville
Concerned citizen offers help...
It makes one wonder if God hasn’t put a curse on Leland. The Schools are in chaos, with scandalous accusations of sex, drugs, mental cruelty, and a multitude of others ills. The City is in uproar, with no sense of direction, allegations of misuse of taxpayer’s funds, the city streets are in deplorable condition.
The Mayor, and now City Clerk, along with other city employees who pay little, or no utility bills (little, or no light bill, no water, or garbage or trash bill). While the rest of the citizens pay extremely high electric rates. With a non-functional Police Dept., and a host of others problems. In addition, no one has an inkling as what to do about either.
First, let us start with the Leland School District . You have an administrative staff that does not live in Leland, and who do not have Leland at heart. The District has a very weak and incompetent Board of Trustees who gives the Superintendent a free hand to degrade the teachers, and exploit the taxpayers of Leland. The Board is allowing the Superintendent the opportunity to get herself and her flunkies the highest salaries the last years before retiring in order to get the optimum retirement benefits.
The citizens of Leland must not sit idly by waiting on the State Department of Education, or The Attorney Generals Office, to come in, and do what we know we must do for our children, and this community. It seems that the bad elements of our community out number the good, but we must not let that deter us.
I will setup a meeting with the spokesperson for the district parents in order to call a citywide meeting to work out strategies to deal with the problems of this community, and share information with others in order for all of us to be on the same page.
It sounds as if Leland has fallen victim to the ills that plague Greenville! Engulfed in a population in which everyone is "on the take", it is very difficult to discern the true "criminals".
Although this writer's identity was provided to me in his email, I never disclose one's identity without express permission. From the tone of his message, he seems to be a man of action who is offering to spearhead a parents meeting with school officials, so he probably has no problem revealing his identity... but that is his choice.
He is right about the need for these problems to be addressed very quickly. We should not forget that district superintendents, as well as school board members, are simply public servants who are charged with insuring the welfare and integrity of our public schools. Like all elected or appointed public servants, their job is to uphold the laws and regulations which, "we the taxpayers" have put in place.
It sounds like fear and intimidation have reigned supreme in the LSD for quite some time. When public servants begin to perceive themselves as "untouchable" is precisely when taxpayers need to "tap" them on the shoulder.
As I have stated before, if Dr. Richards has nothing to hide, she should welcome this opportunity to publicly exonerate herself and return to the business of educating our children.
Forthright
It makes one wonder if God hasn’t put a curse on Leland. The Schools are in chaos, with scandalous accusations of sex, drugs, mental cruelty, and a multitude of others ills. The City is in uproar, with no sense of direction, allegations of misuse of taxpayer’s funds, the city streets are in deplorable condition.
The Mayor, and now City Clerk, along with other city employees who pay little, or no utility bills (little, or no light bill, no water, or garbage or trash bill). While the rest of the citizens pay extremely high electric rates. With a non-functional Police Dept., and a host of others problems. In addition, no one has an inkling as what to do about either.
First, let us start with the Leland School District . You have an administrative staff that does not live in Leland, and who do not have Leland at heart. The District has a very weak and incompetent Board of Trustees who gives the Superintendent a free hand to degrade the teachers, and exploit the taxpayers of Leland. The Board is allowing the Superintendent the opportunity to get herself and her flunkies the highest salaries the last years before retiring in order to get the optimum retirement benefits.
The citizens of Leland must not sit idly by waiting on the State Department of Education, or The Attorney Generals Office, to come in, and do what we know we must do for our children, and this community. It seems that the bad elements of our community out number the good, but we must not let that deter us.
I will setup a meeting with the spokesperson for the district parents in order to call a citywide meeting to work out strategies to deal with the problems of this community, and share information with others in order for all of us to be on the same page.
It sounds as if Leland has fallen victim to the ills that plague Greenville! Engulfed in a population in which everyone is "on the take", it is very difficult to discern the true "criminals".
Although this writer's identity was provided to me in his email, I never disclose one's identity without express permission. From the tone of his message, he seems to be a man of action who is offering to spearhead a parents meeting with school officials, so he probably has no problem revealing his identity... but that is his choice.
He is right about the need for these problems to be addressed very quickly. We should not forget that district superintendents, as well as school board members, are simply public servants who are charged with insuring the welfare and integrity of our public schools. Like all elected or appointed public servants, their job is to uphold the laws and regulations which, "we the taxpayers" have put in place.
It sounds like fear and intimidation have reigned supreme in the LSD for quite some time. When public servants begin to perceive themselves as "untouchable" is precisely when taxpayers need to "tap" them on the shoulder.
As I have stated before, if Dr. Richards has nothing to hide, she should welcome this opportunity to publicly exonerate herself and return to the business of educating our children.
Forthright
Monday, October 08, 2007
Back on "LSD"
Anonymous offers the following:
It seems that the Richards dynasty may be collapsing. The school districts that she provides services to have wised up. They are cancelling their contracts with her. They have apparently realised, unlike the ineffective Leland School Board, that her services are not worth the money they pay her. Their test scores did not improve. Only in Leland where coincidentally? there is access to the tests after they are taken, and an army of Dr. R suck ups to "clean them up" are the test scores improved. Of course there are some frightened Leland teachers to consider, the ones who are so afraid of her rantings and posturing that they might offer a little help during test taking? Anything to keep her off your back!
Then again there is her son. The one who wears baggy shirts and blue jeans (the kind his hometown of Greenville wants to ban and are against Leland's dress code) and a baseball cap worn sideways. Any student who dressed this way would be immediately sent home. Of course she dressed him up in a sweater vest the day the state department of education came to visit, but that is another whole story. When he thinks people are talking about him and his escapades, he threatens violence. His mama ( he refers to her as his "mammy') threatens lawsuits. But did either of them stop to think about where people get their information? From Chris. He runs around telling anybody who will listen about what he has done.
Just week before last he was telling about his escapades with his married teacher girl friend in her room while the teacher across the hall kept her class. This is not the first time they have farmed the children out to another teacher, who is of course another relative of Dr. R. How does this stuff go on in a school? Where is the principal? Does she have a brain? Or a backbone? Does anyone think this is a good environment for first graders? It is insane, unhealthy and dangerous and it has been going on for two years! Why on God's green earth do we allow our children to be subjected to this craziness?
The school board should be completely replaced for their negligence. They are obviously incompetent and Dr. Richards is an egomaniac who has bragged in public that she does things "the state department way" when they come to visit and HER WAY the rest of the time. (Did they notice they didn't get to talk to any teachers without her menacing presence while they were in Leland?)
She and all her COMPLETELY "non Leland resident" administration have dug in their heels and intend to stay and feed off the tax payers of Leland as long as they can hold on to the power. They retire and come back and raise the taxes a little more. They can't find one person who lives in Leland who can run a school? Isn't this like "taxation without representation'? Or like being held hostage by foreign troops? It does not matter that she is detested by the entire town, she is holding on to her Leland "dynasty" as long as she can. Others may fire her, but the Leland school board doesn't have the guts to do anything about her. We expected them to do a job and they have abdicated their duties to a tyrant they cannot control . Apparently they no longer even try. This is a disgrace and it just goes on and on and on.
Leland may be a small community, but it certainly has some vocal residents. As you can see from the recent comments, the controversy over the Leland School District is far from over. If any or all of the allegations are true regarding Dr. Richards actions, there is certainly cause for alarm.
Altering children's test scores is a serious matter and collusion by the teachers and the board is even more disturbing. It is hard to believe that a professional educator would stoop to such horrendous tactics for self-promotion.
As to the issues regarding Dr. Richards' son, why is he allowed to work in the school district at all? Good, bad or indifferent, there is an obvious conflict of interest here as well as the issue of nepotism. It seems that Dr. Richards has enough controversy surrounding her performance as administrator without taking on the hullabaloo vis-Ã -vis her son.
As a previous writer noted, as a concerned parent I would certainly be present at the next school board meeting on October 17th, to try to get to the truth regarding these issues. "Sex, drugs and deception" are all a part of our adult education, but I should hope that we could spare these "lessons" to our grammar school students.
If Dr. Richards is innocent of these allegations, she should welcome the public opportunity to dispel these rumors and regain the respect of the community; however, to ignore them will most likely be interpreted as a plea of guilt on her part.
Forthright
It seems that the Richards dynasty may be collapsing. The school districts that she provides services to have wised up. They are cancelling their contracts with her. They have apparently realised, unlike the ineffective Leland School Board, that her services are not worth the money they pay her. Their test scores did not improve. Only in Leland where coincidentally? there is access to the tests after they are taken, and an army of Dr. R suck ups to "clean them up" are the test scores improved. Of course there are some frightened Leland teachers to consider, the ones who are so afraid of her rantings and posturing that they might offer a little help during test taking? Anything to keep her off your back!
Then again there is her son. The one who wears baggy shirts and blue jeans (the kind his hometown of Greenville wants to ban and are against Leland's dress code) and a baseball cap worn sideways. Any student who dressed this way would be immediately sent home. Of course she dressed him up in a sweater vest the day the state department of education came to visit, but that is another whole story. When he thinks people are talking about him and his escapades, he threatens violence. His mama ( he refers to her as his "mammy') threatens lawsuits. But did either of them stop to think about where people get their information? From Chris. He runs around telling anybody who will listen about what he has done.
Just week before last he was telling about his escapades with his married teacher girl friend in her room while the teacher across the hall kept her class. This is not the first time they have farmed the children out to another teacher, who is of course another relative of Dr. R. How does this stuff go on in a school? Where is the principal? Does she have a brain? Or a backbone? Does anyone think this is a good environment for first graders? It is insane, unhealthy and dangerous and it has been going on for two years! Why on God's green earth do we allow our children to be subjected to this craziness?
The school board should be completely replaced for their negligence. They are obviously incompetent and Dr. Richards is an egomaniac who has bragged in public that she does things "the state department way" when they come to visit and HER WAY the rest of the time. (Did they notice they didn't get to talk to any teachers without her menacing presence while they were in Leland?)
She and all her COMPLETELY "non Leland resident" administration have dug in their heels and intend to stay and feed off the tax payers of Leland as long as they can hold on to the power. They retire and come back and raise the taxes a little more. They can't find one person who lives in Leland who can run a school? Isn't this like "taxation without representation'? Or like being held hostage by foreign troops? It does not matter that she is detested by the entire town, she is holding on to her Leland "dynasty" as long as she can. Others may fire her, but the Leland school board doesn't have the guts to do anything about her. We expected them to do a job and they have abdicated their duties to a tyrant they cannot control . Apparently they no longer even try. This is a disgrace and it just goes on and on and on.
Leland may be a small community, but it certainly has some vocal residents. As you can see from the recent comments, the controversy over the Leland School District is far from over. If any or all of the allegations are true regarding Dr. Richards actions, there is certainly cause for alarm.
Altering children's test scores is a serious matter and collusion by the teachers and the board is even more disturbing. It is hard to believe that a professional educator would stoop to such horrendous tactics for self-promotion.
As to the issues regarding Dr. Richards' son, why is he allowed to work in the school district at all? Good, bad or indifferent, there is an obvious conflict of interest here as well as the issue of nepotism. It seems that Dr. Richards has enough controversy surrounding her performance as administrator without taking on the hullabaloo vis-Ã -vis her son.
As a previous writer noted, as a concerned parent I would certainly be present at the next school board meeting on October 17th, to try to get to the truth regarding these issues. "Sex, drugs and deception" are all a part of our adult education, but I should hope that we could spare these "lessons" to our grammar school students.
If Dr. Richards is innocent of these allegations, she should welcome the public opportunity to dispel these rumors and regain the respect of the community; however, to ignore them will most likely be interpreted as a plea of guilt on her part.
Forthright
Thursday, October 04, 2007
"Winkey and the Playboy"
A worried resident asks about our future...
I've been following this blog for years, and while I enjoy reading about specific issues, (DRMC, Leland school District) I do not see much discussion about the future of Greenville. What disturbs me the most is no direction at all from our Mayor or City Council.
I assume that the Mayor and City Council take care of the day to day business of running Greenville, but I hear nothing about the flight of citizens from our city, the declining sales tax revenues, the number of houses for sale in our city.
Wouldn't an important part of being Mayor be the setting of specific goals? For instance maybe Ms. Hudson could set a goal of attracting 2 Industries a year to Greenville. Or maybe a goal would be to bring another airline to Greenville in the next year. I hear nothing about the future of Greenville from our leaders. It is strictly about maintaining on a day today basis. This used to be a wonderful town to live in, but in the last several years the quality of living has gotten worse.
"Worried and disgusted in Greenville"
Anonymous writer predicts change in the air...
It is a distinct possibility that the reign of the Washington County Board President Al (the playboy) Rankin, and (Winkey), the Board Attorney, Willy Griffin could be over. With their quest to control the county governments, they left a bitter taste in many candidates mouth.
The candidates that they hoped would win, lost, further alienating the new candidates, so I am predicting a lesser roll for the Playboy President, and perhaps a good bye for Winkey. Both would be a breath of fresh air for the County.
As for "Worried's" concerns about Greenville's future, you are right. "A ship that has no course, will forever be lost at sea." Greenville will have to look beyond "race" in determining who will steer our future; let alone where it is headed.
As for the second writer's very interesting prediction, we shall see. Incumbents die hard in the Delta and these two are well known...for a variety of reasons. As I have often noted, we do not elect the best and brightest leaders in the Delta; we elect "politicians" who are selling the particular brand of "snake-oil" that we want to buy.
Forthright
I've been following this blog for years, and while I enjoy reading about specific issues, (DRMC, Leland school District) I do not see much discussion about the future of Greenville. What disturbs me the most is no direction at all from our Mayor or City Council.
I assume that the Mayor and City Council take care of the day to day business of running Greenville, but I hear nothing about the flight of citizens from our city, the declining sales tax revenues, the number of houses for sale in our city.
Wouldn't an important part of being Mayor be the setting of specific goals? For instance maybe Ms. Hudson could set a goal of attracting 2 Industries a year to Greenville. Or maybe a goal would be to bring another airline to Greenville in the next year. I hear nothing about the future of Greenville from our leaders. It is strictly about maintaining on a day today basis. This used to be a wonderful town to live in, but in the last several years the quality of living has gotten worse.
"Worried and disgusted in Greenville"
Anonymous writer predicts change in the air...
It is a distinct possibility that the reign of the Washington County Board President Al (the playboy) Rankin, and (Winkey), the Board Attorney, Willy Griffin could be over. With their quest to control the county governments, they left a bitter taste in many candidates mouth.
The candidates that they hoped would win, lost, further alienating the new candidates, so I am predicting a lesser roll for the Playboy President, and perhaps a good bye for Winkey. Both would be a breath of fresh air for the County.
As for "Worried's" concerns about Greenville's future, you are right. "A ship that has no course, will forever be lost at sea." Greenville will have to look beyond "race" in determining who will steer our future; let alone where it is headed.
As for the second writer's very interesting prediction, we shall see. Incumbents die hard in the Delta and these two are well known...for a variety of reasons. As I have often noted, we do not elect the best and brightest leaders in the Delta; we elect "politicians" who are selling the particular brand of "snake-oil" that we want to buy.
Forthright
Monday, October 01, 2007
Get the "Skinny" on Greenville
As we all await tonight's election results, here is a fun little website that lets us compare Greenville to the rest of the state and country. I suspect that this site's data may be a few years old, but it is interesting, none-the-less.
http://zipskinny.com/
Forthright
Friday, September 28, 2007
The "Letter" of the Law
Anonymous addresses the letter...
I am having a hard time with the issue of the mayor putting her "letter" on Greenville letterhead. I believe by doing that she is saying that the "CITY" is behind her in what she is writing. I don't think she should be able to do that. Who is this "person" that she is 'glamorizing"? Have you read about the murder in the paper?? HORRIFIC! If my best friend did something like that I would not write a recommendation for her/him...does anyone else have a problem with this??
In addition, I have a problem with the woman being pissed about not being able to play in the men's tournament at the country club. Someone told me it was the topic of conversation on super-talk MS yesterday....that they were somewhat bashing GGCC for not letting her play. That is what I heard....however, I did not hear the program.
That woman should get over it....just understand that is it a MEN'S tournament...if someone wants to call it discrimination...so be it...would she sign up to play in a children's tournament??? Would that not be considered discrimination??? Get real...get over it. I do not think she should be allowed to play. I was really pissed that people are mad that the "woman" could not play. Hell, if that is the case, then don't have tournaments and there will not exist this type of thing. It seems no matter what the case is, there is ALWAYS someone wanting to make a GRAND ordeal out of something so stupid.
Okay, we have all had time to digest the letter that Mayor Hudson wrote on behalf of her family friend. Many such letters are written every day on behalf of both the innocent and the guilty. Do they sway the opinions of our courts in the dispensation of justice? I rather doubt it.
So, why the uproar? Because Mayor Hudson chose to write the letter on official city government stationery. Illegal? No, just a very poor decision. The mayor is an intelligent woman, as well as an attorney, who should have clearly foreseen the negative ramifications of this "innocent" act.
If she had not intended her position as mayor to be in some way influential in this case, she would have simply used personal stationery or plain paper. I find it hard to believe that our mayor is so naive as to not understand the inherent "conflicts of interest" that this letter represents.
Impeach Hudson? No, but at the end of the day, this act simply adds to her list of incredibly bad judgement calls and arrogant posturing. I guess we will see how it plays at the polls on Monday.
Now, as to the men's golf tournament at GGCC. This is just further evidence that our Mayor is nobody's fool. Do we really believe that Mayor Hudson truly wants to play in this tournament? Is it a valid gender bias issue or simply a ploy to keep her name in the headlines as an election approaches? My money is on the latter.
We have to remember that most Americans don't vote for the most "qualified" candidate... they vote for the one who most closely matches their socio-economic and demographic profile. That is not to say that I believe that the election will be determined by black, female golfers. None-the-less, whenever issues of race or gender become controversial in the press, there are those who would go to the polls for the first time in their life just to "even the score".
As a once famous actress noted, "There is no such thing as bad press; it is when they stop talking about you that you are dead".
Forthright
I am having a hard time with the issue of the mayor putting her "letter" on Greenville letterhead. I believe by doing that she is saying that the "CITY" is behind her in what she is writing. I don't think she should be able to do that. Who is this "person" that she is 'glamorizing"? Have you read about the murder in the paper?? HORRIFIC! If my best friend did something like that I would not write a recommendation for her/him...does anyone else have a problem with this??
In addition, I have a problem with the woman being pissed about not being able to play in the men's tournament at the country club. Someone told me it was the topic of conversation on super-talk MS yesterday....that they were somewhat bashing GGCC for not letting her play. That is what I heard....however, I did not hear the program.
That woman should get over it....just understand that is it a MEN'S tournament...if someone wants to call it discrimination...so be it...would she sign up to play in a children's tournament??? Would that not be considered discrimination??? Get real...get over it. I do not think she should be allowed to play. I was really pissed that people are mad that the "woman" could not play. Hell, if that is the case, then don't have tournaments and there will not exist this type of thing. It seems no matter what the case is, there is ALWAYS someone wanting to make a GRAND ordeal out of something so stupid.
Okay, we have all had time to digest the letter that Mayor Hudson wrote on behalf of her family friend. Many such letters are written every day on behalf of both the innocent and the guilty. Do they sway the opinions of our courts in the dispensation of justice? I rather doubt it.
So, why the uproar? Because Mayor Hudson chose to write the letter on official city government stationery. Illegal? No, just a very poor decision. The mayor is an intelligent woman, as well as an attorney, who should have clearly foreseen the negative ramifications of this "innocent" act.
If she had not intended her position as mayor to be in some way influential in this case, she would have simply used personal stationery or plain paper. I find it hard to believe that our mayor is so naive as to not understand the inherent "conflicts of interest" that this letter represents.
Impeach Hudson? No, but at the end of the day, this act simply adds to her list of incredibly bad judgement calls and arrogant posturing. I guess we will see how it plays at the polls on Monday.
Now, as to the men's golf tournament at GGCC. This is just further evidence that our Mayor is nobody's fool. Do we really believe that Mayor Hudson truly wants to play in this tournament? Is it a valid gender bias issue or simply a ploy to keep her name in the headlines as an election approaches? My money is on the latter.
We have to remember that most Americans don't vote for the most "qualified" candidate... they vote for the one who most closely matches their socio-economic and demographic profile. That is not to say that I believe that the election will be determined by black, female golfers. None-the-less, whenever issues of race or gender become controversial in the press, there are those who would go to the polls for the first time in their life just to "even the score".
As a once famous actress noted, "There is no such thing as bad press; it is when they stop talking about you that you are dead".
Forthright
Monday, September 24, 2007
"Trench" Warfare
"Amazed" adds the following:
I love the banter surrounding this blog. It promotes thought and entertainment. I think it also promotes a healthy dose of truth....
I do not totally disagree with the "semi regular reader"...
I think that you should look in the mirror everyday. You should reflect on the prior day. You should commit to doing your best the current day. You should want to play nice with your co-workers. You should want your patients to fair well. You should want to do the job you chose. It's true that mental misery serves no positive purpose. I think the patients would definitely agree. The problem is that should everyone in the "trench" that think things are going from bad to worse and have experienced a decline in their job satisfaction were to bail... there would be a lot of echoing in the halls sure to be left empty. If this advise is supported by administration and management, y'all better find some scrubs and kiss your 8-5 jobs goodbye. For that matter, I do not think that this reflection should only be advise for those in the "trench." I think that those in administration and management should partake in this daily recommend allowance of reflection, as well. Assuming, of course, their preoccupation with self promotion will permit time to do so.
I think doctors and nurses are interested in promoting positive patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. I think they would love to sit around and talk with the patients about their visit satisfaction. The problem is that they do not have the time. That is about to get a lot worse. The ER staff is being slashed. The tech positions are now cut in half. The people the nurses relied so heavily on to run patients around to xray, to take specimens to the lab, to enter orders into the computer, to file charts, answer the phones, give those ever important pillows to the patients will be gone. This role will now also be the job of nursing. Nurses didn't already have enough to do. So "semi regular" If you have any ideas how to accomplish all of this and promote positive patient experiences, I'm sure the staff in the ER would love to hear it. You don't have to shout it, either. Despite what you seem to think. There are no "high horses" to be seen. I agree that those in the "trench" lend to the patient's perception of their care. Absolutely, positively. Should it not be obvious, then to those in administration and management that patient satisfaction may benefit from a positive work environment???? HMMMMM....
No. Instead, add it the role of the nurse... They apparently do it not have anything to do... Hardly. Milling about is not a privilege of those in the "trench." It is absolutely only for management and administration. In those roles, most spend the entire day rushing from one "important" meeting to the other, looking exhausted as they wander from 1 East to administration. Poor things. Poll that audience and see how many miss a meal or a break or go 12 hours without the luxury of a bathroom break. Ask them how many have a soda or a cup of coffee at their desk. They are exempt from the conditions suffered by those in the "trench."
I also agree with "Forest." These managers and administrators would benefit highly from a class on therapeutic communication with educated adults. Most educated adults do not respond to intimidation tactics. They do not respond to an environment where "tattle telling" is encouraged. They certainly do not respond to an environment where you may find your performance and professionalism called into question based on these "tattles" I was raised professionally in a place where people work together. They sort out their differences when they occur. Problems did not fester. They were addressed immediately. You moved on. Sometimes you agree to disagree. But because you are an educated adult, you can still work together. This is apparently unacceptable in the new er. Tell boss hog who the problems are... Are we adults or have we all landed in some crazy playground and are now giant first graders? Hasn't he heard of team building? Ye Gads!
I absolutely, positively disagree that those who are staying are doing it because they "like it." I am inclined to believe that it may be more because Cleveland and Greenwood are a little too far to drive everyday. Most of the "trench" workers have families at home and dread the thought of adding a long commute to the 12 hour shift mix. Instead, most of them come to work, hopeful that things will get a little better. Hopeful that nobody will make the work environment worse by "telling" some ridiculous story to the boss. Hopeful that people have grown up a little from the day before. Hopeful that they have looked in the mirror and made a commitment to be a little nicer to everyone. As impossible as it may seem, It is my sincere hope that they do move in that direction.
Of course "semi regular" may also be right. Those in the "trench" may love things the way they are. They may adore "chewing hay and spitting stubble." I think that it more likely that they are either hopeful for a better tomorrow, or have decided to suck it up. Of course behind door number three are those destined for promotion at DRMC. Not by virtue of their educational background. Not by their talents in the arena of team building. Not even because of the pay they'll accept. Definitely not because they have positive reviews from the "trench workers." Certainly not because they are capable of making a cocktail of the four, most likely it is because they have acquired a tolerance to and a talent in the performance of "analingus". It seems that is more of what it takes.
I have to agree with "Amazed" that if you are looking for the "fat" at DRMC... it ain't in the trenches! Most hospitals are run quite effectively with only three levels of employees: Administration, Managers and Staff. DRMC has created so many levels of management, they are in danger of running out of titles.
If they took one-third of the nurses from behind desks and put them on the floor to care for patients, they wouldn't even have a nursing shortage. Instead, they abuse the few remaining nurses who have been loyal throughout the acquisition nightmare, while paying exorbitant wages to travel nurses who couldn't care less about DRMC or its patients.
So, what have we gained from the merger of our two hospitals... fewer jobs, fewer physicians, fewer patients and fewer choices in health care.
Ray has given the exact same speech to every civic group who will listen, touting growth, development and the great things he has done for DRMC, and yet... we see nothing but a deteriorating health care system with a bleak future. When will we wake up?
While we continue to "snooze", I have a suggestion for Ray which might help him offset some of DRMC's growing fiscal woes:
In the spring of 2008, rent three buses. Load and escort all of your management "team" to your 240 acre "field of dreams" in south Greenville; give them all a "golden shovel" and LEAD them... in planting corn.
Forthright
I love the banter surrounding this blog. It promotes thought and entertainment. I think it also promotes a healthy dose of truth....
I do not totally disagree with the "semi regular reader"...
I think that you should look in the mirror everyday. You should reflect on the prior day. You should commit to doing your best the current day. You should want to play nice with your co-workers. You should want your patients to fair well. You should want to do the job you chose. It's true that mental misery serves no positive purpose. I think the patients would definitely agree. The problem is that should everyone in the "trench" that think things are going from bad to worse and have experienced a decline in their job satisfaction were to bail... there would be a lot of echoing in the halls sure to be left empty. If this advise is supported by administration and management, y'all better find some scrubs and kiss your 8-5 jobs goodbye. For that matter, I do not think that this reflection should only be advise for those in the "trench." I think that those in administration and management should partake in this daily recommend allowance of reflection, as well. Assuming, of course, their preoccupation with self promotion will permit time to do so.
I think doctors and nurses are interested in promoting positive patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. I think they would love to sit around and talk with the patients about their visit satisfaction. The problem is that they do not have the time. That is about to get a lot worse. The ER staff is being slashed. The tech positions are now cut in half. The people the nurses relied so heavily on to run patients around to xray, to take specimens to the lab, to enter orders into the computer, to file charts, answer the phones, give those ever important pillows to the patients will be gone. This role will now also be the job of nursing. Nurses didn't already have enough to do. So "semi regular" If you have any ideas how to accomplish all of this and promote positive patient experiences, I'm sure the staff in the ER would love to hear it. You don't have to shout it, either. Despite what you seem to think. There are no "high horses" to be seen. I agree that those in the "trench" lend to the patient's perception of their care. Absolutely, positively. Should it not be obvious, then to those in administration and management that patient satisfaction may benefit from a positive work environment???? HMMMMM....
No. Instead, add it the role of the nurse... They apparently do it not have anything to do... Hardly. Milling about is not a privilege of those in the "trench." It is absolutely only for management and administration. In those roles, most spend the entire day rushing from one "important" meeting to the other, looking exhausted as they wander from 1 East to administration. Poor things. Poll that audience and see how many miss a meal or a break or go 12 hours without the luxury of a bathroom break. Ask them how many have a soda or a cup of coffee at their desk. They are exempt from the conditions suffered by those in the "trench."
I also agree with "Forest." These managers and administrators would benefit highly from a class on therapeutic communication with educated adults. Most educated adults do not respond to intimidation tactics. They do not respond to an environment where "tattle telling" is encouraged. They certainly do not respond to an environment where you may find your performance and professionalism called into question based on these "tattles" I was raised professionally in a place where people work together. They sort out their differences when they occur. Problems did not fester. They were addressed immediately. You moved on. Sometimes you agree to disagree. But because you are an educated adult, you can still work together. This is apparently unacceptable in the new er. Tell boss hog who the problems are... Are we adults or have we all landed in some crazy playground and are now giant first graders? Hasn't he heard of team building? Ye Gads!
I absolutely, positively disagree that those who are staying are doing it because they "like it." I am inclined to believe that it may be more because Cleveland and Greenwood are a little too far to drive everyday. Most of the "trench" workers have families at home and dread the thought of adding a long commute to the 12 hour shift mix. Instead, most of them come to work, hopeful that things will get a little better. Hopeful that nobody will make the work environment worse by "telling" some ridiculous story to the boss. Hopeful that people have grown up a little from the day before. Hopeful that they have looked in the mirror and made a commitment to be a little nicer to everyone. As impossible as it may seem, It is my sincere hope that they do move in that direction.
Of course "semi regular" may also be right. Those in the "trench" may love things the way they are. They may adore "chewing hay and spitting stubble." I think that it more likely that they are either hopeful for a better tomorrow, or have decided to suck it up. Of course behind door number three are those destined for promotion at DRMC. Not by virtue of their educational background. Not by their talents in the arena of team building. Not even because of the pay they'll accept. Definitely not because they have positive reviews from the "trench workers." Certainly not because they are capable of making a cocktail of the four, most likely it is because they have acquired a tolerance to and a talent in the performance of "analingus". It seems that is more of what it takes.
I have to agree with "Amazed" that if you are looking for the "fat" at DRMC... it ain't in the trenches! Most hospitals are run quite effectively with only three levels of employees: Administration, Managers and Staff. DRMC has created so many levels of management, they are in danger of running out of titles.
If they took one-third of the nurses from behind desks and put them on the floor to care for patients, they wouldn't even have a nursing shortage. Instead, they abuse the few remaining nurses who have been loyal throughout the acquisition nightmare, while paying exorbitant wages to travel nurses who couldn't care less about DRMC or its patients.
So, what have we gained from the merger of our two hospitals... fewer jobs, fewer physicians, fewer patients and fewer choices in health care.
Ray has given the exact same speech to every civic group who will listen, touting growth, development and the great things he has done for DRMC, and yet... we see nothing but a deteriorating health care system with a bleak future. When will we wake up?
While we continue to "snooze", I have a suggestion for Ray which might help him offset some of DRMC's growing fiscal woes:
In the spring of 2008, rent three buses. Load and escort all of your management "team" to your 240 acre "field of dreams" in south Greenville; give them all a "golden shovel" and LEAD them... in planting corn.
Forthright
Sunday, September 23, 2007
"Forest Gump" has a Question...
Anonymous writer questions:
I have become a regular reader of this blog and i have to say it always offers very interesting opinions.. (because its all opinion). Well i'm about to give mine i guess. Well first off i have a few questions.
Number One Why the hell do u have to buy out your competition ( Kings Daughters) to prove you are the powerhouse. I believe that if you offer excellent service and provide great care, eventually the others will fall or at least not do enough business to make a difference.
I am under the firm belief that if The LEADER, CAPTAIN, or whatever you want to call him or her, were to treat people with respect and create an environment where people are happy and wake up everyday wanting to come to work you want have to worry about buying out the competition. The competition will either have to keep up or fall to the wayside.
It amazing how people go to school get a business degree and just think they know everything about running a business. Its not just that simple. YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF PEOPLE SKILLS (Which many people at DRMC do not have). IF you cant get along and make your employees happy whatever it takes you will never have a truly successful business. I can take a person that has no formal education in running anything, but if they are a people person or can take the time and effort to try to find ways to make there employees happy that business will run every other business of the same type in the ground.
Well thats enough about that.. I'm SCARED REALLY SCARED. The health care situation in greenville is scary, very scary. What do you do when u have doctors that are not formally trained in the setting they are working. ( for example Emergency Medicine). Thats frightening to me. I hope and pray everyday i do not have to be one of the ones that gets some of that substandard care.
The question i want answered is why did the experienced ER doctors leave in the first place, and why any experienced travel doctor says not NO to coming to DRMC but HELL NO... Is it that bad there.. Well i think so and many others think so... Like i have said earlier, the key to beating the competition and bringing in the money, (which im sure is the goal of DRMC) is to keep peace among the ranks.
If you cant trust your leader eventually the ship will be lost at sea because all the hands rowing will give up and the ship will go anyway it wants, (probably down). That has happened at DRMC, anybody and everybody that knew the way the ship handled, knew the ins and outs and had any type of knowledge is gone, (they have jumped shipped so to speak) so what do you do.
I dont know what needs to be done at DRMC, but i would guess the people need to storm the CAPTAIN'S Quarters and throw him overboard and start fresh. Thats what they did in the old days, you become stagnant and no good to anyone they replace you. I believe start at the top and work your way down, thats what needs to happen. Plain and simple.
Well in the words of the once famous FOREST GUMP "THATS ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY ABOUT THAT"
You are right "Forest". If a hospital provides excellent service and offers great care, it should not have to worry about competition. Actually, it should welcome it as a chance to "shine" in the light of others who compromise quality for profit.
The DRMC vs. KDH battle is one that goes back many years. When KDH was purchased by Community Health Systems, the battle really got fierce because unlike DRMC, KDH was now run by group of business professionals who specialized in developing small rural hospitals.
Over the period of 6 short years, they had rejuvenated the failing KDH into a quality health care facility with millions of dollars reinvested in physical improvements, technology and new physicians. The "little" hospital now became a great threat to DRMC who was consistently losing more and more patients, revenue and employees to KDH.
So, what to do? Healthy competition had ceased to be "healthy" for DRMC, who instead of investing money into patient care, simply added more layers of management and administration. Ray simply couldn't stand by and watch his (second) empire tumble. He had to act and act quickly... and improving the quality of patient care at DRMC would take far too long. So...
Ray's Epiphany: If you can't compete fairly in an open market, eliminate the competition...at any price (to the taxpayer). So, he duped five local bankers into loaning him twice what KDH was really worth, made a backdoor offer to CHS and they bit! Who wouldn't sell anything at a 100% profit?
Fast forward to present... after hemmoraging money for two years following the acquisition and local bankers getting a bit nervous about their "investments", Ray decided to "sell to the government" i.e. get a bail out loan from HUD. Surely, with all of the government's other boondoggles and frivolity, no one would object to dumping another $40 million into a dying hospital... well, that's what Ray thought anyway.
The last chapter of DRMC's saga has yet to be written, but I foresee a publication date in the very near future. As for Ray's "silent partner" in Uncle Sam... I wouldn't bet on him being silent much longer.
Forthright
I have become a regular reader of this blog and i have to say it always offers very interesting opinions.. (because its all opinion). Well i'm about to give mine i guess. Well first off i have a few questions.
Number One Why the hell do u have to buy out your competition ( Kings Daughters) to prove you are the powerhouse. I believe that if you offer excellent service and provide great care, eventually the others will fall or at least not do enough business to make a difference.
I am under the firm belief that if The LEADER, CAPTAIN, or whatever you want to call him or her, were to treat people with respect and create an environment where people are happy and wake up everyday wanting to come to work you want have to worry about buying out the competition. The competition will either have to keep up or fall to the wayside.
It amazing how people go to school get a business degree and just think they know everything about running a business. Its not just that simple. YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF PEOPLE SKILLS (Which many people at DRMC do not have). IF you cant get along and make your employees happy whatever it takes you will never have a truly successful business. I can take a person that has no formal education in running anything, but if they are a people person or can take the time and effort to try to find ways to make there employees happy that business will run every other business of the same type in the ground.
Well thats enough about that.. I'm SCARED REALLY SCARED. The health care situation in greenville is scary, very scary. What do you do when u have doctors that are not formally trained in the setting they are working. ( for example Emergency Medicine). Thats frightening to me. I hope and pray everyday i do not have to be one of the ones that gets some of that substandard care.
The question i want answered is why did the experienced ER doctors leave in the first place, and why any experienced travel doctor says not NO to coming to DRMC but HELL NO... Is it that bad there.. Well i think so and many others think so... Like i have said earlier, the key to beating the competition and bringing in the money, (which im sure is the goal of DRMC) is to keep peace among the ranks.
If you cant trust your leader eventually the ship will be lost at sea because all the hands rowing will give up and the ship will go anyway it wants, (probably down). That has happened at DRMC, anybody and everybody that knew the way the ship handled, knew the ins and outs and had any type of knowledge is gone, (they have jumped shipped so to speak) so what do you do.
I dont know what needs to be done at DRMC, but i would guess the people need to storm the CAPTAIN'S Quarters and throw him overboard and start fresh. Thats what they did in the old days, you become stagnant and no good to anyone they replace you. I believe start at the top and work your way down, thats what needs to happen. Plain and simple.
Well in the words of the once famous FOREST GUMP "THATS ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY ABOUT THAT"
You are right "Forest". If a hospital provides excellent service and offers great care, it should not have to worry about competition. Actually, it should welcome it as a chance to "shine" in the light of others who compromise quality for profit.
The DRMC vs. KDH battle is one that goes back many years. When KDH was purchased by Community Health Systems, the battle really got fierce because unlike DRMC, KDH was now run by group of business professionals who specialized in developing small rural hospitals.
Over the period of 6 short years, they had rejuvenated the failing KDH into a quality health care facility with millions of dollars reinvested in physical improvements, technology and new physicians. The "little" hospital now became a great threat to DRMC who was consistently losing more and more patients, revenue and employees to KDH.
So, what to do? Healthy competition had ceased to be "healthy" for DRMC, who instead of investing money into patient care, simply added more layers of management and administration. Ray simply couldn't stand by and watch his (second) empire tumble. He had to act and act quickly... and improving the quality of patient care at DRMC would take far too long. So...
Ray's Epiphany: If you can't compete fairly in an open market, eliminate the competition...at any price (to the taxpayer). So, he duped five local bankers into loaning him twice what KDH was really worth, made a backdoor offer to CHS and they bit! Who wouldn't sell anything at a 100% profit?
Fast forward to present... after hemmoraging money for two years following the acquisition and local bankers getting a bit nervous about their "investments", Ray decided to "sell to the government" i.e. get a bail out loan from HUD. Surely, with all of the government's other boondoggles and frivolity, no one would object to dumping another $40 million into a dying hospital... well, that's what Ray thought anyway.
The last chapter of DRMC's saga has yet to be written, but I foresee a publication date in the very near future. As for Ray's "silent partner" in Uncle Sam... I wouldn't bet on him being silent much longer.
Forthright
Friday, September 21, 2007
"Chew the Hay and Spit the Stubble"
"Semi-Regular Reader" offers the following:
This shouldn't be construed as an Internet flame, but since the DRMC discussions definitely draw lines in the sand, I have one question.
Of what professional quality are the doctors of DRMC or can that NOT be determined?
The rankings suggest you get mixed medical care. The outward migration numbers suggest the medical staff isn't trusted by non-emergency "customers." People planning heart surgery or other major treatments aren't weighing the corporate philosophy of hospital management into their decision of where to seek treatment. They want the best doctor they can find, not a good doctor backed by decent local marketing and town word-of-mouth.
Doctors departing DRMC in large numbers isn't good UNLESS replacements can better the medical care. That's no given - and unproven under hospital management - because DRMC's paid very high salaries in recruiting only to maintain sub-par results. If customers aren't seeking DRMC treatments, even under a monopolized local healthcare system, then those in the "trench" should look in the job performance mirror as well. It's only fair and is a reasonable request.
Another note: If you get up in the morning and absolutely dread going to your job, you owe it to yourself to, at least, look for other job opportunities. Your personal health and wellness isn't worth it and the services you're providing innocent patients can only suffer given the unconscious distraction of mental misery.
If you choose to "like it" and not leave it, then chew the hay and spit the stubble. Enough workers must obviously "like it" because the debate water is barely rippling except for Forthright's interest in the issue - which is good reading and a good communication forum (but not a journalistic outlet). It's a soapbox.
By the way, I like the idea of "Boss Hog" walking the ER and asking such customer service questions if privacy law permits. The questions posted by the commentator that should be asked by "Boss Hog" to patients should be asked by the nurses and doctors too.
And if patients complain of chatting, drinking and eating at the nurses' station - most of it is likely to be work related, but I'm not buying that there isn't enough loafing going around to make such patient complaints legitimate. The "High Horse" ain't that high, staff! Remember, the front line medical staff gives patients the impression of the care they're given. Hmm, on that one.
We should continue this discussion of alleged tyrants, tinker-bells, Bosses Hog and medical care. A "ship" as large as DRMC needs many oars and many rowers. Don't look exclusively at the Captain - but keep an eye up there!
The writer asks some very relevant questions about the quality of DRMC's physicians. The care provided is not always a question of "qualifications" as it is of "motivation". Here's the problem:
Let's say that I am an employed physician at DRMC with a guaranteed salary of $750,000 a year. I get paid $750K whether I see 25 patients a day or 2. I am not greedy, so I can live very comfortably on $750K a year in Greenville, MS. What is my motivation to work 12 -14 hours a day seeing patients when I could be on the golf course every day by 2:00 p.m.? None!
Physicians are no different from anyone else. It is noble to think that they are driven by the Hippocratic oath, but they also have personal lives, families and hobbies like the rest of us. At the end of the day, money is what gets us all out of bed in the morning... if you happen to truly love what you do, well, that's just icing on the cake.
Greenville is lucky to have as many good physicians as it has, given the underhanded politics that typically drive them away. We also have some physicians that should be barred from practice because of their incompetence and unethical practice. Ray and the "horsemen" of DRMC are well aware of these "dangerous docs", but continue to turn a blind eye to maintain their power as well as the facade that "all is well at DRMC."
The writer is also correct in stating that we can't simply blame the "Captain" for the plight of this ill-fated ship. Ray has many cronies, from supervisors to board members, whose hands reach just as deep into the county coffers to maintain their status in the "club".
I also commend the writer for recognizing the intent of this blog. Yes, it is a "soap-box" and not intended to be journalistic reporting of fact. It should be fun reading and I hope it is informative, but it is still a forum for views and opinions... some can be substantiated in fact and others may be purely personal perspectives.
Awareness of public issues is a good thing and participating in a blog discussion is actually quite fun. You can express your opinions with complete anonymity and your voice will be heard. Change will only occur when public voices unite.
Forthright
This shouldn't be construed as an Internet flame, but since the DRMC discussions definitely draw lines in the sand, I have one question.
Of what professional quality are the doctors of DRMC or can that NOT be determined?
The rankings suggest you get mixed medical care. The outward migration numbers suggest the medical staff isn't trusted by non-emergency "customers." People planning heart surgery or other major treatments aren't weighing the corporate philosophy of hospital management into their decision of where to seek treatment. They want the best doctor they can find, not a good doctor backed by decent local marketing and town word-of-mouth.
Doctors departing DRMC in large numbers isn't good UNLESS replacements can better the medical care. That's no given - and unproven under hospital management - because DRMC's paid very high salaries in recruiting only to maintain sub-par results. If customers aren't seeking DRMC treatments, even under a monopolized local healthcare system, then those in the "trench" should look in the job performance mirror as well. It's only fair and is a reasonable request.
Another note: If you get up in the morning and absolutely dread going to your job, you owe it to yourself to, at least, look for other job opportunities. Your personal health and wellness isn't worth it and the services you're providing innocent patients can only suffer given the unconscious distraction of mental misery.
If you choose to "like it" and not leave it, then chew the hay and spit the stubble. Enough workers must obviously "like it" because the debate water is barely rippling except for Forthright's interest in the issue - which is good reading and a good communication forum (but not a journalistic outlet). It's a soapbox.
By the way, I like the idea of "Boss Hog" walking the ER and asking such customer service questions if privacy law permits. The questions posted by the commentator that should be asked by "Boss Hog" to patients should be asked by the nurses and doctors too.
And if patients complain of chatting, drinking and eating at the nurses' station - most of it is likely to be work related, but I'm not buying that there isn't enough loafing going around to make such patient complaints legitimate. The "High Horse" ain't that high, staff! Remember, the front line medical staff gives patients the impression of the care they're given. Hmm, on that one.
We should continue this discussion of alleged tyrants, tinker-bells, Bosses Hog and medical care. A "ship" as large as DRMC needs many oars and many rowers. Don't look exclusively at the Captain - but keep an eye up there!
The writer asks some very relevant questions about the quality of DRMC's physicians. The care provided is not always a question of "qualifications" as it is of "motivation". Here's the problem:
Let's say that I am an employed physician at DRMC with a guaranteed salary of $750,000 a year. I get paid $750K whether I see 25 patients a day or 2. I am not greedy, so I can live very comfortably on $750K a year in Greenville, MS. What is my motivation to work 12 -14 hours a day seeing patients when I could be on the golf course every day by 2:00 p.m.? None!
Physicians are no different from anyone else. It is noble to think that they are driven by the Hippocratic oath, but they also have personal lives, families and hobbies like the rest of us. At the end of the day, money is what gets us all out of bed in the morning... if you happen to truly love what you do, well, that's just icing on the cake.
Greenville is lucky to have as many good physicians as it has, given the underhanded politics that typically drive them away. We also have some physicians that should be barred from practice because of their incompetence and unethical practice. Ray and the "horsemen" of DRMC are well aware of these "dangerous docs", but continue to turn a blind eye to maintain their power as well as the facade that "all is well at DRMC."
The writer is also correct in stating that we can't simply blame the "Captain" for the plight of this ill-fated ship. Ray has many cronies, from supervisors to board members, whose hands reach just as deep into the county coffers to maintain their status in the "club".
I also commend the writer for recognizing the intent of this blog. Yes, it is a "soap-box" and not intended to be journalistic reporting of fact. It should be fun reading and I hope it is informative, but it is still a forum for views and opinions... some can be substantiated in fact and others may be purely personal perspectives.
Awareness of public issues is a good thing and participating in a blog discussion is actually quite fun. You can express your opinions with complete anonymity and your voice will be heard. Change will only occur when public voices unite.
Forthright
Monday, September 17, 2007
New "Sheriff", but Fewer Docs in Town...
"Amazed" offers the following:
Delta Regional stays a topic on the tongues of deltans. What's happening in the ER is an even hotter topic. For some, it's because of the eyesore administration claims will be the "NEW ER" in the spring. For others on the inside, it's because, internally, the new administrative supported ER has arrived like tsunami.
Let me start by reminding readers that Healthcare professionals are few and far between. Doctors and nurses that are willing to relocate (and stay) here in the delta are almost as hard to find as that beach front property that someone is always trying to sell you in Nevada.
The ER has experienced a mass exodus in doctors. 4 resigned, 4 are left. What a nightmare. Dr. Mcleod is gone. It is a tragedy. She cared about the patients. She cared about nursing. She tried very hard to make a positive change. She worked diligently to improve the skills of the non-ER doctors. She kept the patients moving to prevent backlog. She fought against budget cuts. She went to bat for nursing. Her leaving is mourned by all that worked alongside her. The nursing shortage and vacant positions have been addressed, that's true. The misguided few in charge of this process filled most of the positions by hiring nurses, not based on their capacity to provide emergent care, but because they had a valid license and a willingness to come here. A good bit of them knew not what a crash cart was when they arrived, let alone the indications for usage. Most of them were not even interviewed on site, but rather over the phone. The Human Resources department made grand promises: high pay, sign-on bonuses, flexible schedules, no weekends, etc... A lot of the new hires are new grads. No worries, they hired an education coordinator to bring everybody up to speed. A very talented ER nurse with the experience to back up the position she was hired for. A mountain of a challenge.
Then came the arrival of the new director. A grand entrance, someone endorsed by administration, especially by the new administrator of the ER. Was that the smell of winds of change approaching? Or was that fire and brimstone, I can't tell the difference anymore.
Since the arrival of this new person, Boss Hog, a new plan has been introduced. The rollout of his plan talked about improving patient satisfaction (good), encouraging continuing education (good), balancing the schedule so the same number of nurses were working everyday (good), scheduling one on one meetings with everyone to get to know each other (ok, whatever) and finally a hint to other changes in position structure are coming at a later date (what?)
A "No Tolerance" attitude is thick in the air. "Like-it-or-leave-it" is his motto.
Patient satisfaction is terrible. I agree. the number isn't good. It also may not be the absolute indicator. The posted information via Avatar shows that the score is reflective of 37 respondents. The ER sees an average of 5000 patients a month. It seems that if one person looked at the big picture, they would see that this survey process is not well received by the community and clearly not responded to. If the administration would like to know what the patients think about the care they receive, here's an idea. Pursue a survey process that will illicit a better response. The current survey is lengthy. It has questions that are phrased in a manner that prompts negativity. It uses language and grammar not readily recognized by the average respondent. That should be blatantly obvious by the dialogue posted by patients that used the comments section of the survey. It presents in an envelope that looks like junk mail from Florida. It arrives three months after you visited the ER. Maybe a survey process that is specific for emergency departments is available. Have they pursued this? I doubt it. Better yet, maybe Boss Hog should come out onto the floor and talk to the patients during their visit. Were your needs met? Do you understand everything that happened during this visit? Do you have your discharge instructions? Reinforce the importance of following up with a regular practitioner. Did any of our team members go above and beyond? Can I answer any questions for you? It's so much easier to take the number at the face value and start the condemnation...
I feel that the majority of nurses do a great job meeting the needs of the patient. No matter what the complaint. Departments that are specifically developed within hospital organizations to ensure quality improvement are not often in the ER investigating sentinel events. At the end of the patient visit, the patients issues and ailments have been investigated. They have been addressed, when valid. They have received medication appropriate for the diagnosis. They have received prescriptions and explanations. They have received referrals to primary care providers, or to specialists. If warranted, consultation for the same have been conducted during the visit. Amazingly, all of this has occurred in a very short turn around time, in comparison to other same sized facilities. The patient may not have received a pillow or warm cocoa. Those items are in short supply. They may have heard talking at the nurses station. A lot is happening out there. They may have even seen a employee with a beverage at the nurse's station. They are thirsty. They are working hard for the patients. They aren't doing it for the recognition from the hospital. It doesn't exist. They aren't doing it for administration, that's for sure. They learned a long time ago that no positive recognition comes from down those back hallways. No eating, No drinking, No talking loud, no laughing. Don't you complain about it, either. No tolerance. Straighten up, or else. Like-it-or-leave-it.
Yes, there are some folks with a bad attitude. There are some that are unpleasant to the point that everyone around them is miserable. There are some who lack the inclination to do much at all. There are some who think that "it" is not there job. There are some who wouldn't help out a fellow employee in any circumstances. There are some who call in often and for no apparent reason. They are unreliable. They are unpleasant. They are not the one you want standing next to you in a trauma. They are bad apples. I'm not one to say that it is advisable to foster an environment where the bad apples have spoiled the bushell. I would lean more towards the inclination they be plucked out, should they prove incapable of positive re-enforcement towards a more suitable disposition. Most team members agree with this ideation. They would rather work short that work with a bad apple. Boss Hog wants to rid the department of the bad apples. Great. Find them, pluck them, toss them. Do not accomplish this by encouraging a tattle tale relationship internally. They don't need a mole. They need support and encouragement. Here's a thought. Maybe boss hog should come out onto the floor. In scrubs. Ready to work alongside. He'd see the issues. He'd see the lazy. He'd see the bad apples.
Instead, he has encouraged the employees to tell him if anyone is unpleasant. They will be issued counseling memos. No need to investigate claims, counsel away. Like-it-or-leave-it. He has balanced the schedule by changing the nurse's shifts and not telling them. Be at work, or else. Like-it-or-leave-it. He has done away with the nursing educator position. No need for the new grad and the non ER nurses to have any sort of education or orientation. Like-it-or-leave-it! He has chopped ancillary staffing, making all of the tech's and unit clerks, reapply and interview for the 8 positions of the 16 or so originally available.
That's a major disruption in the functional capacity of the team. Not to mention the 8 people will lose their job. No worries. Like-it-or-leave-it. The changes are repulsive. There are 460 odd thousand nursing positions available across the country. They are located in places where people are grateful for care. This is the delta, number one in STD's, poverty, teen pregnancy, illiteracy. High on the stats lists for gang violence & frivolous law suits. I think you might be overstepping a little by "like-it-or-leave-it." You may be surprised at the number ready to leave it. How do you think patient satisfaction will be then? How balanced will the schedule be?
"Like it or leave it" has always been the mantra of Ray and his lot. He has duped the entire county into supporting his personal empire. Anyone who questions his authority is either terminated (with hush money) or put on the payroll (with even more hush money).
Not only have 4 of the ER docs fled, but the 4 that remain are not truly emergency care physicians. So, while DRMC continues to bill itself as a level II trauma center (for state funding reasons), they are little more than a "Doc-in-the-Box" when it comes to actual patient care... a little scary?
"Leadership" starts with understanding what truly motivates people to work. Even before wages, the first concern of most employees today is flexibility in the workplace. Health care professionals are scarce and as the writer notes, they can work anywhere they choose. So, the "like-it-or-leave-it" approach simply won't work in the Mississippi Delta! Any nurse who cannot find another job within 2 hours of his/her resignation... is simply not looking.
Ray and DRMC are in BIG trouble. I am sure that the new "Sheriff" is just another attempt for Ray to exhibit his rule by intimidation and remind us all that He is the boss! There are many excellent, long-time employees of DRMC who have suffered under Ray's tyrannical rule for far too long. It is time for a change!
If you wake up each day and dread going to work... there is a problem. Become active in changing things for the better and DRMC can once again become a quality health care facility AND a good place to work. This blog is dedicated to inspiring people to make positive changes for themselves and their communities.
DRMC will never improve until the employees, citizens and public officials get actively involved and demand change.
Forthright
Delta Regional stays a topic on the tongues of deltans. What's happening in the ER is an even hotter topic. For some, it's because of the eyesore administration claims will be the "NEW ER" in the spring. For others on the inside, it's because, internally, the new administrative supported ER has arrived like tsunami.
Let me start by reminding readers that Healthcare professionals are few and far between. Doctors and nurses that are willing to relocate (and stay) here in the delta are almost as hard to find as that beach front property that someone is always trying to sell you in Nevada.
The ER has experienced a mass exodus in doctors. 4 resigned, 4 are left. What a nightmare. Dr. Mcleod is gone. It is a tragedy. She cared about the patients. She cared about nursing. She tried very hard to make a positive change. She worked diligently to improve the skills of the non-ER doctors. She kept the patients moving to prevent backlog. She fought against budget cuts. She went to bat for nursing. Her leaving is mourned by all that worked alongside her. The nursing shortage and vacant positions have been addressed, that's true. The misguided few in charge of this process filled most of the positions by hiring nurses, not based on their capacity to provide emergent care, but because they had a valid license and a willingness to come here. A good bit of them knew not what a crash cart was when they arrived, let alone the indications for usage. Most of them were not even interviewed on site, but rather over the phone. The Human Resources department made grand promises: high pay, sign-on bonuses, flexible schedules, no weekends, etc... A lot of the new hires are new grads. No worries, they hired an education coordinator to bring everybody up to speed. A very talented ER nurse with the experience to back up the position she was hired for. A mountain of a challenge.
Then came the arrival of the new director. A grand entrance, someone endorsed by administration, especially by the new administrator of the ER. Was that the smell of winds of change approaching? Or was that fire and brimstone, I can't tell the difference anymore.
Since the arrival of this new person, Boss Hog, a new plan has been introduced. The rollout of his plan talked about improving patient satisfaction (good), encouraging continuing education (good), balancing the schedule so the same number of nurses were working everyday (good), scheduling one on one meetings with everyone to get to know each other (ok, whatever) and finally a hint to other changes in position structure are coming at a later date (what?)
A "No Tolerance" attitude is thick in the air. "Like-it-or-leave-it" is his motto.
Patient satisfaction is terrible. I agree. the number isn't good. It also may not be the absolute indicator. The posted information via Avatar shows that the score is reflective of 37 respondents. The ER sees an average of 5000 patients a month. It seems that if one person looked at the big picture, they would see that this survey process is not well received by the community and clearly not responded to. If the administration would like to know what the patients think about the care they receive, here's an idea. Pursue a survey process that will illicit a better response. The current survey is lengthy. It has questions that are phrased in a manner that prompts negativity. It uses language and grammar not readily recognized by the average respondent. That should be blatantly obvious by the dialogue posted by patients that used the comments section of the survey. It presents in an envelope that looks like junk mail from Florida. It arrives three months after you visited the ER. Maybe a survey process that is specific for emergency departments is available. Have they pursued this? I doubt it. Better yet, maybe Boss Hog should come out onto the floor and talk to the patients during their visit. Were your needs met? Do you understand everything that happened during this visit? Do you have your discharge instructions? Reinforce the importance of following up with a regular practitioner. Did any of our team members go above and beyond? Can I answer any questions for you? It's so much easier to take the number at the face value and start the condemnation...
I feel that the majority of nurses do a great job meeting the needs of the patient. No matter what the complaint. Departments that are specifically developed within hospital organizations to ensure quality improvement are not often in the ER investigating sentinel events. At the end of the patient visit, the patients issues and ailments have been investigated. They have been addressed, when valid. They have received medication appropriate for the diagnosis. They have received prescriptions and explanations. They have received referrals to primary care providers, or to specialists. If warranted, consultation for the same have been conducted during the visit. Amazingly, all of this has occurred in a very short turn around time, in comparison to other same sized facilities. The patient may not have received a pillow or warm cocoa. Those items are in short supply. They may have heard talking at the nurses station. A lot is happening out there. They may have even seen a employee with a beverage at the nurse's station. They are thirsty. They are working hard for the patients. They aren't doing it for the recognition from the hospital. It doesn't exist. They aren't doing it for administration, that's for sure. They learned a long time ago that no positive recognition comes from down those back hallways. No eating, No drinking, No talking loud, no laughing. Don't you complain about it, either. No tolerance. Straighten up, or else. Like-it-or-leave-it.
Yes, there are some folks with a bad attitude. There are some that are unpleasant to the point that everyone around them is miserable. There are some who lack the inclination to do much at all. There are some who think that "it" is not there job. There are some who wouldn't help out a fellow employee in any circumstances. There are some who call in often and for no apparent reason. They are unreliable. They are unpleasant. They are not the one you want standing next to you in a trauma. They are bad apples. I'm not one to say that it is advisable to foster an environment where the bad apples have spoiled the bushell. I would lean more towards the inclination they be plucked out, should they prove incapable of positive re-enforcement towards a more suitable disposition. Most team members agree with this ideation. They would rather work short that work with a bad apple. Boss Hog wants to rid the department of the bad apples. Great. Find them, pluck them, toss them. Do not accomplish this by encouraging a tattle tale relationship internally. They don't need a mole. They need support and encouragement. Here's a thought. Maybe boss hog should come out onto the floor. In scrubs. Ready to work alongside. He'd see the issues. He'd see the lazy. He'd see the bad apples.
Instead, he has encouraged the employees to tell him if anyone is unpleasant. They will be issued counseling memos. No need to investigate claims, counsel away. Like-it-or-leave-it. He has balanced the schedule by changing the nurse's shifts and not telling them. Be at work, or else. Like-it-or-leave-it. He has done away with the nursing educator position. No need for the new grad and the non ER nurses to have any sort of education or orientation. Like-it-or-leave-it! He has chopped ancillary staffing, making all of the tech's and unit clerks, reapply and interview for the 8 positions of the 16 or so originally available.
That's a major disruption in the functional capacity of the team. Not to mention the 8 people will lose their job. No worries. Like-it-or-leave-it. The changes are repulsive. There are 460 odd thousand nursing positions available across the country. They are located in places where people are grateful for care. This is the delta, number one in STD's, poverty, teen pregnancy, illiteracy. High on the stats lists for gang violence & frivolous law suits. I think you might be overstepping a little by "like-it-or-leave-it." You may be surprised at the number ready to leave it. How do you think patient satisfaction will be then? How balanced will the schedule be?
"Like it or leave it" has always been the mantra of Ray and his lot. He has duped the entire county into supporting his personal empire. Anyone who questions his authority is either terminated (with hush money) or put on the payroll (with even more hush money).
Not only have 4 of the ER docs fled, but the 4 that remain are not truly emergency care physicians. So, while DRMC continues to bill itself as a level II trauma center (for state funding reasons), they are little more than a "Doc-in-the-Box" when it comes to actual patient care... a little scary?
"Leadership" starts with understanding what truly motivates people to work. Even before wages, the first concern of most employees today is flexibility in the workplace. Health care professionals are scarce and as the writer notes, they can work anywhere they choose. So, the "like-it-or-leave-it" approach simply won't work in the Mississippi Delta! Any nurse who cannot find another job within 2 hours of his/her resignation... is simply not looking.
Ray and DRMC are in BIG trouble. I am sure that the new "Sheriff" is just another attempt for Ray to exhibit his rule by intimidation and remind us all that He is the boss! There are many excellent, long-time employees of DRMC who have suffered under Ray's tyrannical rule for far too long. It is time for a change!
If you wake up each day and dread going to work... there is a problem. Become active in changing things for the better and DRMC can once again become a quality health care facility AND a good place to work. This blog is dedicated to inspiring people to make positive changes for themselves and their communities.
DRMC will never improve until the employees, citizens and public officials get actively involved and demand change.
Forthright
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Follow the Spray-Painted Road...
"Tencent" changes the subject:
I'm going to veer away from the county story (not that it not interesting and certainly deserves public discussion) and I want to comment on something else I read in the paper tonight. Mayor Hudson's new health initiative.
Are there that many people in Greenville that need to be told to get off of their duffs and walk? I see walkers and joggers all the time in my travels around town. Who is the mayor trying to point to with this initiative? My parents and their neighbors used to walk every evening for their health. Until the crime got too bad.
Marking walking paths in the streets is just as bad as putting signs on the people saying MUG ME, MUG ME! The plan would probably work in some neighborhoods, but not all. Nope. I think the mayor is just trying to add a shiny star to her list of political brouha.
And if the mayor is going to list meals from local eateries, I'd like to see the break down of calories, fats (saturated, unsaturated, transfats), carbs, sugars, sodium, fiber, cholesterol, vitamins. There are more people in Greenville that are subject to stroke and heart failure than those worrying about having their thick thighs show up at a social. Any meal posted by the mayor should be reviewed by a dietitian for it's values.
Exercise should be a daily part of anyone's regime. But not set down by city workers spray painting streets.
"Tencent"
I must admit that I was a bit amused by the "simplicity" of Mayor Hudson's "walking trails". If spray-painting a street makes it a walking trail, we should bill Greenville in August as a "public sauna".
I commend the mayor's efforts to stress the importance of exercise and good health, but the writer makes a valid point about crime in our city. This is the perfect time of year to be out walking, but safety is a major concern.
Okay... let's get out and enjoy the Blues this week! Like it or not, this event does bring in a lot of revenue for Greenville and has put us on the map. It is an important part of our heritage as "Deltans", because even if you don't enjoy listening to the "blues", we all know how to sing'em!
Forthright
I'm going to veer away from the county story (not that it not interesting and certainly deserves public discussion) and I want to comment on something else I read in the paper tonight. Mayor Hudson's new health initiative.
Are there that many people in Greenville that need to be told to get off of their duffs and walk? I see walkers and joggers all the time in my travels around town. Who is the mayor trying to point to with this initiative? My parents and their neighbors used to walk every evening for their health. Until the crime got too bad.
Marking walking paths in the streets is just as bad as putting signs on the people saying MUG ME, MUG ME! The plan would probably work in some neighborhoods, but not all. Nope. I think the mayor is just trying to add a shiny star to her list of political brouha.
And if the mayor is going to list meals from local eateries, I'd like to see the break down of calories, fats (saturated, unsaturated, transfats), carbs, sugars, sodium, fiber, cholesterol, vitamins. There are more people in Greenville that are subject to stroke and heart failure than those worrying about having their thick thighs show up at a social. Any meal posted by the mayor should be reviewed by a dietitian for it's values.
Exercise should be a daily part of anyone's regime. But not set down by city workers spray painting streets.
"Tencent"
I must admit that I was a bit amused by the "simplicity" of Mayor Hudson's "walking trails". If spray-painting a street makes it a walking trail, we should bill Greenville in August as a "public sauna".
I commend the mayor's efforts to stress the importance of exercise and good health, but the writer makes a valid point about crime in our city. This is the perfect time of year to be out walking, but safety is a major concern.
Okay... let's get out and enjoy the Blues this week! Like it or not, this event does bring in a lot of revenue for Greenville and has put us on the map. It is an important part of our heritage as "Deltans", because even if you don't enjoy listening to the "blues", we all know how to sing'em!
Forthright
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Show Me the Money!
Exerpt from Delta Democrat Times:
A significant drop in the county's automobile tax roll assessment has many officials looking for answers. During the Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, county Tax Assessor John Greco presented members with the official September countywide tax roll. In his presentation, Greco reported a dramatic drop in the assessed value of automobiles - approximately $2.9 million - in two months.
“Obviously, there is something wrong here,” Greco told supervisors. In July, Greco submitted to the board a preliminary tax roll, by which the county set its fiscal budget. That report contained the assessments on real property, personal property, mobile home property, public utilities and automobile property. Of those properties, Greco is responsible for generating the figures for real, personal and mobile home properties, as well as county public utilities.
The tax collector's office is responsible for submitting to the assessor's office the figures pertaining to automobile property, after which Greco will compile those figures with the other assessments to create a total county assessment. A final tax roll assessment is then presented to the board in September. In July, the tax collector submitted an assessment figure of $55,531,296 for automobiles. For the September roll, the tax collector submitted an assessment figure of $52,583,174 - a difference of nearly $3 million in less than two months.
“How this happened, I just don't know,” Greco told the board. Washington County Tax Collector Patricia Lee told the Delta Democrat Times this morning that although she knew the reason behind the dramatic drop, she did not wish to comment on it further.
Since Lee took office in 2004, the county's assessed value for automobiles has dropped approximately $7.5 million from a value of $60,205,033 in 2004 to a value of $52,583,174, as of the September 2007 rolls. During the meeting Tuesday, board attorney Willie Griffin suggested that supervisors contact the Mississippi Tax Commission and ask for the agency to investigate the matter.
Surely there is no relationship between this "short-fall" and the previous indictments of four employees of the Tax Collector's office?
Let's see...we have lost $7.5 million dollars of tax revenue in the three years that Patricia Lee has been Tax Collector; Ms. Lee states that she knows the reason for the lack of funds...BUT... she does not wish to comment on it further...Duh?
Is this our idea of public accountability? We certainly wouldn't want to make Ms. Lee uncomfortable by asking her where the $7.5 million dollars went. Perhaps the state tax commission will be "less considerate" of Ms. Lee's feelings when they ask her to pony up for the missing revenue!
This is a prime example of why Greeville has become the laughing stock of the Delta. We elect incompetent, irresponsible stooges to manage the fiduciary affairs of our city, and then are simply aghast when they show their true colors.
So, now we have uncovered corruption and incompetence in our county government, health care system and public education systems! Unbelievable???
No, I believe in Greenville!
Forthright
A significant drop in the county's automobile tax roll assessment has many officials looking for answers. During the Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, county Tax Assessor John Greco presented members with the official September countywide tax roll. In his presentation, Greco reported a dramatic drop in the assessed value of automobiles - approximately $2.9 million - in two months.
“Obviously, there is something wrong here,” Greco told supervisors. In July, Greco submitted to the board a preliminary tax roll, by which the county set its fiscal budget. That report contained the assessments on real property, personal property, mobile home property, public utilities and automobile property. Of those properties, Greco is responsible for generating the figures for real, personal and mobile home properties, as well as county public utilities.
The tax collector's office is responsible for submitting to the assessor's office the figures pertaining to automobile property, after which Greco will compile those figures with the other assessments to create a total county assessment. A final tax roll assessment is then presented to the board in September. In July, the tax collector submitted an assessment figure of $55,531,296 for automobiles. For the September roll, the tax collector submitted an assessment figure of $52,583,174 - a difference of nearly $3 million in less than two months.
“How this happened, I just don't know,” Greco told the board. Washington County Tax Collector Patricia Lee told the Delta Democrat Times this morning that although she knew the reason behind the dramatic drop, she did not wish to comment on it further.
Since Lee took office in 2004, the county's assessed value for automobiles has dropped approximately $7.5 million from a value of $60,205,033 in 2004 to a value of $52,583,174, as of the September 2007 rolls. During the meeting Tuesday, board attorney Willie Griffin suggested that supervisors contact the Mississippi Tax Commission and ask for the agency to investigate the matter.
Surely there is no relationship between this "short-fall" and the previous indictments of four employees of the Tax Collector's office?
Let's see...we have lost $7.5 million dollars of tax revenue in the three years that Patricia Lee has been Tax Collector; Ms. Lee states that she knows the reason for the lack of funds...BUT... she does not wish to comment on it further...Duh?
Is this our idea of public accountability? We certainly wouldn't want to make Ms. Lee uncomfortable by asking her where the $7.5 million dollars went. Perhaps the state tax commission will be "less considerate" of Ms. Lee's feelings when they ask her to pony up for the missing revenue!
This is a prime example of why Greeville has become the laughing stock of the Delta. We elect incompetent, irresponsible stooges to manage the fiduciary affairs of our city, and then are simply aghast when they show their true colors.
So, now we have uncovered corruption and incompetence in our county government, health care system and public education systems! Unbelievable???
No, I believe in Greenville!
Forthright
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