Anonymous offers:
Rumor has it that the King’s Daughters Hospital will suffer its final indignity tomorrow. Ray and his marketing gurus have decided that the “King’s Daughters” name is inconsistent with their current marketing strategies, so out it goes! Actually, Ray may be right on this one. The “King’s Daughters Hospital” has always represented quality, pride, compassion and dedication… all qualities that are quite foreign to the current DRMC.
Seems that they had a big send off today for Dr. Frothingham. The boot marks were quite obvious on Rodney’s rear end in spite of the “retirement” spin Ray was shoveling. Excellent marketing campaign Ray… you fire the only respected member of your administrative team and then abolish the name of the hospital that founded health care in Greenville!
Gee, and we only paid 4 million dollars for these epiphanies. Here’s an idea that could really boost your popularity: Why not hold a public burning of the King’s Daughters Sign (“In His Name”). Surely that will forever prove that you fear neither man nor God!
Check out the 10 PM report tonight on WXVT. It’s about a pregnant woman who is bleeding and goes to DRMC’s ER. She has to wait 7 hours to see a doctor! Yep, Ray… you are building the “next great hospital” in Mississippi!
Anonymous said...
Well, I work in the healthcare field in a nearby city (fled DRMC after years to be free of Ray's stupidity) and have the opportunity to see patients and their medical records from other facilities. You wouldn't believe the number of patients who were seen in Cleveland or Greenwood ER because they went to Delta Regional and were turned away for no money.
I'm really surprised the pregnant woman was even seen in the ER - she must have been insured and been able to pay her co-pay on the spot...other bleeding pregnant women have been sent away because they didn't have the ability to pay. Yeah, its in all caps typed right in the triage form. PATIENT STATES SHE WENT TO DELTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN GREENVILLE WITH COMPLAINTS OF BLEEDING/5 MONTHS OB PATIENT BUT WAS TURNED AWAY FOR LACK OF PAYER SOURCE.
Anyone who knows anything about healthcare here in Greenville will agree that Ray's lil campaign that he spent four million bucks on makes one sick every evening while watching the news. All those employees speaking all those lies.
Ray is a despicable man for what he has done to this facility. Dr. Frothingham is 100 times the man he is. The next great hospital...yeah, right. I'm just sorry I missed the ten pm news. We are all hoping that one night we'll hear the lead story "Humphreys and his leadership team purged from DRMC". Now, THATS gonna be something to celebrate.
I had not heard the rumor about Ray abolishing the King's Daughters name; although it does not surprise me. Ray has hated everything about KD since the acquisition, including its employees, most of whom he and his "hit men" have successfully terminated.
Dr. Frothingham may be the luckiest person in this huge debacle. He will finally be free of Ray's tyranny and evil deeds. As for the "King's Daughters" name and memory, I tend to agree with the first author that the two hospitals have never shared the same basic values or reputation for quality. Therefore, this final "disenfranchisement" shall only serve to protect the good name that KDH had earned.
As for Ray, he continues to revel in his delusion that a 4 million dollar "white-wash" is going to conceal DRMC's gross mismanagement, lack of qualified medical personnel and the daily atrocities that face patients in the ER. In the midst of all of this chaos, he has the nerve to boast about the opening of a NICU and a Heart Center. DRMC barely has enough nurses to tend to the few acute care patients they have left, let alone staff these two highly specialized units.
Perhaps we haven't given Ray's marketing campaign enough time to work. Who knows? After the rest of the country gets wind that Ray Humphreys has built the "best hospital in Mississippi", nurses and doctors will no doubt flock here in droves. Yes... yes, that's it... we just need to be patient.
Forthright
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Free Fertilizer?
I live south of Greenville. New county codes have been put into place that may effect you! I do know know the extent of the codes. But here are a few that I have heard of. If you are one of those that bought one acre of property south of town for a elevated rate. Your property to is now worth nothing if your place burns or can not be replaced for what ever reason your out of luck, you must have two acres now.
I believe you are able to sell your place that has something on it with no problem but if you have one acre with nothing on it, it is useless!! Why two acres???? That's silly!!
Second, if you do have more then one acre, you will not be able to put down a septic tank ($1500.00). You must put down a chlorination system that will cost you over ($5,000.00). This system chlorinates the water and then is setup as a yard sprinkler and the waste water is distributed into the yard as if it was a regular yard sprinkler.. Is this wise?
I don't know about you but when my kids are out playing around that area I hope the automatic sprinkler does not come on! I don't feel like it is a good idea to put this nasty water on the top of the ground. This also attracts mosquitoes that carry unknown amounts of disease. The ground stays wet. But you will have some green grass to keep cut!!If you do any type of building or improvements to your home you must have a permit to do so.! That includes adding a deck to your back yard.
I personally live outside of the Big city so I can be a little more free to do as I wish. But now the county has dropped the value of my property and I am unable to use my other lot. Please correct me if I am wrong, I hope I am!! Also does anyone know where I can get a copy of the new codes??
The controversy over these new codes has been brewing for some time. The "logic" proposed by proponents of these new ordinances is that they are attempting to "maintain the residential integrity" of these county properties... more simply put, the want to keep out the "rif-raff".
By implementing these stringent codes, the county hopes to stall the rapid outward migration of Greenville residents who are tired of paying city taxes... for nothing. The county schools are far superior to GPS and parents who can not afford private school tuition have little choice but to move outside of the city. This places an increased burden on the county schools as more and more mobile homes spring up each year. Everyone knows that selling a house in the "Riverside" school district increases your marketability by 200%.
In essence, the supervisors are trying to prevent county land owners from developing "trailer parks" on their land. Proponents view this as a good thing, but not all property owners agree. Once again, why does the government have the right to dictate how you can use your legally acquired property? If you are fortunate enough to live in a traditional community and view modular homes as unsightly, you probably agree with these ordinances. However, if you are like many parents who sacrifice much to give their children the best educational opportunities available, you are most likely outraged.
If you want a copy of these ordinances, call your county supervisor. After you read the legalistic jargon, you probably won't be any more informed than you are now. That is why I offer this "quick read" version to concerned county residents.
Outrageous you say? Sure it is. It is just another example of what the unchecked power of public officials can do when we allow them to speak on our behalf.
Speak up, speak out!
Forthright
I believe you are able to sell your place that has something on it with no problem but if you have one acre with nothing on it, it is useless!! Why two acres???? That's silly!!
Second, if you do have more then one acre, you will not be able to put down a septic tank ($1500.00). You must put down a chlorination system that will cost you over ($5,000.00). This system chlorinates the water and then is setup as a yard sprinkler and the waste water is distributed into the yard as if it was a regular yard sprinkler.. Is this wise?
I don't know about you but when my kids are out playing around that area I hope the automatic sprinkler does not come on! I don't feel like it is a good idea to put this nasty water on the top of the ground. This also attracts mosquitoes that carry unknown amounts of disease. The ground stays wet. But you will have some green grass to keep cut!!If you do any type of building or improvements to your home you must have a permit to do so.! That includes adding a deck to your back yard.
I personally live outside of the Big city so I can be a little more free to do as I wish. But now the county has dropped the value of my property and I am unable to use my other lot. Please correct me if I am wrong, I hope I am!! Also does anyone know where I can get a copy of the new codes??
The controversy over these new codes has been brewing for some time. The "logic" proposed by proponents of these new ordinances is that they are attempting to "maintain the residential integrity" of these county properties... more simply put, the want to keep out the "rif-raff".
By implementing these stringent codes, the county hopes to stall the rapid outward migration of Greenville residents who are tired of paying city taxes... for nothing. The county schools are far superior to GPS and parents who can not afford private school tuition have little choice but to move outside of the city. This places an increased burden on the county schools as more and more mobile homes spring up each year. Everyone knows that selling a house in the "Riverside" school district increases your marketability by 200%.
In essence, the supervisors are trying to prevent county land owners from developing "trailer parks" on their land. Proponents view this as a good thing, but not all property owners agree. Once again, why does the government have the right to dictate how you can use your legally acquired property? If you are fortunate enough to live in a traditional community and view modular homes as unsightly, you probably agree with these ordinances. However, if you are like many parents who sacrifice much to give their children the best educational opportunities available, you are most likely outraged.
If you want a copy of these ordinances, call your county supervisor. After you read the legalistic jargon, you probably won't be any more informed than you are now. That is why I offer this "quick read" version to concerned county residents.
Outrageous you say? Sure it is. It is just another example of what the unchecked power of public officials can do when we allow them to speak on our behalf.
Speak up, speak out!
Forthright
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Possibilities for Greenville
Jennifer Jones writes:
Since the pool was mentioned, I am happy to report that I was on the agenda of last weeks' City Council meeting. My purpose was to present the Proposal for the grant from Carl-Small Town Center, in seeking support of the Council. I was successful and that is one large step toward a better future for the pool and Greenvillians, especially the kids.The students came from MSU/CSTC last weekend and assessed the pool, Buster Brown Community Center and our City parks. All of this information is key to their designs and plans for the Pool Complex to come. Cari Varner of the MSU/CSTC staff sent this note out below to be soon published in the DDT, read it and if you so please, feel free to contact her with your input to the pool plans.
Hello all,
As I am sure you are aware, the School of Architecture and the Carl Small Town Center at Mississippi State University are working with the City of Greenville to develop plans for the revitalization of the Bobby Henry Memorial Pool and the Buster Brown Community Center.Our students are so excited about the project, and they came up with the great idea of having the public be able to contact the CSTC to offer their opinions and ideas about the project, so as best serve the citizens of Greenville in our efforts.
This is an open call to all citizens of Greenville to call me directly at 662-325-8671 or to email me at: cvarner@caad.msstate.edu(no spam please) to share their thoughts about what amenities or activities they would like to see occur on the site and their aesthetic sensibilities pertaining to the architecture of the proposed buildings. We want as much public input as possible, from children to senior citizens, especially those that live in the neighborhood immediately around the site.....END of note.
It will be the end of summer before the students complete their plans and depending on grants and timing,at least another year or more before serious work can begin. Meanwhile, we, the BHM Pool Committee, Pool and Park Directors are planning promotions, programs and events to bring attention back to the pool and the community back to enjoy it once again.
As for how you all can help?? We are open to suggestions and great ideas! Get involved! Suggest solutions! Join us! Volunteer, there is plenty to do. It will be more fun than you will believe and very gratifying in the end. There will be fundraiser events for the pool in the near future to at least get started on some improvements or perhaps to buy a water slide, pool furniture, supplies for the lifeguards or updated emergency gear. We need solutions to help the elderly and handicapped to enjoy the pool this summer and from now on. As it is, the pool is not accessible to that population, and that is unacceptable!
Think of kids who have never had a chance to swim or Seniors who need the therapy of the water for their joints. Maybe YOU have an answer?? We are wide open here, now is the time to jump in! We need all the help and networking we can get! Please step up to the plate and let's get this pool on track starting this summer!We need instructors for some of these programs like water aerobics, Senior classes, or if there is someone to teach it, how about scuba class? Bring yourself and the kids for swim time or lessons, lifeguard class, or just show up this summer to have fun!I have created a web site with all the information to be known and will update it as things progress.
Here is the location to copy and paste to your search bar: http://robertthenry.webs.com/index.htm Click "Contact" for information of myself and the committee members.Take a look all around the site at all the topics. There is great information there for the viewing, as well as some great old photos of the past and the photos of the present. Enjoy and come back to your Community Pool. Summer is around the corner, we have to start NOW! Let's stop complaining and makes positive step to a better future! Do it for yourself, the kids and Greenville! Together, we can make it happen!
Many have scoffed at the proposed renovation of our city pool, claiming that it is a waste of money. I think that the project could be very successful, not just in restoring a wonderful recreational facility, but also in bringing us together by working toward a common goal. I would love to see a covered pool that could be used for a variety of purposes throughout the year.
This past summer, I was quite disturbed by public officials who attributed a rash of arson house fires to "kids who are bored and don't have anything else to do." Granted, there is not a wide variety of recreational activities for kids in Greenville, but arson?
So perhaps "swimming" is too passive in our current world of "extreme sports". As one contributor suggested, if we can't sell downtown Greenville to merchants, why not raze the buildings and turn it into skateboard or extreme bike ramps? These seem to be popular teen sports and are certainly more healthy than video games and arson.
A local water-park is proposed, but even that seems a bit outdated for the our "extreme" generation who seem to thrive on risk and an element of danger. There are options for downtown Greenville other than retail stores, but we will have to think out of the box. The "Farmer's Market" was a great success, although seasonal.
Many larger cities have "public markets" which range from hand made arts and crafts to "flea" markets (or yard sales as we call them). At any rate, they are quite popular in that people can visit one location to browse for a wide variety of items. All it takes is a wide open area with accessible parking... that is quite foreseeable in downtown Greenville.
Again, I commend Jennifer Jones for her efforts to both rejuvenate a once treasured gem in the Delta, as well as to unite those who have not given up on Greenville. If you are not actively involved in a civic cause for Greenville, I think you are missing out... on being part of what Greenville can be!
Forthright
Since the pool was mentioned, I am happy to report that I was on the agenda of last weeks' City Council meeting. My purpose was to present the Proposal for the grant from Carl-Small Town Center, in seeking support of the Council. I was successful and that is one large step toward a better future for the pool and Greenvillians, especially the kids.The students came from MSU/CSTC last weekend and assessed the pool, Buster Brown Community Center and our City parks. All of this information is key to their designs and plans for the Pool Complex to come. Cari Varner of the MSU/CSTC staff sent this note out below to be soon published in the DDT, read it and if you so please, feel free to contact her with your input to the pool plans.
Hello all,
As I am sure you are aware, the School of Architecture and the Carl Small Town Center at Mississippi State University are working with the City of Greenville to develop plans for the revitalization of the Bobby Henry Memorial Pool and the Buster Brown Community Center.Our students are so excited about the project, and they came up with the great idea of having the public be able to contact the CSTC to offer their opinions and ideas about the project, so as best serve the citizens of Greenville in our efforts.
This is an open call to all citizens of Greenville to call me directly at 662-325-8671 or to email me at: cvarner@caad.msstate.edu(no spam please) to share their thoughts about what amenities or activities they would like to see occur on the site and their aesthetic sensibilities pertaining to the architecture of the proposed buildings. We want as much public input as possible, from children to senior citizens, especially those that live in the neighborhood immediately around the site.....END of note.
It will be the end of summer before the students complete their plans and depending on grants and timing,at least another year or more before serious work can begin. Meanwhile, we, the BHM Pool Committee, Pool and Park Directors are planning promotions, programs and events to bring attention back to the pool and the community back to enjoy it once again.
As for how you all can help?? We are open to suggestions and great ideas! Get involved! Suggest solutions! Join us! Volunteer, there is plenty to do. It will be more fun than you will believe and very gratifying in the end. There will be fundraiser events for the pool in the near future to at least get started on some improvements or perhaps to buy a water slide, pool furniture, supplies for the lifeguards or updated emergency gear. We need solutions to help the elderly and handicapped to enjoy the pool this summer and from now on. As it is, the pool is not accessible to that population, and that is unacceptable!
Think of kids who have never had a chance to swim or Seniors who need the therapy of the water for their joints. Maybe YOU have an answer?? We are wide open here, now is the time to jump in! We need all the help and networking we can get! Please step up to the plate and let's get this pool on track starting this summer!We need instructors for some of these programs like water aerobics, Senior classes, or if there is someone to teach it, how about scuba class? Bring yourself and the kids for swim time or lessons, lifeguard class, or just show up this summer to have fun!I have created a web site with all the information to be known and will update it as things progress.
Here is the location to copy and paste to your search bar: http://robertthenry.webs.com/index.htm Click "Contact" for information of myself and the committee members.Take a look all around the site at all the topics. There is great information there for the viewing, as well as some great old photos of the past and the photos of the present. Enjoy and come back to your Community Pool. Summer is around the corner, we have to start NOW! Let's stop complaining and makes positive step to a better future! Do it for yourself, the kids and Greenville! Together, we can make it happen!
Many have scoffed at the proposed renovation of our city pool, claiming that it is a waste of money. I think that the project could be very successful, not just in restoring a wonderful recreational facility, but also in bringing us together by working toward a common goal. I would love to see a covered pool that could be used for a variety of purposes throughout the year.
This past summer, I was quite disturbed by public officials who attributed a rash of arson house fires to "kids who are bored and don't have anything else to do." Granted, there is not a wide variety of recreational activities for kids in Greenville, but arson?
So perhaps "swimming" is too passive in our current world of "extreme sports". As one contributor suggested, if we can't sell downtown Greenville to merchants, why not raze the buildings and turn it into skateboard or extreme bike ramps? These seem to be popular teen sports and are certainly more healthy than video games and arson.
A local water-park is proposed, but even that seems a bit outdated for the our "extreme" generation who seem to thrive on risk and an element of danger. There are options for downtown Greenville other than retail stores, but we will have to think out of the box. The "Farmer's Market" was a great success, although seasonal.
Many larger cities have "public markets" which range from hand made arts and crafts to "flea" markets (or yard sales as we call them). At any rate, they are quite popular in that people can visit one location to browse for a wide variety of items. All it takes is a wide open area with accessible parking... that is quite foreseeable in downtown Greenville.
Again, I commend Jennifer Jones for her efforts to both rejuvenate a once treasured gem in the Delta, as well as to unite those who have not given up on Greenville. If you are not actively involved in a civic cause for Greenville, I think you are missing out... on being part of what Greenville can be!
Forthright
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Your "Delta Scoop"
Mr. Lowe Speaks Up...
I attended the first Board of Supervisors meeting for the year 2008. After the election of the president of the Board was made I witnessed quite an attitude change, perhaps some would probably label the display as hostile from some of the members, and employees of the board.
After panning the audience, I noticed that there were quite a few clergy, politicians, and civic leaders among those in attendance, and according to conversations overheard this tactic was designed by the clique to intimidate board members especially the new one, however this tactic was like the previous moves made - far from effective. It is sad that some elected individuals get the notion that a position belong to them, or individuals that they choose, or the ones that’s in their clique.
It’s high time that the meeting place at Buc_’s County Court House be returned back to the Washington County Court House where it belongs. I would like to commend new board member Jesse Amos, and those who voted with him for the courage that they exhibited by voting their conviction instead of bowing to the pressures that be, and the will of the corrupt. I am sure that he has been called everything under the sun, but a child of God in the past hours after his swearing in.
Once, again I commend leaders like Jesse Amos who do not have to use the race card as a crutch, but instead his wisdom and knowledge to get things done as in the display that was exemplified in his first board meeting. It is individuals like him who’s on the cutting edge that’s going to get this County back on track and second to none in the State. Again, thanks Jesse for a great beginning.
James W Lowe, Sr.
Let me comment about the DRMC controversy. As a blog-master, I do not have control over the "hot" topics discussed on this blog. Readers and contributors control the topics and flow of this blog, as they should. It so happens that DRMC and Leland Public Schools have been the most controversial topics of 2007. These are topics that seriously impact our jobs, lives and welfare as citizens of the Delta and thus elicit the most "controversy".
Many have criticized the Scoop for dwelling too much on the same topics, but these same critics have yet to propose other topics for debate or discussion. I am open to any topics or discussions which interest the readers. I do ask that contributors avoid obscene language, but other than that, I consider what is printed here to be "opinion"... be it yours or mine.
What makes a local blog interesting is seeing how much support your views have from other readers. If you are a racist imbecile, like "Big Mama", you will be virtually "run out of town" by the blog readers. However, if your opinions rally the support of countless other readers, perhaps your "opinions" have some basis in fact... and that is why this blog has become so popular.
So, if you are tired of DRMC and LSD, let's move on. You propose a topic and I will print it. I do admire Mr. Lowe who has no problem expressing his opinions openly; however, I also realize that anonymity often protects people from illegal retaliation. I want the Delta Scoop to be fun, interesting and informative. When it ceases to be, I shall relinquish my position as blog-master to a new host, as did my predecessor.
Until then, let's continue with lively debates about issues which concern us all, keeping in mind that this is a blog, not the New York Times, CNN or even the Delta Democrat Times. My involvement in the Delta Scoop is for entertainment; I don't get paid to host this blog which is why I can express my opinions freely and honestly... and you can as well. I love a spirited debate and we have had many! If discussions here move people to seek change by offering their views of reality, that is simply a good thing.
Forthright
I attended the first Board of Supervisors meeting for the year 2008. After the election of the president of the Board was made I witnessed quite an attitude change, perhaps some would probably label the display as hostile from some of the members, and employees of the board.
After panning the audience, I noticed that there were quite a few clergy, politicians, and civic leaders among those in attendance, and according to conversations overheard this tactic was designed by the clique to intimidate board members especially the new one, however this tactic was like the previous moves made - far from effective. It is sad that some elected individuals get the notion that a position belong to them, or individuals that they choose, or the ones that’s in their clique.
It’s high time that the meeting place at Buc_’s County Court House be returned back to the Washington County Court House where it belongs. I would like to commend new board member Jesse Amos, and those who voted with him for the courage that they exhibited by voting their conviction instead of bowing to the pressures that be, and the will of the corrupt. I am sure that he has been called everything under the sun, but a child of God in the past hours after his swearing in.
Once, again I commend leaders like Jesse Amos who do not have to use the race card as a crutch, but instead his wisdom and knowledge to get things done as in the display that was exemplified in his first board meeting. It is individuals like him who’s on the cutting edge that’s going to get this County back on track and second to none in the State. Again, thanks Jesse for a great beginning.
James W Lowe, Sr.
Let me comment about the DRMC controversy. As a blog-master, I do not have control over the "hot" topics discussed on this blog. Readers and contributors control the topics and flow of this blog, as they should. It so happens that DRMC and Leland Public Schools have been the most controversial topics of 2007. These are topics that seriously impact our jobs, lives and welfare as citizens of the Delta and thus elicit the most "controversy".
Many have criticized the Scoop for dwelling too much on the same topics, but these same critics have yet to propose other topics for debate or discussion. I am open to any topics or discussions which interest the readers. I do ask that contributors avoid obscene language, but other than that, I consider what is printed here to be "opinion"... be it yours or mine.
What makes a local blog interesting is seeing how much support your views have from other readers. If you are a racist imbecile, like "Big Mama", you will be virtually "run out of town" by the blog readers. However, if your opinions rally the support of countless other readers, perhaps your "opinions" have some basis in fact... and that is why this blog has become so popular.
So, if you are tired of DRMC and LSD, let's move on. You propose a topic and I will print it. I do admire Mr. Lowe who has no problem expressing his opinions openly; however, I also realize that anonymity often protects people from illegal retaliation. I want the Delta Scoop to be fun, interesting and informative. When it ceases to be, I shall relinquish my position as blog-master to a new host, as did my predecessor.
Until then, let's continue with lively debates about issues which concern us all, keeping in mind that this is a blog, not the New York Times, CNN or even the Delta Democrat Times. My involvement in the Delta Scoop is for entertainment; I don't get paid to host this blog which is why I can express my opinions freely and honestly... and you can as well. I love a spirited debate and we have had many! If discussions here move people to seek change by offering their views of reality, that is simply a good thing.
Forthright
Monday, January 14, 2008
Trench-Warfare: Time to Take a Stand
"Fed up in the trenches" says:
Forthright, you are definitely correct in your analysis of the senior leadership team. They are exactly as you have described. All yes men/women and most certainly race played a huge issue in their hiring. I know for a fact that when he gave the ex-chief nursing officer of 20 plus years her walking papers a few years ago, he formed this nursing search committee to find her replacement.
Several nursing directors from various floors spent many hours going through resumes and interviewing applicants. And, there were many qualified applicants, but none were acceptable because Ray had long before decided that Florence Jones would be the CNO. It was all a game to make everyone feel like they were a part of the decision, but we all knew that Flo was not our pick -- just his.
She is an accomplished woman, but was never the cream of the crop of the candidates whom applied. Likewise, he handpicked Alphe and Allyson. He knew they'd always answer yes and he had an established relationship with each of them from the past. It will be interesting to see if Allyson will be able to actually take Ray's job, she wants it badly. He depends so heavily on her and most employees will tell you that queen runs the hospital.
And Alphe, what can I say? He is busy getting pedicures and trying to keep up with who Ray & Allyson have fired, transferred or promoted that week. Updating that facility's organizational chart is a full time job in itself. As for Mazie, Ms. Whalen just happened to be in the right position at the time when the board was calling for racial diversity. She was an excellent nurse in her day, but it is obvious to everyone who has worked at DRMC that leadership skills are seriously lacking. So, if we are asking for resignations, maybe her time is up too?
The only "senior" leader not addressed is the "chief" financial officer - Courtney Phillips. Unfortunately, we are all betting that he will be Rays fall guy. He's a local Delta boy who needs his paycheck and Ray sorta had to acquire him in the KD merger. No telling what Ray has asked him to do since he is supposedly the keeper of the books. If anyone can figure out how to poke this board in the back and force their hand at firing this ridiculous so called leadership team, please tell us how.
Yes, we almost forgot the CFO, Courtney Phillips. Since Ray had finally forced the former CFO, Woody White, to resign just before the merger, he now needed a new "fall guy" to keep the books "simmering". Courtney seemed a logical choice since he had been the CFO at KDH. This move was a win-win for Ray. If Courtney were a miracle worker, he might be able to show Ray how to operate in the black; and if not, who better to blame than his former competitor.
Ray's and Woody's battles were well known throughout the community. They seemed to differ on the legality of numerous "accounting practices" and ultimately Ray won every battle. Woody, anticipating that "stripes" would soon dominate his wardrobe, fled the Delta for "higher" ground.
Courtney was basically offered a deal that he "couldn't refuse". He could either play with Ray and hope for the best, or turn down the offer of "top dog" and join the ranks of the unemployed, like his fellow KDH officers. He did what he had to do.
From my vantage point, Mr. Phillips is an honest employee who is well respected throughout the community... but, as in the case of Dr. Frothingham... we can all see what that is worth. Most people who know Mr. Phillips admire him for being able to endure the untenable circumstances of his job. I would hope that he escapes this debacle unscathed. Unfortunately, by virtue of his position, it will be very difficult to plead ignorance once HUD begins to untangle this massive web of deception... and they will.
So, what can we do about this mess? Make some noise! Call, write, e-mail your supervisors and board members and demand some action. Letters to the DDT are almost useless in that DRMC is a major advertiser, so don't waste your time. The Scoop is a great place to vent your frustrations and rally support for your cause, but at the end of the day, nothing will change at DRMC until WE make our voices heard.
Forthright
Forthright, you are definitely correct in your analysis of the senior leadership team. They are exactly as you have described. All yes men/women and most certainly race played a huge issue in their hiring. I know for a fact that when he gave the ex-chief nursing officer of 20 plus years her walking papers a few years ago, he formed this nursing search committee to find her replacement.
Several nursing directors from various floors spent many hours going through resumes and interviewing applicants. And, there were many qualified applicants, but none were acceptable because Ray had long before decided that Florence Jones would be the CNO. It was all a game to make everyone feel like they were a part of the decision, but we all knew that Flo was not our pick -- just his.
She is an accomplished woman, but was never the cream of the crop of the candidates whom applied. Likewise, he handpicked Alphe and Allyson. He knew they'd always answer yes and he had an established relationship with each of them from the past. It will be interesting to see if Allyson will be able to actually take Ray's job, she wants it badly. He depends so heavily on her and most employees will tell you that queen runs the hospital.
And Alphe, what can I say? He is busy getting pedicures and trying to keep up with who Ray & Allyson have fired, transferred or promoted that week. Updating that facility's organizational chart is a full time job in itself. As for Mazie, Ms. Whalen just happened to be in the right position at the time when the board was calling for racial diversity. She was an excellent nurse in her day, but it is obvious to everyone who has worked at DRMC that leadership skills are seriously lacking. So, if we are asking for resignations, maybe her time is up too?
The only "senior" leader not addressed is the "chief" financial officer - Courtney Phillips. Unfortunately, we are all betting that he will be Rays fall guy. He's a local Delta boy who needs his paycheck and Ray sorta had to acquire him in the KD merger. No telling what Ray has asked him to do since he is supposedly the keeper of the books. If anyone can figure out how to poke this board in the back and force their hand at firing this ridiculous so called leadership team, please tell us how.
Yes, we almost forgot the CFO, Courtney Phillips. Since Ray had finally forced the former CFO, Woody White, to resign just before the merger, he now needed a new "fall guy" to keep the books "simmering". Courtney seemed a logical choice since he had been the CFO at KDH. This move was a win-win for Ray. If Courtney were a miracle worker, he might be able to show Ray how to operate in the black; and if not, who better to blame than his former competitor.
Ray's and Woody's battles were well known throughout the community. They seemed to differ on the legality of numerous "accounting practices" and ultimately Ray won every battle. Woody, anticipating that "stripes" would soon dominate his wardrobe, fled the Delta for "higher" ground.
Courtney was basically offered a deal that he "couldn't refuse". He could either play with Ray and hope for the best, or turn down the offer of "top dog" and join the ranks of the unemployed, like his fellow KDH officers. He did what he had to do.
From my vantage point, Mr. Phillips is an honest employee who is well respected throughout the community... but, as in the case of Dr. Frothingham... we can all see what that is worth. Most people who know Mr. Phillips admire him for being able to endure the untenable circumstances of his job. I would hope that he escapes this debacle unscathed. Unfortunately, by virtue of his position, it will be very difficult to plead ignorance once HUD begins to untangle this massive web of deception... and they will.
So, what can we do about this mess? Make some noise! Call, write, e-mail your supervisors and board members and demand some action. Letters to the DDT are almost useless in that DRMC is a major advertiser, so don't waste your time. The Scoop is a great place to vent your frustrations and rally support for your cause, but at the end of the day, nothing will change at DRMC until WE make our voices heard.
Forthright
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The "Devils" Wear Prada
Which leadership team? The one Ray deems "senior leadership". That would include Allyson Williams, Mazie Whalen, Alphe Wells, and Florence Jones. It's time to clean house. And if you want to scrutinize salaries, check theirs out.
Additionally, during Ray's tenure there have been numerous high dollar jobs created which amount to nothing. They are definitely non-revenue generating jobs. Another place we need to check the books! I know for a fact that reports concerning finances change with the wind. One minute you might be told you are ok with your volume and then poof you are a losing player for DRMC and you no longer have a job.
The "senior leadership" team is comprised of Ray's personally hand-picked "yes-men/women". All of the above mentioned "leaders" make well over six figures and have from 4 to 14 people below them to do the actual work defined in their job descriptions.
Other than Allyson Williams, all are black... a "token" pre-requisite mandated by board members. Undoubtedly, the biggest joke among these team members is Alphe Wells, Human Resources Director. From the beginning, he has had no respect from DRMC employees or the community at large as a professional.
Other than being black, Alphe Wells is completely unqualified for his position. He is one of the "coke-sipping" club members who spends each day keeping Ray informed of other employee's transgressions via his "Black-berry". It is almost impossible to hear the name "Alphe" included in a sentence that does not also include the word, "joke".
Allyson Williams is an intelligent woman, but a power monger. She wants Ray's job so bad she can taste it. Allyson's problem is that as a "bedfellow" of Ray, she has lost all respectability and trust. She has been "bought and paid for" by Ray and thus her career in Greenville has ended.
Mazie Whalen and Florence Jones... both are very knowledgeable and respected registered nurses who have simply risen to the level of their incompetence. A good nurse does not a leader make! Like all members of the "senior leadership" team, their allegiance has been swayed by money. Given a six figure income, even the Devil becomes defensible!
No, Ray is not alone in his unyielding attempt to maintain power at any cost... he has several "team" members who will surely tumble when he falls. None will be missed and we shall once again have the opportunity to have quality health care in Greenville. We need to make it happen!
Forthright
Additionally, during Ray's tenure there have been numerous high dollar jobs created which amount to nothing. They are definitely non-revenue generating jobs. Another place we need to check the books! I know for a fact that reports concerning finances change with the wind. One minute you might be told you are ok with your volume and then poof you are a losing player for DRMC and you no longer have a job.
The "senior leadership" team is comprised of Ray's personally hand-picked "yes-men/women". All of the above mentioned "leaders" make well over six figures and have from 4 to 14 people below them to do the actual work defined in their job descriptions.
Other than Allyson Williams, all are black... a "token" pre-requisite mandated by board members. Undoubtedly, the biggest joke among these team members is Alphe Wells, Human Resources Director. From the beginning, he has had no respect from DRMC employees or the community at large as a professional.
Other than being black, Alphe Wells is completely unqualified for his position. He is one of the "coke-sipping" club members who spends each day keeping Ray informed of other employee's transgressions via his "Black-berry". It is almost impossible to hear the name "Alphe" included in a sentence that does not also include the word, "joke".
Allyson Williams is an intelligent woman, but a power monger. She wants Ray's job so bad she can taste it. Allyson's problem is that as a "bedfellow" of Ray, she has lost all respectability and trust. She has been "bought and paid for" by Ray and thus her career in Greenville has ended.
Mazie Whalen and Florence Jones... both are very knowledgeable and respected registered nurses who have simply risen to the level of their incompetence. A good nurse does not a leader make! Like all members of the "senior leadership" team, their allegiance has been swayed by money. Given a six figure income, even the Devil becomes defensible!
No, Ray is not alone in his unyielding attempt to maintain power at any cost... he has several "team" members who will surely tumble when he falls. None will be missed and we shall once again have the opportunity to have quality health care in Greenville. We need to make it happen!
Forthright
Friday, January 11, 2008
The End of an Empire
Anonymous writes:
Indeed, Dr. Frothingham's character is leagues above Ray Humphreys. Frothingham is one of the ONLY positive administrators in the entire facility. Ask any of the numerous employees.
Every time, without fail, when you meet him in the hall, he greets you with a smile (and usually a heartfelt hug)and a "how are you doing today?" Address him with the same, "How are you Dr. Froth?" and his reply will be along the lines of "this day can't get any better, its wonderful". His warmth confirms that he is sincere.
This is one man that doesn't strike fear and dread in the hearts of employees when he rounds the nursing floors. He doesn't resort to manipulation and scheming, but treats patients, employees, and other MDs with respect. It is unfathomable that we are losing him and Ray is still lurking in his cush office watching his flat screen TV, surfing the internet, and playing with his latest palm pilot.
As Forthright has said, this is another desperate ploy for Ray. Surely there is some way to run Ray and his entire crew out of here. The only ones who are left are all YES Mr Humphreys men/women. Its time we all said NO.
Anonymous offer this...
When will the people of Washington County wake up? Not only has Ray Humphreys and his entourage got to go, but evidently the hospital board and the Supervisors who have allowed this kind of behavior to continue must go also.
The only way to stop this madness, is to just stand up and say NO MORE!!! We refuse to let you destroy our community like you tried to do in Hattisburg. Too many loyal and experienced employees have lost their jobs at DRMC due to the fact they could not and would not be part of the yes men/women of the RAY-RAY team.
I for one will host a party in the DRMC parking lot the day that man (who I believe to be the biggest criminal in Washington county)is lead out of the building in handcuffs!!! I know I am not the only one who feels this way.
As previously noted by "Fly on the Wall", the mood in board's closed door session held with Ray last week was less than amicable. Even the board has finally figured out that continued lay-offs of clinical, direct patient care staff, is resulting in some rather "bad press"... which means even they (board members) are getting calls from citizens who are questioning their judgement in keeping Ray in power.
In response the the board's suggestion that "management" may be a bit top heavy, Ray made the monumental decision to make Dr. Rodney Frothingham the sacrificial lamb to the gods of greed and power. Instead of eliminating the "ump-teen" useless layers of middle management (jobs that were created solely to reward Ray's and his cronies' friends for their continued support and silence) Ray chose to "retire" the one man who sustained his dignity, respect, and trust throughout the community during the hospitals' merger.
Ray's paranoiac obsession to remain in power should now be clear to all. He will stop at nothing to maintain his position, even if it means sacrificing those who helped him build and sustain his empire. The entire community grieves that Dr. Frothingham was made a political pawn by Ray Humphreys and his lot. Although he will be greatly missed by his many friends whose life he touched daily; I am almost certain that Dr. Frothingham must feel somewhat relieved to be free of Ray's maniacal dictatorship.
To the rest of Ray's "coke-sipping, administrative cronies" who think they have a reserved seat in the in one of the "life-boats", you better check your tickets and keep your resumes updated. A de-throwned dictator has no friends.
"A fish rots from the head down."
Forthright
Indeed, Dr. Frothingham's character is leagues above Ray Humphreys. Frothingham is one of the ONLY positive administrators in the entire facility. Ask any of the numerous employees.
Every time, without fail, when you meet him in the hall, he greets you with a smile (and usually a heartfelt hug)and a "how are you doing today?" Address him with the same, "How are you Dr. Froth?" and his reply will be along the lines of "this day can't get any better, its wonderful". His warmth confirms that he is sincere.
This is one man that doesn't strike fear and dread in the hearts of employees when he rounds the nursing floors. He doesn't resort to manipulation and scheming, but treats patients, employees, and other MDs with respect. It is unfathomable that we are losing him and Ray is still lurking in his cush office watching his flat screen TV, surfing the internet, and playing with his latest palm pilot.
As Forthright has said, this is another desperate ploy for Ray. Surely there is some way to run Ray and his entire crew out of here. The only ones who are left are all YES Mr Humphreys men/women. Its time we all said NO.
Anonymous offer this...
When will the people of Washington County wake up? Not only has Ray Humphreys and his entourage got to go, but evidently the hospital board and the Supervisors who have allowed this kind of behavior to continue must go also.
The only way to stop this madness, is to just stand up and say NO MORE!!! We refuse to let you destroy our community like you tried to do in Hattisburg. Too many loyal and experienced employees have lost their jobs at DRMC due to the fact they could not and would not be part of the yes men/women of the RAY-RAY team.
I for one will host a party in the DRMC parking lot the day that man (who I believe to be the biggest criminal in Washington county)is lead out of the building in handcuffs!!! I know I am not the only one who feels this way.
As previously noted by "Fly on the Wall", the mood in board's closed door session held with Ray last week was less than amicable. Even the board has finally figured out that continued lay-offs of clinical, direct patient care staff, is resulting in some rather "bad press"... which means even they (board members) are getting calls from citizens who are questioning their judgement in keeping Ray in power.
In response the the board's suggestion that "management" may be a bit top heavy, Ray made the monumental decision to make Dr. Rodney Frothingham the sacrificial lamb to the gods of greed and power. Instead of eliminating the "ump-teen" useless layers of middle management (jobs that were created solely to reward Ray's and his cronies' friends for their continued support and silence) Ray chose to "retire" the one man who sustained his dignity, respect, and trust throughout the community during the hospitals' merger.
Ray's paranoiac obsession to remain in power should now be clear to all. He will stop at nothing to maintain his position, even if it means sacrificing those who helped him build and sustain his empire. The entire community grieves that Dr. Frothingham was made a political pawn by Ray Humphreys and his lot. Although he will be greatly missed by his many friends whose life he touched daily; I am almost certain that Dr. Frothingham must feel somewhat relieved to be free of Ray's maniacal dictatorship.
To the rest of Ray's "coke-sipping, administrative cronies" who think they have a reserved seat in the in one of the "life-boats", you better check your tickets and keep your resumes updated. A de-throwned dictator has no friends.
"A fish rots from the head down."
Forthright
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Frothingham..."Retired"
Anonymous said...
I heard the same thing yesterday afternoon and to say I was shocked beyond belief is putting it mildly! I can't wait to see what the 'official' statement is going to be on this one!
Gracious I'm sure. 'It is just that time'... kinda thing.
I've had the pleasure of working with this physician in the past and he would never publicly announce if they were forcing him, especially to cut costs. He's not that way. He has always given 110%to that hospital and always been an advocate to the patient and employees he works with. He would go along with this 'in the interest of the hospital'.
From what I heard yesterday there are a lot of employees feeling shocked and hurt over at the West Campus. The news has already started trickling over to DRMC and out into the community and from what I understand, everyone over there still doesn't know. How sad and underhanded is that? I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering what will happen to their jobs after all of this is done.
Anonymous said...
It is a shame that the hospital continues to be managed in such a horrible fashion. These employees who have been laid off or asked to leave in the past did not deserve it. Most of them were long term players who, like the physician mentioned above, had gone above and beyond for patients and the hospital. They were not only hurt by his terrible decisions, but their families were as well.
I can tell you, there will be a huge party thrown when Ray and his entourage are escorted out of that building. All you have to do is drive 30 minutes each direction and take a stroll down the halls of nearby hospitals. There you will find many familiar Greenville faces who are employed at those facilities because of Ray's indecent and unjust behavior.
This insider still doesn't know which MD is to be laid off as the blog referred to yesterday. I'm telling you the very folks working inside DRMC are always the last ones to be informed of issues that affect them! Hopefully time is ticking down on Ray's empire.
Anonymous said...
It's Dr. Frothingham, I hear. How sad. And yes - he is way too classy to publicly denounce this last shenanigan of Ray's. A terrible loss.
Anonymous said...
It looks to me like Ray may be trying to silence any potential "songbirds" who have first hand knowledge of his heinous little club. Dr. Frothingham has more respect in this community than Ray and all of his bible-thumping deacons ever could. It is sad that a medical doctor who has devoted his life and practice to Greenville can be cast aside by the likes of Ray Humphreys. My question is: Who is next?
Anonymous said...
What is wrong with this picture??? I am appalled by the board's constant blind eye. They all need to be removed and let's start over.
Anonymous said...
Dr. Frothingham? No No No!!!!!!!!!! He is such a great Physician/Man- a real class act- what a bunch of total Bullshit. A real loss- this is so unjust and unfair!!!
Yes, we all await the public spin that will be put on the "ousting" of Dr. Rodney Frothingham... the first "sacrificial lamb" of Ray's desperate struggle to stay in power.
Dr. Frothingham, a well respected physician and long time Greenville resident, has served as liaison between DRMC and KDH since the acquisition. To many employees and patients, he represented the one harbinger that "better together" was more than a mere marketing slogan to justify what is now known as "Ray's final folly".
I agree that Dr. Frothingham is far too much a gentleman and a professional to engage in the back-handed politics of Ray and his lot. It is indeed regrettable that skilled medical professionals have to become scapegoats for corrupt and incompetent administrators... but such is the cost of a dictatorship. As questioned by an anonymous author: Who will be next?
Greenville... if not now, when?
Forthright
I heard the same thing yesterday afternoon and to say I was shocked beyond belief is putting it mildly! I can't wait to see what the 'official' statement is going to be on this one!
Gracious I'm sure. 'It is just that time'... kinda thing.
I've had the pleasure of working with this physician in the past and he would never publicly announce if they were forcing him, especially to cut costs. He's not that way. He has always given 110%to that hospital and always been an advocate to the patient and employees he works with. He would go along with this 'in the interest of the hospital'.
From what I heard yesterday there are a lot of employees feeling shocked and hurt over at the West Campus. The news has already started trickling over to DRMC and out into the community and from what I understand, everyone over there still doesn't know. How sad and underhanded is that? I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering what will happen to their jobs after all of this is done.
Anonymous said...
It is a shame that the hospital continues to be managed in such a horrible fashion. These employees who have been laid off or asked to leave in the past did not deserve it. Most of them were long term players who, like the physician mentioned above, had gone above and beyond for patients and the hospital. They were not only hurt by his terrible decisions, but their families were as well.
I can tell you, there will be a huge party thrown when Ray and his entourage are escorted out of that building. All you have to do is drive 30 minutes each direction and take a stroll down the halls of nearby hospitals. There you will find many familiar Greenville faces who are employed at those facilities because of Ray's indecent and unjust behavior.
This insider still doesn't know which MD is to be laid off as the blog referred to yesterday. I'm telling you the very folks working inside DRMC are always the last ones to be informed of issues that affect them! Hopefully time is ticking down on Ray's empire.
Anonymous said...
It's Dr. Frothingham, I hear. How sad. And yes - he is way too classy to publicly denounce this last shenanigan of Ray's. A terrible loss.
Anonymous said...
It looks to me like Ray may be trying to silence any potential "songbirds" who have first hand knowledge of his heinous little club. Dr. Frothingham has more respect in this community than Ray and all of his bible-thumping deacons ever could. It is sad that a medical doctor who has devoted his life and practice to Greenville can be cast aside by the likes of Ray Humphreys. My question is: Who is next?
Anonymous said...
What is wrong with this picture??? I am appalled by the board's constant blind eye. They all need to be removed and let's start over.
Anonymous said...
Dr. Frothingham? No No No!!!!!!!!!! He is such a great Physician/Man- a real class act- what a bunch of total Bullshit. A real loss- this is so unjust and unfair!!!
Yes, we all await the public spin that will be put on the "ousting" of Dr. Rodney Frothingham... the first "sacrificial lamb" of Ray's desperate struggle to stay in power.
Dr. Frothingham, a well respected physician and long time Greenville resident, has served as liaison between DRMC and KDH since the acquisition. To many employees and patients, he represented the one harbinger that "better together" was more than a mere marketing slogan to justify what is now known as "Ray's final folly".
I agree that Dr. Frothingham is far too much a gentleman and a professional to engage in the back-handed politics of Ray and his lot. It is indeed regrettable that skilled medical professionals have to become scapegoats for corrupt and incompetent administrators... but such is the cost of a dictatorship. As questioned by an anonymous author: Who will be next?
Greenville... if not now, when?
Forthright
Monday, January 07, 2008
The "Untouchables"
"Sonnett Sones" writes...
There must be magic in the air (when it comes to bookkeeping). Another trait Ray Humphreys and Ilean Richards seem to share is book cooking. A former administrator for the school district always said there were 2 sets of books in Leland.
That would explain how thousands and thousands of dollars are budgeted for staff development each year, but the only person ever leading staff development is Ilean Richards and the other retired that work for her consulting firm.
If the Leland School District is not paying her to consult (as well as be superintendent) then all the board needs to do is reveal who they pay the staff development money to. If they are paying her to consult, then they have either been misled to believe this is legal, or they don't care if they break the law.
Either way, the buck stops with them and in this case, they can't hide behind Ilean's skirts! The attorney general should take a look at that.
As an exempt employee of the Leland School District, it would indeed be inappropriate for Dr. Richards to also receive consulting fees for services rendered to the school district. What school board would ever approve of such practices? Is there not a school board attorney?
As for maintaining two sets of books, that is a distinct possibility in our "post-Enron" era. As in the case of Ray and DRMC, I believe that Ilean and her board may be involved in some "back-scratching". The problem with "boards" of supervision is that they are easily bought and maintained. Silence is a pretty cheap commodity in a depressed economy and everybody could use a few extra bucks...
The missing link in both the DRMC and LSD debacles is "accountability". CEOs and Superintendents are the highest levels of management, so who among us should challenge their decisions and authority? Answer: Everyone of us!
Tyrants and dictators rise to power by silencing those who could expose their self-serving motives. Whether they are "bought and paid for" or terminated, their silence empowers the tyrant to seek more autonomy and power. Such is the case with Ray and Ilean. At this point in time, they deem themselves "untouchable".
...And as long as we allow it, they are.
Forthright
There must be magic in the air (when it comes to bookkeeping). Another trait Ray Humphreys and Ilean Richards seem to share is book cooking. A former administrator for the school district always said there were 2 sets of books in Leland.
That would explain how thousands and thousands of dollars are budgeted for staff development each year, but the only person ever leading staff development is Ilean Richards and the other retired that work for her consulting firm.
If the Leland School District is not paying her to consult (as well as be superintendent) then all the board needs to do is reveal who they pay the staff development money to. If they are paying her to consult, then they have either been misled to believe this is legal, or they don't care if they break the law.
Either way, the buck stops with them and in this case, they can't hide behind Ilean's skirts! The attorney general should take a look at that.
As an exempt employee of the Leland School District, it would indeed be inappropriate for Dr. Richards to also receive consulting fees for services rendered to the school district. What school board would ever approve of such practices? Is there not a school board attorney?
As for maintaining two sets of books, that is a distinct possibility in our "post-Enron" era. As in the case of Ray and DRMC, I believe that Ilean and her board may be involved in some "back-scratching". The problem with "boards" of supervision is that they are easily bought and maintained. Silence is a pretty cheap commodity in a depressed economy and everybody could use a few extra bucks...
The missing link in both the DRMC and LSD debacles is "accountability". CEOs and Superintendents are the highest levels of management, so who among us should challenge their decisions and authority? Answer: Everyone of us!
Tyrants and dictators rise to power by silencing those who could expose their self-serving motives. Whether they are "bought and paid for" or terminated, their silence empowers the tyrant to seek more autonomy and power. Such is the case with Ray and Ilean. At this point in time, they deem themselves "untouchable".
...And as long as we allow it, they are.
Forthright
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Miracle on Hospital Street
Wow! It's a miracle! I hear that Delta Regional Medical Center received some "unexpected" monies and now that 43 million dollar deficit they were whining about has magically disappeared to show either a 2 or 3 million dollar profit for the fiscal year. That is some serious bookkeeping.
Ole Raybeenezer was so excited that he doled out $10 Kroger gift cards to all DRMC employees for Christmas!! (Yeehaw -- now THATS some good eatin! A generous Christmas feast for all you healthcare worker's hard work!) Maybe we should elect Humphreys for mayor, governor, or even president. With that kind of financial genius about him, he will definitely be in high demand --- for something! ; p
Plus, word is -- at the last board meeting an executive session was called, which means that everyone vacates the room except Ray and his top dogs to meet with our fine board in private. A little birdy said that the board informed ole Ray that DRMC was getting a lot of "bad press" and that they did not want ANY employees laid off as was originally planned because that would just create even a darker image for the hospital.
Looks like Ray has saved the day again. [Yeah, right] I guess we have the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Heart Hospital to look forward to in 2008. What kind of fruitcake really believes we need either of those services but didn't need our Burn Center???????????????? Bad judgment call, Mr. Humphreys.
Ok, for all of you "I'm sick of hearing about DRMC and Leland School District" folks -- grin and bear it or simply just choose not to read when one of the two evil empires are mentioned on this blog. Those two entities are necessary for our community and should be run by administrators who are competent and compassionate. Instead, we have two dictators who suffer from delusions of grandeur who rule by fear with no concern for what's right and/or best for our children and our health care. May many citizen's prayers be answered and have 2008 bring new leadership to our hospital and schools.
Fly on the wall ---------zzzzz-------------
Yes, some serious bookkeeping indeed! Ray and his band of magicians are master illusionists when it comes to the trick of the "disappearing red ink" and just in time for the publication of his most masterful piece of fiction referred to as the "Annual Financial Report".
Ole Raybeenezer was so excited that he doled out $10 Kroger gift cards to all DRMC employees for Christmas!! (Yeehaw -- now THATS some good eatin! A generous Christmas feast for all you healthcare worker's hard work!) Maybe we should elect Humphreys for mayor, governor, or even president. With that kind of financial genius about him, he will definitely be in high demand --- for something! ; p
Plus, word is -- at the last board meeting an executive session was called, which means that everyone vacates the room except Ray and his top dogs to meet with our fine board in private. A little birdy said that the board informed ole Ray that DRMC was getting a lot of "bad press" and that they did not want ANY employees laid off as was originally planned because that would just create even a darker image for the hospital.
Looks like Ray has saved the day again. [Yeah, right] I guess we have the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Heart Hospital to look forward to in 2008. What kind of fruitcake really believes we need either of those services but didn't need our Burn Center???????????????? Bad judgment call, Mr. Humphreys.
Ok, for all of you "I'm sick of hearing about DRMC and Leland School District" folks -- grin and bear it or simply just choose not to read when one of the two evil empires are mentioned on this blog. Those two entities are necessary for our community and should be run by administrators who are competent and compassionate. Instead, we have two dictators who suffer from delusions of grandeur who rule by fear with no concern for what's right and/or best for our children and our health care. May many citizen's prayers be answered and have 2008 bring new leadership to our hospital and schools.
Fly on the wall ---------zzzzz-------------
Yes, some serious bookkeeping indeed! Ray and his band of magicians are master illusionists when it comes to the trick of the "disappearing red ink" and just in time for the publication of his most masterful piece of fiction referred to as the "Annual Financial Report".
Anyone who has ever had to endure one of Ray's "state of the hospital" speeches knows that all of his facts and figures are pure fiction, but no one would dare challenge the great Ray and his high moral character. It seems odd that doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who work at DRMC are quick to report that the hospital is drowning in debt due to gross mismanagement; however, Ray continues to get "atta boys" from board members. Hummm... if Ray gave each employee of DRMC $10 for Christmas, I wonder what the board members found in their stockings?
Ray's delusional attempts to cover his incompetence by "cooking the books" is just another slap in all of our faces! Supervisors and board members need to wake up and realize that it is Ray and his cronies who are causing all of the "bad press". Only when they (or their successors) sweep the administrative offices clean will DRMC have a chance at redemption.
Forthright
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Fear of the "Unknown"
"Eyes Wide Open" says:
Forthright, bravo for recognizing a shortcoming to this area. The inability to recognize and embrace change is a tradition of the Delta that would be better given up. I freely admit that I am not a native Deltan, but that does not make me blind to the problems of this town. The state of education I blame strictly on the above mentioned plague. Had the families of those who started streaming into private schools embraced the desegregation of schools instead of backing themselves into a corner, things with Greenville Public Schools would have been different.
The area would have gone through the natural process instead of holing up and keeping their tradition going. By turning the private and public schools into "ours" and "theirs", no changes for the better have been accomplished and only room for them to get worse over the passing years has been left. I hear so many people complaining about paying for private school tuition, but most of their parents (the generations of Deltans Ten Cent so proudly refers to) are those who share the responsibility for the poor educational system in the area. Their lack of challenging the system and want of keeping their kids where it is still mostly white was in essence the beginning of the downturn.
So call yourself a Deltan proudly if you choose, there are a lot of traditions here to be proud of. But recognizing one's weakness is the only way to get stronger; pride greater than the knowledge that we all have those weaknesses will surely lead to one's downfall.
Anonymous responds...
To Eyes Wide Open:
As you stated, you are not a native Deltan. Did you move here before or after 1970? That was the year that the public schools began busing students across town and effectively ended the neighborhood schools. Yes, many parents put their children in private schools. The total white population was over 30% in the city at that time, a little greater than what it is now. But the current students at the private schools largely come from outside the city of Greenville, so their effect on a return to the public schools would be diluted and minimal at best.
To blame the "failure" of the public schools on white families gives way too much credit to one race over the other, and is a back-sided insult to the blacks in the GPSD---and to the whites who stayed. My family was among them. Have you made a similar choice for your children? Are you willing to sacrifice your child's education to support your cause? I wasn't. And there are weak links in every segment of society, but there are some very, very fine community-minded citizens who support the private and parochial schools, yet are actively and visibly giving their time and resources to making Greenville a better place, without regard to the color of anyone's skin.
Look at the OpEd page in tonight's DDT. There's a column by the editor of the Greenwood Commonwealth, titled "The Familiar Ring of Futility." In his comments about a 2008 report from a Task Force to Revitalize the Delta, he states: "It's well known that the 18-county Delta region has traditionally had some of the highest unemployment rates in the state. As a group, the jobless figure hovers around 10 percent, at least two points higher than the state average. Jobless figures, though, are based on the numbers of people who are actively looking for employment. They don't take into account those who, for whatever reason, have no interest in finding a job.
In the Delta, that represents a startling 49 percent of the population between the ages of 18 and 64, compared to just 29 percent statewide. There is no easy way to gloss over that. Put bluntly, there are an awful lot of able-bodied Delta residents who would rather get by, however meager the existence, on public assistance than report to a job every day." Now, the private schools don't have a big problem with unmotivated children who drop out and get on the public dole. Their parents WILL NOT ALLOW IT. The problems in the public schools are home-based, and no amount of taxpayers dollars and white folks' largesse is going to change that. They have to want to help themselves. Period.
Education in the Delta is a complex issue. In the 1970's, forced integration was mandated by the Federal Government and it was a bitter pill for many parents to swallow (both black and white). The late 60's had offered "freedom of choice" in public education and very little changed in the demographic make up of most Delta schools. Some interpreted this as a sign that neither race wanted to change the status quo and thumbed their noses at the integrationists.
Undaunted by the "will of the people" the government decided to "mix it up" and in the fall of 1970, Greenville was a wash of yellow school buses rushing to and from places unknown to most of the riders. The only activity moving faster than the yellow buses was the speed at which private schools were being built. Overnight, schools sprung up in churches, hotels, downtown buildings and funds were quickly raised to "cement" these symbols of free choice.
Yes, now everyone had a choice... parents and teachers alike. If you were white, you could choose the comfort and security of the "known" and simply follow your class, or classmates to a new location. If you were black, you probably had little choice except to ride the yellow bird in hopes that it was taking you to a better place. Black or white, it was a most confusing year for the children who understood very little of why their lives were being "up-ended".
So, did forced integration work or did the "will of the people" over-ride the good intentions of our government? It is still hard to tell. White flight certainly preserved the status quo of education for most white citizens. Black students had only to gain by inheriting better facilities and more educational opportunities... so who lost?
We all did. As Forrest Gump so aptly noted, "life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you will get".... (unless you try it.)
Forthright
Forthright, bravo for recognizing a shortcoming to this area. The inability to recognize and embrace change is a tradition of the Delta that would be better given up. I freely admit that I am not a native Deltan, but that does not make me blind to the problems of this town. The state of education I blame strictly on the above mentioned plague. Had the families of those who started streaming into private schools embraced the desegregation of schools instead of backing themselves into a corner, things with Greenville Public Schools would have been different.
The area would have gone through the natural process instead of holing up and keeping their tradition going. By turning the private and public schools into "ours" and "theirs", no changes for the better have been accomplished and only room for them to get worse over the passing years has been left. I hear so many people complaining about paying for private school tuition, but most of their parents (the generations of Deltans Ten Cent so proudly refers to) are those who share the responsibility for the poor educational system in the area. Their lack of challenging the system and want of keeping their kids where it is still mostly white was in essence the beginning of the downturn.
So call yourself a Deltan proudly if you choose, there are a lot of traditions here to be proud of. But recognizing one's weakness is the only way to get stronger; pride greater than the knowledge that we all have those weaknesses will surely lead to one's downfall.
Anonymous responds...
To Eyes Wide Open:
As you stated, you are not a native Deltan. Did you move here before or after 1970? That was the year that the public schools began busing students across town and effectively ended the neighborhood schools. Yes, many parents put their children in private schools. The total white population was over 30% in the city at that time, a little greater than what it is now. But the current students at the private schools largely come from outside the city of Greenville, so their effect on a return to the public schools would be diluted and minimal at best.
To blame the "failure" of the public schools on white families gives way too much credit to one race over the other, and is a back-sided insult to the blacks in the GPSD---and to the whites who stayed. My family was among them. Have you made a similar choice for your children? Are you willing to sacrifice your child's education to support your cause? I wasn't. And there are weak links in every segment of society, but there are some very, very fine community-minded citizens who support the private and parochial schools, yet are actively and visibly giving their time and resources to making Greenville a better place, without regard to the color of anyone's skin.
Look at the OpEd page in tonight's DDT. There's a column by the editor of the Greenwood Commonwealth, titled "The Familiar Ring of Futility." In his comments about a 2008 report from a Task Force to Revitalize the Delta, he states: "It's well known that the 18-county Delta region has traditionally had some of the highest unemployment rates in the state. As a group, the jobless figure hovers around 10 percent, at least two points higher than the state average. Jobless figures, though, are based on the numbers of people who are actively looking for employment. They don't take into account those who, for whatever reason, have no interest in finding a job.
In the Delta, that represents a startling 49 percent of the population between the ages of 18 and 64, compared to just 29 percent statewide. There is no easy way to gloss over that. Put bluntly, there are an awful lot of able-bodied Delta residents who would rather get by, however meager the existence, on public assistance than report to a job every day." Now, the private schools don't have a big problem with unmotivated children who drop out and get on the public dole. Their parents WILL NOT ALLOW IT. The problems in the public schools are home-based, and no amount of taxpayers dollars and white folks' largesse is going to change that. They have to want to help themselves. Period.
Education in the Delta is a complex issue. In the 1970's, forced integration was mandated by the Federal Government and it was a bitter pill for many parents to swallow (both black and white). The late 60's had offered "freedom of choice" in public education and very little changed in the demographic make up of most Delta schools. Some interpreted this as a sign that neither race wanted to change the status quo and thumbed their noses at the integrationists.
Undaunted by the "will of the people" the government decided to "mix it up" and in the fall of 1970, Greenville was a wash of yellow school buses rushing to and from places unknown to most of the riders. The only activity moving faster than the yellow buses was the speed at which private schools were being built. Overnight, schools sprung up in churches, hotels, downtown buildings and funds were quickly raised to "cement" these symbols of free choice.
Yes, now everyone had a choice... parents and teachers alike. If you were white, you could choose the comfort and security of the "known" and simply follow your class, or classmates to a new location. If you were black, you probably had little choice except to ride the yellow bird in hopes that it was taking you to a better place. Black or white, it was a most confusing year for the children who understood very little of why their lives were being "up-ended".
So, did forced integration work or did the "will of the people" over-ride the good intentions of our government? It is still hard to tell. White flight certainly preserved the status quo of education for most white citizens. Black students had only to gain by inheriting better facilities and more educational opportunities... so who lost?
We all did. As Forrest Gump so aptly noted, "life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you will get".... (unless you try it.)
Forthright
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Ten Pennies for Your Thoughts...
Well, thank you Forthrigth for telling us how you really feel. Us dumb, backwards, redneck, gossiping, peckerwood dumbasses have seen the holy ghost in the light now.
#1 - Don't ever refer to yourself as "us Delta folk" until your family has lived here at least 3 generations. You just demeaned my parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and a host of more family who spent their lives pulling themselves up from poverty, working to the bone to make life better for themselves and their families. My father retired as a manager of a major, local coop and when he finished his job there, he had more than quadrupled the yearly gross for that company. He was the son of a poor dirt farmer that gave him $5 to go to college on. My father ground out the rest with hard work and gave his family a future. My mother, sister and many aunts are accomplished teachers in many school systems with many awards.
#2 - Next time you go to a party, make sure it's not packed with your health services people that you so lovingly give priority to in this blog. Let me know where the party is so I can send some cheese to go with the whine.
There are a lot of other issues besides DRMC and Leland schools to go around.#3 - "catfish, fried chicken and grits". Don't you just love stereo-typing folks? Until today, I had some respect for you. But that letter takes the cake. You are nothing but a snotty pissant.
Take the next bus back to your northern Shangrila.
"one pissed ten cent"
Anonymous responds to "ten cent"
#1 - Don't ever refer to yourself as "us Delta folk" until your family has lived here at least 3 generations. You just demeaned my parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and a host of more family who spent their lives pulling themselves up from poverty, working to the bone to make life better for themselves and their families. My father retired as a manager of a major, local coop and when he finished his job there, he had more than quadrupled the yearly gross for that company. He was the son of a poor dirt farmer that gave him $5 to go to college on. My father ground out the rest with hard work and gave his family a future. My mother, sister and many aunts are accomplished teachers in many school systems with many awards.
#2 - Next time you go to a party, make sure it's not packed with your health services people that you so lovingly give priority to in this blog. Let me know where the party is so I can send some cheese to go with the whine.
There are a lot of other issues besides DRMC and Leland schools to go around.#3 - "catfish, fried chicken and grits". Don't you just love stereo-typing folks? Until today, I had some respect for you. But that letter takes the cake. You are nothing but a snotty pissant.
Take the next bus back to your northern Shangrila.
"one pissed ten cent"
Anonymous responds to "ten cent"
Dime, you just proved his point.
Small minds discuss other people; average minds discuss things and events. Great minds discuss ideas. Think about it, and move on from there.
My spouse's family is scattered all over the continent, coast to coast. I'd never had much contact with folks outside the Delta until I married. As I spent more and more time with the in-laws and extended family, I realized that as much as I loved the Delta, there was so much more of life to be experienced. I don't feel disloyal to my heritage or to my family when I say this, but we DO tend to talk about Uncle Bubba's thyroid too much; we make the neighbors' business our business too often.
And yes, we are as guilty of stereotyping people as anybody else, so pardon the reference to fried chicken and grits---you know you love 'em. I sure do.
I do believe that the Delta will not be reborn until we shed the mantle of past mistakes. Let's join the 21st century and broaden our thinking to include friends from the North and elsewhere. And for the record, I truly enjoy the few occasions that I have to leave the state and visit other areas. But I'm always so glad to get back home. Coming back into the Delta via Yazoo City, Vicksburg,or Winona at sunset offers a view that would put a lump in the throat of the most backward and hardened "redneck." Try it, and tell me if I'm wrong.
For the record, my family goes back 6 generations in Mississippi, so I do believe that entitles me to be a "Deltan".
My commentary was in no way intended to offend us Southerners; merely to point out some very noticeable differences between two subcultures within our country.
The beauty of this blog is that two people can read the same article and have totally different responses... as in the case of the anonymous writer who follows you, "ten cent".
You took my comments as a personal attack on the heritage of our forefathers, while the second author gleaned from the article its very basic message and put it quite succinctly:
"Small minds discuss other people, average minds discuss things and events, great minds discuss ideas".
Forthright... the "snotty pissant"
PS... Ten cent, please share with us the topics that you would like see discussed on the Scoop. Sure, there are many other issues up for discussion in our community and I am always open to all. Thanks
Friday, December 28, 2007
Looking Into The Circle...
I took some time off at Christmas to visit relatives on the east coast. As always, it is refreshing to get out of the south to regain a true perspective of how others work, live and play. The most astounding difference that I noted was that most people in big cities are not consumed by their job. Sure, they care about what they do, but more importantly, they focus on the "quality" of life that their job affords them and their families. They focus on play.
Almost all social discussions in which I took part revolved around new and exciting restaurants, books, movies, plays or vacation spots. They talked about where they had been recently, what they had done and what they plan to do in the future. It then dawned on me the primary difference between these "northerners" and us Delta folk is that they have their eyes firmly planted on the future, while we are looking over our shoulder at the past.
True, things move at a bit faster pace in the north, but they face the same social and economic problems that we do; they simply don't permit complacency and apathy to rule their lives.
There is another primary difference in northern conversation. In all of the social situations that I attended, I never heard one word that sounded like gossip... not to say they don't gossip, but that it was not the primary topic at social occasions.
I thought back to a pre-Christmas party that I had attended in Greenville. As I moved from "circle" to "circle", every topic of conversation revolved around local gossip of one sort or another...no discussions of books, movies, vacations, or fun... simply gossip.
I love the south which is why I continue to live here, but it is always good to "step out of the circle" and look in for a while. What you see are alternative ways of living, with different perspectives on what we truly value in life.
Hopefully, 2008 will be the year we bury the past and start looking at how we as individuals can improve our lives. And... if you haven't been out of the Delta in a while, you need to do so. It will give you a renewed hope for what can be, as well as deeper appreciation of the good things we share... like catfish, fried chicken and grits; none of which I have tasted in over ten days.
I shall dine well tonight!
Forthright
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Cronies, Crooks and Criminals...
Anonymous writes...
Forthright, someone had inquired in a former blog about just who are DRMC's CEO's cronies. Here is a quick rundown if you could be so gracious to post so that our community is aware of the ridiculous state of affairs of our hospital.
Ray's cronies, .. there is an army of them. You have the top layer of administration:
1) Cheif Executive Officer
2) Chief Financial Officer
3) Chief Operating Officer
4) Chief Nursing Officer
5) Chief Human Resource officer
6) Chief Medical Officer
7) Chief Clinical Officer.
I would hate to see what their salaries totaled. http://www.deltaregional.com/about-us/leadership/ If you check out that website, you'll see that the three folks just under Ray in the photo have all worked with him in the past. He hand picked them to "assist" him in the demise of DRMC which mirrors the horror story at Hattiesburg. And, might I add, Ray successfully rid the organization of decent, qualified folks with years of experience so that he could replace them with his "picks". He is intimated by people who aren't "yes, Mr. Humphreys" kinda folks.
Then, after the top layer of high dollar cronies, you have a middle management team:
I believe there are THREE assistant nursing directors at present, an assistant HR director, a barrage of clinical directors (some of which don't have any clinical experience at all), assistant clinical directors, education directors, asst. education directors, team leaders, an entire department to "market" the place which leaves not too many Indians to do the real hands on patient care that the folks walking around sipping diet coke in street clothes are too cool to do.
Additional cronies include those one person departments who also hold the title of DIRECTOR on their badge. Does a one person department really warrant a director?
Ask any physician and they will tell you the priorities are all wrong there. There will be lots of celebration when Mr. Ray Humphreys is gone. Let's just hope that his right hand men/women, and the board will go too. I hear HUD is less than pleased with all of them!
It looks as if the tax collector and her cronies are finally being held accountable for mismanagement. Let's see more good prevail in 2008 and get our community on a better road by showing Ray the highway. His way has proven to be a catastrophe.
Yes, DRMC has far too many "chiefs" and all in the 6-figure salary range. It pays to be in the Ray's club. Every one of them needs to go! I truly believe that we will witness the end of Ray's empire in 2008. He has few supporters left, others than those on the payroll, and they will turn on him like vultures at the first sight of blood.
There is no loyalty among thieves!
Forthright
Forthright, someone had inquired in a former blog about just who are DRMC's CEO's cronies. Here is a quick rundown if you could be so gracious to post so that our community is aware of the ridiculous state of affairs of our hospital.
Ray's cronies, .. there is an army of them. You have the top layer of administration:
1) Cheif Executive Officer
2) Chief Financial Officer
3) Chief Operating Officer
4) Chief Nursing Officer
5) Chief Human Resource officer
6) Chief Medical Officer
7) Chief Clinical Officer.
I would hate to see what their salaries totaled. http://www.deltaregional.com/about-us/leadership/ If you check out that website, you'll see that the three folks just under Ray in the photo have all worked with him in the past. He hand picked them to "assist" him in the demise of DRMC which mirrors the horror story at Hattiesburg. And, might I add, Ray successfully rid the organization of decent, qualified folks with years of experience so that he could replace them with his "picks". He is intimated by people who aren't "yes, Mr. Humphreys" kinda folks.
Then, after the top layer of high dollar cronies, you have a middle management team:
I believe there are THREE assistant nursing directors at present, an assistant HR director, a barrage of clinical directors (some of which don't have any clinical experience at all), assistant clinical directors, education directors, asst. education directors, team leaders, an entire department to "market" the place which leaves not too many Indians to do the real hands on patient care that the folks walking around sipping diet coke in street clothes are too cool to do.
Additional cronies include those one person departments who also hold the title of DIRECTOR on their badge. Does a one person department really warrant a director?
Ask any physician and they will tell you the priorities are all wrong there. There will be lots of celebration when Mr. Ray Humphreys is gone. Let's just hope that his right hand men/women, and the board will go too. I hear HUD is less than pleased with all of them!
It looks as if the tax collector and her cronies are finally being held accountable for mismanagement. Let's see more good prevail in 2008 and get our community on a better road by showing Ray the highway. His way has proven to be a catastrophe.
Yes, DRMC has far too many "chiefs" and all in the 6-figure salary range. It pays to be in the Ray's club. Every one of them needs to go! I truly believe that we will witness the end of Ray's empire in 2008. He has few supporters left, others than those on the payroll, and they will turn on him like vultures at the first sight of blood.
There is no loyalty among thieves!
Forthright
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The House of Cards
Anonymous writes...
How ironic that Greenville citizens awoke to news spots featuring Ray Humphreys as part of the economic development board this morning. He was deceitfully making some lame comments about jobs for Greenville and Washington county. What a joke!!
He has destroyed enough jobs at the hospital, PLEASE, we don't need his input for our city or county. And who knows if the county helps to fund DRMC or not. Why does it matter? Has anyone looked at Ray's salary? How about his "dream team" of cronies? They are breaking the place.
And even with Medicaid/Medicare issues, it still does not excuse the board and DRMC administration from accountability of gross mismanagement of hospital funds. This entire 43 million dollar crisis is a result of long term abuse of power, terrible judgement calls, and a horrific disregard for the quality of healthcare. Instead of laying hometown folks off who are here forever, get rid of him!
Somebody better wake up quick. The ship is sinking...FAST. Ray, you are done for - and take all of your hand picked cronies with you to the next unfortunate community you infest.
There is no faster road to financial ruin than for a hospital to purchase clinics and physician's practices. It compromises quality patient care from two perspectives. First, the physician gets a large guaranteed salary whether he/she sees two patients or twenty in a day (golf is pretty much a year-round sport in the Delta... so, you do the math).
Second, it creates an "unwritten" agreement that these same employed physicians will admit a certain number of patients to the hospital; thus, generating revenue... in return for their large salaries.
It is similar to taking your car to a mechanic whose brother owns an auto parts store. You can pretty much bet that your total bill will include more than just "labor".
The DRMC empire is more than just a hospital. It is a conglomeration of several different corporations including physician practices, home health, hospice and several clinics... all of which are presumably separate fiscal entities. Here is where Ray is the master illusionist!
Question... have you ever been drowning in debt and so desperate to stay afloat that you decided to pay off your "Mastercard" with a loan from "VISA"? Well, that's pretty much the scenario at DRMC. The problem is, like in the credit card analogy, you have not reduced your debt, simply shifted it with additional interest.
Ray has pretty much pushed the envelope as far as it will go. Houses of cards tumble when the top gets too heavy... and the top is extremely heavy! I hope that 2008 will be the year of revelation for Greenville about the status of our current health care system.
As in the recent election, if you don't vote, don't complain about politics; and if you never plan to be sick, don't worry about heath care.
Forthright
How ironic that Greenville citizens awoke to news spots featuring Ray Humphreys as part of the economic development board this morning. He was deceitfully making some lame comments about jobs for Greenville and Washington county. What a joke!!
He has destroyed enough jobs at the hospital, PLEASE, we don't need his input for our city or county. And who knows if the county helps to fund DRMC or not. Why does it matter? Has anyone looked at Ray's salary? How about his "dream team" of cronies? They are breaking the place.
And even with Medicaid/Medicare issues, it still does not excuse the board and DRMC administration from accountability of gross mismanagement of hospital funds. This entire 43 million dollar crisis is a result of long term abuse of power, terrible judgement calls, and a horrific disregard for the quality of healthcare. Instead of laying hometown folks off who are here forever, get rid of him!
Somebody better wake up quick. The ship is sinking...FAST. Ray, you are done for - and take all of your hand picked cronies with you to the next unfortunate community you infest.
There is no faster road to financial ruin than for a hospital to purchase clinics and physician's practices. It compromises quality patient care from two perspectives. First, the physician gets a large guaranteed salary whether he/she sees two patients or twenty in a day (golf is pretty much a year-round sport in the Delta... so, you do the math).
Second, it creates an "unwritten" agreement that these same employed physicians will admit a certain number of patients to the hospital; thus, generating revenue... in return for their large salaries.
It is similar to taking your car to a mechanic whose brother owns an auto parts store. You can pretty much bet that your total bill will include more than just "labor".
The DRMC empire is more than just a hospital. It is a conglomeration of several different corporations including physician practices, home health, hospice and several clinics... all of which are presumably separate fiscal entities. Here is where Ray is the master illusionist!
Question... have you ever been drowning in debt and so desperate to stay afloat that you decided to pay off your "Mastercard" with a loan from "VISA"? Well, that's pretty much the scenario at DRMC. The problem is, like in the credit card analogy, you have not reduced your debt, simply shifted it with additional interest.
Ray has pretty much pushed the envelope as far as it will go. Houses of cards tumble when the top gets too heavy... and the top is extremely heavy! I hope that 2008 will be the year of revelation for Greenville about the status of our current health care system.
As in the recent election, if you don't vote, don't complain about politics; and if you never plan to be sick, don't worry about heath care.
Forthright
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Ray...Back in the Saddle
Whats going on at DRMC? I was there two weeks ago and it looked like they were making a movie. There were lights and wires all over the place. I had to be careful not to trip over the cords running up and down the hall. I asked a nurse what was going on and she said they were making a new comercial. When I was leaving, I saw two huge 18 wheelers in the parking lot with the name of some production company on the side.
I use to work at a TV station and it didn't take all of that to make a 30 second TV spot. My niece works at DRMC and she said they are going to lay off over 60 jobs in January. Why are we spending money on TV ads when people are losing jobs! Why don't the supervisor and board look into this. Jobs are the most important thing Greenville needs.
PeeOed
Anonymous said...
It is painfully apparent that the current DRMC administration is more focused on high dollar marketing spots rather than providing quality care. I hardly believe that our local hospital is truly in need of such extravagant (and just plain stupid) advertising. Couldn't we just skip the hype and glamour and do what's right? The layoffs have already begun - my friend is an RN and a nurse practitioner and she got axed. A nursing shortage and they are laying off nurses with master's degrees and experience??? Go figure. Ray at his best!
It seems that her colleagues are all anxiously awaiting their D-Day. I visited the facility a few weeks ago and you can't pass an employee in the hall without noting "director", "team leader" or "manager" on a badge. Multiple layers of non productive "administrators" are quickly assisting in the crumbling of this delusional empire. And, as far as Ray worrying about keeping jobs in Greenville; don't think for a minute that is any priority for the hospital, the board or administration.
They are out to save their own tails.
I would venture to guess that the staged production at DRMC is all a part of Ray's 4 million dollar ad campaign previously discussed. I have received several reports of this extravagant production from both physicians and patients who happened to be "on the set" during filming.
It boggles my mind why we continue to allow this megalomaniac to waste millions of our tax payers' dollars to protect HIS job and a failing hospital. Sure there have been layoffs at DRMC and they will continue as long as Ray and the "horsemen" are allowed to reign supreme.
Now that the mayoral election is over, we need to turn our attention to the real problems that plague our city. If we are serious about improving Greenville's image, we have to start with the basics... jobs, education and health care.
Here's a challenge to Mayor Hudson in her second term... if you really want to make a difference, start by exposing the corruption, graft and dishonesty in our county board of supervisors... those who keep Ray and his cronies in power. Then, rid Greenville of Ray Humphreys and his entire lot of administrative buffoons and you will forever be recorded in history as a harbinger of salvation and hope for Greenville.
Forthright
I use to work at a TV station and it didn't take all of that to make a 30 second TV spot. My niece works at DRMC and she said they are going to lay off over 60 jobs in January. Why are we spending money on TV ads when people are losing jobs! Why don't the supervisor and board look into this. Jobs are the most important thing Greenville needs.
PeeOed
Anonymous said...
It is painfully apparent that the current DRMC administration is more focused on high dollar marketing spots rather than providing quality care. I hardly believe that our local hospital is truly in need of such extravagant (and just plain stupid) advertising. Couldn't we just skip the hype and glamour and do what's right? The layoffs have already begun - my friend is an RN and a nurse practitioner and she got axed. A nursing shortage and they are laying off nurses with master's degrees and experience??? Go figure. Ray at his best!
It seems that her colleagues are all anxiously awaiting their D-Day. I visited the facility a few weeks ago and you can't pass an employee in the hall without noting "director", "team leader" or "manager" on a badge. Multiple layers of non productive "administrators" are quickly assisting in the crumbling of this delusional empire. And, as far as Ray worrying about keeping jobs in Greenville; don't think for a minute that is any priority for the hospital, the board or administration.
They are out to save their own tails.
I would venture to guess that the staged production at DRMC is all a part of Ray's 4 million dollar ad campaign previously discussed. I have received several reports of this extravagant production from both physicians and patients who happened to be "on the set" during filming.
It boggles my mind why we continue to allow this megalomaniac to waste millions of our tax payers' dollars to protect HIS job and a failing hospital. Sure there have been layoffs at DRMC and they will continue as long as Ray and the "horsemen" are allowed to reign supreme.
Now that the mayoral election is over, we need to turn our attention to the real problems that plague our city. If we are serious about improving Greenville's image, we have to start with the basics... jobs, education and health care.
Here's a challenge to Mayor Hudson in her second term... if you really want to make a difference, start by exposing the corruption, graft and dishonesty in our county board of supervisors... those who keep Ray and his cronies in power. Then, rid Greenville of Ray Humphreys and his entire lot of administrative buffoons and you will forever be recorded in history as a harbinger of salvation and hope for Greenville.
Forthright
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A Good Race!
Pathetic numbers said...
Population (year 2000): 41,633.
Estimated population in July 2006: 37,801 (-9.2% change) -3,832 less from 2000-2006 average of 638.66 lost population per year
Males: 19,177, Females: 22,456----Black (69.6%) White, Non-Hispanic (28.7%), Hispanic (0.7%)
7,066 out of 37,801 voted (counted so far, not allowing for misplaced or lost votes) today.
5.34 per cent of population voted.
So does that mean we have 30,735 population under the age of 18 to be a registered voter????? I doubt that! Just a large amount of non-registered or non voting individuals holding the rest of the city back. No wonder we are in the state of condition in our city.
Apathy is rampant! I was told by a friend that she went to three different polls trying to determine where to vote. Finally, her and her husband were found listed at Ward Center. She said she saw many leave in disgust of the long lines and few voting machines. We sure needed those votes! Why are so many people willing to walk away?? What are they thinking? How lazy is that? Terrible! Our freedom is being fought for as we speak and these people can not stand in line for a few more minutes than normal?? Pathetic! Again, I repeat, no wonder indeed of why we, the city of Greenville, are where we are today!
Copied from today's elections results in the DDT: " Lurann Thomas, a city election commissioner, said the 2007 city elections went well despite some concerns about the voter rolls.“The turnout was good,” Thomas said. “We are thankful that 7,000 plus people came out to vote. However, we encourage all 21,388 registered voters to exercise their right to vote.”
So there it is, my question is answered. Greenville has 21,388 registered voters, yet only 7,000 plus voted. That says it all!!!!!
Congratulation to Mayor Hudson! I hope that the next four years afford you the opportunity to prove that we can take a united stand against poverty, ignorance and racism. Greenville is at a very ominous cross-road in history and it is time for us to let go of the past.
Kim Dowdy was indeed a formidable opponent! I doubt that any other candidate could have mustered more support and backing in running against our incumbent mayor. The good news is that Kim will still be a very active and visible supporter of Greenville... and for that, we are all winners.
As "pathetic" as the overall voting totals were in this election, it was actually a "good" turnout for the Delta. A 60%-40% split at least proves that no one can go unchallenged and that we still have a voice through our vote. The "losers" in this election are the 14,000+ registered voters who believed that "their" vote wouldn't make a difference.
Let's move into 2008 with renewed hope for Greenville, our children and our future.
Forthright
Population (year 2000): 41,633.
Estimated population in July 2006: 37,801 (-9.2% change) -3,832 less from 2000-2006 average of 638.66 lost population per year
Males: 19,177, Females: 22,456----Black (69.6%) White, Non-Hispanic (28.7%), Hispanic (0.7%)
7,066 out of 37,801 voted (counted so far, not allowing for misplaced or lost votes) today.
5.34 per cent of population voted.
So does that mean we have 30,735 population under the age of 18 to be a registered voter????? I doubt that! Just a large amount of non-registered or non voting individuals holding the rest of the city back. No wonder we are in the state of condition in our city.
Apathy is rampant! I was told by a friend that she went to three different polls trying to determine where to vote. Finally, her and her husband were found listed at Ward Center. She said she saw many leave in disgust of the long lines and few voting machines. We sure needed those votes! Why are so many people willing to walk away?? What are they thinking? How lazy is that? Terrible! Our freedom is being fought for as we speak and these people can not stand in line for a few more minutes than normal?? Pathetic! Again, I repeat, no wonder indeed of why we, the city of Greenville, are where we are today!
Copied from today's elections results in the DDT: " Lurann Thomas, a city election commissioner, said the 2007 city elections went well despite some concerns about the voter rolls.“The turnout was good,” Thomas said. “We are thankful that 7,000 plus people came out to vote. However, we encourage all 21,388 registered voters to exercise their right to vote.”
So there it is, my question is answered. Greenville has 21,388 registered voters, yet only 7,000 plus voted. That says it all!!!!!
Congratulation to Mayor Hudson! I hope that the next four years afford you the opportunity to prove that we can take a united stand against poverty, ignorance and racism. Greenville is at a very ominous cross-road in history and it is time for us to let go of the past.
Kim Dowdy was indeed a formidable opponent! I doubt that any other candidate could have mustered more support and backing in running against our incumbent mayor. The good news is that Kim will still be a very active and visible supporter of Greenville... and for that, we are all winners.
As "pathetic" as the overall voting totals were in this election, it was actually a "good" turnout for the Delta. A 60%-40% split at least proves that no one can go unchallenged and that we still have a voice through our vote. The "losers" in this election are the 14,000+ registered voters who believed that "their" vote wouldn't make a difference.
Let's move into 2008 with renewed hope for Greenville, our children and our future.
Forthright
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Hudson or Dowdy...Please Vote!
"Be counted! Vote Monday!" said...
From what I have seen and know, the main complaints about Mayor Hudson are: she is spoiled and demanding (rich kid), can be very intimidating, if allowed, her employees do not respect her but; fear her wrath and temper tantrums. The biggest complaint from the departments is: she is a micro-manager. She so desperately wants to take credit for EVERYTHING good that happens in Greenville, that she holds back her staff and Department heads in their decision process, until she gives the final say so. No matter how small or "not her call" matter, that it might be, she makes it her call or sure tries. Thereby, holding up progress or usurping the proper management authority. Which might explain the high turnover, especially in the police department.
Also, I agree and have seen, there is a special priviledged few in her ranks, who seem to have no boundaries. I guess that is the case in most political arenas, in any office of power. I do know it causes resentments and ill will from the other co-workers, especially when it is so apparent in the partiality. She is not a team player or leader, she is a bully and totally inflexible!
How convenient was it that she had a recent threat, here right before election, while the last time any was heard of, was after she came into office. Twice in four years requires SEVEN bodyguards on the city payroll paid better than the average cop?? Someone ask how many bodyguards Paul Artman ever had?? ZERO!! Frank Self?? ZERO!! Burnley?? Zero!!...what is she doing or saying that is motivating the calls? Even if they had received a threat, and who knows, maybe they did. Apparently it was never known about, if there were and at most, any guarding would have been on a temporary "til the dust settled basis" or an all out campaign would have taken place to apprehend the culprit(s).
From what I have seen and know of Mayor Hudson, she is not a frail, fragile, vulnerable or helpless woman! I doubt that she is afraid of much. Take a self defense class if needed, be cautious like the rest of us and aware of our surroundings; but no Delta City Mayor should require that much protection for four years, every day, every where she goes, even out of town! Good grief what that must cost!
Reading her publicity, she takes full credit for all that is right with Greenville. She says she has us out of debt now...funny, all that data about bonds received by Greenville??? Correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I know, BOND means LOAN!!!! She basically postponed the debts or borrowed from Peter to pay Paul. There will be a day of reckoning for the bonds one day in the future, if not sooner....then what? More bonds????
We need industry, better education, better training facilities, more police power, crime prevention actions, enforcemnt of the laws, city ordinances and better streets all over, not just downtown! Ride just about any neighborhood in the city and you will see the neglect throughout the entire city, auto alignment mechanics must love this city!
We need City and County (black and white)leaders to work together as a team for common goals of the betterment of Greenville and Washington county. Leaders who can plan for the future, not just bandaid issues with a temporary solution! Grants are great and we should go after all that we can and that we can afford. Some grants have to be met dollar for dollar in investments by both parties. Without industry and commercial businesses to restore Greenville, we will sink into oblivion of debt, negativity, higher crime rates, unemployment, even more citizen apathy and flight.
The grapevine says, she at first did not plan to run again, she planned to move on to Jackson and Daddy's firm. Daddy turned her down (due to her financial problems of personal bankruptcy, her husband's business shut down by IRS for neglect of not taking out SS/WH taxes on employees and some personal issues) and told her to stay put...so now she wants to keep her job! Aren't we lucky?
I have heard it said, she is preparing for a higher office in the future, she hopes to move on to a State position, based on her infamy as the "first everything" Mayor. Can we help and motivate her to try sooner, by relieving her of her office Monday??? :>)..that action should prevent any further political actions on her part. Having her in a State position would not be good for Mississippi either!
I think the body-guard issue is a bit over the top. If we hired body guards for every public official that was ever threatened, we would be a military state. I suppose we should just chalk this up as another "first" on Mayor Hudson's growing list.
One would hope that Mayor Hudson has greater aspirations than being a "foot-note" in history as Greenville's youngest, black, female mayor who required body guards. Now that she has a political foot in the door, she will most likely move on to seek greater notoriety. She is an intelligent woman who will most likely prosper in her legal and/or political career.
As I review all of the postings on this mayoral debate, I see one consistent theme about Kim Dowdy... that she will give 110% to the job of being mayor if elected. Is she an attorney or seasoned politician? No, but if you have ever had a conversation with this self-proclaimed "Yankee", you know of her total dedication and drive to make Greenville a better place for everyone. That has to be worth something.
Yes, we all need to get out and vote on Monday... and on Tuesday, we all need to rally our support behind whomever WE elect on Monday. Neither Hudson nor Dowdy will have an easy job as mayor and neither will be successful unless we put racial and partisan beliefs aside and work together to rebuild Greenville.
Forthright
From what I have seen and know, the main complaints about Mayor Hudson are: she is spoiled and demanding (rich kid), can be very intimidating, if allowed, her employees do not respect her but; fear her wrath and temper tantrums. The biggest complaint from the departments is: she is a micro-manager. She so desperately wants to take credit for EVERYTHING good that happens in Greenville, that she holds back her staff and Department heads in their decision process, until she gives the final say so. No matter how small or "not her call" matter, that it might be, she makes it her call or sure tries. Thereby, holding up progress or usurping the proper management authority. Which might explain the high turnover, especially in the police department.
Also, I agree and have seen, there is a special priviledged few in her ranks, who seem to have no boundaries. I guess that is the case in most political arenas, in any office of power. I do know it causes resentments and ill will from the other co-workers, especially when it is so apparent in the partiality. She is not a team player or leader, she is a bully and totally inflexible!
How convenient was it that she had a recent threat, here right before election, while the last time any was heard of, was after she came into office. Twice in four years requires SEVEN bodyguards on the city payroll paid better than the average cop?? Someone ask how many bodyguards Paul Artman ever had?? ZERO!! Frank Self?? ZERO!! Burnley?? Zero!!...what is she doing or saying that is motivating the calls? Even if they had received a threat, and who knows, maybe they did. Apparently it was never known about, if there were and at most, any guarding would have been on a temporary "til the dust settled basis" or an all out campaign would have taken place to apprehend the culprit(s).
From what I have seen and know of Mayor Hudson, she is not a frail, fragile, vulnerable or helpless woman! I doubt that she is afraid of much. Take a self defense class if needed, be cautious like the rest of us and aware of our surroundings; but no Delta City Mayor should require that much protection for four years, every day, every where she goes, even out of town! Good grief what that must cost!
Reading her publicity, she takes full credit for all that is right with Greenville. She says she has us out of debt now...funny, all that data about bonds received by Greenville??? Correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I know, BOND means LOAN!!!! She basically postponed the debts or borrowed from Peter to pay Paul. There will be a day of reckoning for the bonds one day in the future, if not sooner....then what? More bonds????
We need industry, better education, better training facilities, more police power, crime prevention actions, enforcemnt of the laws, city ordinances and better streets all over, not just downtown! Ride just about any neighborhood in the city and you will see the neglect throughout the entire city, auto alignment mechanics must love this city!
We need City and County (black and white)leaders to work together as a team for common goals of the betterment of Greenville and Washington county. Leaders who can plan for the future, not just bandaid issues with a temporary solution! Grants are great and we should go after all that we can and that we can afford. Some grants have to be met dollar for dollar in investments by both parties. Without industry and commercial businesses to restore Greenville, we will sink into oblivion of debt, negativity, higher crime rates, unemployment, even more citizen apathy and flight.
The grapevine says, she at first did not plan to run again, she planned to move on to Jackson and Daddy's firm. Daddy turned her down (due to her financial problems of personal bankruptcy, her husband's business shut down by IRS for neglect of not taking out SS/WH taxes on employees and some personal issues) and told her to stay put...so now she wants to keep her job! Aren't we lucky?
I have heard it said, she is preparing for a higher office in the future, she hopes to move on to a State position, based on her infamy as the "first everything" Mayor. Can we help and motivate her to try sooner, by relieving her of her office Monday??? :>)..that action should prevent any further political actions on her part. Having her in a State position would not be good for Mississippi either!
I think the body-guard issue is a bit over the top. If we hired body guards for every public official that was ever threatened, we would be a military state. I suppose we should just chalk this up as another "first" on Mayor Hudson's growing list.
One would hope that Mayor Hudson has greater aspirations than being a "foot-note" in history as Greenville's youngest, black, female mayor who required body guards. Now that she has a political foot in the door, she will most likely move on to seek greater notoriety. She is an intelligent woman who will most likely prosper in her legal and/or political career.
As I review all of the postings on this mayoral debate, I see one consistent theme about Kim Dowdy... that she will give 110% to the job of being mayor if elected. Is she an attorney or seasoned politician? No, but if you have ever had a conversation with this self-proclaimed "Yankee", you know of her total dedication and drive to make Greenville a better place for everyone. That has to be worth something.
Yes, we all need to get out and vote on Monday... and on Tuesday, we all need to rally our support behind whomever WE elect on Monday. Neither Hudson nor Dowdy will have an easy job as mayor and neither will be successful unless we put racial and partisan beliefs aside and work together to rebuild Greenville.
Forthright
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
If You Don't Vote, They Can't Win
I am greatly disturbed by some attitudes when it comes to choosing a mayoral candidate. I keep hearing, "I like Kim Dowdy, but I'm not voting for her because she can't win."
If our founding fathers had this same mentality, on June 7, 1776, when Richard Henry Lee's resolution was received by Congress urging them to declare independence from the British Empire, it would have been voted down "because we can't win". Never before, in the known history of the world, had this radical idea been successful. If it weren't for those brave men who adopted the idea and acted upon this no-win idea, we would not be the country we are today.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that some are so concerned about being with the winner that they will put aside their basic beliefs to simply be on the winning side. After all, back in 1776 they had a term for the people who were determined to be on the winning side: they were called turncoats.
All elections are important, especially this mayoral election. To sacrifice what you think is right simply to cast your vote for the candidate that others say will win, regardless of your beliefs, is a complete waste of your vote. When you enter that voting booth next week, vote for the candidate of your choosing because if you don't vote for her, she can't win.
A Black Republican
"BR" makes a valid point. Voting for a candidate just to be on the winning side is a total waste of time and a great injustice to the candidate that you "assume" can not win. There is a great deal more to the act of voting than simply choosing a "winner".
Candidates invest a lot of time and money in a campaign. Even in defeat, a close vote may encourage candidates to try again in the next election or for another position. Political upsets are fairly common in our history so don't be to quick to prejudge the outcome of this election. Get out and vote for YOUR candidate and urge everyone you know to do the same.
If you don't vote, don't complain if your candidate doesn't win!
Forthright
If our founding fathers had this same mentality, on June 7, 1776, when Richard Henry Lee's resolution was received by Congress urging them to declare independence from the British Empire, it would have been voted down "because we can't win". Never before, in the known history of the world, had this radical idea been successful. If it weren't for those brave men who adopted the idea and acted upon this no-win idea, we would not be the country we are today.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that some are so concerned about being with the winner that they will put aside their basic beliefs to simply be on the winning side. After all, back in 1776 they had a term for the people who were determined to be on the winning side: they were called turncoats.
All elections are important, especially this mayoral election. To sacrifice what you think is right simply to cast your vote for the candidate that others say will win, regardless of your beliefs, is a complete waste of your vote. When you enter that voting booth next week, vote for the candidate of your choosing because if you don't vote for her, she can't win.
A Black Republican
"BR" makes a valid point. Voting for a candidate just to be on the winning side is a total waste of time and a great injustice to the candidate that you "assume" can not win. There is a great deal more to the act of voting than simply choosing a "winner".
Candidates invest a lot of time and money in a campaign. Even in defeat, a close vote may encourage candidates to try again in the next election or for another position. Political upsets are fairly common in our history so don't be to quick to prejudge the outcome of this election. Get out and vote for YOUR candidate and urge everyone you know to do the same.
If you don't vote, don't complain if your candidate doesn't win!
Forthright
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