Following is a copy of the report this Committee presented to the Board of Supervisors. The documentation mentioned in this report may be found in the Public Records after 1 May 2013.
1 Apr 2013: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting @ 9a
Our Committee asked for an appointment with you today in an attempt to correct your minutes in the Public Record Book #155 on page 489 and to open a conversation with the Board of Supervisors surrounding the hiring of the CEO at the Tunica County Healthcare Authority and the possibility of hiring a Human Resource Manager.
Attached to our report are the following:
1. A photocopy of the above referenced page.
2. One Freedom of Information letter dated 1 Mar 2013 and addressed to the Tunica County Healthcare Authority requesting:
a. Total number of applicants who applied for the CEO position.
b. Total number of interviews granted for this position.
c. Total number of applicants who both applied and are residents of Tunica County.
d. Total number of interviews granted for applicants who also live in Tunica County.
3. Copies of email correspondence between Dr. Osborn and myself in response to the Freedom of Information letter.
The first thing you will notice from the Public Record of your minutes is that 53 applications were received and 12 of these applicants received telephone interviews. From the telephone interviews, three of the 12 applicants were granted face-to-face interviews.
Next, take a look at the email conversation between Dr. Osborn and myself as a result of the Freedom of Information letter our Committee sent to Tunica County Healthcare Authority.
Here is a recap of the email information:
Dr. Osborn: “In response to your request, 50 applications for the CEO position were received. Of those 50, initial telephone interviews were conducted with 14. In person interviews were conducted with three finalists.
There were no applications received from individuals living in Tunica County. Therefore, no interviews were granted to individuals living in Tunica County.”
Barbara Tuchel: “Thx for your quick response. Would you please recheck one more time about there being no application from anyone in Tunica County. A long time Tunica County resident is saying he/she submitted an application and was not interviewed by phone or in person.”
Dr. Osborn: “Of the fifty applications submitted to me, none were residents of Tunica County.”
It is this Committee’s understanding that an application for this position was given to the County Administrator and a copy of the applicant’s resume was placed in every Supervisor’s mailbox.
What happened?
Secondly, it is our understanding that the new CEO was hired with a salary of $105K. This amount is the approximate salary of Dr. Osborn who has been a Tunica County employee for quite some time. When the Board of Supervisors replaced the Road Manager the difference in salaries between the former and the present was approximately $30K. (Billy Watson was making $110K and Joe Eddie Hawkins is making $80.) So, historically this is the pattern you have set for new hires. Why was this position handled differently?
Using the above reporting as an example, it has become apparent that Tunica County is in need of a Human Resource Manager. Hopefully, you will consider this position a priority and will ensure this person reports directly to the Board of Supervisors.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
NEWS Flash
Last night at the Board of Supervisors' Meeting a 10% raise was awarded to 2 employees in the Chancery Clerk's office. This was a merit raise based on their performance.
And yet, Supervisor Burnett said these raises were unfair because they did not include everyone.
Here's the NEWS Flash: Cedric, giving across the board raises breeds complacency. We need to be conveying to all Tunica County Employees that a good job will be rewarded. Get with the program.
Please study the issues at hand and come to the table prepared. Raising your voice is not prepared.
And yet, Supervisor Burnett said these raises were unfair because they did not include everyone.
Here's the NEWS Flash: Cedric, giving across the board raises breeds complacency. We need to be conveying to all Tunica County Employees that a good job will be rewarded. Get with the program.
Please study the issues at hand and come to the table prepared. Raising your voice is not prepared.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
28 Feb 2013: Second Report: Tunica National
The following report was presented to the Board of Supervisors' tonight. The attachments referenced in the report have previously been published on this blog. To find them, look under Freedom of Information and Tunica National. The Ledger is a running total and monies are noted in item #5.
Oh, BTW, Supervisor Burnett left the meeting when I got up to do the presentation. As is said by my girlfriends: "Put your big panties on and deal with it" Cedric. So childish. He reminds me of John Boehner.
Here's the report:
Our Committee asked for an appointment with you tonight for the purpose of submitting documentation of our research of Tunica National and Tunica County Public Projects (TCPP).
Attached are the following:
1. Four Freedom of Information letters requesting expenses paid by Tunica County for TCPP. These months include: Oct 2012, Nov 2012, Dec 2012 and Jan 2013. All requested information was received in a timely manner.
2. Three Freedom of Information letters requesting income and expenses for Tunica National from TCPP. These months include: Oct 2012, Nov 2012 and Dec 2012. We did not send a letter for Jan 2013 as it became apparent TCPP was not going to supply the requested information.
3. Letter from Nolan Canon who is the President of TCPP.
4. Letter from Barbara Tuchel to TCPP.
5. Ledger showing what we know at this time pertaining to the expenses the citizens of Tunica County has paid to TCPP. (Note: Total to date: $398,659.33. We are on track to spend $1.6 million with no off setting income.)
Additionally, we have reviewed the Public Records for information about Tunica National, TCPP and Kemper Sports. From their own reporting, it seems that Tunica National is consistently over budgeting their expected rounds of golf. We have also found errors in reports submitted from Kemper Sports.
Example: Book 154 page 476: Kemper Sports reported a total of 2521 rounds of golf for the month of Oct 2012. Kemper further reported this 2521 number included 2211 preferred rounds and 1877 paid rounds. This is an error in addition of 1567 rounds. Didn’t any Supervisor notice this?
The citizens of Tunica County have a right to know the financial position of our publicly owned golf course.
Questions for the BOS:
Does any Supervisor have the information we requested from TCPP?
Has any Supervisor tried to get this information from TCPP?
If not, please consider cutting off funding to TCPP until they supply the requested information.
End of Report
Oh, BTW, Supervisor Burnett left the meeting when I got up to do the presentation. As is said by my girlfriends: "Put your big panties on and deal with it" Cedric. So childish. He reminds me of John Boehner.
Here's the report:
Our Committee asked for an appointment with you tonight for the purpose of submitting documentation of our research of Tunica National and Tunica County Public Projects (TCPP).
Attached are the following:
1. Four Freedom of Information letters requesting expenses paid by Tunica County for TCPP. These months include: Oct 2012, Nov 2012, Dec 2012 and Jan 2013. All requested information was received in a timely manner.
2. Three Freedom of Information letters requesting income and expenses for Tunica National from TCPP. These months include: Oct 2012, Nov 2012 and Dec 2012. We did not send a letter for Jan 2013 as it became apparent TCPP was not going to supply the requested information.
3. Letter from Nolan Canon who is the President of TCPP.
4. Letter from Barbara Tuchel to TCPP.
5. Ledger showing what we know at this time pertaining to the expenses the citizens of Tunica County has paid to TCPP. (Note: Total to date: $398,659.33. We are on track to spend $1.6 million with no off setting income.)
Additionally, we have reviewed the Public Records for information about Tunica National, TCPP and Kemper Sports. From their own reporting, it seems that Tunica National is consistently over budgeting their expected rounds of golf. We have also found errors in reports submitted from Kemper Sports.
Example: Book 154 page 476: Kemper Sports reported a total of 2521 rounds of golf for the month of Oct 2012. Kemper further reported this 2521 number included 2211 preferred rounds and 1877 paid rounds. This is an error in addition of 1567 rounds. Didn’t any Supervisor notice this?
The citizens of Tunica County have a right to know the financial position of our publicly owned golf course.
Questions for the BOS:
Does any Supervisor have the information we requested from TCPP?
Has any Supervisor tried to get this information from TCPP?
If not, please consider cutting off funding to TCPP until they supply the requested information.
End of Report
28 Feb 2013: First Report: Lack of signatures...
The following is the first report this Committee made at the Board of Supervisors' Meeting tonight.
While reviewing Public Records, our Committee found that signature lines for various Supervisors on various documents were left unsigned. Most of the documents in question are claims. We did not find any instance where Supervisor Dunn’s or Supervisor Daley’s signature was not on the documents. There was at least one instance for Supervisor Nickson, Supervisor Williams and Supervisor Burnett that were not signed.
Our review did not go back further then Oct 2012 as it became clear that there was a problem.
The procedure is inconsistent as there were instances of the word “Absent” entered on various signature lines. However, this was not always the case.
To leave the signature lines blank is to create opportunity to change records after the fact.
Please consider making sure all documents for the Public Records be either signed or noted as to why there is no signature where indicated.
End of Report
While reviewing Public Records, our Committee found that signature lines for various Supervisors on various documents were left unsigned. Most of the documents in question are claims. We did not find any instance where Supervisor Dunn’s or Supervisor Daley’s signature was not on the documents. There was at least one instance for Supervisor Nickson, Supervisor Williams and Supervisor Burnett that were not signed.
Our review did not go back further then Oct 2012 as it became clear that there was a problem.
The procedure is inconsistent as there were instances of the word “Absent” entered on various signature lines. However, this was not always the case.
To leave the signature lines blank is to create opportunity to change records after the fact.
Please consider making sure all documents for the Public Records be either signed or noted as to why there is no signature where indicated.
End of Report
More on the Healthcare Authority
Well, that didn't last long.
Tonight at the Board of Supervisors' Meeting, the Healthcare Authority's recommended candidate was hired at $105K. And it was decided to keep the old CEO for a period of no more then 60 days to transfer paperwork, etc.
Another stipulation is that the new CEO move to Tunica County in the next 24 months. Oh, here we go again. So, she'll get a PO Box or use someone else's address...we've seen this play before.
I know of one person who already lives in Tunica who is qualified for this job. So, what is the problem?
I am surprised that Supervisor Dunn did not push to hire the Tunica County resident as Dunn knows this person very well. Let's see, Dunn you can hire an ex-con because he is a friend of yours but you say no to hiring a friend who is an upstanding citizen of Tunica County?
What about you Burnett? What's your excuse?
To Nickson, Daley and Williams, you have made a mistake. At some point the three of you are going to have to stand up to Dunn and Burnett and in this case the Healthcare Authority and do what is right for the citizens you represent.
What was gained by hiring a highly paid individual who does not live in Tunica County? I have an answer for you: Just about as much was gained tonight as has been gained in Tunica County by that dang pipeplant.
Tonight at the Board of Supervisors' Meeting, the Healthcare Authority's recommended candidate was hired at $105K. And it was decided to keep the old CEO for a period of no more then 60 days to transfer paperwork, etc.
Another stipulation is that the new CEO move to Tunica County in the next 24 months. Oh, here we go again. So, she'll get a PO Box or use someone else's address...we've seen this play before.
I know of one person who already lives in Tunica who is qualified for this job. So, what is the problem?
I am surprised that Supervisor Dunn did not push to hire the Tunica County resident as Dunn knows this person very well. Let's see, Dunn you can hire an ex-con because he is a friend of yours but you say no to hiring a friend who is an upstanding citizen of Tunica County?
What about you Burnett? What's your excuse?
To Nickson, Daley and Williams, you have made a mistake. At some point the three of you are going to have to stand up to Dunn and Burnett and in this case the Healthcare Authority and do what is right for the citizens you represent.
What was gained by hiring a highly paid individual who does not live in Tunica County? I have an answer for you: Just about as much was gained tonight as has been gained in Tunica County by that dang pipeplant.
Executive Session: Healthcare Authority
On 4 Feb 2013, the Board of Supervisors held an Executive Session to discuss the hiring of a CEO for the Healthcare Authority.
Only Dunn and Burnett voted to hire the recommended candidate from the Healthcare Authority. Williams and Daley voted no and Nickson abstained. Note the following quote:
"Mr. Nickson stated that he wanted the minutes to reflect that he is abstaining from voting for three primary reason - 1. Lack of the all of the options not being considered fully including pursuing a third party to lease and run the facilities, and/or working out an agreement with Methodist; 2. Lack of Ms. Cobbins being held accountable for not being a Tunica County resident; and 3. an ineffective tinterview process having been utilized."
The above has been copied exactly as it appears in the minutes.
These are all good reasons not to hire a new person at this time. Kudos to the new Supervisors for seeing through the push to hire by the Healthcare Authority.
Would the new Supervisors consider dissolving the Healthcare Authority and bringing it in house?
Absent the above, would the new Supervisors consider replacing the Healthcare Authority Board of Directors with persons of their choosing?
Only Dunn and Burnett voted to hire the recommended candidate from the Healthcare Authority. Williams and Daley voted no and Nickson abstained. Note the following quote:
"Mr. Nickson stated that he wanted the minutes to reflect that he is abstaining from voting for three primary reason - 1. Lack of the all of the options not being considered fully including pursuing a third party to lease and run the facilities, and/or working out an agreement with Methodist; 2. Lack of Ms. Cobbins being held accountable for not being a Tunica County resident; and 3. an ineffective tinterview process having been utilized."
The above has been copied exactly as it appears in the minutes.
These are all good reasons not to hire a new person at this time. Kudos to the new Supervisors for seeing through the push to hire by the Healthcare Authority.
Would the new Supervisors consider dissolving the Healthcare Authority and bringing it in house?
Absent the above, would the new Supervisors consider replacing the Healthcare Authority Board of Directors with persons of their choosing?
Thursday, February 21, 2013
The expenses are adding up...Tunica National
Just got the list of expenses for Jan 2013 for Tunica National. It cost Tunica County $63,553.95 for this facility.
Of course, we still don't know what the income and expenses are for Tunica County Public Projects because their Board of Directors think they don't have to tell the public this information.
Okay Supervisors, when are you going to cut off their monthly appropriation and when are you going to stop paying their expenses? We already know Dunn and Burnett think this way of doing business is fair to the citizens of our County. Why? Because Dunn and Burnett were on the Board of Supervisors when this situation was set up.
To the three new Supervisors: The citizens of Tunica County are counting on you to make Tunica County Public Projects transparent to the people who are funding this facility. It is our money and we have a right to know.
Of course, we still don't know what the income and expenses are for Tunica County Public Projects because their Board of Directors think they don't have to tell the public this information.
Okay Supervisors, when are you going to cut off their monthly appropriation and when are you going to stop paying their expenses? We already know Dunn and Burnett think this way of doing business is fair to the citizens of our County. Why? Because Dunn and Burnett were on the Board of Supervisors when this situation was set up.
To the three new Supervisors: The citizens of Tunica County are counting on you to make Tunica County Public Projects transparent to the people who are funding this facility. It is our money and we have a right to know.
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