So much of what we call management consists in making it difficult for people to work.
Peter Drucker
Interesting changes are being made in San Bernardino County’s Transitional Assistance Department’s (TAD) management structure. Unless Assistant Administrative Officer Linda Haugen and TAD Director Nancy Swanson are even more stupid than we already know, they have to be very nervous about the new head honcho in town, County Administrative Officer (CAO) Greg Devereaux. Linda Haugen was able to . . . um “charm” . . . her way out of trouble with former CAO Mark Uffer but those who have worked with Devereaux say he cannot be “persuaded” by the same means. We know that neither Linda nor Nancy are capable of producing anything resembling a well-thought-out and intelligent work product, so they have a lot to worry about.
Before being devoured by TAD, the Jobs and Employment Services Department (JESD) was considered one of the best departments to work for in the county. Employment Services Specialist positions were highly sought after. The department was known for treating its employees and the public very well. It had a positive work environment for employees and did an awesome job of helping the less fortunate in our community. (more…)
“Cautiously optimistic” and “nervous” are two of the phrases I have heard repeatedly about San Bernardino County’s new head honcho, County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux. Even before assuming office, Devereaux has ended a decades-long policy of 9-80s for county management, a move that makes line staff very nervous as many depend on “flex time” to survive in these hard economic times. But it is also a sign that Devereaux is not going to be afraid to lead.
After six years of despot leadership by former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer and his band of thugs, it is easy to understand why line staff are wary of our new leader. I’ve been asked my opinion repeatedly by everyone from the lowest level employee to managers to newspaper reporters. Here is my standard response:
Seeing Devereaux’s close, personal relationship with the Fourth District makes me nervous on a personal level, especially when considering what the Fourth District recently did to me. That being said, I have two friends who are long-term city of Ontario employees who have nothing but respect for Devereaux. They are rank-and-file and are allowed to work 9-80s. Ontario employees, most of whom are represented by San Bernardino County Public Employees Association, have the best contracts of any governmental agency in San Bernardino County.
From what I hear from those that know Devereaux, he is tough but also fair. I also hear he will not take the crap from county managers that Uffer not only tolerated, but encouraged. He will not play the games Uffer played and will not tolerate bad managers. Unlike Uffer, he is consistently described as a ‘professional.’ (more…)
Just to keep everyone updated as I have lost most phone numbers and emails, we are still trying to get a date set for a meeting. I’ve also been discussing the situation with newspaper reporters and we have some interest. They understand that if anyone is willing to go on the record it will have to be those that have been forced to resign or retire as current fraud investigators will face loss of their jobs.
The reporters I’ve spoken to so far seem incredulous that the classification has been so decimated and the reason for it. Everyone knows welfare fraud is rampant in this county and getting worse. (more…)