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Post by bobbbiez on Apr 20, 2009 15:34:28 GMT -5
 Lucy, the only advice I would offer you if you want to get involved and work on issues is to start on a local level first. I just feel once you start to work on your local problems your name gets to be known by your legislators and they tend to heed more what you are saying. In most cases I have found, the more you work on things, the more you're likely to be labeled a bitch and they tend to ignore you less. ;D Also, find groups that are fighting for the same results you're looking for in whatever issues you want to address. The stronger the group the more your politicians will listen and act on. Very hard and frustrating to try to do it by yourself.  Good for you girl! I'm very proud of you. I'm always impressed when I hear more people are coming out and willing to become involved in their community and help solve the problems that do exist. You go girl! 
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Post by tanouryjr on Apr 20, 2009 17:39:55 GMT -5
Thanks guys! Dave, the CEO of Insight House has no degree yet makes 6 digits. They recieve $1.8M in the 2009 county budget.
Lucy, send the letters. At the very least, you can be assured that I will make your concerns heard loud and clear, lol.
Also, Bobbie gave some very good advice for getting involved and getting the attention of elected officials. As they say, "The squeaky wheel gets the greese." You would be amazed at how few people actually attend meetings and speek during public comment. I can count on two hand the number of people that have spoken at meetings during my term. So, when someone comes and speaks, they do listen. I know I do. Even if I disagree, I always try to acknowledge them for coming and thank them for talking.
In Utica we have a bunch of great concerned citizens groups. Not sure about the towns, but starting one would be great. Look at how effective the New Hartford group has been. They have truly changed the political landscape in New Hartford.
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Post by dgriffin on Apr 20, 2009 18:33:27 GMT -5
Larry, I looked up Insight House and found it is a chemical dependency treatment center. It's not at all unusual for an addiction center to be run by a person with a lot more experience than education. In fact, you wouldn't want someone with a degree ... phd, csw ... and limited experience. The place would fall apart. That's my opinion, but I've worked in the business.
As for the six digit salary, that does sound pretty high to me, by comparison to other places I'm aware of.
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Post by lucy on Apr 20, 2009 19:39:35 GMT -5
See for me it is very hard to say what I really want to say in the Town Meetings, because my best friend's father is the Town Supervisor and I have a family member on the board. I don't really know how I would aproach them in a meeting, because I don't want to make any of them upset with me. Right now I'm going to write a letter to Townsend, because I have a few questions for him. I really find it hard to make time to go to these meetings on a week night. I have to start checking the paper and find more things out. I don't find my town to be corrupt just that we shouldn't concentrate on the Town Park, we should do more with the Roads. Things like that, and since Townsend is signing these checks over I would rather hear from him why.
Thank you very much for the advice I really do appreciate it. I will get more involved in the local government.
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Post by lucy on Apr 20, 2009 19:53:23 GMT -5
By the way Bobbiez I have already been labeled as a Bitch. I'm use to it now. hahaha.... I just like to think that I don't hold anything back.
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Post by dgriffin on Apr 20, 2009 21:33:44 GMT -5
Lucy, yo' momma didn't raise no bumpkin. You're perfectly qualified to think through these issues and make a public statement about them. While it may be at first uncomfortable, whether you know the players or not, no one will look down on you for offering your opinion. (Those who might don't deserve your consideration.) Nor should they become upset if you offer your opinion in a fair and even handed manner.
To make sure you say exactly and only what you intend to say, write it out first and at the meeting, simply say, "I'd like to offer an opinion (or ask a question,) and I'm going to read it."
Asking the politicians directly has two advantages: 1, they get to hear your opinion and they tally it up, and 2., you get to hear their unfiltered responses and answers to questions the reporter neglected to ask when he or she wrote the article for the newspaper. Often, you'll find there are reasonable explanations behind many government decisions, and it's good to know them rather than sit home and fret about something when you could have known the truth.
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Post by tanouryjr on Apr 20, 2009 23:21:33 GMT -5
Larry, I looked up Insight House and found it is a chemical dependency treatment center. It's not at all unusual for an addiction center to be run by a person with a lot more experience than education. In fact, you wouldn't want someone with a degree ... phd, csw ... and limited experience. The place would fall apart. That's my opinion, but I've worked in the business. As for the six digit salary, that does sound pretty high to me, by comparison to other places I'm aware of. Dave, I don't want to make the issue there personal, I was just using that as one example. However, Insight House used to be a county department and was then privatized. When it was a department it was required to have certain credentials for the position. The current CEO, with all due respect, was a simple secretary until the former CEO passed away (her husband) and they felt she should take over. It's being run as a private, family corporation even though it is a NFP. Both kids work there too, and receive good salaries. If we are going to fix the political "culture" here, we can't be scared to attack the root problems, and they all hinge on nepotism and cronyism. We need to hire people qualified for the jobs and not based on who they know or who they are related to. |
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Post by bobbbiez on Apr 21, 2009 9:18:03 GMT -5
Lucy, to me being known as a bitch is actually a honor. After all, it did take me years to perfect it. If it's acknowledged then I know I did a real good job and all the hard work was well worth it. ;D As far as worrying about people you know in your local politics, you really have to remember the old saying, "all is fair in love and war." You WILL be stepping on toes but that can not be avoided most times. Many times issues against those you know can be accomplished diplomatically, but there will be times you will just have to stand your ground against all and not worry about whose toes you crush. Staying strong and standing up for your beliefs for the "betterment of all," even if you find yourself standing alone, is what it's all about. No more, no less, that's politics.  Go luck girl!
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Post by frankcor on Apr 21, 2009 14:59:31 GMT -5
RJ!!
Bobbbiez is out of bed again! |
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Post by Clipper on Apr 21, 2009 15:04:08 GMT -5
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Post by dgriffin on Apr 21, 2009 15:22:06 GMT -5
Larry, the situation you describe certainly appears unusual, and ripe for abuse. Too bad, because if the atmosphere goes sour, it will be to the detriment of those the facility is supposed to be helping.
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Post by Ralph on Apr 21, 2009 15:27:53 GMT -5
There are a few NFP's that abuse the system like that here in Utica.
Sad, but Dave hit it on the head. It's those that depend on or use their services that suffer for it.
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Post by Clipper on Apr 21, 2009 16:57:32 GMT -5
My youngest was part of the program on Middle Settlement Road for a while when he first kicked his drug habit. They gave him a roof over his head when he was basically homeless. I was extremely grateful for that, and then we all picked up the newspaper to read that the man in charge of that place had been accused of bilking medicaid for a wad of money. Sheesh. The programs that he attended at that place and through the McPike Rehab Center, have allowed him to regain his life, and to live without drugs. He is very well on his way to successful recovery, but it is a daily fight and he has to work on it every day of his life. I personally give thanks for places like Insight House, McPike, and other rehab and detox centers. They are life saving and necessary facilities, and while they may not be all that we would like them to be, they DO SAVE LIVES.
There should be some sort of oversight and monitoring of such places as Insight House. Program protocols should be in place and compliance should be insured. That is a simple matter of watching over taxpayer dollars.
As far as qualifications for CEO's etc. When I went through a rehab for alcoholism in 1976, the program was state run, but most of the counselors and attendants were recovered and recovering people. They were very supportive and useful in helping those of us going through the program to get on our feet and to stay sober. There were Doctors and Psychologists but the most of my encouragement came from seeing the success of the counselors who were recovering and that knew the pain of alcohol addiction.
It doesn't take a doctorate to relate to an addict. It doesn't take a masters degree to tell a person how to combat addiction, one day at a time. Support groups, peer support, and a desire to succeed are the main things needed.
A family run program like Insight House is ripe for misuse of government funding. It is a fine line between a desire to help others and to offer a useful and valid program for recovery, and the selfish desire to make a profit from the misfortune of another human being.
Qualifications to administer a rehab program should be simple. Enough desire to help those addicted to get their lives together, and enough knowledge of business practices to keep the place on an even financial plain. No narrowly defined academic qualifications
are necessarily required for success.
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Post by concerned on Apr 21, 2009 21:32:35 GMT -5
I went through the same programs as your son and yourself. The counselors from the year 2001 and now all have there degree's and certifications in drug and alcohol abuse and treatments.I only needed 15 more credits on the Master's level and then take the licensing examination to qualify for a counseling position, however V.E.S.D. would not help me out because of the high recidivism rate amoung counselor's.
Insight House is an excellent facility and does a profound job but I also realize that it is up to the people who are going through the program to find the daily strength through strong support groups in order to stay drug and alcohol free. I also went through McPike and C.A.R and found all the counselors to be highly educated.
And Larry I did not like the comment you made about Donna as being" was a SIMPLE SECRETARY'. That comment could cause you and future elections to public office. It is very degrading to secretaries--regardless if they are male or female. Maybe you are not aware of a degree of Adiminstative Assistant which in higher education a person can earn a Master's Degree. I think Larry needs to educate himself on the plight of drug and alcohol abuse programs.Excuse any typing errors I get nervous on this topic.
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Post by countrygal on Apr 21, 2009 22:50:00 GMT -5
It's a shame that people get away with stuff because of who they know....or who they're dating. I don't think it's a problem that is limited to Oneida County. |
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Lucy, the only advice I would offer you if you want to get involved and work on issues is to start on a local level first. I just feel once you start to work on your local problems your name gets to be known by your legislators and they tend to heed more what you are saying. In most cases I have found, the more you work on things, the more you're likely to be labeled a bitch and they tend to ignore you less. ;D 
