According to The Detroit News online, on November 20th Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s public corruption squad executed search warrants at the Detroit Public Library.
The Detroit News story by Christine MacDonald and Joel Kurth was headlined Feds probe alleged kickbacks, contracts at Detroit Public Library. They report the federal investigation involves alleged kickbacks, mismanagement, nepotism, and cost overruns by contractors. The Library Commission President, Jonathan Kinloch, was quoted saying,
In the Detroit Free Press online reporting of this raid, Mr. Kinloch said, “There may be an individual who awarded contracts for personal gain. And if that is the case, it is a total violation of the public trust.”
But this could never happen here in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Sitting around the Thanksgiving table with dinner guests the conversation got around to the city government and the snooze papers, as it usually does, and a number of thoughts floated to the top. I’ve tried to recap the thoughts that i know are on more than a few people’s minds.
Coeurupt n’ Lame never ceases to amaze us….or the Hagadrones at the Press and SpokaneBetsy’s Organ. Five longtime department tyrants quit and it has less ink than some meth dealer’s new book?
1. How is it that all the department heads made the announcement on the same day? Did they gather at Mike Kennedy’s house in a coffee clatch?
2. What are the actual costs being discussed? Are ALL council members involved in the negotiations?
Is it a done deal and when was the vote, if so?
3. These people have so much seniority that they get 6 weeks vacation (?) a year plus “sick” time, “family” time, etc.. Who is the acting department head when their gone? Have they been trained to make a smooth transition should someone quit or die? If not, why not? Will these five all be on retainer as consultants?
4. Is there a connection to the recent scandals? E.g.: Longo screwing up and costing the city $3 Million? The human resources gal hiring a known embezzler and losing hundreds of thousands? Eastwood discovering that his destruction of McKuen might have “hidden” costs that will cost the taxpayers ( and school districts) more money than anticipated? In addition, his handling of the Person field issue is only going to get stinkier. Anthony now having less ball fields for CdA local’s favorite summer event- softball.
5. What are the comparable wages for these department heads in other cities in Idaho? Benefit comparisons and do they have “assistant department heads” and, if so, what are they paid?
6. Is there a connection with the timing of their departures with the incoming new mayor ( queen sandi won’t run again)?
7. Are all records being preserved so that the new mayor can have a complete audit that’s not been tampered with?
8. How did the press reporter come up with a finite amount being “saved” without even knowing any of the aforementioned facts?
9. Does the Press actually believe its readership is that stupid?
10. Now that Eastwood, Bloem, Berns and co. have decided the museum of North Idaho’s building and storage building on NW blvd are expendable, what happens if longtime museum director Dahlgren quits and retires to her boyfriend’s Caribbean home? Is she next to suddenly retire…along with Gridley and Gabriel?
Comment by Ancientemplar — November 23, 2012 @ 7:10 am
Gridley, Gabriel AND McDonald should all be fired without any further compensation for allowing those monies to be stolen.
I doubt anyone, that has and/or will gain from the unethical but questionably legal theft of taxpayers funds through the LCDC, (mission accomplished) will run again.
Comment by concerned citizen — November 23, 2012 @ 7:23 am
Speaking of the Museum of North Idaho property…
Remember how “stenchy” the raliroading out of existence the Parkside Bistro was?
Me thinks that per the norm in good ol’ Chicago West that LCDC ordered up that move from the Boller Room to facilitate a future “project.”
Comment by CDAShenanigans — November 23, 2012 @ 8:05 am
Aceintemplar’s post should be the opening newsletter of a new blog called CHICIAGOWEST
Comment by Gary Ingram — November 23, 2012 @ 9:29 am
Frauds and embezzlements can and do occur anywhere and everywhere there are inadequate safeguards and checks on people who have discretionary authority to obligate funds. I had a professor in the Police Science and Administration program at WSU who, as a former career police officer, observed that the only difference between cops and crooks is that cops have badges and people trust them a little too much. The essential element of any type of fraud is a reliance on false information supplied by the bad guy or gal. The essential element of an embezzlement is too much trust in one person. Too much blind trust encourages the mopus erecti to defraud and embezzle.
Comment by Bill — November 23, 2012 @ 6:32 pm
After the current museum facility is demolished, I think the former Burlington Northern Power Substation would be next. This would leave the new, attractive pole barn and the ever so attractive and well used bunker. I must mention that neither of these architectural beauties were approved by the Design Review Commission nor have they been bestowed awards of merit by the A.I.A..
Comment by Susie Snedaker — November 24, 2012 @ 1:47 pm
Boopsie’s Bunker in the Park was made to be moved once it had successfully cleaned up all the crime in the Park.
All it takes to move it after disassembly into two pieces is a crane, a flatbed, and a few thousand dollars.
Comment by Bill — November 24, 2012 @ 4:11 pm