As reported in the February 8, 2011, Bonner County Daily Bee, the shutdown of the North Idaho Community Express (NICE) bus service was sudden and disruptive. There was considerable speculation about what happened to cause the closure. Some answers can be found in the Idaho Transportation Department’s Subrecipient Review – North Idaho Community Express (NICE) – Final Report dated January 14, 2011.
That Final Report made several very significant and substantial findings and recommendations in the areas of Legal Authority and Agency Setup; Grant Management; Financial Management; Procurement; Service Requirements and Restrictions; Operations and Safety and Security; and Personnel. It also imposed “due dates” for the completion of recommendations.
[Addendum at 3:47 p.m.: Mary’s January 1, 2011, post titled What Happened to the Bus? makes a connection between the Panhandle Area Council and the NICE. The comments to her post help explain that association.]
My favorite parts:
The report is rich, but actually I find it not surprising. My feeling is that most of these agencies are run just as sloppy and with little oversight. The comment from the apologists will most likely be something like “they’re good people, they’re just overwhelmed” or some such similar nonsense. In other words, they’re good ol’ boys and girls, good folk, but they got in over their heads.
It’s time that our tolerance for such sloppy B.S. end. The first step was getting rid of the incompetent boob Dan English. The next step is to get rid of the rest of the incompetent boobs.
Comment by Dan — February 25, 2011 @ 9:06 am
The NICE 2010 annual report on file with the Secretary of State listed these officers:
President – Marie Rippetoe
Secretary – Betty Boyken
Treasurer – Glen Benedict
Registered Agent – Helen Stephens
Comment by Bill — February 25, 2011 @ 9:16 am
Isn’t Deanna Goodlander a board member?
Comment by Susie Snedaker — February 25, 2011 @ 5:49 pm
Susie,
According to the December 2010 Annual Report filed with the Secretary of State, the Panhandle Area Council, Inc., officers are
Chairman – Elmer R. Currie
V-Chairman – Todd Walker
Secretary/Treasurer – Deanna Goodlander
Comment by Bill — February 25, 2011 @ 7:10 pm
They all want the title but don’ accept any of the responsibility that comes with it. Commissioners and city council members- HA! what a joke. I look forward to reading the spin they put on this fiasco.
Comment by Ancientemplar — February 26, 2011 @ 12:38 pm
Ancientemplar,
That’s the point Dan was making, too. Too often various boards and foundations recruit people to be members based on whom they know and can help rather than on administrative competence. That’s how some candidates for public office are recruited and groomed, too. Political realiability, social affinity, and economic generosity displaces competence. It is astonishing that board and foundation members are willing to sign documents and have little or no idea what they’re signing or the consequences of their action. “Oh, our attorney said it was all right …”
Comment by Bill — February 26, 2011 @ 12:47 pm