( – promoted by odum)
Absolutely stunning. Jim Douglass becomes more of a George Bush every term he serves. It's bad enough he recently appointed professional politico, Neale Lunderville, to the top cabinet post of Sec of Administration. Lunderville, of course, has no background in professional public administration, except for his brief tenure as the Sec of Transportation. Of course, he had no experience whatsoever in either transportation or administration when Douglass appointed him to that post. That's old news. Today's news on two appointments offer new evidence that Governor Jim Douglass is a true crony's Crony; a Crony-in-Command or Crony-in-Chief, offering his loyal supporters top posts.
What's worse is that, besides having no experience, it appears that his appointments are purposefully intended to gut the agency they oversee.
Today's appointments below the fold.
Longtime political advisor, Jason Gibbs, is the pick for Forest, Parks and Recreation. His experience? Well, like a lot of Vermonters, Jason Gibbs likes to “hike, bike, climb, paddle and snowboard.” This makes him just as qualified as 9 out of 10 Vermonters on Two 2 Tango (the 7 Days online dating site). I wonder what his cover letter says. Maybe something like this:
Loyal, smart, outdoorsy guy seeks top agency post. I enjoy skiing, hiking, kayaking, and authorizing large scale logging operations.
The full story is just below, but first, here's Jim Douglass' reasoning on his pick for Secretary of Human Services, Rob Hoffman.
“Rob shares my views that the best social program is a good job and the best way to balance the budget is to grow the economy,” the Governor said. “He has proven to be an innovative, caring and pragmatic leader at the Department of Corrections, addressing some of our state's most pressing challenges with balance and common sense.
The best social program is a good job? Huh?!!! Grow the economy? Why didn't Douglas put Rob Hoffman as director of Economic Development? Oh, sorry I forgot. That's a real job with minimum qualifications. Can't do that.
Hoffman is moving from — get this — Corrections. The guy in charge of Michael Jacques time off for good behavior is awarded top position over Human Services? Here's a little nugget from Hoffman's Dec. 12, 2007 cost-savings plan for Corrections (PDF download):
F. Curtail or Eliminate Treatment Programs
The Department of Corrections provides treatment for incarcerated offenders combating hose factors that affect the risk of re-offending. These programs target violence, sexual buse, domestic violence, and substance abuse.
But cos-savings achieved by eliminating treatment programs for sex offenders, Hoffman says, will only be short-lived.
It perhaps need not be stated that the result of this saving would be short-lived, as Vermont Corrections programs (particularly Cognitive Self-Change and VTPSA[Sex Offender Treatment]) have a demonstrated and significant effect on re-offense and re-incarceration.
So there you have it. Rob Hoffman is the financial bean-counter who recommends eliminating services to save money, despite the fact these programs work pretty darn well.
I can't wait to hear what Hoffman will say about cost savings in Human Services. Maybe he'll start by putting the axe to the emergency oil program.
Ok, here are the two press releases on Jason Gibbs and Rob Hoffman, courtesy of Vermont Business Magazine.
Gibbs Appointed Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation
Montpelier, Vt. November 12, 2008 – Secretary of Natural Resources Jonathan Wood has announced that Jason Gibbs will be the next Commissioner of Forest, Parks and Recreation (FPR).
Secretary Wood said Gibbs' policy knowledge, experience in government, communication skills and passion for Vermont's natural resources will serve the state well. “Jason's expertise, creativity and ability to manage many issues will be a valuable asset to the agency and FPR, and we look forward to welcoming him to our team,” Wood said.
“FPR is a department with a highly skilled staff and experienced natural resources professionals on its management team. Jason's leadership skills will be a great match with that team,” Wood said.
Gibbs has been Governor Douglas' Press Secretary and Communications Director since 2003. He also currently serves as the Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs and the governor's liaison to the National Governors Association, the Coalition of Northeastern Governors and the Agency of Natural Resources.
“Jason is smart, energetic and experienced in the intricacies of policy and government,” Governor Douglas said. “Most importantly, he is knowledgeable and passionate about Vermont's natural resources and wholly dedicated to serving the people of Vermont. Jason's talents will be a great fit at the Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation.”
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is responsible for the conservation and management of Vermont's forest resources, the operation and maintenance of the state park system, and the promotion and support of outdoor recreation for Vermonters and visitors. In addition, FPR is responsible for the acquisition, planning, coordination and administration of all Agency of Natural Resources lands.
Gibbs' appointment is effective November 23, 2008.
ABOUT JASON GIBBS
A native of Forestdale, Vermont, Gibbs, 32, graduated from Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon and attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he earned a degree in Political Science.
Gibbs is an Eagle Scout, avid outdoorsman, snowboarding coach and adventure racer who hikes, bikes, climbs, paddles and snowboards as often as his schedule permits.
Early in his career Gibbs worked for the Alliance for Small Contractors, a nonprofit organization offering business development and public policy consultation to small businesses owned by women and minorities. He was later appointed Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Central Artery/Tunnel Project in Boston, where he worked with local and national media, managed public outreach activity, and conducted all policy-level briefings.
Gibbs returned to Vermont in the spring of 2001 to work in the Office of Communication and Public Affairs at Fletcher Allen Health Care. He later joined the campaign of Jim Douglas for Governor as a communications consultant and the candidate's aide. Following the election, Gibbs was appointed Press Secretary and Communications Director and has served as liaison to a variety of state agencies and departments and as Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs.
Jason lives in Duxbury with his wife of 7 years, Amy Gibbs, and their daughter Addison.
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HOFMANN APPOINTED HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY
Montpelier, Vt. (November 12, 2008)- Governor Jim Douglas has announced that Commissioner of Corrections Rob Hofmann will soon be Secretary of Human Services. Cindy LaWare, the current agency head, is stepping down to explore other opportunities to serve Vermont.
Governor Douglas thanked LaWare for her service. “Cindy has been an important and dedicated member of my cabinet and has served Vermonters with diligence and professionalism for the past seven years. I greatly appreciate her work to advance important elements of our agenda, including fighting to make health care more accessible and affordable, improving services for Vermonters with mental illness through the Futures plan, and implementing the Incarcerated Women's Initiative, the Children's Integrated Services initiative, and the statewide Housing Now initiative,” Governor Douglas said. “I hope and expect she will continue to serve Vermonters in the future.”
Governor Douglas said Hofmann, who served as Vermont's finance commissioner before moving to the Department of Corrections, has the right financial and human services management expertise for the new post.
“Rob shares my views that the best social program is a good job and the best way to balance the budget is to grow the economy,” the Governor said. “He has proven to be an innovative, caring and pragmatic leader at the Department of Corrections, addressing some of our state's most pressing challenges with balance and common sense. He also understands the challenge of building a responsible and compassionate budget during difficult financial times that protects the most vulnerable.. He will serve Vermonters very well as secretary of human services.”
Hofmann's appointment is effective November 23, 2008.
ABOUT ROB HOFMANN
Robert D. Hofmann of Waterbury Center, Washington County was born on August 3, 1960. He graduated from SUNY College at Cortland (BA History: Summa Cum Laude 1985). After working as a Business Analyst at Dun and Bradstreet in New York City, he attended Columbia Graduate School of Business (MBA Finance 1985), where he met his future wife, Kit Walker, a former Vermont teacher. Rob worked at American Express in New York City (1985-1990) in progressively challenging positions in financial services. From 1990-2003 he worked at Chittenden Bank in Burlington, VT first as Director of Marketing and later as Senior Vice President for Business Services.
Rob served as Vermont's Commissioner of Finance and Management from 2003-2005 and Corrections Commissioner since February 2005. He has been involved in his church, coaching his children's sports teams and is a former board member of his college alumni association and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The family holds dual citizenship: United States and Ireland and Rob hopes to work overseas after the kids leave the nest.
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