Haldimand "Job Opening, Pays Big, You just need to know How to Communicate"
As I was quietly playing a game of solitaire on my computer my husband called out to me that he found the perfect job for me! It seems that Haldimand County is going to be advertising a new position in a few weeks. Haldimand will be looking for a "Communications Manager". This position pays extremely well.....$86,000.00 a year salary....plus....$8,600.00 a year for travel and professional development and a cell phone! Total cost to the taxpayer for this new position $94,600.00 a year...not bad! Oh and this individual will also receive $5,000.00 for office furniture.
Karen Best of the Chronicle wrote a story regarding this and it is on the front page of this weeks Chronicle. (I will provide the link at the bottom) The editor of the Chronicle also wrote "Miscommunication" that appears on page 4. This is also a must read. Here are a few of his comments on this issue; The hiring of a specialized communication officer in the County of Haldimand is one giant step in the "wrong direction"! (I couldn't have said it better myself!) In a municipality like Haldimand with a population of just over 45,000, this is completely out of line! (Again I couldn't have said it better myself!) Haldimand has to look to the future. By paying a generous wage within a fairly small tax base, council is setting the bar very high for future employees and setting itself up for much higher operating costs in the future. Another interesting article in the Chronicle this week..."Native land claims dispute "clouds" county's future". "Council members react to economic impacts". Now the way I see it is that our Council is creating an "economic impact" for it's residents by once again "hiring" another person that is not needed in a county our size.
This is a new position as currently we do not have anyone in any such position, or do we? Well I can think of just a few. Our "7" "Elected Officials". But it seems that they are not "communicating" with their constituents.
Huge Kudos to Councillor Boyko and Grice as they voted against this proposal!
When I was writing this something came to me, A Manager has to "Manage" someone, so in saying that there will more than likely be yet another new position coming open in Haldimand County, an "Assistant" to the new "Manager".
So what exactly is this new position? What is this new managers job description? Well according to the Council "endorsed" job description, the communications manager will manage "media relations" and release "emergency information". This new manager will also "inform" the public about "county programs", services, and emergency issues in order to encourage "participation" in "Municipal government"! This new manager will also develop county "Polices" and procedures including "media relations protocol", "advertising policies" and will "train" people how to talk to the media and provide communication advice to council members and staff!
This is an outrage and I would hope that I am not the only one that feels this way! This position is nothing more than an "overlap" of high paying positions that already exist in Haldimand County!
I did a bit of research and checked the websites for Norfolk County and the County of Brant and neither of them have a "Communications Manager". So I have a suggestion for Haldimand County, why not call someone in one of these counties and ask them for a few suggestions!
In my opinion this current council in "Haldimand County" is "not" being fiscally responsible to it's ratepayers, and I believe that a few of these members of council should start worrying now about their positions in 2010! It is time for a big change, I hope that it will not be too late come 2010!
Here is the link to the article by Karen Best, it is a must read! http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1147882
Here is the article by the editor called "Miscommunication", it is also a must read!
http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1147906
Donna you are bang on again! These councillors should be ashamed of themselves, they are not being responsible with our money! They are throwing it around like there is no tomorrow. I hope that people write or call their respective members of council and tell them off, but I bet most won't even return the calls.
ReplyDeleteBoyko and Grice are the only members of council that are being responsible and I think that they in return should be getting phone calls from the general public for their good judgement!
It's true that the financial cost of creating this position is outrageous but even more outrageous is the real reason behind creating it. Of all levels of government the municipal level is supposed to be the most transparent and accessible. As we all know we already have a number of councillors who pretty much refuse to talk directly with their constituents,return their phone calls, etc. Once this manager is in place all communications will be done through them and they will give you well formulated answers for all of your questions. The end result will be even less accountability being shown by our elected officials than we see now and should the "communications manager" slip up and "say the wrong thing' they and only they can be held accountable for it. The only response citizens will get from most of their councillors will be "I'll have my people call you on that".
ReplyDeleteThis position has been advertised for months and months.
ReplyDeleteDid nobody notice this before? I did.
Also, Haldimand dearly needs a professional communications person instead of the buffoons it currently has. The CAO has been trying hard to counter all the bad publicity that Council and the Mayor seem to be obsessed with creating and I think he should be recognised for his valiant attempt.
Haldimand is looked at as a three ring circus by the outside world and this money is very well spent in my opinion. It's about time that the County finally woke up and joined the new millenium.
Spend the money on this new position. It's a positive step forward.
(and make sure the new person is from abroad and can make good decisions with no interference from within)
Thanks to reporters like Karen Best that are informing the public. Once the new manager is in place it seems that the press will no longer need to attend council meetings, they will just receive a press release as to what to say and what not to say.
ReplyDeleteI find the comment by one poster amusing. They say that the county is full of buffoons and the CAO has been trying real hard to counter all the bad publicity, well let me say this; it seems that buffoons will be the ones hiring this person, and the CAO shouldn't be countering anything that council members have to say!
What is really happening here is that there will no longer be a need to contact your council member. Council members will no longer speak to the press, so what the hell do we need councillors for, get rid of them all and fast!
Thanks for your comments everyone. I am glad that I am not the only one who thinks this is a waste of our hard earned money!
ReplyDeleteI must say that this comment by one of the posters says it best;
The end result will be even less accountability being shown by our elected officials than we see now and should the "communications manager" slip up and "say the wrong thing' they and only they can be held accountable for it. The only response citizens will get from most of their councillors will be "I'll have my people call you on that".
Thanks again!
Donna, I was always under the impression that the Mayor was the “Communications Manager” for any Municipal government. However given the utter incompetence shown by our Mayor over the past 30 years, it’s no big surprise that Haldimand has to hire a Communications Manager. If we had a Mayor that didn’t make a career of flapping her gums before she put her brain into gear, we probably wouldn’t need a Communications Manager. This is just another financial burden this county has to deal with because of her inability to act and think like a leader. A harassment lawsuit, the unwillingness to attend functions on Fridays due to personal commitments, and the slow death of this entire county rests at her feet. When will the 10,000 people that continue to support her election after election wake up and realize that this woman does not have the skill set to lead this county? Back in the days when being mayor meant attending bake sales and kissing babies, this mayor was in her element. Now that there’s a crisis at hand, we see where her shortcomings are. Spending money to overcome those shortcomings is fine and dandy if there’s a willingness to change, but we all know how resistant this mayor is to change.
ReplyDeleteI believe this county is way past hiring a communications manager to assist them out of the hole they have dug for themselves. What is truly needed is an Integrity Commissioner. The retired CAO and a defeated councilor both got patronage appointments from the Provincial Liberals after their employment with Haldimand County was finished. There are some members of council that are supplementing their incomes with “jobs” that have been given to them by the Province, possibly to keep them from doing exactly what Brantford City Council did. The Mayor, who’s son owns and operates a construction company in Haldimand County, has never declared a conflict of interest in any development issue brought before council, which is in direct contravention of the Municipal Act. This council has run amuck, and it is high time that the residents of Haldimand County start calling them out on things that do not pass the smell test.
A Communications Manager will have his hands full with the Mayor alone, let alone members of council. A Communications Manager can put a spin on things that appears to be out of the norm, where an Integrity Commissioner has to call them as they see them. I would rather see the money spent keeping the Mayor and Council in check, rather than a professional spin doctor that’s only going to make matters worse.
At least Boyko and Grice were smart enough to see that voting for a Communications Manager was an indictment on council itself. The rest of them, unfortunately, were unable to fathom that concept.
It will be interesting when the new person is hired and they find out that the County Clerk makes more money per year. This job is a huge responsibility and should pay more the the clerk's position. But I think that council would not approve of another position in Haldimand County that pays over $100,000.00 dollars ayear. I'll bet that this salary is only the first year, after that they will probably get a $25,000.00 a year raise!
ReplyDeleteThis is a direct reflection on the failings of the present council and our new CAO. But they are not wise enough to see it, but what they don't get is the public sees it loud and clear.
ReplyDeleteDonna FTI this is the complete job description as put together in a report by the CAO of Haldimand County. It's funny actually if you start reading the job descrition it sounds like the job descrition of our current CAO;
ReplyDeleteReport: CAO-02-2008, Attachment 1 Job Description
Position Title: Corporate Communications Manager
Department: Office of the Chief Administrative Officer
Reports to: Chief Administrative Officer
Position Function: This position, reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, will manage
corporate media relations, issues and crisis management, develop and implement corporate communications, provide support for senior management and elected officials. This position will inform the public about County programs, services and emerging issues of interest and encourage civic participation in municipal government.
Tasks/Activities:
• Develops, maintains and recommends corporate policies and procedures related to
communications (media relations protocol, corporate identity program, advertising policy,
tax bill insert).
• Develops training and orientation programs on communications issues (talking to media,
corporate design).
• Acts as the Emergency Information Co-ordinator for the Emergency Management
Program.
• Develops programs which encourage and support citizen participation on civic issues.
• Supports the co-ordination and implementation of the Staff Satisfaction Survey Results
in collaboration with the Chief Administrative Officer.
• Manages the County's Issues Management process by ensuring elected officials, staff
and residents are well informed of the County's position on emerging issues/changes in
public services and encourage public understanding and participation.
• Responds to media enquiries either as spokesperson, or ensures the appropriate
spokesperson responds in a timely manner.
• Manages the County's media relations needs through developing relationships and
networking.
• Acts pro-actively to gather information, consult with appropriate staff/Council members,
in preparation of news releases.
• Reviews and edits various documents to ensure that messages provided to the media
are clear, contain corporate messaging and will be easily understood.
• Provides strategic communications advice to elected officials and staff.
• Develops and implements strategies that support Council and Corporate priorities,
including defining messages and working with County/Departments to reinforce
messages through communications efforts.
• Ensures the County receives the best possible reach at the lowest possible cost for paid
advertising (print, radio and TV) through management of the corporate advertising policy
and regular review of the marketplace.
• Ensures staff are well-informed of corporate policies and activities that affect them by
formulation of employee communications strategies and best practices.
Report: CAO-02-2008 Council in Committee Date of Meeting: August 05, 2008 Page 6 of 6
-Oversees the County website content creation and works with all Departments to identify, build and launch specific portals of interest.
- Manages the design and development of new methods and systems to leverage and enhance services to the public in coordination with the Information Systems Division.
- Co-ordinates ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of the County's Web Site, including benchmarking comparable sites and surveying users.
As I see it the CAO is the common voice in the community and staff The back handed comments from our councillor to the two levels of government and the citizens is not helping . But a communications officer is not the answer , Here is a Question to all of you and the councillors .Do we have a management team in place that can comunicate, work with and produce results for the county? Or do we have a management team that orders you what to do? and have a we are right you are wrong and take it or leave it attitude. Will they now become even harder to get answers from Will we see them at public meetings? I thought this was the job of the Economic developement staff .By the way does any one know what they are or look like .To Mr Boyle who I have alot of respect for. CLEAN HOUSE and your problems will be solved get rid our bad management and staff that can t comminicate with staff and the public. NOW
ReplyDeleteThis county is becoming more and more of a puzzle palace. Mr Boyle I agree if the job is not getting done Clean House and get people in there that can do the job. No more deadwood with attitude.As well good people do not always come from the cities ,universities .colleges, sometimes there in your backyard open yours eyes, just because you have a degree does not make you smart in the real world.
ReplyDeleteWow!..........are you saying an actual professionally trained, competent person might end up being employed by Haldimand County?.........will wonders ever cease?.......
ReplyDeleteGet this person hired! !!!.......YESTERDAY!
Finally, this might be the muzzle that Trainer needs and certainly deserves.
Hey I know a way we can save a lot of $ and move forward,become more professional,and get respected, fire the mayor !.
ReplyDeleteTrainwreck has got to go, so does most of the council.They all signed up when things were bad, they knew going in what tasks needed to be addressed, no excuses.
Thanks again for all the great comments, and I might add some very good advice for our CAO in particular.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't help but to notice that alot of the job description (by the way thanks to the person who posted this)for this new position is very similar to the job description that was advertised for a new CAO. I remember some individuals being very happy with the new CAO and were sure that he was going to clean up Haldimand County. They were positive that he was going to open the communication line with employees and council members. Well this has not happened and it will not happen by creating a new job position.
It is high time that Haldimand County look "within" it seems to me anyway that this is where all of the problems are coming from.
We all have to remember that staff only advises council on what to do and what not to do, in the end "all" descisions are made by our "elected council", not by staff or the CAO.
I will give you another example of the lack of communication between council and residents. I am just putting the finishing touches on an article about Janet Fraser. For those that are not familiar with Janet, she is a resident from Cayuga that has been asking to speak before council since May of this year. Council at the same meeting as deciding on creating a new position in Haldimand County turned down a resident the right to appear as a delegation.(and you are only allowed 10 minutes) Will a Communications Manager have stepped in on this to ensure that council is communicating with the residents? No it won't make a difference, because as I said Council "always" has the "last say"!
I agree with one of the posters when they suggested that Haldimand County would have been better off hiring an "Integrity Commissioner"!
I forgot to mention that I did speak to both Councillor Grice and Boyko today. I would hope that some of you that agree with how they voted would make a quick call to both of them to thank them for having the wisdom and courage to not vote as the rest of council did. I know if I was a council member I would appreciate some thanks once in a while, as I can only imagine that all the calls they get are not compliments.
ReplyDeleteDonna I have been reading all the comments and I must say that some of these people should apply for this new job.
ReplyDeleteI would just like to add that the poster who talked about that they all signed up when things were bad, and they knew going in what tasks needed to be addressed, no excuses! This person has said it in a nutshell! This is the truth.
Haldimand County's staff and council are looked at as a joke by the outside world. Even the Provincial and Federal Governmnets don't take them seriously. Where is our chegue for $56 million dollars? A Communications Manager will not solve any problems that this county has. The solution is clean the house! Vote in 2010!
ReplyDeleteHi Donna
ReplyDeleteInteresting job by the discription !.
It seems that local leadership is following examples of big brother government, add a layer, buffer etc.
I do see down the road a need for this type of person since communication is and has been an issue for a very long time, should not be, but it is.
Perhaps they could start by explaing why our CEO dosnt ?, why most council dosnt and why our mayor seems to like to comunicate to select people via her emails at times ?.
Side bar to that Karen deserves a medal, if it wasnt for her we would seldom get any accurate information !.
Keep up the good fight !
ROC
The job description is huge, and it overlaps every department. For example; IT looks after all of the website and computer issues, so why would this person need to do anything with IT? In fact council just recently voted to revamp the county's website at some pretty hefty dollars.
ReplyDeleteBy the time this person gets down to the everyday routine of their new job, there will be no time for "Communications".
As always Karen Best does a first class job in reporting, people from the rest of the county should make a point to read her stories.I noticed the remarks about replacing the mayor and that she is not communicating ,I suggested to her years ago that county council has to get moble, holding townhall,in each community with staff to hear each communities separate concerns.I remember the Grandview lodge closeure meeting in Dunnville I was there .People got a chance to speak and County Staff ,Councillors had to listen and answer good questions .people left happy knowing they have been heard and given committments questions would be asnwered.We are communities within a county you will never put them into one boat, its time to respect that.I do feel as well that county has a attitude problem with its citizens.Remember council musled the Mayor to speak how is that for communicating to the public its no wether you like the Mayor or not its about free speach.
ReplyDeleteTo whomever said this:
ReplyDelete"Remember council musled the Mayor to speak how is that for communicating to the public its no wether you like the Mayor or not its about free speach."
Free Speech? Since when does any mayor of any municipality have free speech? They must speak on behalf of their Town/City and promote it, not fire off racist and derogatory remarks whenever they feel like it. They must do what's best at all times and mind their toungue. It's called diplomacy and common sense.
Another point why a new communications person needs to be hired is this: They will probably work Fridays too and will more than likely show up at a community function sending off soldiers to war.
Council did right by circumventing Trainer and her moronic gum flapping.
OH Boy Halidmand county has a Spin Doctor to once again to protect deadwood staff ,Can t wait to see the new position to defend one, two or none new arenas .the Rec Dept can hide in Calidonia even more,Or Economic and Planning can say I do not answer questions on why there are no new business coming to Halidmand ,Or I can t answer why local contractors are leaveing to Niagara and Hamilton to build we will spin that out later in a new glossie web site and newspapers ads to tell you all is well we have wonderful management, and a great county with no problems sounds like communistic China. Do not worry ,to understand our future know you past better (Churchill) that means its only a matter of time before Halidmand County falls ,It was tried before and failed. Dunnville will bring it down. its part of the Niagara Region and they have no interest in the west.Spin all you want at 100 G s plus Halidmand County will fail . Upper levels of government may want it to.Best way out of the Native issue
ReplyDeleteOH Boy Halidmand county has a Spin Doctor to once again to protect deadwood staff ,Can t wait to see the new position to defend one, two or none new arenas .the Rec Dept can hide in Calidonia even more,Or Economic and Planning can say I do not answer questions on why there are no new business coming to Halidmand ,Or I can t answer why local contractors are leaveing to Niagara and Hamilton to build we will spin that out later in a new glossie web site and newspapers ads to tell you all is well we have wonderful management, and a great county with no problems sounds like communistic China. Do not worry ,to understand our future know you past better (Churchill) that means its only a matter of time before Halidmand County falls ,It was tried before and failed. Dunnville will bring it down. its part of the Niagara Region and they have no interest in the west.Spin all you want at 100 G s plus Halidmand County will fail . Upper levels of government may want it to.Best way out of the Native issue
ReplyDeleteNew position at 85,0000 plus hardtimes coming, What are you going to cut to pay for this ? Are union contracts not coming up? sounds like financal hardship for Halidmand .But no fear we all millionares in all halidmand ,
ReplyDeleteFree speach issue? the Mayor should speak for the county. forget about your Personal feelings about the current Mayor its not about that. What if you have a new Mayor in one and a half years time that can communicate unite and lead should we musle them? Its the long term effect the spenting of money when its not needed. As far as the current mayor comments in the past the people reelected her right or wrong .As a successful former Mayor in our community along time ago once said I could not have done it without the outstanding CAO of our community. I ask you was Mr Pierce a quality CAO?did he lead and work with the Mayor to guide her which is his job, did he lead and speak for this county ? I am not a fan of the current Mayor, but if we do not respect the position of Mayor and expect more professionalism and more guidence from CAOs. mistakes would not happen like that.No mater how much you dislike the Mayor you can t hang them out to dry it looks bad for all of us if a Mayor is weak support and guide them. Council should start leading with the CAO demanding better from our staff if they can t, then replace them
ReplyDeleteMaybe some councillors and Mr Boyle know you can tell most of the public anything and they will beleave it . A good spin can fool most of the public and make the press look like the bad guy. A management can feel much more safer and less accountable. they can just pass the buck
ReplyDeleteOnece again thank you everyone for your comments. Free Speech is alive and doing well, at least outside of a council meeting!
ReplyDeleteI still believe that the most important part of a councillors position or that of staff in Haldimand County is "Respect". Until this happens I am afraid that nothing will change and that is a shame.
Haldimand County is rich with assets, the biggest being the "people". Too bad some of our council members don't feel this way.
When you have time please read the next article that I wrote about a resident from Cayuga. The blog is called "A Little Respect goes a Long Way". It is all part of the "lack" of "communications" in Haldimand County.
You can sugar coat this new position all you want it will not solve a damn thing!