Friday, July 20, 2012

More staff to be fired at SWFWMD? Rumors are rampant. Morale is in the pits.

Rumors that another very significant number of staff from SWFWMD are going to be laid off continue to seethe and swirl at the district’s headquarters in Brooksville. The number of unfortunate folks to get the boot in the middle of this country’s historic recession is unspecified but the rumor mill has it at 60 to 107 staff members.

Talk says it could hit several of the district’s central management departments (or should they now be referred to as bureaus like state agencies?) The buzz is that Information Technology, General Services, Finance Department and Management Services are being targeted.

The credence of the rumor is being reinforced by the number of people doing the whispering who are all saying the same thing. These are folks who would not typically be in communication with each other. Something is going on at SWFWMD and it’s going to destroy further the already badly damaged morale of a once highly respected, science-based public agency.

I didn’t think the morale could get any lower. Turns out I’m wrong. One can only hope the rumors are not true. This is the wrong time, the wrong way and probably the wrong reason to be doing this.

If true, the blame can be laid squarely at the feet of CEO Rick Scott, his boy Herschel Vinyard, DEP’s Tallahassee minions and a bobbing-head Governing Board that doesn’t know or care that the ability of the agency for which it has responsibility is being systematically rendered ineffective and incapacitated. Maybe the word destroyed would be more applicable.

Certainly the thread of blame should also reach back to a regulatory reform sub-committee of Scott’s transition team who vigorously promoted the idea that water management districts are simply bloated, arrogant bureaucracies that need to be erased from Florida’s regulatory scene. I seem to remember Tampa “water” lawyer Doug Manson was the chair of that subcommittee and maybe it’s significant that one of the lawyers in his firm at that time is now general counsel for the governing board at SWFWMD. She was his Tallahassee "operative" for several years. (Want to bet her job is not going to be one of those on the chopping block?)

If this is happening at the other four districts as well, anyone who has any concern for water resource management and the impact these reductions will have on Florida as a quality place to live, work, and play in the future should be up in arms.

Here’s the thing. If the layoffs are because the job of water management as a government necessity has been reduced to the point that it takes fewer staff to carry it out, then so be it. But if it’s because the legislature and governor cut water resource management funding for political reasons and without adequately considering the impact upon the districts’ collective ability to do what is needed, then that’s incompetence and dereliction of duty at the highest level.

I fear, and the facts are beginning to show, that the reality is the latter.

The next election cannot come soon enough.

35 comments:

  1. Rumors are true. Staff told 40% reduction in those areas this fiscal year despite budget approved thru 2013.

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    1. From: David Rathke
      Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 12:35 PM
      To: All_Users
      Subject: Update

      Good morning everyone,

      At the last Employee meetings Blake discussed how we would be making on-going changes to operations, staffing levels, and that we will always be looking for ways to improve. As he mentioned, we’ve accomplished much of what needs to be done and as with any successful organization, we will never stop striving to do things better. In particular, we are looking for ways to further reduce our operating costs, meet statutory requirements, and increase our commitment to projects that help meet our core mission.

      I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know about some of our current efforts to improve our operations. To assist us in this, we have invited the Florida Sterling Council to help us. The Florida Sterling Council is a highly respected organization that facilitates best management practices. You can read more about the Council at this link. The Management Services Division has met with Council staff to begin what we hope is a productive review of our internal support operations. This effort follows the recent completion of our IT review by KPMG which is to be presented to the Board in the next few months. Kurt Fritsch and Steve Dicks have been working with Governing Board member Michael Babb and Blake to develop a roadmap for implementation of the recommendations over the next year. Some of these recommendations as well as those developed by our Management team and the Sterling Council will include staff reductions but the specifics have not been finalized as we have only been discussing them for the past month.

      If you have questions about what’s happening in your bureau, please contact your bureau chief who will be able to provide you with the most current information regarding your area. As you know, the Office of the Chief of Staff, is currently implementing further measures to keep you informed. One of these is the new weekly Currents Newsletter which will be out in publication today. This is the type of information that will be included in future editions.

      If you have topics you believe would be beneficial to include in Currents, please do not hesitate to contact the Communications Bureau.

      Thank you,

      David Rathke
      Chief of Staff
      Southwest Florida Water Management District
      david.rathke@watermatters.org
      Cell phone (352) 279-2834

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  2. The Finance Bureau Chief was the only Chief who gave his staff the truth last week. His announcement was 40% reduction across Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, and General Services. He even announced the number which would be cut from each department. Other Bureau Chief's were not honest with their staff and further confused and angered their staff by leaving them with no information to go on.

    28 leaving from Information Technology
    15 leaving from Finance
    18 leaving from General Services
    6 leaving from Human Resources

    They may have been directed to do this by the Executive Director... but it's a sad state of affairs when the agency won't treat employees like adults and be honest.

    Another interesting fact shared with the employees was there is no severance package planned for this round of cuts. So that means that the first round of cut employees, who were the poorest performers, got the best severance package. Then the second round of cuts landed a smaller severance package. Now, the BEST performing employees who have stuck around are getting fired with NO SEVERANCE PACKAGE. Just unreal.

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    1. Agreed, However, as one who took the "package" in January after 25 years of "faithful and dedicated service," the supposed severance package wasn't really a severance package by any stretch of the imagination. It was simply what you were entitled to under normal termination circumstances (unused annual leave up to 240, % of sick leave up to 240), plus a few extra paydays to give you "incentive" to voluntarily separate. It's interesting to note that executive level got a sweeter leave payout than us front-line workers.

      There IS life on the other side after the ol' SWFWMD. I am better off now and have no regrets for bailing out when I did, other than having to leave behind my work family of 25 years. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my friends and former coworkers left behind in that smoking hole that once was a premier example of a public agency.

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    2. I'm with you--good managers know how to reduce their budgets without laying off the workers. You could ask people to work reduced hours, pay more for health insurance, etc. The problem is you have to be creative enough and considerate of long-time employees to do this and we all know politicians are in it for themselves, only, regardless of any claims they make

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  3. As someone who has had one in their family cut down by the sword of "slick rick" in the first "Dacau" I feel sorry for those who are still to come.
    To those of you who voted for this "slick mitt Clone" don't look back because someon is gaining on you. This can happen to anyone at any time. You are talking about a person who fires from one hand and hires from the other. This makes it look like he is increasing employment in Florida. However, the statistics prove otherwise.
    This person should never have elected sewer commossioner much less the highest position in the state. What he is doing, so blatantly, is cleansing the government of those who dare to disagree with him
    Does any of this look familiar to the commercials now showng on TV or to the 30's and 40's in Europe.

    My question is will you have the courage to allow this to be printed so the CEO can have aomeone who knows how to read read it to him?

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  4. Most every "rumor" regarding SWF staff since Scott took office has been dead on, so I suspect this too will prove out. I was at the Environmental Permitting Course in Marco and sat in on a presentation with Executive Director Guillery aka: Sargent Shultz - I know nonthing and General Council Laura ? from SWFWMD. Throughout their presentations they constantly made sarcastic unprofessional comments about how screwed up everything that was done before they arrived was and about how wonderful and brillent they are as they go about fixing everything. I have been going to this event for over 20 years and I have never seen such unprofessional and petty conduct by that level of WMD staff and for that manner any agency or private sector staff. The General Council has a lot of maturing and experieince to gain before she should critize anyone as she's done nothing in her profession yet, other than get a the job because of her affiliation with Mr. Manson. I attend this forum to learn about water resource issues and science, not to hear "political appointees" spout political sound bites. Not interested in budget and staff cut statistics. Why not show the downward trends of our spring flows and water quality. It's unfortunate for the WMD's as the days of being looked at as the apex of water resource science may be coming to an end as compedent staff are either cast off or driven to silence. I've been told by just about every staffer that I talk to at SW that the times where differing opinions and view points were encouraged and stimulated scientific creativity and balanced policy no longer exists. Those that don't follow the script are "traitors" (ask someone in senior management about Guillery's motivational "Traitors" speech or the one where he said staff should look at management like a cop in the rear view mirror. Unbelievable. I recall a certain Governing Board member from Plant City, no not him, that said during the ousting of David Moore, that the District needed a leader with "modern management skills". They certainly have something new, as I've never seen anything like this. The company I've worked for these many years recently was taken over by another, but instead of the new parent company bashing the aquired one, it promoted all the good of both and pledges to make it even better. That is how its really done in th eprivate sector. Maybe these people weren't as talanted in that sector as either.

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  5. In a time of layoffs as a way of budget cuts, rumors are now spreading of 'Merit Raises' for a select few. Granted no annual increases in 4+ years in not enviable, but to talk increases when laying off so many. I hope that is just a rumor. While no one may know all the details, SWFWMD is a government agency and almost all information is public and available to those that request it.

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  6. To "Anonymous" who wrote, "My question is will you have the courage to allow this to be printed so the CEO can have someone who knows how to read read it to him?"

    After some thought, I decided not to publish your full comment, not because I lack courage but because it hit me as just a tad too disrespectful. Purely my judgment, of course, and others might disagree. I want to keep the discussion a little elevated above where that comment was. Not so much the message but the use of certain words. Thank you for commenting nevertheless. Every thought is appreciated. -Sandspur

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    1. I guess I was right. Some people just don't want anyone to see the whole picture, no matter how messy and corrput it might be. What are you afraid of?
      Did the names insult you or the fact that SWFMD has been "cleansed", by our CEO, of all those who are opposed to his rantings and replaced with "minions" whose only reply is "how high would you like me to jump?

      There was nothing in my comment that was not the truth. There was no foul language. There was nothing that was disrespectful except in the eyes of those who read it (which in this case was only one).
      I had thought, in the beginning, this was a forum where we could vent at the misgivings of our state government.
      I was wrong. It appears that you, also, have been reined in by the government machine.

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  7. Sonny, would have liked to see the censored piece. I thin we are all capable of making our own judgement on the appropriatness and fairness of what anyone might say. You could have added your comments (above), which would state your opinion on what you think is fair and that in mind opinion would be reasonable. Some folks just aren't as clever with their vocabulary as you are so a little crudness sometimes works. Watch for fallout at top level from latest.

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  8. I agree - redact the offensive language, or leave it, and let us make our own decisions. Likely, the offending opinions are no worse than those we hold.

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  9. Sorry, folks, I don't think I want to get into the business of editing the comments of others. If the sender wants to do a little "redacting" and send it again, I'm happy to reconsider.

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  10. I worked at the District for mor than 30 years and left voluntarily before "Drive By Dave" was canned. David Moore was not the poorest CEO during my time but he ranks near the bottom of the barrel. Thank goodness I was able to move into a blissfull retirement.
    I hate to see what the District has become.

    Wish you were still CEO Sonny!

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  11. I’ve only heard this and it may or may not be correct… the lucky 60-107 staff on the chopping block have a temporary stay of execution until the August Governing Board. Why? It appears the Governing Board may not have been briefed on this reduction (at least through official channels) and possibly became aware of this development only from outside sources. So the staff reduction might be on hold for now, at least until the Board meets and has the opportunity to bob their heads up and down in approval.

    Moving on to management practices… For all intents and purposes, Executive and the Governing Board have absolute power and are accountable to no one. While it’s true they do have to answer to Rick Scott and the Tea Party Legislature, the likelihood of answering to them may be compared with asking the devil to turn down the fire in hell. Get used to this. This will be continuing for years to come. You the taxpayer have nothing to say about it - come to think of it, many if not most of the front-line staff who are now or already been on the chopping block are taxpayers themselves (a fact our Governing Board conveniently disregards). Executive and the Board regard themselves as nobility, front-line staff being little more than insects to be used and crushed at will.

    One could describe what's gone on with regard to Water Management Districts in general (and not only SWFWMD in particular)as Grover Norquist on steroids. Cut, cut, cut… then drown what’s left in the bathtub. Most importantly get the job done quickly while Rick is still in office.

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  12. Everybody make sure you get out and VOTE the next time these people run for something!!!

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  13. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  14. Hey Sonny. When you were ED did you work a full week (or more?). It must be the goal of becoming more like the private sector. It seems the current Executive Director is a bit inconvenienced by the job location and hours. His main residence is still West Palm and he routinely finds a "meeting" mid Friday afternoon somewhere near Bartow or south and heads on home afterwards. Try and find him at the new headquarters in Tampa Monday before noon, as that appears to be travel-back time. How much true commitment do you think he has for the staff, citizens and resource when this is not his home and obviously just a temporary job. Hey, if you want to commute so be it, but I bet if you asked for some public records of mileage reimbursement, per diem and time-card hours you might not get real figures. Sure the job requires one to work any and all hours needed, and I can imagine you yourself put in some very long days and weeks, but that position is meant to set the example. Maybe if he was part of the community he might actually give a darn about the staff and impact these decisions will have on the long term viability of the resource. Seems he's only interested in building a reputation that will serve him in some capacity on the east coast with the tea party establishment. Would probably be something Steve Andrews ought to look at.

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  15. According to staff at SWFWMD, today's employee meeting was very interesting to say the least. I'm told the Executive Director (Blake Guillory) stated that the information regarding the 80 layoffs presented to the Management Services employees in the past month by the four Bureau Chiefs was "nothing but rumors"! I find it hard to imagine that FOUR Bureau Chiefs would tell their staff the percentage of layoffs, the timing of the layoffs, etc. (all quoting the same numbers, BTW)and it being labeled a "rumor". I'm also told that after he labeled the layoffs "rumors", Mr. Guillory made a statement that he was considering offering the same packages to laid off employees as the last time. So it is a "rumor" or not?

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  16. Poor Blake Guillory...Nobody Likes Him!

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  17. Rumor? Probably not. Botched would be the better word. Two or three months from now when this article has faded from memory, the layoffs will be back. If Blake wants 80 people gone, they will be gone, cause he's the Executive Director.

    He'll get it right the second time around. The Governing Board will have the proper opportunity to bob and nod their heads unanimously. Maybe Blake can get Rick (Scott) to disapprove an appropriate amount of staffing expenses from the 2013 budget (as was done for 2012) - this providing justification to go ahead with the layoff.

    If there's a will, there's a way...




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  18. Most I have heard from believe they are being lied to from the employee meetings. They are told they are #1 but then told some may not be with us in September or October while at the same time they say no decisions have been made. This is mid August and no plans have been made...right! Many feel the management and board is clueless and out of touch. The organization is dysfunctional and ineffective since lower management cannot plan on anything since manpower, projects, and money is so uncertain. I sincerely hope it gets better but I seriously doubt it will.

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  19. Yesterday's Governing board meeting confirmed that additional layoff's will occur after Oct. 1. The board has directed that a "separation package" similar to the last round be set up. This will impact the Management Services division, Finance, HR, Facilities support and IT. No numbers were discussed but Sir Guillory will speak to each board member individually to update them on the situation. I assume this will be individually to avoid the Sunshie rules. How can the District be a happy place to work with the threat of losing one's job hanging over their heads.

    Not a place I would want to work.

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    1. To answer your question of how it could be a happy place to work...it's not! In fact, it is barely tolerable.

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  20. Wonderful! All the folks who lose their jobs will take away dollars from the community and cause many families turmoil, stress, and illness. Where are these folks going to work? How cruel to see millionaires destroy the organization for the sake of allowing rich developers open range for more subdivisions to rape the state of its natural resources. SWFMD MATTERS doesn't really matter, the only thing that matters is corporate profit.

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  21. It is interesting that during the last set of reductions they found cushiony jobs for high level directors while letting the work-a-bees go. More tax dollars could be save by reducing high level paid staff and letter the folks in the trenches protect the state's water resources or maybe resource protection is no longer a WMD objective.

    Does the District really need a high level director to be an Ombudsman and does he really need to high level directors to assist him?

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  22. Interesting words at last Governing Board from the Executive Director's own mouth... The District needs more programmers (in IT) to finish WMIS. This is from the ED who in the same Board meeting requested and got approval (in a unanimous vote of bobbing heads) for a "separation incentive" to be used in the District's eagerly anticipated next wave of layoffs, many of the candidates for this layoff projected to come from front line IT staff.

    One year ago, the District employed programmers on staff that worked on WMIS. Approximately half the District's programmers were laid off in the last staff reduction including several who worked on WMIS up to the day they left. Several District programmers that had been retained in the staff reduction have also left since the reduction. It would be safe to say the overall workload of the remaining District programmers has increased considerably in the last year, likely to the extent where workload has become difficult to keep up with if it is being kept up with at all.

    Fire then hire, or hire then fire? Florida-grown flip flop!

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    1. Wonder when this severance package, er I mean "separation incentive" will be offered. Perhaps just in time for the holidays.

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    2. Actually, the District did offer a "separation incentive" in time for the holidays last year.

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  23. Orlando-Sentinel reports: "DEP chief: State's water districts now appropriately sized". Obviously SWFWMD's Executive Director, Blake Guillory,isn't talking to HIS boss, Herschel Vinyard, much these days or he would know the 80-100 additional layoffs he is demanding aren't necessary. Unless of course Mr. Guillory is taking it upon himself to cut staff in an effort to further his career.

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    1. There's no doubt that he been in complete contact with the appropriate people in Tallahassee on what's going on.

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  24. Amazing. I think I understand why budgets and staff reductions are still at center stage at SWFWMD. While everyone fixates on the ongoing assault on staff the performance of the new leadership is being overlooked. The current administration leadership of Guillery and legal lightweight Donalson have failed at making the District more efficent and less bureaucratic. While they and their mentor Vineyard continue to draw attention to the regulatory element, the most successful programs at SW are going backwards and its not staff. Projects related to cooperative funding, SWIM and FARMs are being held in limbo because the legal department revises all the agreement language. Why? Because current GC "feels" the existing language leaves the District vunerable. Huh? Many lawyers before have looked at the language and were comfortable so why now? Was there some problems in the past? No, try and find a problem associated with project in the last 20 years that was a result of contract language. Local governments ready to "turn dirt" with contracts and bids in place are being held up while these agreements sloooooowly are released. The FARMS program which was (still is) one of the most inovative and beneficial programs that was ever implemented (by the way under your watch) is in jepordy. The legal department is no longer willing to guaranty standby quantities will be protected. What agricultural entity in their right mind would give up existing quantities? Does the Governing Board know about this? No because first of all they're not informed by staff, those that maybe aware are not interested in agriculture (the Governor just let go the only two agricultural memebers on the board) they are only interested in how many staff can be cut and the District's authority diministed, as that best serves their position of development without government interference. You might get a permit ffaster, but it's taking forever to get the money out to those tax paying entities that are waiting to use it. This is water management leadership?

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  25. Who needs an aquifer when you have parking lots to catch all the rain water. The more parking lots we have and the faster we get permits out to developers who want to build parking lots, the more rain water we will be able to catch in them. Asphalt... all the environment you'll ever need.

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  26. The ax has started swinging at SWFWMD again! The rumors were true. I just found out that a friend of mine who has been with SWFWMD for over 27 years lost her job today! Apparently the staff reductions have very little to do with budget cuts. It's more of a "look what I can do" type mentality! It also seems that those who were not fired (but will soon wish they were) will have to put on a happy face and pretend everything is wonderful. I hear installation of tracking devices and brain washing exercises begin next week! Good luck to you all!

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  27. According to the Management Serivies meeting held yesterday: there should be about 20 employees being let go after eliminating the vacancies. Interesting to note that the ED was not present for this meeting... Shocking.

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