[nfbmi-talk] What is really up with the BEP equipment inventory

[David Robinson]

Terry, 

   Your comments are exactly on target.  What you say is all so true even
though BEP management makes excuses for everything they do or don't do.
Sometimes we just shake our heads and shutter in disbelief.  How could any
State administration allow such bias, incompident and dishonest people to
continue to hold positions in state government.  We also must be reminded
that your comments just highlight the tip of the iceberg.  Much, much more
has been part of the destruction of the BEP and no one is sure if it can be
saved.  It is despicable that such a valuable source of employment for the
blind is being destroyed, but we know of the cause and we know we must
continue to stand for the operators and their chance at success. 

Dave Robinson

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Terry
Eagle
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 8:48 AM
To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] What is really up with the BEP equipment inventory

Is this any surprise to anyone?  It can be summarized easily as the symptom
is fraud and cover-up, and the cause is total incompetence.  The student
inventory-takers, promotional agents, and BEP and BS4BP management are
incompetent, as they obviously and clearly know little or nothing about
business, and food service and vending best practices.

As pointed out John McEntee was driven out, along with Fred Wurtzel.  And
let us not forget the firing of David Robinson, who actually attempted to do
that which the state auditors report is lacking:  support to operators.
What is the real truth about Dave Robinson's firing?  We see from public
documents that it was for being behind six months in paperwork, yet it is
now documented that at least one promotional agent is behind in paperwork
processing for more than a year and still employed by BEP.  And another
Promotional agent is still employed with BEP after costing the program $
7000 dollars after failing to do paperwork to remove a vending machine from
a closed and demolished rest area.  This also was noted by the state
auditor.

And what was up when James Hull's relative was hired to do the BEP
inventory, as reported in MCB Board minutes, and the inventory results were
not to the liking of BEP management, as also reported to the Board.  Did not
the former BEP manager come under attack for hiring a relative to oversee
the BEP wharehouse?  Do you see a double standard in ethics, a hallmark of
the Patrick Cannon administration?  

I guess it is all about management-by-selective-paperwork, and the selective
results desired by management of LARA down to the promotional agents.
Consider the most recent costly paperwork knee-jerk reaction to the
auditor's finding about accountability for poor money management by BEP
management.  Now LARA management is happy to cost operators thousands
annually in sales and profits, also costing the set-aside fund countless
dollars annually, because of new paperwork requirements just to get
equipment repaired.  Here is a novel idea for the Snyder administration to
save money and save jobs for blind persons:  How about taking care of the
cause of the problem, rather than just continuing to treat the symptoms:
Move the incompetent management out of BEP, and hire competent
business-oriented and knowledgable management.  How is that for REINVENTING
HOW MICHIGAN DOES BUSINESS, Mr. Governor?  Perhaps that idea can also
address and eliminate the administration's legislative agenda to move blind
vendors from WORK-TO-WELFARE.  Just maybe.


-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Sontag
Subject: What's Really Up With the Equipment Inventory?

Two reports received here within the past 72 hours have got me wondering if
the new BEP equipment inventory has any chance of being satisfactory to
anyone who really cares.  One report comes from a highway vending operator,
the other from a snack bar operator, but both have some striking
similarities.
 
Both operators say that they were never asked to open any vending
machinesfor the inventory takers, a problem  because manufacturer's serial
numbers are often accessible only from inside the units, as well as the fact
that additional items for the inventory may be housed in the cabinet of a
vending machine, including but not limited to video and digital recording
equipment used for site security purposes.
 
The other common detail is that the inventory takers showed no interest in
checking storage areas at the vending facilities, even though storage rooms
often contain refrigeration, soft drink service and other items that may
belong on the final inventory.  The roadside operator was told that their
presence was not required at the designated time for the inventory taker's
visit.  I well remember being asked by my PA for equipment identification
details and opening all store rooms and all Agency-owned equipment for John
McEntee, as he methodically documented the equipment at the Comstitution
Hall facility while I ran it.  In fact John's inventory was notable for its
thoroughness in documenting what was present in the locations and for his
documentation of  equipment that the BEP had purchased but that could *Not
be located, including various vending machines and several security systems
for highway facilities.  John was driven out of the BEP shortly before he
would have completed his work on this project.
 
What kind of accuracy and completeness are we likely to get under current
conditions from two student interns with no experience in the Program and
who are being paid at bargain rates?  My guess is that we'll get what we
paid for; and that's not likely to work very well for anybody, especially
those who insist that BS for Blind Persons is doing everything right and
should be held harmless.
 
Joe Sontag


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