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

Thu Dec 6 16:37:13 UTC 2012

I agree completely with everything in this thread so far.  Wouldn't it be 
nice if we had an effective EOC to help keep some of this nonsense in check? 
I know, I'm one of those old, lazy operators after whom the current 
Committee is cleaning up.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Robinson" <drob1946 at gmail.com>
To: <terrydeagle at yahoo.com>; "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'" 
<nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 9:11
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] What is really up with the BEP equipment inventory


> 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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