How defensive Mr. Parker is! I was actually neutral in my opinion of Mr. Parker until I read this letter. Yes - I found his previous interviews self-serving and in poor taste; yes - I have learned to listen when a family has concerns about domestic violence and controlling behaviors; and YES - one cannot help but notice how the guilty always reveal their true character by publicly going on the defensive. In this instance, I hope I am wrong, but Mr. Parker's behaviors since the death of his little girl certainly contain all the elements of someone who feels the need to conduct a PR offensive in the wake of a very tragic death.
What a waste of taxpayer's dollars! If Hulsey is not performing the duties required of her position, then she should be relieved of her duties permanently. Due diligence? I advocate for due diligence in all employment settings which simply means that performance problems and clear expectations be documented and the employee be given the opportunity to bring their performance to acceptable levels. The REAL problem here is "management." The County of Humboldt has outdated, ineffective (if any) employment practices and policies that render the County hostage to personnel problems. With no incentive or consequences for addressing these problems with anything less than severance agreements with large payments - the current system of tolerating and rewarding poor performance will continue.
I don't understand the logic of pointing out the labor practices, low wages, and other management problems of Walmart as a reason to exclude them from the Northcoast when their local competitors, i.e., "Mom and Pop" stores, pay minimum wages and ZERO benefits in general. I challenge one competitor or opponent to provide some verifiable information that "Mom and Pops" provide higher paying jobs (including benefits) and job security than Walmart.
I agree with Mr. Adams that focusing on the positive wfill surely bring positive results, but I differ with his suggested focus matter. Instead of egocentric and frustrated entrepreneurs complaining about how they cannot get "good employees" in this region, lets shift the focus to educating small business owners how to manage their employees in a positive manner. I find it very illuminating that we have created a business atmosphere where business owners feel free to lament the lack of talent, drive, and knowledge of a regional workforce. To attract - and then retain a talented workforce means stepping up your management skills and business practices enough to provide a workplace that is professional, stimulating, and rewarding. Who in their right mind aspires to work for a handful of employers that have no shame in claiming they simply are unable to attract employees that are as brilliant as they are? I think it is time to shift the paradigm and mix-it up a bit. Stop showcasing the same five Arcata employers and get the rest of the county involved if you want to grow opportunity. The same old message with the same old players really isn't very inspiring.
Ok, Michael - you offered your piece in defense of the Credit Union. Your statement indicates that participation is required in a democracy, but the above-statement indicates that members can only attend the annual meeting? Are the regular board meetings open to members? Can members receive board meeting agendas? Participation is required in a democracy but it must be allowed, no?
Please do not be patronizing...TOTAL COMPENSATION is nearly one million dollars per year. To insinuate that his actual "salary" is far less is symbolic of what lead to the current economic crisis in our nation - executives who spin the truth, i.e., lie, weasel, trivialize, spin - in order to justify their extraordinary compensation at the expense of shareholders. Board of Directors? Really? Comparable salary? Shame on all of you.
Re: “Wal-Mart's Chutzpah”
Who is the "majority" that is referred to in Ms. Kerman's letter? Eureka voters deciding on a zoning issue? Since when do we get to "vote" on whether or not a business is allowed to enter our County? Secrets? I hate to inform you but many corporations use a name that does not reveal all of their business ventures. Perhaps I would be more sympathetic if many local small businesses had been kinder to their patrons and employees when they had a monopoly that allowed them to prosper despite poor customer service, bad employment practices, and outrageous prices. Competition sucks.