vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen

11.12.2008

Transactions

Here's a rundown of the day's transactions in state government:

- Rob Hofmann replaces Cynthia LaWare as secretary of the Agency of Human Services. LaWare might stay in state government.

- Jason Gibbs, the governor's spokesman for the last six years, replaces Jonathan Wood as commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Wood was named last week as secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources.

- Gibbs' replacement as the voice of the governor is "TBD," he says. One would have guessed it would be Dennise Casey, most recently the governor's campaign manager but when not in campaign season a gubernatorial staffer. However, Gibbs says Casey "will be promoted to a different position on the senior staff."

All told, what do you make of the changes?

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 7:06 PM |

Comments:

While all 4 of the Governor's AHS Secretary appointees have been fine people in their own right, none have had any content expertise. Four agency CEO's in succession without content expertise in a six year span can extract a toll. Given the size and complexity of AHS this approach has resulted in lost opportunities.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:55 PM, November 12, 2008

He's a gop, little fella. They run on the platform that government is the problem, get their incompetent asses elected and spend the next two years proving their point. Vermont has gotten worse with every successive doogie/dubie debacle encore.

What's he gonna do next, play In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida for two years with a nine month dubie drum solo?

He's every bit as incompetent as shrub is.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 10:37 PM, November 12, 2008

The Douglas legacy is now complete. Jason Gibbs at Forest & Parks? Rarely in the history of state government had there been such a stuck-in-neutral, go-nowhere political favor appointment than this one. Gibbs bring less to the table than a beggar to the homeless shelter. How this tool (Douglas) garnered more than 50 percent of the vote in the election is beyond me. He does nothing for this state and Gibbs' appointment is further proof.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:05 PM, November 12, 2008

Won't there be plenty of journalists for Jimmy to choose from for his new press person in just a couple of weeks when the Free Press lays off a bunch more scribes?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:13 PM, November 12, 2008

If Randy Brock hadn't won in Franklin County he would have got a job. Now, since he won he says he wants to be Governor.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:11 AM, November 13, 2008

Douglas can actually choose his new press stooge from his pool of "communicators" spread across our government. He would be a fool to choose some outsider after grooming all this talent on the public's dime. If he does pick someone not in his existing posse, he had better have a good reason.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:16 AM, November 13, 2008

Sounds like you are feeling a little slighted that you aren't in the running for the job.

Don't feel bad. Coop got turned down as Communications Director also.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:29 AM, November 13, 2008

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# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:48 AM, November 13, 2008

Hey, Gibbs has experience - he was an eagle scout!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:48 AM, November 13, 2008

Naw, it will be Heidi Cringe! After all, she goes "ga ga" every time Douglas opens his mouth!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:51 AM, November 13, 2008

Someone, any good reporter, should look into this new contract for out of state prison space.

The Douglas Administration just signed a contract with LCS Corrections, Inc. in Alabama...

A quick google reveals this from Texas---

The scandal involving the indicted and now-resigned Bexar County Sheriff Ralph Lopez receiving illegal gifts from jail commissary company Premier Management seems to be growing.

Premier’s owners are Pat and Michael LeBlanc, Louisiana businessmen who also own the private prison company LCS Corrections. The bribery scandal now appears to have spread to Nueces County (which includes Corpus Christi) and Kleberg County, where private commissary and future detention contracts may have been influenced with similar inappropriate gifts.

Pat LeBlanc ran for Louisiana state House of Representatives on a platform as a “pro-business, pro-life, law and order Republican” who is a “strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment, adamantly opposes illegal immigration, and is opposed to any state sponsored attempts to expand gambling into Lafayette Parish.” (Interestingly, it looks like Premier Management is not on Pat’s list of business experiences… -- i.e. he is hiding this fact)
So, who is LCS Corrections and what are their interests in Tex as? According to their website, LCS is
“an industry leader in the development and operation of privatized correctional facilities. The company offers a complete range of prison and correctional related services to local, state, and federal agencies.”

Well, an industry leader might be a bit of a stretch. According to our map of private prisons in Texas, LCS currently operates three detention centers in south Texas (compared to nearly 20 operated by GEO Group and nearly 15 by CCA). LCS also has a handful of prisons in Louisiana and at least one in Alabama.

The company’s record in Texas is far from seamless as well. According to list of private prison incidents, LCS prisons in Texas have experienced lots of problems.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:57 AM, November 13, 2008

Gov Douglas' administration reeks of cronyism as never before seen in Vermont State Gov't.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:58 AM, November 13, 2008

So who is doing military affairs these days? Vermont vets must sleep better at night knowing that someone is looking out for them -- part time!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:31 AM, November 13, 2008

Well, let's see... Press Secretary Jason Gibbs was "promoted" to Secretary of Civil & military Affairs back in June when Secretary Dennise Casey was "promoted" to Douglas Camapign Manager.

Now Secretary Gibbs is being "Promoted" or is that "demoted" to Commissioner of Forest & Parks.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:34 AM, November 13, 2008

How about this blip about LCS Corrections. The company is part of an ongoing FBI investigation. Nice!

Bexar County Jail, Bexar County, Texas
March 12, 2008 Express News
A small plane crash Monday night killed a Louisiana businessman whose private prison services company, Premier Management Enterprises, was at the center of a public corruption investigation that last year forced the resignation of Bexar County Sheriff Ralph Lopez. Patrick LeBlanc, 53, died with the pilot while trying to land in rough weather in Lafayette, La., according to a family friend and local press reports. LeBlanc and his brother, Michael LeBlanc, co-owned Premier and LCS Corrections Services, which build or service prisons in several states, including in three South Texas counties. The brothers' company remains the subject of an ongoing FBI investigation into "contracting irregularities," a bureau official confirmed.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:55 AM, November 13, 2008

Gee, corruption in the clueless-cretin, gop-slime ruled State of Texas.

What are the odds.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 1:00 PM, November 13, 2008

Poor babies - just can't get over Douglas winning reelection!

BooHoo!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:01 PM, November 13, 2008

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 1:29 PM, November 13, 2008

Doesn't take much to get used to - what with his appointment of Clinton sleeze bags and other ethically-deprived hustlers, it should be just like the bad old days of one official after another taking the fifth (that's opposed to drinking it, jw) or claiming immunity! For now, Barack has found something to occupy the dim brains of Leahy and John Conyers - "hey, Pat and Johnny, why don't you geniuses bring up those 8 or so fed prosecuters that Bush fired AGAIN"! Or maybe go listen to Bernie over at the Senate ranting about the "rich"! Plenty of seats.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:39 PM, November 13, 2008

"Is that ignorant racist-trash/fear of a Black President thing still givin' ya trouble, bubbakis?"

The only bigot around here is JWCoop10.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:47 PM, November 13, 2008

BUBBA, AREN'T ALL OF THE BUSH PEOPLE CLAIMING IMMUNITY?

ROVE, RICE, MEYERS ...

I GUESS IT'S ONLY OKAY TO CLAIM IMMUNITY AS LONG AS YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:58 PM, November 13, 2008

bubba...

"Doesn't take much to get used to - what with his appointment of Clinton sleeze bags and other ethically-deprived hustlers, it should be just like the bad old days of one official after another taking the fifth (that's opposed to drinking it, jw) or claiming immunity!.."

Nice try, nitwit.

That scum are all still members or former members of the madness of king george's court, bubbakis, but if your ignorant anonymous ass can cough up any Clinton Cabinet Members who were convicted of four out of five felony counts of Perjury, Obstruction and lying to Federal Agents that participated in the outing a covert CIA Agent like Scooter, feel free to name them, schmuck.

How many Dems have the Bush gop-slime injustice Department been able to convict, clueless?

How many gops?

Just who named Clinton did Ken Starr nail with that 70 million bucks, bubbles?

How many wrongfully-terminated Bush Fed Prosecutors have been vindicated by Independent Investigators, bubbakis?

Unless and until shrub cranks up the pardon machine on the way outta DC, that list is about to get even longer, little fella.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 3:15 PM, November 13, 2008

anonymous said...

""Is that ignorant racist-trash/fear of a Black President thing still givin' ya trouble, bubbakis?""

"The only bigot around here is JWCoop10."

Yeah, just like the Jews who hated nazis and the Blacks who hated the klan were bigots, little fella.

Nice try, nitwit.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 3:18 PM, November 13, 2008

bubba said...

"..Plenty of seats."

There'd better be, bubbakis. Unless and until shrub cranks up the pardon machine, there's gonna be a lot of defendants and witnesses for the prosecution come January.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 3:24 PM, November 13, 2008

Anonymous...

"So who is doing military affairs these days? Vermont vets must sleep better at night knowing that someone is looking out for them -- part time!"

Veterans and Active US Military Personnel from Vermont aren't one of Doogie's priorities.

As with all gops, they're merely props to be talked up and trotted out for photo ops.

Beyond that, they don't really matter to gops and their supporters.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 3:34 PM, November 13, 2008

how about jim barnet.......

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:36 PM, November 13, 2008

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# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:58 PM, November 13, 2008

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:58 PM, November 13, 2008

Always with the sweet talk, schmuck.

So, what you're sayin' is that you're still dumb, you're still scum and your ignorant anonymous ass has still got bupkis.

Thanks for clearin' that up, little nameless-nitwit fella.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 5:13 PM, November 13, 2008

Yup, with your attitude you make one hell of a kapos.

You'd be laughing your head off about what a big deal you were while you were bustin' heads for the fatherland then crying you were a victim when payback time came.

Once a coop always a coop.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:25 PM, November 13, 2008

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 8:04 PM, November 13, 2008

What did our governor have to say when he saw his buddy Sarah Palin at the RGC??

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:11 PM, November 13, 2008

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:08 AM, November 14, 2008

It's nice to see Sen. Bartlett putting forth some ideas to get Vermont some needed revenue. Her idea for the feds to suspend the federal transporatation dollar match just might work.

Wonder why Transportation Committee Chairman Dick Mazza doesn't have any ideas like this? If he's going to continue just going through the motions, put someone else in charge of the committee.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:23 AM, November 14, 2008

Sure, sure, the Feds are about to suspend their regs for Vermont. After all, we have SUCH an influential delegation in Washington! Here's an idea no one in Vermont has tried for some time - why doesn't the state become business friendly, which AT LEAST might prevent even more businesses from heading for greener pastures, and who knows - might even encourage NEW businesses to move here!

When pigs fly!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:29 PM, November 14, 2008

We'd need a new Governor for that to happen.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:29 PM, November 14, 2008

Why don't you check into what Douglas' rating is with business groups like the Chamber of Commerce or Small Business associations? Then compare them with those of former Governors Kunin and Dean, and the current legislature. Then tell me that business flight out of Vermont is somehow related to Douglas!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:54 PM, November 14, 2008

Mazza's problem is he will do whatever the Governor says - dean or douglas - matters not!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:55 PM, November 14, 2008

Interesting that the Free Press leaves most of Jeff W. Coopers abusive rants but deletes pay back in kind.

I never cared for the idea of keeping a rabid pet myself.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:38 PM, November 14, 2008

Jim Douglas has proposed more spending than any governor in the history of Vermont.

Taxes have gone up under his leadership.

Anyone who says that he is business friendly isn't paying attention.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:07 PM, November 14, 2008

Yes, I guess some ignorant Anonymous poster knows more than business organizations.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:50 PM, November 14, 2008

The ignorance on this blog is laughable. AOT Secretary David Dill is the one who has been pushing for the feds to suspend the state match for transportation dollars - Dill and every one of his colleagues in other states. Whether the Dems in Congress actually deliver remains to be seen. Speaking of which, when will Vermonters wake up and realize that with all his seniority and position on appropriations, Leahy should be doing a hell of a lot more for Vermont than he's done. The state's budget problems could be fixed in a heartbeat if the feds actually lived up to their commitments to fully fund special education and the countless other currently unfunded federal mandates.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:14 PM, November 14, 2008

"How ."

And Gaye Symington in her 4 years as Speaker did what? Bash Yankee? Allow filthy vagabonds to take over the Statehouse on an idiotic impachment crusade? Watch Al Gore via video? Protect dogs from having their ears trimmed? Vote for the two-vote school funding law, and then vote against it next session after the teacher's union threatened her?

How this tool (Symington) garnered more than 20 percent of the vote in the election is beyond me. She does nothing for this state and . .

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:00 PM, November 14, 2008

"Gov Douglas' administration reeks of cronyism as never before seen in Vermont State Gov't."

If you look in the dictionary under cronyism, you find the relationship between Governor Dean and Bill Sorrell.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:02 PM, November 14, 2008

"Gee, I hate to keep confusin' ya with the facts, little fella, but under the gops, the Feds haven't been holding up their end for 30 years."

Are you includin' the Carter and Clinton presidencies in that 30-year count, little fella? Are you includin' the Democratically-controlled Congress in at 30-year count, little factually-challenged, nitwit, fundamentally dishonest schmuck fella?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:10 PM, November 14, 2008

According to jw the "red" states are not doing as well as Vermont economically. Spoken like a true idiot who probably hasn't traveled farther than his local liquor store in years! How come all of the carmakers in the South aren't begging for money like those in Detroit? Why do they have superior products and pay their workers $43 per hour as compared to $73 per hour in Detroit? Why is Volkswagon breaking ground for a new plant in Chattanooga as I speak that will create 10,000 new good paying jobs? Bet they wish they had Vermont's business climate!

DOH!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:46 AM, November 15, 2008

bubba has left a new comment on the post "Transactions":

"According to jw the "red" states are not doing as well as Vermont economically."

"Spoken like a true idiot who probably hasn't traveled farther than his local liquor store in years!"

Don't sweat it, little factually-challenged fella. You're not the only gop-slop-spewin', ignorant anonymous trash with bupkis bonehead answerin' to that depraved description around here, bubbakis.

"How come all of the carmakers in the South aren't begging for money like those in Detroit?"

Ya mean, besides better management makin' better cars that people actually wanna buy, bubbakis?

Of course, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, VW, etc, are all Foreign Companies based in Countries that provide Health care to their workers, but that's probably just sheer coincidence, crazy lady.

"Why do they have superior products and pay their workers $43 per hour as compared to $73 per hour in Detroit?"

I believe we've covered that, little fella.

"Why is Volkswagon breaking ground for a new plant in Chattanooga as I speak that will create 10,000 new good paying jobs?"

Given this economy, bubbakis, I'll believe that plant and those job numbers when they've been turnin' out cars for a year or two.

You clowns haven't fooked it up like this since ya gave us the Depression, douche bag.

Oh, by the way, they prefer to spell it Volkswagen. Feel free to check, chump.

You're welcome.

"Bet they wish they had Vermont's business climate!"

If you've got evidence that the red states are doin' better economically than the blue, feel free to present it up, bubbakis.

I'm shocked.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 4:21 PM, November 15, 2008