For Wasserman-Rubin and Gallagher, It's All in the Families

By Bob Norman Thu., Aug. 20 2009 at 2:02 PM

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Hey, times are tough. Jobs are scarce. So I guess it's understandable that Broward County Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin has hired someone inside her extended political family to take a key paid role in her 2010 campaign.

Wasserman-Rubin, who has been hit with ethical violations in the past, hired Ann Gallagher as her "campaign coordinator." Gallagher is the daughter of Broward School Board Member Beverly Gallagher, one of Wasserman-Rubin's close political allies. The latest campaign report shows that Wasserman-Rubin, pictured at left, paid the younger Gallagher about $3,500 from April to June for her services.

I tried to contact Ann Gallagher, but she didn't answer her cell phone (the number of which was supplied to me by Wasserman-Rubin's office), so I left her a message. Hey, Wasserman-Rubin is a former School Board member herself, and it can't hurt to keep strong political ties with current board members.

I hear Annie first learned the political ropes while working for none other than consultant and lobbyist Barbara Miller, a kingmaker from Hollywood.

There are possibly some ethical issues at play here, since Miller has been a big political supporter of Ann's mom on the School Board. On top of that, Bev Gallagher has voted to give some of Miller's School Board clients -- like Pirtle Construction and Zyscovich Inc. -- tens of millions of dollars in School Board projects (some of them unnecessary schools and classroom additions that have added to the bloat and helped run the board into near-bankruptcy).

Bev Gallagher actually loves to use her public office to get jobs for herself and her family. She works, of course, at Community Blood Centers, a $50,000-plus job she got with the help of Miller's partner, Neil Sterling. And if you want to contact her other daughter, Meghan, just call the School Board's construction department. She works there as a project manager and got that rather vaunted position right out of college. (Of course, her mother's job as School Board honcho had NOTHING to do with it.)

Yeah, but who cares anyway? With Michael Satz in charge, politicians in Broward County can pretty much do whatever they want. Hey, School Board members always like to say that what they do is about the children. We just didn't know that they really meant their own.

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Just to post another comment about nepotism within the School Board, Beverly Gallagher's daughter got a job with the School Board with no experience..well there's a lot of "who you know" working there..For instance, Philip Kaufold the baby's DADDY, got his job through his SISTER, who works as a Principal at one of the Broward County Schools. Just a short note to the top, and he's in. Many people apply for Project Manager jobs, but if you have that "IN" well there's no problem--you are right in the position!!!! (Even with an anger management issue)..
I looks like some of you are wondering why the internet would come along to give someone like this a public forum and the opportunity to call it news or even journalism. Bob Norman is a painful reminder that journalism can come undr the cloak of news. What exactly is The New-Times? Is it a member of NAA or the AP or anything that other papers are members of? All I can see is bob himself and a bunch of editors who write hot venomous comments protecting his credentials as a "journalist". It's creepy. Who are these people? Single source, unattributed drivel. You keep on keeping on my man. Just please stop writing about serious stuff. Stay on the sidelines.
Marty (I mean - get a clue) Thanks for the clarification. Acting like I am in high school is still a step up from the act of boldface lies coming out of the mind of a supposed grown up. In your own words...sit on it
SCOREKEEPER: I am not Marty.. nor busted.. nor a douchebag! I have no dumbass motives. I was simply telling someone (who even stated that they do not know the players) to do research before they talk! See for yourself: "Former elected official says: I was elected to public office (as a Republican) years ago in a couple of states that are not Florida. I read about the Broward County School Board on various threads. I don't know any of the players there, but I can tell you this: One of the purposes of having a bureaucracy is finding the dumbest, most limited people to fill managerial positions. Followers, if you will. Dummies who couldn't get a legitimate job of their own skill. ..." Again.. stop acting like you are in high school! This is also my last response, because I am not going down to your level.
get a clue! says: FORMER ELECTED OFFICIAL: You are dumber than dirt! You obviously have no idea regarding anything that is going on within the Broward County School Board. So until you have all of your facts straight, know the players, and have a clue as to what you are talking about (relating to Broward) then you can comment until then, keep your ignorant trap shut. Look at the post above and remind me of how "get a clue" has no dumb-ass motives and I need to act like I am out of high school. Marty...busted again...douchebag!!!
Wait, I know it is a math problem. 46th means 4 plus 6 equals 10. Drop the 0 and carry the 1. Perfect, we are number 1. I gradeated from here myself. almost. I did due my 12 yeaars.
Hey Jim Notter, tell us how we are number one again. http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/educationblog/2009/08/floridas_act_scores_1.html I forgot.
Scorekeeper, Maybe it is time for you to get with things, too! I am not Marty and have no "dumb ass motives". Scorekeeper, it is time for you to grow up and act like someone who is out of high school! Love, get a clue!
Bob, please start a piece on how new employees are being pressured and threatened by their superiors to sign off on perks to favored contractors. We'll give you some facts.
get a clue!, Marty, you're showing your ass again. Just stop it or you will be spanked again on behalf of all of those who know you and your dumb ass motives. Love, Score Keeper
FORMER ELECTED OFFICIAL: You are dumber than dirt! You obviously have no idea regarding anything that is going on within the Broward County School Board. So until you have all of your facts straight, know the players, and have a clue as to what you are talking about (relating to Broward) then you can comment until then, keep your ignorant trap shut.
I was elected to public office (as a Republican) years ago in a couple of states that are not Florida. I read about the Broward County School Board on various threads. I don't know any of the players there, but I can tell you this: One of the purposes of having a bureaucracy is finding the dumbest, most limited people to fill managerial positions. Followers, if you will. Dummies who couldn't get a legitimate job of their own skill. Because they are afraid of their own shadows and know that they could never, ever knock down a $75,000-$125,000/year salary on their own (since they have neither brains nor skills), they slavishly follow the recommendations of the people pulling the strings, usually filtered through a level or two of bureaucracy above them. I wouldn't necessarily call these functionaries evil, but they know that they are where they are because of political connections. So, one hand continues to wash another. If any of the Gallagher kin were so damn smart, they wouldn't have some political job. They'd sit around in their jammies and double their salaries working 20-hours weeks (as I do). Democrat political hacks tend to be more inarticulate than their Republican counterparts. The Rs have more superficial luster, but they're about par upstairs as the Ds. Really, aside from political cunning and a talent for brownosing, they don't have much on the ball at all. I've yet to be able to say one if worse (or better) than the other. So the building contractors hired/funded by the school board--Broward County's answer to defense contractors--will continue as puppetmasters. They'll shuffle some funds (and full-time jobs) to the school board. The school board will appoint people to positions that do not rock the boat. These menial functionaries will shuffle papers, make petty decisions, and pretty much do whatever the road map before them says--and not bite the hand that signs their paychecks. I've seen it many places with many faces from both parties. You know the only thing that surprises me? Some of these petty functionaries are so mud-stick-stone stupid that they think they're a success. So, idiot functionaries reading this post, take great pride in yourself. Just remember when you're wandering into the office next Monday at 8:30a.m., some of us will be on an extended weekend in The Bahamas. I don't need political connections to make a living; you do. Incidentally, this is not to be critical of the teachers, janitors, and other people who actually work. I respect people who get through life without political strings being pulled. My criticism is limited to the political hacks, the ones who don't have the talent to teach a class, that can only make their pay grade through political connections and sycophancy. You know who you are. And probably so does everyone in contact with you. One final positive note: If the Broward County School District ever files for Chapter 9 protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (which is about to happen to the City of Detroit School District), all of your pension benefits are voided. But not the benefits paid to the contractors. I guess I'd call it "rough justice."
Typos happen, but, you are still bloody obnoxious and offer nothing but "keyboard diarrhea."
Unbelievable, Karnack says I believe you make my point.
Karnack, You are bloody obnoxious.
Karnack ROTFLMFAO. Karnack says anyone who relates going into politics in this county to something like an honest upstanding vocation is seriously deranged. Karnack says children have often followed their parents into the same line of work. Karnack says work and politics today don�t equate. Karnack says the politicos will tell you that you can�t get anything done if you can�t make a deal. Karnack says at that point the public has already been sold down the river. Karnack says the puppet masters structure the deal to suit their private interest clients. Karnack says we are Rome. Karnack says the puppet masters are so entrenched in the deal they forgot about who the deal was really supposed to be for. Karnack says the puppet masters know only a small percentage of the public votes. Karnack says the puppet masters know they only have to convince a small majority that their deal is good for them. Karnack says don�t get caught up in the personal attacks as personal. Karnack says they only represent how far gone our society has become. Karnack says read the posts. Karnack says many defending those that are stealing from us every day. Karnack says they want and need the status quo. Karnack says look how the school board defends the contractor and interrogates the auditors. Karnack says does that even begin to smell right. Karnack says DWR has already been brought up on ethics charges but the politicos run to her defense. Karnack says Ken Jenne pleaded guilty but many rushed to provide letters about what a good neighbor and man he was. Karnack says two brothers in Dade admitted to the largest health care scam in history, yet many (influential business men, politicians, and even the church) rushed to their defense. Karnack says are you kidding me. Karnack says why, because they were all benefiting from the scheme. Karnack says come on folks, this is about our culture. Karnack says if we are going to accept crime as acceptable when it benefits us then let�s all hold each other up at gunpoint and see who is the last man standing. Karnack says get a grip, crime is crime. Karnack says the criminals need to go to jail. Karnack says especially those who have been elected and entrusted with the public�s interest. Karnack says this train has left the station. Karnack says if you are going to support the criminals, get your cards and letters ready cause you�re gonna have plenty of opportunities to use them.
Look, John Lennon's son became a musician. Judy Garland's daughter became an actress. George Bush's son became a president. I guess it is true that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Either way that does not mean that Bev Gallagher, Diana Wasserman-Rubin and Stacy Ritter are not criminals who will be included in the first line of those busted for being corrupt. Leave Annie and Meaghan out of it. But their mother is still a crook.
It's sad that you people are making Annie Gallagher out to be a pawn in a made up political scheme. Anyone within the Democratic party has seen Annie around at various events, meetings and out in the field. She is hardworking and wins races - Wasserman-Rubin is very lucky to have her on her team.
Nice context, but I wouldn't say I missed the story. Just didn't have all the pieces. They are recent political allies brought together by Barbara Miller. Actually makes all the sense in the world.
Wasserman Rubin opposed Bev Gallagher in her last race for school board. The hiring of the daughter into Diana's campaign was a peace offering brokered by Barbara Miller. The gesture is pointless as it relates to Bev Gallagher. She's been missing in action since her re-election. Keeping the daughter occupied and in the right camp makes for fewer headaches in the DWR camp. So all things considered you can see why this makes good political sense. It's all being done with campaign funds and no laws are being broken here. Bob Norman missed the story. It's not about nepotism, and the reference to Mike Satz is completly baseless in this context. This is purely about politics where Barbara Miller remains a master stratigist.
Mr./Ms. Democrat Broward: You claim to be a STRONG democrat. If you truly are one, you would realize that Ann Gallagher is fantastic at what she does! Get a grip and actually go out to the events, polls, etc. and see Ann at work. She is a STRONG democrat. Perhaps, you are the Na� one!
My only wish is that Palm Beach County Schools had a Mr. Norman investigating all the "sweet" deals with favored vendors and minority CM "partners" who do nothing buy cash the check.
>> I must take issue with you, Mr. Norman. First and foremost, why the directed anger towards this one politician and her family? Moral relativism at it's best.
Mr. Bob Norman has continually exposed all types of malfeasance being perpetrated by members of the Broward County Machine since I began reading his articles 10 years ago. To imply that he is just picking on just one particular person is an ignorant claim. He exposes as many as possible, and with the amount of snakes slithering around Broward County it is no eay task, with no prejudice. Just ask that bimbo stacy ritter.
I think the problem some of us have is not that Bob is putting issues out there. It is that BTU gets to "cut and paste" news releases through Bob and Bob doesn't examine their position on issues. No one is clouding anything. BTU publicly says one thing and does another eerily similar to what Bob is proposing the board does. How can the BTU all of a sudden be "waste police" and then ask for the wasteful things they are asking for. If we are shining the light on potential waste and utilizing the opinions of an organization that is ALSO proposing wasteful spending, isn't that not the same hypocrisy? If so, at some point it is worth noting with journalistic integrity. If Bob never mentioned the BTU and isn't using them as the springboard for his waste campaign, then it would make sense. It is being pointed out that he is simply using the wrong venue because that venue may be even more corrupt.
Broward Resident, I agree with you. I am in no way defending the waste or corruption. My "attack", if you could call it that, is based on the fact that he attacks Mrs. Gallagher and her family constantly and doesn't spend nearly as much time on corruption that takes place with other board members or non-elected officials. Having other family members in the district does not imply corruption (without evidence) and attacking her two daughters on unrelated items is disgraceful and unnecessary.
Anyone who attacks Bob Norman for finally telling the truth about the millions our schools waste has drank too much of the district's public relations cool aide. The public needs to know about this stuff and efforts to stop it are irresponsible.
I love how people try to distract readers from the truth. Pat Santeramo has nothing to do with the district wasting millions of dollars. That is only an attempt muddy the waters and confuse readers. TAXPAYERS SHOULD BE OUTRAGED BY HOW OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING WASTED!
The district public relations machine can no longer stifle the truth.
This blog is Journalism like Stouffers is to Ruth's Chris.
I must take issue with you, Mr. Norman. First and foremost, why the directed anger towards this one politician and her family? Let's not forget that other board members (and other people of highly appointed positions) have family members in the system, many of whom make far more than Meghan Gallagher. Mr. Williams' son is a principal, and a principal's salary is much higher than the lowly project manager. There are brothers, sisters, cousins, wives and husbands who work side by side and you mention not one of them. So immediately I can see you have a concerted effort to bring Mrs. Gallagher down for some reason. Also, there are people of high positions (including other board members) that pull political favors constantly. I see it and I don't look for it which shows how blatant it is. Second, don't refer to people by names a friend would use when writing a "professional piece of journalism". Ann Gallagher is Ann, not Annie. Beverly Gallagher is Board Member Gallagher, Beverly Gallagher or Mrs. Gallagher. Not Bev. She's not your friend, she's not your sister. Be professional if you're going to slam her. Third, Meghan Gallagher has a professional Bachelor of Architecture degree and several years of experience in architecture/construction and with the district. She is more qualified for her position than many of the project managers (BTW: one of ninety is not a "vaunted" position). While I can't comment on why she was hired, I can say she does a better job with "no experience" than many of the "experienced" project managers who've been with the district for two decades. And last, you make the $3,500 Ann Gallagher made in 3 months seem like an outlandish amount of money for her services. Do the math, 3 months of work and $3,500 equates to less than $300 per week. I make that in a day. Do us all a favor and take a break for a while. Find another politician to break down and analyze, because frankly I'm tired of hearing your drivel. Or better yet, just get a life.
Really Bob, you get offended when someone writes something you feel is "wrong" about yourself. You should really take that into consideration when you are typing blatant lies about your blog specimens.
This is jouranlism (why did you stick with the misspelling, anyway?), the BTU is obviously your jihad (to keep with the Islamic metaphors). More power to you. But your fervor is coloring your judgment. You're wrong about me and the BTU.
Karnack: hero of the beach. Love that Karnack!
Bob Honey dont go to hard on Satz, jobs are hard to cum by :) Maybe you dont want to have your son to play in the pool of big bad broward politics but I am glad we can play there. eespecially the hot tub, but thats private.
34. 3% increase effective July 1, 2009 4% increase effective January 1, 2009. (in unprecedented economic conditions, they are asking for a 7% raise in one year- gulp now tax payers). 35. 5% increase in all supplements Adds language which would automatically increase all supplements by the amount the salary schedule goes up every year Increase New Educator Professional Improvement Supplement by $200 per year. 36. Change to provide an annual Retirement Assistance Program with benefits ranging from 40% to 60% of salary, also a program for teachers who are retiring. (we hate the retired administrators returning but could you give retiring teachers 40-60% assistance??) WASTE! The above identifies 36 sections where the BTU is either attempting to waste taxpayer money or doing harm to children in the name of protecting teachers with the most absurd means. Do some digging Bob- stop being the puppet of this obviously hypocritical and smear mongering BTU machine.
EVEN MORE: 22. Proposal to eliminate language allowing the District to address abuse of sick leave with employees who abuse it. (You can be gone as long as you want and no one can say or do anything about it). This is good for kids and not wasteful?? C'mon Bob. 23.Modify language so that teachers who are on Worker�s Compensation to receive full pay and benefits from the District and they may also file a claim for the Worker�s Compensation Claim. (Not only do we want our regular pay if we are injured, we want a raise on taxpayer dime). 24. Modify language to allow for two hours off with pay for all teachers to vote in any election. (HUH???) 25. Change language and give teachers the ability to take a leave and be employed elsewhere. (You have recall rights AND you can be working somewhere else entirely). 26. Amend language so that an employee who tests positive for drugs who successfully completes an EAP program would not be subject to discipline. (sound good for the kids????) 27. Change section and allow teachers on Performance Development Plan to be eligible for transfer to another school. (Teachers identified as being "in trouble" are not subject to an improvement plan- rather they are just "moved to another school") good for the kids right Bob? 28. Modify section so that BTU would not be required to pay for any District supplies it uses. (we can use your stuff and Joe taxpayer should be footing the bill). WASTE!! 29. Amend language so that BTU would not be required to pay for any postage costs incurred by the District on behalf of the BTU. WASTE!!! AND THE ALL-TIME HYPOCRITICAL ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THE CONTRACT....... 30. Change language so that BTU will not have to notify the Principal that a BTU representative is in building and also allows the BTU representative to campaign in buildings for political reasons. (for political reasons????? you mean like the politicians you decree??) 31.Amend language to increase number of pool days from 1,500 to 2,500 and allow any member to use up to 20 days in one year. (More days off- gee, isn't this what they are complaining about with the Principals???) 32. Modify language to require paid release time for teachers to participate in conferences, meetings, or negotiations during work hours. (negotiating during student time??) WASTE!! 33. New section - Access to BECON (the District television station) for a weekly BTU program. (We think BECON is a wate of money, but can we have a TV show???)
MORE: 19. Amend to require all voluntary training attended during non-work hours would be at the teacher�s hourly rate instead of $15.00- WASTE!!! 20. New section - Board to provide before and after school child care. (we want a free child care system knowing that you are laying off teachers) Taxpayer WASTE!! 21.Change entire benefits structure and pay BTU $15,000 per employee and BTU to be responsible for all oversight of health, dental and vision insurance - the amount to be increased by 10% every year thereafter. (we want 3 times the amount you are currently spending on health benefits so that we can use that to offset our membership losses with taxpayer money) Waste!!! 22.
Wow- you guys miss the point entirely. Bob has recently been posting ENTIRE news releases of the BTU as though he is their FATAH wing. In an effort to be a "journalist", he should present the other side of BTU and the concerns that many (including a growing amount of their constituents) have about their incredible lack of integrity and their throwing stones while they have some incredible cahunas to ask for things that the public is completely unaware of during their recent contract negotiations-why don't you report on that Bob?. This organization is using people like Bob to propagandize school board problems while hiding their own. Take a quick look at some of the things the union is asking for this year in bargaining sessions and you will see where there priorities are. I don't doubt that the school board side of the fence has many issues (including some nepotism), but Bob does not present BTU's "laundry" at all. How is this for starters? They are trying to have the contract changed to: 1. Amend language so that teaching assignments and room locations are based on teacher preference (not what is best for kids). 2. Add language so that teachers who are getting paid for an extra teaching period would only have to work the regularly scheduled day and teachers would be allowed to leave early on days before holidays. (They want to work 7.5 hours and be paid for 8.5 AND get to leave early before holidays (which are paid). One hour per 196 days plus holidays- do the math- WASTE! 3.Amend language to allow elementary teachers to determine when their break periods would be. (Sound ridiculous business people??) 4. Adds language regarding teachers evaluating administrators. (Think it is a good idea to have subordinates "rating" their bosses???- Teachers don't like the boss expecting teachers to teach well, give 'em a bad eval.- ever heard of such crap?) 5. New section requiring free after school care for employees� children. (wouldn't you want that?? this, of course is tax payer's dollars after all Bob)- MORE WASTE!!! 6. New section allowing for compensatory time off for any volunteer work. (So, I go volunteer out of the goodness of my heart and I can get taxpayer paid time off?- sounds great, right Bob?). EVEN MORE WASTE!!! 7. Amend language so that District could not cancel teacher attendance at a conference or workshop (TDA) for any reason, even if a classroom could not be covered. (so the teacher does not call in a sub and they don't have to bother showing up- even if THERE IS NO TEACHER FOR THE KIDS!!!- This is insane!). WASTE WASTE WASTE!!! 8. Modify language so that all summer school positions filled strictly on the basis of seniority. (Don't pick the teachers that are the most qualified- pick the ones that have been around the longest- and the one's with the highest salary) WASTE! 9. Revise language to allow all BTU stewards to have super seniority � currently limited to one per building � for summer school assignments. (more summer school -tax dollar mandates) WASTE! 10. Proposal to change language and have no back-to-school nights at all(We don't need to meet with parents and get to know them- we would rather have NONE!! great for kids, right Bob???) 11. New section proposes that teachers could not be required to sign in or out of a worksite. (because asking them to "verify" their presence on a workday is "too much" by asking them to sign in- how degrading, right??) 12. Amends language so that a Principal could not require a teacher to submit final grades until the end of the last work day of any grading period. (stall grades as long as we can so that the proper preparation of the grades would not be ready in time to go home- great for kids, right Bob??). 13. Modify language so that the selection of department heads/chairpersons to be made by teachers, not by administration. ( we want to pick the person who will not make us do anything- sounds great!!). 14. Changes language so that teachers on block schedules could not be required to move rooms more than once a day. (Huh???) First of all Block Schedules are a WASTE!! 15. Revises language so that a Principal could not deny a teacher�s decision to take a field trip. (kids, let's go to race-a-rama because the principal can't stop me). 16. Increases accountability money paid to BTU by $70,000 (to $150,000). WASTE!! Wow Bob- they could have brought 2 teachers back just with the increase they are asking for??? 17. Modify language so that the District could not terminate new teachers in first 97 day of employment even though authorized by state statute. (even though we have a BAD teacher and the state gives administrators the authority to let them go without cause, we want them to stay!!) This clause says it ALL! 18. Evaluations to be done by a school based administrator only No formal observations during the last quarter of the school year No Professional Development Plan (PDP) could be started after the beginning of the second semester Teachers being placed on a PDP to have the option of transferring out of the building before it is implemented Before a PDP is started an assistance plan and a Peer Assistance and Evaluation Program must be implemented Teachers teaching out of field could not be put on a PDP Any teachers who receives an unsatisfactory rating would be involuntarily moved after 25 days with no improvement. (pay attention now- PASS THE TRASH AROUND TO OTHER SCHOOLS IS OUR MOTTO!!!). They know they have a bad teacher doing harm to kids- their answer is to transfer them to another set of kids- good right Bob? http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/employeerelations/DistrictUpdateTeacherNegotiations/MatrixShowingStatusofProposals.pdf
That Karnack apple didn't fall far from the tree.
The school board is all about family. In reality the school board is about several families. These families come from many walks of life. They have worked hard to get where they are. Many are well educated and have made sacrifices for their family. Some have had to stay outside the school board though because they have developed other specialties. Most of the families share common traits. All of them have diverse skill sets. Some families are so diverse that they might include an attorney, an accountant, a teacher, a developer, a realtor, a dedicated non-profit worker or just an ordinary everyday public employee. Why should these families be treated any differently just because they are diverse in nature? Well each family has a specialty. One may be best suited to provide legal services for public officials and/or the lobbyists and businesspersons they represent. Legal services often include lobbying for projects paid for with public money in order to see to it that our public officials (often in or adopted by a family) have all of the right information to make decisions on how to spend taxpayer dollars. Legal services also include setting up multiple corporations to see to it that the community has access to goods and services they all deserve. Some families include accountants to help these businesses stay on the up and up. Then something strange happens. These families meet casually at public and private functions and begin to share ideas. At first the ideas always begin with a way to resolve a need. Nobody should be needy with so many dollars to go around. So the lobbyist runs the idea by the attorney. The attorney thinks the idea is feasible and runs it by the accountant. The accountant talks to a cost estimator and determines the value of the services and begins to assemble all of the goods and services of the for profit and the non profit groups to meet the needs of these stray overburdened elected officials. Once the whole idea is firmed up, the lobbyist is briefed on how he must manipulate and corrupt the elected (adopted family member) and convince them that the cause is worthy of a champion and only they can be that champion. The elected now feels empowered and worthy...noble. "I'll do it" he/she says. Then they take this fresh and viable proposal to the people. The people are pleased and it is good. Then the elected takes heed of the landscape and decides where to begin. These decisions can make or break a politician. Decisions are made and forces are assembled. Costs soar and projects explode with extra bells and whistles. These decisions can make or break a politician. Money begins to flow from every crack in the coffers to pay for the monstrosity that began as a simple solution to a need. The elected wants to stop the bleeding but the family only laughs, for he/she is only adopted family; disposable if you will. He/she screams in anger only to be rebuffed as he/she are shown their signature on the order to begin the work and reminded that it was his/her idea to begin with as far as the taxpayers are concerned. Besides, does he/she want to be re-elected and someday collect the pension fit for royalty? Sure. How could a person allow themself to be lured, fed, clothed, protected and stroked by a force so evil? Perhaps one should not surround oneself with only those who fail to tell the King he is undressed. Now, but a scoundrel, the adopted family member must go only where they know; back to the adopted family of filth and guilt. These decisions can make or break a politician. Oh well, at least there is all that money...............................
JP, if my kid wanted to work for this ghastly crowd of do-nothing-but-suck Broward politicians I would be left in a state of depression, wondering where the hell I went wrong as a parent. Then I'd try to get him off the drugs and into a respectable business.
You do have to look at the big picture and analyze all of the facts before you can report and call yourself a paper. The problem here is that the facts just keep adding up to nepotism, cronyism and the result is out right malfeasance and sometimes worse, criminality. To report the whole story I suppose you could say that Al Capone was a benevolent man in Chicago because he employed a lot of people who would otherwise be unemployable. Does that one fact change his legacy? This time all of the facts are going to be exposed not just one good deed here or a bad decision there. This time you will see a pattern of behavior that is being exposed piece by piece by Mr. Norman. You are witnessing that now. Some will say it is negative reporting or one sided. Others, who long to see the whole picture, will wait for all of the facts. If you want to be confused you can read the other so called established media outlets and see if you can weed through the pabulum of them trying to not say the wrong thing. For example, Meghan Gallagher seems to be a nice young lady. I don�t know her well but she appears to be very personable. She was hired as a project manager with no project management experience; I want to be clear on this none. She happened to be hired by a senior project manager in Facilities who also happens to be a close personal friend of Bev Gallagher. Would another individual with a lack of credentials even get a sniff of that job without Meghan�s connections, not a chance? Is Meghan the only person in the system like this, not a chance? The system is bloated with similar examples. That is not the point of the information supplied. The point is the endless connections of the machine that the Meghan example depicts for us. The point is how deep we have digressed into the endless cycle of insider control without proper oversight. The point is how much can the public afford to pay for special deals that only benefit a few inside individuals. Mr. Norman is attempting to show you how the relationships lead to the deals that are made. The point is these inside individuals have taken advantage of their position at a tremendous cost to the taxpayers. If this makes you uncomfortable or you don�t really want to see how bad we have been hosed then stick to the other papers, this is not your kind of media outlet. My dad likes to make predictions and allude to things to come. I would just close by asking you to look at all of the information supplied so far, even some in the other papers and outlets. There are allegations of hundreds millions of dollars misspent, over paid, or given to a special few. Ask yourself if that is how you would handle the public�s business if you were in charge. Ask yourself if we have actually gone over the edge of complacency unable to return our society to honest government. I am reminded of the days when fear mongers called anyone who dared challenge the notion of WMDs un-American or they were not patriots. I would say to you they were the true patriots. Challenge everything you hear. Get all of the facts, don�t fear them.
So here's an interesting question, Bob. Answer this hypothetical: You're a politician. Your kid wants to go into the family business. She wants to work on a campaign. That's her vocation. Precisely whose campaign could she work on that you, Bob, would NOT see as some dastardly conflict on interest or conspiracy? Come on, fella, name three. Name two. Name one.
I am beginning to wonder how this is journalism and if Bob simply has become an angry "blogger". It is one thing to present issues from both points of view and let the reader decide, quite another to write this many articles that are COMPLETELY one-sided and call it a paper.
A duck is a duck is a duck...
Before we judge lets accept that some people actually do a fantastic job working on campaigns. I worked on the Paul race in Davie and saw a talented field coordinator in action. No one has a brighter future running campaign's then Ann. Know the facts before you judge and when you do base it on a persons actions and work ethic not just on who they are related to. Keep up the great work Gallagher!
Sorry, make that NEPOTISM
Let me supply the missing word. Neoptism.
No, Mr./Ms. Shits and Giggles YOU give it a rest and leave Bobby N alone. I am a STRONG Dem and let me tell you if it was LaMarca's Rethug crowd doing this we would all be screamin'! I'm sure Miss Pocket-full-of-Sunshine is a great young activist and taken in its parts it is all defensible by supposedly "Naive" people like you but if you just step back , the whole...well...boy...yikes!!
Ann Gallagher is a talented young activist! She is an officer in the Young Democrats and a DEC committeemember and is working on a part time basis for a woman who is an icon in the community. Now really, Bob, give it a rest.