Hell freezes over; Hunt defends Gioia from union protests

admin — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:39:59 +0000

In a sure sign of the coming apocalypse, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association Executive Director, Kris Hunt, actually defended John Gioia from union accusations, during a Contra Costa Supervisor discussion about further budget cuts. According to the Times, Supervisor John Gioia said, ‘”Everything else we do is working around the edges,” Gioia said. “The only way we’ll get through this is by sacrifice by everybody.” Gioia gave an example of how Contra Costa pays for 75 percent of employees’ retirement benefits, compared with most counties that pay half. During public comment, two union representatives lambasted Gioia for “posturing” outside of negotiations, and requesting he “cease and desist.” “No one’s going to keep me from expressing my thoughts,” Gioia responded.’

According to eyewitnesses (!) two fine ladies of AFSCME, seemingly used to getting their way with County negotiators, were out flanked when, miracle of miracles, tax watchdog,
Kris Hunt, spoke praise and defended both Gioia and Supervisor Piepho, saying, “that CoCoTax complains that contract negotiations between the county and unions are often conducted in the dark and the information he [Gioia] was providing was just that – information.” So yes, Virginia, that probably is the sky falling on your windshield; one rock at a time.

Heads begin to roll at County: Human Resources Manager resigns

admin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:27:49 +0000

The whiff of a new regime is wafting above Martinez. Contra Costa County Human Resource Manager, Lori Gentles, is the first department head to submit her resignation to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) since the announcement that David Twa, from Ramsey County, Minnesota, will replace the current CAO, John Cullen, when he retires this Fall. In her memo posted nearby, “Jiggles” states her departure date as July 22.

In addition to HR duties, Gentles has been closely involved in negotiating contracts with various public employee unions. In the memo Gentiles states she will be taking a position with San Francisco State University as the Associate Vice President of Human Resources.

Sources close to the BOS state under condition of anonymity, that Gentles departure foreshadows the arrival of David Twa, who will be building his own executive team in the CAO as well evaluate other current department heads.

HALFWAY TO CONCORD » union negotiations

Hell freezes over; Hunt defends Gioia from union protests

Heads begin to roll at County: Human Resources Manager resigns