GRDA Audit, the Governor, and you

[Townsend]

What will this do?  Will this be helpful?


Governor Issues Statement Concerning GRDA Audit and Oklahoma Impact Investigation

http://www.newson6.com/story/16315379/fallout-from-grda-audit-and-oklahoma-impact-investigation

OKLAHOMA CITY - The performance audit into the Grand River Dam Authority, released Thursday, December 8, 2011 was done at the request of Governor Mary Fallin.

The audit addressed several problems at the state agency, including possible conflicts of interest.

Tuesday, Governor Fallin's Press Secretary, Alex Weintz, released the following statement to the Oklahoma Impact Team:

"Governor Fallin is pleased the audit has been completed and has thanked State Auditor Gary Jones for his work. The audit highlights areas at the GRDA in need of improvement, especially in regards to efficiency, accountability, transparency and the need to reduce the potential for instances of waste, fraud and abuse. The governor looks forward to working with the organization's new CEO, Dan Sullivan, to ensure the GRDA is best serving the interests of taxpayers and ratepayers.

Furthermore, the audit highlights the need to give the governor and other officials tasked with making appointments more flexibility in determining the composition of the GRDA board. Board members are currently serving staggered, seven year terms, a situation which discourages accountability and reform. In instances where the governor or another elected official would be interested in changing the composition of the board, their hands are largely tied by current statute. Governor Fallin would support legislation allowing board members to be more easily replaced.

Meanwhile State Auditor Gary Jones is asking the Legislature to take action and create a permanent performance audit division in the auditor's office. Currently, performance audits are performed only by request from the Governor, a joint or concurrent resolution by the Legislature or the CEO of a government entity. Jones released the following statements to the Oklahoma Impact Team:

The best way to improve is to follow good examples. The State of Washington, which passed a similar initiative, is reaping the benefits of performance audits by identifying waste and recommending solutions to improve delivery of services at less cost to the taxpayers.

We're looking at best models and practices to improve the performance and efficiency of Oklahoma government. We will achieve similar results in Oklahoma, once given the chance. Armed with the knowledge provided from these audits, agency heads and legislators can make informed decisions to effectively reduce the size of government without sacrificing the services it provides."

[heironymouspasparagus]

No, it won't help.

Most of that text is classic Orwellian 1984 doublespeak.  Example; staggered terms actually encourages accountability, since no one Governor can appoint en masse and clog up the thing with their particular political paybacks and cronyism.

When they say they are looking at best models and practices to improve the performance....it simply means they need another means to pay back political favors.

And so on, and so on, and blah, blah, blah, blah,...oh, yeah - and blah!

[nathanm]

Regular audits would encourage accountability more than having the board members serve at the pleasure of the governor.

[Conan71]

No, it won't help.

Most of that text is classic Orwellian 1984 doublespeak.  Example; staggered terms actually encourages accountability, since no one Governor can appoint en masse and clog up the thing with their particular political paybacks and cronyism.

When they say they are looking at best models and practices to improve the performance....it simply means they need another means to pay back political favors.

And so on, and so on, and blah, blah, blah, blah,...oh, yeah - and blah!

Have you even read 1984 or do you just like to sniff glue and pretend you've read it?

[Teatownclown]

It might help if integrity were audited because most the appointees have none. Shameful political patronage...

I remember the early days when GRDA had only the best businessmen on their board. Today, the board is a reflection of the water (that's a metaphor).

[Conan71]

It might help if integrity were audited because most the appointees have none. Shameful political patronage...

I remember the early days when GRDA had only the best businessmen on their board. Today, the board is a reflection of the water (that's a metaphor).

Anyone know how the Sleazely family managed to get so powerful?  

Talk about how one lousy house seat created a sleazy dynasty....

[Teatownclown]

Anyone know how the Sleazely family managed to get so powerful?  

Talk about how one lousy house seat created a sleazy dynasty....

There are otters....

[heironymouspasparagus]

Have you even read 1984 or do you just like to sniff glue and pretend you've read it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doublespeak

Yep.  And it is next in the queue for another read - literally sitting on the table in the living room waiting.  Right after the latest Christopher Paolini book I am reading.

Saw about 1/3 of the movie about 3 years ago when I scrolled through the channels.

My example didn't really show the element of doublespeak, it just stated the real effect.

Example;
The governor looks forward to working with the organization's new CEO, Dan Sullivan, to ensure the GRDA is best serving the interests of taxpayers and ratepayers.

Which really means - how can we stir the pot to get more money into our pockets, or a means to pay back political favors.

Example;
Furthermore, the audit highlights the need to give the governor and other officials tasked with making appointments more flexibility in determining the composition of the GRDA board. Board members are currently serving staggered, seven year terms, a situation which discourages accountability and reform.

Which really means - since we can't appoint all our cronies, it is a pain in the butt to get to the point where we can get more money in our pockets, or the ability to pay back political favors.  And as for accountability, the board must be accountable to us!

Looks a whole lot like the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.


Almost forgot - have you read it?

[heironymouspasparagus]

WAR IS PEACE

FREEDOM IS SLAVERY

IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH


This sounds like Newt, Bachmann, Palin, Obama, Biden, Bush, Inhofe, Fallin, et al to me.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Anyone know how the Sleazely family managed to get so powerful?  

Talk about how one lousy house seat created a sleazy dynasty....

Have you not been listening?  It has been all over this board.  Political patronage, cronyism, favoritism, "good-ole-boy"-ism.  Nothing new or surprising, except for the idea that you have to ask that question.  Unless you were just kidding...