Blah Blah Blah wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:33 PM:
" Here we go with the former employee stuff again. The first question should be "So Ms. Casey, why are you a former employee?" "
read the article wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:52 PM:
" I know a lot of disgruntled "former" employees, but the article said that she retired after 28 years. Not every disgruntled former employee has been fired. Some just retire or move on. What is a very good question is why would they need one manager for every two employees in the field?
How much extra staff do they hire in the summer? This might justify having a lot of management, but what happens the rest of the year? Are the managers also working in the field as well? "
Alan G. wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:43 PM:
" I've always been under the assumption that this is a fairly typical County Government scenario. I'm actually surprised that it isn't 9 supervisors for 3 employees. Isn't that why everyone wants the holy grail county job? "
DL wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:28 PM:
" I used to work at Pizza Hut and I don't think the new employees make the Supreme Pizza as well as I did. Can you write about that too. I demand that this Pizza outrage be corrected. "
Disappointed wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:26 PM:
" Ok, We Have another case of two many Chief's and not enough indian's. What will be done? Demote two. Transfer two off to another needed area? Cry about this for a few more years? Keep paying wages for extra adminstrative saleries when there is a severe government over budget. This not Just, or acceptable to the American public. Maybe if we need three adminstrators, then we need none. Welfare has another mouth to feed. "
Jasper wrote on Jun 26, 2008 12:37 AM:
" To Blah, Blah.. why is Casey a former employee? 28 years of employment with the abatement district is the answer to the first question. Any gov. agency that is top heavy tends to raise questions of their business practices. There is a "cloud of suspicion" over this taxpayer, state mandated agency now because of what only former employees are brave enough to make the public aware. My own gripe, try getting the abatement district to come out to an empty house with a "green" swimming pool. With the high number of default loans on housing, the problem will only get worse. Will the managers be treating those empty pools? I doubt it. Our health is at risk because of this practice. It's only Providence that keeps more residents of Kings County from getting the West Nile Virus. This is an agency that should be reviewed by the Grand Jury. Where is our money going and why do we have to support so much management? Those are the more pressing and important questions to me. "
Now I know why... wrote on Jun 26, 2008 8:29 AM:
" When I was a kid here, you would always see the mosquito abatement vehicles out spraying the gutters and sewers. I haven't seen a truck out spraying in literally a dozen or more years. Now I know why!
Hanford gov't., what a joke. "
Rebecca Patterson-Kmet Retired Pharmacist wrote on Jun 26, 2008 1:35 PM:
" What is needed is for the government (federal) to reverse the ban on DDT, a chlordane insecticide. The newer organophosphate estrogen-like molecule insecticides are far more toxic. Dr. Stan Monteith (M.D., Ph.D.) of Radio Liberty in Santa Cruz, California, said DDT was the safest insecticide for humans ever found. People mistook it for powdered milk and drank it without harmful effects. But without a patent for the chemical companies to make money after the patent expired, newer more toxic insecticides were mandated by law after Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring" condemned DDT.She said DDT caused birds' eggs to be brittle when research showed it was a lack of calcium in the birds' diet. I cried when Mexico outlawed DDT after I begged President Vicente Fox to keep it available for farmers. Millions have died in Africa from malaria in countries that could afford DDT spraying but cannot afford organophosphate insecticide sprayings. BRING BACK DDT. "
current employee wrote on Jun 26, 2008 9:08 PM:
" amen, to the blah blah blah, guy "
On the record wrote on Jun 27, 2008 1:06 PM:
" Mrs. Casey is a former employee because she retired after 28 years. The article states they hired 13 seasonal employees, what it does not mention is that this number has also been reduced as the district usually hires 15-20 seasonal employees as summer is the busiest time of year for mosquitoes. I also find it impossible that Kins County is somehow immune to West Nile Virus since it completely surrounds us. I would have to question how well the Abatement is testing for it. There have been cases of people living or working in Kings County, however responsibility has been passed off on neighboring districts so that the Abatement would not have to report them or treat for them. Before you think I an just another disgruntled employee, I do not nor have I ever worked for the Kings Mosquito Abatement. "
current employee wrote on Jun 27, 2008 11:22 PM:
" Hello for the record, you are correct. We usually hire 15 or so employees, but what you are not saying is that these 15 or so employees are summer students. You see the district has hired summer students to avoid paying unemployment. This program was adopted by Mrs. Casey's predecessor, which was a good program when the students went back to school in late September. However, Mrs. Casey would not change this program even when the 15 or so student employees had to leave the first or second week of August for school.
Check your facts. The West Nile virus is most active during the months of August and September. The current manager has hired sesonal staff that will last the entire season. Also, Mrs. Casey has a nephew that works at the district as a technician. Is Mrs. Casey worried about extra management in the field to protect her own? I don't know but it is aweful funny that this new supervisior has been in the field checking on technicians for two weeks and we get a front page add in the paper about too many supervisors. "
Mr Truth wrote on Jun 28, 2008 12:23 PM:
" Well, to all who say it's another 'bitter ex-employee'....just wait until someone you know gets west nile...hope they aren't children or the elderly. "
To Blah Blah Blah wrote on Jun 28, 2008 12:30 PM:
" Lou Casey is a loyal, intelligent and trustworthy person whom WORKED hard for her wages.. After 28 years in this oh so wonderful county, I'd say she deserves a nice, peaceful retirement, not this back biting garbage. Mrs. Casey retired so she could spend more time with her FAMILY & her husband whom is retired. But then it's Kings County....nuff said
Wishing you a happy retirement Lou;) "
interested wrote on Jun 28, 2008 4:39 PM:
" Current employee
Funny when someone questions the reasoning for your decisions that your response is to try and make it look like there is some other reason for the opinion stated. Other than the fact someone took pride in where they worked and are only concerned that the reputation of the organization is maintaianed and that the people in our community are protected. "
On the record wrote on Jun 28, 2008 9:34 PM:
" I know many students that worked at the Abatement as summer seasonal employees. Many worked past the beginning of school until the end of the busy season. Either way what is the difference of how they are hired when it's the number of people that is in question? And if I understand the new method correctly they will be hiring seasonal employees for a few months and then paying them unemployment for the rest of the year. How much will this cost the taxpayers?
I understand West Nile is most active during Aug and Sept.but you did not read my comment. What I asked is how is Kings County is immune to it. There is currently an active case in Tulare County, someone that works in Kings County. Does Kings County only test in Aug and Sept?
You say the current management has been in the field checking for two weeks. My basic understanding of mosquito activity is that it is based on the weather, not the calendar. We have been been having very hot weather for several months now, I will check my facts if you do not misrepresent yours. Please address the issues. issues? "
The tickler wrote on Jun 29, 2008 2:10 AM:
" I concur kinda suspicious that there a so little employees. Maybe someone should look into that. On another note people should really look into is killer bees there back in Mexico also little bear attacks I think "
Dont Bite Me wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:05 PM:
" Few will care, however a couple of you might enjoy a quick mosquito control history lesson.
Mosquito Abatements came into existence as a result of world wars, and the fear that our returning military troops would bring back with them mosquito borne diseases which were prevalent in other parts of the world. Abatements were also deemed prudent in the central valley of California because of the number of rivers running into the lowlands from surrounding mountains. Floods occurred about every 10 years and the resulting mosquito infestations made living here unbearable. The possible introduction of foreign diseases into local mosquito populations worried everyone.
To control the periodic floods, and harness the runoff water for expanding irrigation, nearly every local river was dammed. This single event did more to control mosquitoes, up to that point, than nearly any other. That is until the availability of cheap water fostered expanding agriculture and more and more of our desert acreage went under the plow. The abatement continued in importance due to the mosquitoes emanating from these new, and regularly recurring (every 3 weeks) sources of standing water (irrigation). "
Dont Bite Me wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:05 PM:
" By the late 1970’s the Kings Mosquito Abatement District (KMAD) owned 3 planes. They used them to regularly spray insecticides on large tracks of farm land in which uneven soil fostered standing pools of water (after every irrigation cycle). With the passage of Proposition 13, and the capping of the tax base, KMAD could no longer afford the expense of aerial assaults on the bugs. It was then they turned to seasonal labor - namely high school and college students.
These summer students were a God send. They were inexpensive (minimum wage), in excellent health (young), became available at the beginning of the season (late May), stayed until school started again (mid September), and didn’t file unemployment claims (it just wasn‘t done back them). Plus, they really wanted to work. "
Dont Bite Me wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:06 PM:
" Their availability had other beneficial side effects. It allowed the trained and certified abatement professionals to spend more time hunting for mosquito breeding locations instead of using half of it to spray what they already found. It allowed “spot treatments”, spraying just where the mosquitoes were growing (something an airplane could never do) and reduced the amount of chemicals applied to the environment by 100 fold. Lastly, it allowed waiting until just before a mosquito brood was about to hatch to spray - thus allowing evaporation to make the areas of standing water even smaller. As a result of this program costs went down, environmental damage was minimized, and the mosquitoes still got controlled.
In the mid 1980’s another significant change occurred. Since most of the mosquito problems were coming from agriculturally related activities, and not regular acts of God (flooding, sloughs, bogs, etc.), farmers could be held financially accountable. They could be forced to employ better farming practices (like laser land leveling) to eliminate the places water stood in their fields. "
Dont Bite Me wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:07 PM:
" After all, if water stands long enough to produce mosquitoes it has already killed the crop, something no modern farming operation can afford. The KMAD Board of Trustees held regular citation hearing and solved another huge part of the mosquito problem by forcing responsibility.
For a while it looked like mosquito abatements had become dinosaurs. The problems had been addressed and the need to continue operating the 40+ CA agencies came into question. Fewer and fewer outbreaks of encephalitis occurred, and fewer and fewer outdoor bar-b-ques were forced indoors because of biting swarms. Some districts, in other parts of the state, even made moves into new vector (disease transmitting insects and animals) control areas - like managing flies and rats.
Then West Nile Virus appeared. Suddenly the game was again “on”. "
Dont Bite Me wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:07 PM:
" So now what stands between us and a bird virus capable of being transmitted to you and I, and possibly causing the death of many, are 9 full-time and a dozen or so part-time public servants. The new challenge is again budget (they receive very little in the way of tax revenue) and the fact their summer student corps return to school earlier every year (mid August this year) when the mosquitoes don’t stop until first frost.
I won’t speak to whether 3 management staff is needed to oversee 20 or so employees. That is for the Board to decide. I do believe, however, those employed must to be retained year-around because of the continuity advantages that investment in training and knowledge bring. Besides, if most mosquitoes still come from the mismanagement of farm land then we can’t afford to have a new face every mosquito season trying to convince farmers of the errors of their ways. We need them in the trenches, working the issues, every month of the year. "
Dont Bite Me wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:08 PM:
" On a related note, the KMAD employees work for a special local tax district, not the city of the county. It is governed by a Board of Trustees, composed of representatives from every city and the county at large. They are your neighbor’s and mine.
Lastly no, I do not work for the mosquito abatement. I did, once, but that was years ago in a land far, far away… "
Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 29, 2008 6:39 PM:
" Let me just ask you one question who would know better than a former Manager with twenty-eight years experience in her Department how many Management Staff it takes to run the Department? Then you have a thirty-nine year employee back her up on her statements.
Did anyone ever stop to think that just maybe someone has a fish to fry with her and the way of getting even with her is to take it out on her nephew who is still employed there, wouldn't be the first time a few tried retaliation instead of regulation.
I mentioned not long ago when I witnessed a water leak at the street of my neighbors yard and six people were dispatched from the City to fix it. This stuff goes on all the time two of the pickups that responded were Supervisors, why one Supervisor for a small leak isn't sufficient?
More oversight does that mean they need more manager's to go out in the field and look at the dead birds or what? More management less workers leads to an ant hill that is non-productive and eventually loses all it's worker ants to better jobs. "
Full Disclosure wrote on Jun 29, 2008 11:04 PM:
" Even though the past manager started as the receptionist, with no formal college training, she still did a good job. Her opinion should carry some weight. The other long time employee quoted in the article was actually the mechanic. I'm not sure he had a lot of managment experience from which to draw. "
Tracy Myers wrote on Jun 30, 2008 11:01 AM:
" In regards to the Kings Mosquito Abatement District, I give a big "kudos" to the employees in the field. I have first hand experience with the district as I live in the middle of a flood-irrigated farming area. Mosquito Abatement employees (David Hickey) are on top of the irrigation cycle, and come regularly. We have not had a mosquito problem for over 3 years now because of it. And their is a resovoir behind our house, as well as a canal!!!! Am I worried about West Niles Virus? Not with our Mosquito Abatement people doing their job. And yes, we have livestock as well, but NO MOSQUITOS. We entertain in the evenings, and work in the mornings...NO MOSQUITOS!!! A big "thank-you" to David and all the employees of the District. Keep up the good work!!! "
Wondering wrote on Jun 30, 2008 11:13 PM:
" When I first read this story, I was wondering why something like this even makes it to the paper. My recent experience with the agency has been nothing but good. I know first hand that they are very diligent in responding to "green" swimming pools. The real questions: Are mosquitos being controlled? Sounds like it. Does the District have the knowledge to get the job done? Yes. Have they carried out their duties professionally? No argument there. It would appear that an agency actually puts some thought into handling their customers' dollars more efficiently and effectively...Now that should be the story. "
Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:26 AM:
" To Full Disclosure: Thanks for the intel, but 18 years as a Manager, I think that qualifies her to leave the Secretary behind, don't you? If she did execute a transition from Secretary to Manager that tells me there was one very motivated woman and not very many motivated Supervisors or Field Workers who wanted to step up and do what she was willing to do to prove she was capable of the position of Manager. That is in my opinion Full Disclosure.
As for the Mecanic comment, Mechanics keep the fleet running and Secretaries keep it operating so your point being, is what? "
So Sad wrote on Jul 1, 2008 7:48 PM:
" As I see it we have two problems:
First – this appears to be yet another example of poor reporting on the part of the Hanford Sentinel Newspaper. The tiniest amount of research, including perhaps a conversation or two with the public, members of the Board of Trustees or the Kings County the Health Department, would confirm the opinions of “Tracy” and “Wondering”. The abatement is doing their job in a professional and fiscally prudent manner.
Second - two ex-employees who can't seem to let go. If they truly wanted to control daily operations they should have delayed retirement even further. Times change, as do the ways in which problems are solved. The abatement was successful before they arrived and will continue to be successful after their departure. They have a Board tasked with ensuring that this happens and city and county elected officials, who appointed the Board, tasked with watching over them.
I think we can safely move on… "
field tech. wrote on Jul 1, 2008 11:30 PM:
" It is so very nice to see Mrs. Myers statement. You see as a technician most of the contact with the public is because they have a problem. Rarely do we recieve praise. Thank you! For this reason I would like to thank Mrs. Casey and Mr Lea for their dedication to the district as well as the community. I also like the fact that after writting the comment Mrs. Myers stood behind it by putting her name on it. If you make a statement and belive it you should stand behind it with your name. I also belive our current manager is doing a great job. I have more tools available to me than ever before. Have a nice retirement Lue and Alvin. David Hickey "
Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 1, 2008 11:44 PM:
" To So Sad - put your money where your mouth is, will you pay all medical expenses and salary of any working person that gets bit by one of those misquitos that your BOS backed abatement district misses? Are you that sure of it So Sad? I didn't think so. Now you may move on, your job is done. That statement has county management employee written all over it. "
Honor and Duty wrote on Jul 2, 2008 12:29 PM:
" To David Hickey and the rest of the certified mosquito control professionals,
No one knows better than you what occurs at the Abatement. You see what works and what doesn’t and you experience the consequences every day. After all, you live it. You are our front line of defense.
We (collectively), therefore, charge you well beyond the responsibility of the geographic area you patrol. It is your duty to speak up every time you believe policies or practices are putting lives in danger. Whether that is to your manager, Board of Trustees, Health Department, Grand Jury or newspaper editor - when we are at risk you must get someone’s attention. It is your obligation because we will never truly know what is going on until it is too late. And no outsider, even past employees, can get our attention the way you can.
Since you are professionals, and honor your commitments well beyond that of mere jobs, I will sleep soundly until I hear your cries. Thank you for the excellent job you do and for the caring and professional manner in which you do it. Keep up the great work! "
Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:45 PM:
" Why is it, I get the feeling with recent blogs someone at the county is setting at their desks with their Supervisor Manual open reading a prepared statement for press release for any circumstance that might arise, all they have to do is substitute for the blanks the name and the department? The military isn't this disciplined in it's responses to citizen complaints.
Every blog seems rehearsed, prepared, reviewed by higher authority then submitted to look like a normal comment, do they really think we can't tell the difference? Only thing missing is the lawyer talk with the where as and here to's and so on and so forth. I've never heard of a department of 21 or even 30 having three supervisors, that is one in ten, my dad's ratio was one to 100 when he was guarding prisoners on Guam, and he only had 8 rounds of ammunition. That was enemies in time of war, certainly mosquito abatement can't be that trecherous? You could settle the entire matter by simply saying they are in the field working supervisors then they become more valuable and essential. If they aren't kick them out there! "
Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:58 PM:
" West Nile Virus is serious and should be treated seriously. If you have a manager in the office and two supervisors in the field, those field supervisors should have areas to spray and protect as well as supervising others in the field. Whatever happened to working supervisors, now everyone with the title, has a desk and shuffles papers around looking like they are busy. They get paid more money to watch people who are working while they goof off.
Reminds me of what I was told in the Navy anytime you want to goof off, just grab a clipboard put a pencil behind your ear and walk around observing other people, they will all including management, think you are busy. If anyone looks suspicous just look them square in the eye and start writing something on the clipboard, they'll think you are reporting them and leave you alone. By golly when I got the urge and tried it, it worked. Of course I never did that aboard ship, they are too smart to fall for that one. I waited till I got shore duty.
Working Supervisors!!!!! "
Really Get Involved wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:47 PM:
" Watchdog Fred, I have a suggestion.
The Mosquito Abatement Board of Directors meets every month. Their meeting is announced in the newspaper and is open to the public. I think you should take your list of concerns and suggestions to the next meeting and report back what you have learned.
I agree, this is a serious subject and because of your passion and opinions am confident you can represent our West Nile Virus interests.
I eagerly await your report. "
Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 8, 2008 3:04 PM:
" To Really get involved: My time has come and gone it is you younger people who claim to really want to get involved who should be doing the attending and reporting.
I think this deserves a reprint:
" Why is it, I get the feeling with recent blogs someone at the county is setting at their desks with their Supervisor Manual open reading a prepared statement for press release for any circumstance that might arise, all they have to do is substitute for the blanks the name and the department? "
All Talk wrote on Jul 9, 2008 12:24 PM:
" To Watch Dog Fred:
I've met many people over the years who share your approach to problem solving; tell everyone else what should be done while staying firmly planted on the sidelines. I’ve also heard your same statements from people who applied for government positions but were never accepted, or wanted to be supervisors but were never promoted. They tend to believe all public employees are worthless and all supervisors are evil. I’m sorry life dealt you such a difficult hand.
The truth is supervisors and managers are need in every profession and play a vital role. It is also true that our local government (county, city and abatement) employs many hardworking, talented and committed people. Rather than cast stones we should attend public meetings and help them solve today’s difficult problems.
In answer to your next question, no – I’m not a government employee, nor is anyone in my extended family.
Lastly, Fred, perhaps you should run for public office. That way your talents could really be put to good use. Oh, wait, what am I thinking? You have run (repeatedly) and the voters didn’t find a need for your leadership either… "
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