Posted on 01/20/2011 9:06:25 AM PST by Libloather
Blizzard Bungling Sanitation Bosses Were Harvard-Trained
By Ben Yakas in News on January 13, 2011 1:30 PM
People have been extra riled up and angry at the Sanitation Department over their underwhelming performance cleaning up snow and trash after the Blizzageddon a few weeks back. But maybe people have been too hard on them—after all, it's not like they went to Harvard or anything! Except, they did: several top sanitation officials who are being investigated for the alleged slowdown were sent to Harvard for training—and it was paid for courtesy of taxpayers.
Ten sanitation bosses were sent to Harvard for "management programs" between 2004 and 2008, that cost taxpayers a total of $106,000. Those bosses include City Sanitation Department Supervisor Steven Harbin, Deputy Director Dennis Diggins, Sanitation Chief Peter McKeon and Director John Nucatola. Besides the expenses for attending Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, the bosses also charged taxpayers for meals, gas and parking during their two week courses; the News has a breakdown of their six-digit salaries and expenses here.
In the aftermath of the snow removal disaster, these bosses were told not to destroy emails or documents while the DOI looks for criminal wrongdoing in the disastrous blizzard response. The News adds that the department "couldn't immediately supply the reports city employees must file describing what they learned in their Ivy League outings." What nuggets of wisdom might be stored in these waste-management artisans journals?
**SNIP**
Diggins, who made $162,924 in 2009, had a final bill of $11,406 for his 19 days at Harvard in June 2007. That included $183 in parking, $186 for meals and $137 for gas. Lodging was included in the $10,900 tuition.
Harbin, who netted $166,140 in 2009, attended the training for 15 "work days" in 2008, records show. His bill came to $11,556, including the $10,900 admission/lodging fee and $656 to gas up a city car, buy meals and pay for parking.
Is Harvard over-rated?
Or is that too obvious of a question?
when the truth comes out, you will find obummer did too
Wow - how do you eat in Boston for $10 a day?
Well, still, this entitles them to look down their noses at Sarah Palin, doesn’t it? Ivy League and all that.
Making a normal business practice (like sending employees to management training courses) out to be a big scandal; is the type of thing one normally sees liberals doing.
Yeah, but the point here is that either these guys didn't attend the meetings they were supposed to or Harvard's program really sucks. In either case, the common denominator is Harvard when it comes to the failure of these people to keep NY cleared up of snow.
One of the best things that could happen to America would be if the Harvard Schools of Government, Law, and Business were burned to the ground.
Around a $3,000-$4,000 total bill for a week-long tech course is pretty common, including course, travel, lodging, meals, etc. So while I don’t have a problem with this itself, there is a question as to what value it provided for the city.
The course probably came with food (it should for $10k). The $10 / day was for snacks.
You forgot the /sarc parameter.
So they got a garbage degree from Harvard?
Cool, go to Harvard to learn how to shovel snow and pick up garbage! Harvard doesn’t know diddly squat about either of these activities. Maybe how to sling it, but not shovel it!
Bump.
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