tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post4158084560505401867..comments2023-10-25T07:29:40.789-02:30Comments on UNCLE GNARLEY: TIME TO REFLECT ON THE SEVERANCE ISSUE: WHOSE FAULT IS IT REALLY?Des Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02566013585647491614noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-34982241511190139172016-06-05T14:10:19.531-02:302016-06-05T14:10:19.531-02:30First symbolic change at the "Blue Zoo"....First symbolic change at the "Blue Zoo". Stop the practice of Nalcor Management getting paid for unused vacation. This has been a favourite avenue for former CEO Ed Martin to fatten his wallet. If they are made to take their vacation, you could argue they will not be in a position to do more harm to the interests of the province.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-30266995582605050712016-06-05T13:03:31.084-02:302016-06-05T13:03:31.084-02:30The fact Nalcor Senior Officers could within a few...The fact Nalcor Senior Officers could within a few hours, on April 20th, cut a cheque or electronically transfer such a vast sum of public money to their own CEO, who had just PUBLICLY RESIGNED, and purportedly do so without the knowledge and approval of the Premier or Natural Resources Minister has only one explanation. Nalcor has now clearly demonstrated, as its critics have always maintained, that it is a Crown Corporation answerable only to itself and as such is completely out of control. As its only CEO, (until recently), Ed Martin created and nurtured this culture. From all the evidence available thus far, he also used that CULTURE OF ENTITLEMENT to his immense personal benefit. His so called political bosses, starting with Danny Williams, allowed and enabled him. As for the current Premier and Natural Resources Minister, evidence available to the present time, show them simply as grossly incompetent and grossly deceitful. The saddest, most alarming concern is that the public outcry has not reached a fevered pitch so as to bring full accountability to this outrage. Actually, I have absolutely no confidence much will change. The political will and leadership required remains absent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-76491595602674380042016-06-05T12:17:58.451-02:302016-06-05T12:17:58.451-02:30Great summary Uncle Gnarley.
A few things though...Great summary Uncle Gnarley. <br /><br />A few things though. As the bombs drop on the NL residents one after another, Emperor Danny escapes without criticism or hard questions. He is the cause of the misery every resident now feels.<br /><br />The board/Martin/Ball sideshow is a smokescreen for deeper problems. The problems with top management that the Ball government talked about before the sideshow started remain unresolved. The project management crew is clearly in over their heads and show no signs of anything but a flat to declining learning curve. When will Stan Marshall get the lead out of Nalcor?<br /><br />Most distressing this debacle will never be unraveled until the contracts, engineering and especially who the "agents" were that facilitated the contacts. Lack of transparency to even regulatory bodies is at the root of this looting of the treasury. That must change before answers can be found. <br /><br />All must demand Nalcor's affairs be made public immediately, now that both the CEO and board are gone. Failing that it will be "Meet the New Boss, Same As the Old Boss" and unlike the Who tune NL residents will be fooled again.<br />Bruno Marcocchiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08076165212559914463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-11512700740859670212016-06-05T10:24:30.753-02:302016-06-05T10:24:30.753-02:30Poignant and accurate Uncle Gnarley, as usual Sir....Poignant and accurate Uncle Gnarley, as usual Sir. The core problem is a system that allows such B.S. It's great that the focus shifts to solutions rather than blame. Prosecute, prosecute , prosecute.... otherwise where is any deterrent? ... ever?<br />"Justices" want a raise and some new premises, so as to feel some of importance that they hold, but they softened Ed Byrne's deterrent from justifiable hard-time at Dorchester to a virtual fishin' trip at Salmonier, and no politician in this province has ever been (truly) convicted and sentenced for anything justly. So where's the justification for the Justices? The public remembers and considers this (see VOCM question response rates), even if the committee didn't. No matter, no raises now.<br /><br /> .... there is no better time for Justices and for real justice to "show up for work" in this province. The time for eloquent-like "restraint and leniency" just followed the "have province" status.... out the God Damned door!! ... and just to add salt, vinegar and booze to the wounds... the key culprit of all (Mr. Gaul-way"), gets his name on a F%&@king Courthouse???? <br /><br />"DO YA THINK?" we gotta problem with justice/corruption in this province?<br />We have become an international embarrassment in, and to. our own country, and all the problems boil down to (just) one problem ... no real convictions, or sentences, or justice for the "St. John's elite" no matter WHAT scummy endeavours they pull off. Peter Austinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-48102439762781795062016-06-04T16:21:03.398-02:302016-06-04T16:21:03.398-02:30Good commentary, and needed. I find the absence of...Good commentary, and needed. I find the absence of a reference to Cathy Bennett, formerly on the NALCO board, and her silence, somewhat disturbing. Likewise, where is D. Williams? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-38286862619474640832016-06-04T14:32:01.021-02:302016-06-04T14:32:01.021-02:30As the MF debacle unravels, it make one wonder why...As the MF debacle unravels, it make one wonder why so many of our 'so-called' smart business people and politicians would have latched on to this failure whole-heartedly. The only reasonable reason I can think of is personal gain. I mean, why would anyone with a track record for success be willing to let their legacy tarnish quicker than Ball's premiere-ship thus far. Simple – it has to be Greed. Mr Ball, if you read this, please open every document and contract with regard to MF dating back to the Williams reign and release to the public and an auditor other than EY. It may be your only hope of ever gaining any public confidence back. ED and his associates have played you. Though you are losing... you may have not yet lost. PLEASE delve deeper into this project and let the province see the real master and his puppets for who they are – ROGUES. Use part of the 1.3 billion allocated to MF to turn the tables. The public will thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-86869189040470016932016-06-04T12:51:10.340-02:302016-06-04T12:51:10.340-02:30Finally a commentary on the bigger issue . Well do...Finally a commentary on the bigger issue . Well doneAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08995747477443008457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-2349518362069656352016-06-04T12:08:42.855-02:302016-06-04T12:08:42.855-02:30People are forgetting a very important fact. Ed Ma...People are forgetting a very important fact. Ed Martin knew his days were done the moment the Liberals won election 2015. He would have been fully aware that his job performance was terrible as it related to keeping the project on schedule and on budget. Ed Martin would have months to prepare for that very meeting with Government, and it was probably really the only thing on his mind for a very long time. Enter Dwight Ball, who would have been about as busy and stressed as a human being can be, he was easily led into this disaster. Basically, I feel like Ed Martin had been thinking through the whole constructive dismissal plan for a long time. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-79400292521292421162016-06-04T05:23:49.394-02:302016-06-04T05:23:49.394-02:30Excellent summary Uncle Gnarley. Now let's get...Excellent summary Uncle Gnarley. Now let's get back to the real issues by starting with the make-up of the new Board of Nalcor. It seems to me that this is just a group of bureaucrats with no particular skills in running an energy company, and certainly none in understanding and dealing with the complexities of a mega-project. If Premier Ball wants to show he has at least a modicum of ability to be in his job, he needs to assemble and immediately appoint a group of people who can deliver the leadership that Nalcor desperately needs. If not enough of these people can be found in NL, then it is incumbent on the premier to look further afield. If you want to loosen the noose Mr. Premier, it's time to step up and act, and fast. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-25567893143937212752016-06-04T01:15:15.824-02:302016-06-04T01:15:15.824-02:30Given the insane degree to which Danny Williams mi...Given the insane degree to which Danny Williams micromanaged the affairs of state — remember his obsession over the details of every ATIP request coming into government? — is there any doubt he had an intimate hand in the drafting of Ed Martin's contract in the first place?<br /><br />Why is the Dear Leader getting off scot-free as each of the time bombs that he laid starts going off?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-79436654461558587322016-06-03T23:09:00.595-02:302016-06-03T23:09:00.595-02:30Great Analysis Des,finally someone with a backbone...Great Analysis Des,finally someone with a backbone,cheers<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-75809990632945744972016-06-03T15:33:03.076-02:302016-06-03T15:33:03.076-02:30Frig off with the janitorial slur, as if people wo...Frig off with the janitorial slur, as if people would just do that job for money - I wash windows for a living and knew all this 10 years ago Uncle Blowhard. Are you like, Twitter for old folks, or are you and Brian Peckford gonna start a real newspaper for Alvin Hewlett? The greenhouse act on emissions is pretty wild reading. A real gas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-80356785472103302812016-06-03T14:43:54.564-02:302016-06-03T14:43:54.564-02:30been waiting impatiently a few days for this. ver...been waiting impatiently a few days for this. very eloquently said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-331203029544257782016-06-03T13:45:01.498-02:302016-06-03T13:45:01.498-02:30No, the important thing in all of this, is that he...No, the important thing in all of this, is that he was able to take $6.2 million with him when he left, and $1.4 million of that, he wasn't entitled to. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-73075233104455820942016-06-03T13:04:23.742-02:302016-06-03T13:04:23.742-02:30Nope. The important thing is that this nasty busin...Nope. The important thing is that this nasty business must at the end of the day result in, at the very least, the return of the 1.4 million severance to government coffers. bpeddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03488539113959122558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-55647193992305019632016-06-03T13:03:08.449-02:302016-06-03T13:03:08.449-02:30Great analysis Des. The question I keep asking is ...Great analysis Des. The question I keep asking is who in the hell decided he was terminated without cause? There will be about $15 billion good reasons for Ed to have lost his job by the time this mess is all over...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12883612183475783603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-605899208230049662016-06-03T10:28:18.498-02:302016-06-03T10:28:18.498-02:30How many libraries could be kept open with the mil...How many libraries could be kept open with the millions of taxpayers' dollars given to Ed Martin? <br /><br />The lack of any sense of shame is what's most striking about this whole sorry episode. Jerry Bannisterhttp://www.dal.ca/faculty/arts/history/faculty-staff/our-faculty/jerry-bannister.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-48382549059254143182016-06-03T10:11:04.605-02:302016-06-03T10:11:04.605-02:30If there is one thing this demonstrates, it is tha...If there is one thing this demonstrates, it is that the Premier is surrounded himself with incompetent staff. Anyone who would counsel a Premier to meet with Martin, considering his (Martins) bungling at Nalcor, needs to be summarily dismissed. As I understand it, the primary job of the chief of staff & others on the eighth floor is to shield the Premier from this type of situation. They clearly did not provide wise advice, & allowed him to stumble pie-eyed into this mess. If Ball has any hope of saving his own neck, there needs to be a house clearing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-29029950002838992772016-06-03T09:40:58.392-02:302016-06-03T09:40:58.392-02:30Great summary!I am very disheartened with Dwight B...Great summary!I am very disheartened with Dwight Ball's performance. As for this entire fiasco with Ed Martin, once again the taxpayers have been saddled with fallout from poor management of the public purse. Ed Martin may have been one of the most inept bureaucrats this province has ever hired, but when it came to taking care of himself, he is a master at the game. Can't help but wonder who is coaching him from behind the scenes. Dwight Ball has an almost impossible task in trying keep his position. And if the rumor mill is close to being correct, the knives are already been sharpened in the backroom by those who see an opportunity to replace him. If by some miracle he survives this blunder, someone should be pushing him to divulge the finer details of how Ed Martin and others were awarded such lucrative contracts and what the real economic considerations were when Muskrat Falls was deemed to be the saving grace for our power requirements. Only then will the people of this province begin to realize just how much damage was done to our economy by less than astute political leaders and just maybe what was the driving force behind such poor decision making. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-65628290216021415572016-06-03T09:28:26.504-02:302016-06-03T09:28:26.504-02:30Excellent commentary, no question that Nalcor has ...Excellent commentary, no question that Nalcor has been out of control for a long time and its management has been very poor - a failing grade for sure. But there is also a problem with government as well - it lacks integrity and competence. Why would a Premier and new government go out of its way to cover up for why Ed Martin needs to be fired - not he resigned to spend time with family. Why cover up for the incompetence at Nalcor. It is obvious to all that the Board and management of Nalcor have failed - the biggest project in the history of NL was initiated and forced through under assumptions that were without foundation - totally unreasonable -pie in the sky! They are the same people that were responsible for DarkNL, yet despite independent review and condemnation there was no change. <br />Unfortunately there is no honesty, transparency, credibility, or competence in many aspects of Government - not only Nalcor. We all have a very big problem in NL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-87179743711546665892016-06-03T09:18:20.336-02:302016-06-03T09:18:20.336-02:30The important thing in all of this is that Ed Mart...The important thing in all of this is that Ed Martin is gone. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-1516151208969920162016-06-03T09:01:22.037-02:302016-06-03T09:01:22.037-02:30Well done Uncle Gnarley. An insightful summation o...Well done Uncle Gnarley. An insightful summation of the last couple of weeks. I have been wondering when someone would see the big picture. Folks in this province are rightfully frustrated with the whole Nalcor/Muskrat Fall debacle & have vented their frustrations by targeting the Premier. He is certainly responsible for his own shortcomings, but the Board & Martin are the real perpetrators of this heinous affair. Ball was dropped into it because these people saw him as he is, a weak Premier. They then exploited his weakness to enrich themselves and then quit with no repercussions. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-58320156148319011262016-06-03T08:25:48.009-02:302016-06-03T08:25:48.009-02:30Agreed. And it now seems like this is another dist...Agreed. And it now seems like this is another distraction from the bigger issue; for weeks people focused on the 1 million dollar library cuts; now we focus our outrage on the Martin package. However, am I correct in my reading that 3.4 billion is quietly being pushed on through the House regarding loans to government <br />,ostensibly due - at least in part - to MF (hmmm, double entendre in that acronym.) Frightening how easily distracted the populace has been. <br /><br />I wonder what new bomb will be dropped by the former Nalcor board when July 1 comes? Seems their timing is deliberate and continues to keep the pressure of Ball and away from the originator(s) of this. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-84326900731329620562016-06-03T08:02:21.462-02:302016-06-03T08:02:21.462-02:30Excellent. I have been wondering the same thing al...Excellent. I have been wondering the same thing all week. We are so caught up with determining who lied that we are neglecting to demand accountability for this display of utter robbery. <br />Great commentary as always. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16482995555901805665noreply@blogger.com