http://veeneman.blogivists.com Tue, 13 May 2008 02:32:08 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en With the completion of my internship, it's time to shift focus to finishing some graduate work and other assorted projects. Depending on my activities, I may return to this blog in months to come. Thank you for reading, the Trenches of Democracy! PS Commentary will continue on my sister technology blog, ... http://veeneman.blogivists.com/2008/05/12/a-different-direction/ Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki: IX. CONCLUSION In the first twelve months of the CA's tenure she has studied the County's processes extensively and submitted a draft of a New Human Resources Plan. The creation and implementation of the Human Resources Plan that ... http://veeneman.blogivists.com/2008/04/30/cook-county-corruption-chronicals-part-52/ Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki: VII. NEED FOR SRO DEDICATED LIAISON Discharging the duties of the CA under the SRO is a n1ulti-faceted task. It requires work and cooperation from the County at many levels. There are a multitude of issues that arise ... http://veeneman.blogivists.com/2008/04/29/cook-county-corruption-chronicals-part-51/ Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki: VI. NEED FOR COUNTY INITIATIVES Since the inception of the SRO, the CA has hoped that the County would institute its own plan to determine the nature and extent of unlawful patronage existing in the County. At the ... http://veeneman.blogivists.com/2008/04/28/cook-county-corruption-chronicals-part-50/ Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki: D. Human Resources Bureau Chief A key development since the CA's last report to the Court has been the resignation of the HR Bureau Chief, the naming of an interim HR Bureau Chief and the search for a ... http://veeneman.blogivists.com/2008/04/27/cook-county-corruption-chronicals-part-49/ Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki: 8. Apply Hiring Plan Recommendations to Transfers, Promotions and Reclassifications Although this document has focused on the hiring process, the CA' s role under Section I.A. of the SRO includes studying "the County's existing employment practices, policies and ... http://veeneman.blogivists.com/2008/04/26/cook-county-corruption-chronicals-part-48/ Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki: 5. Establish a Separate, Independent Human Resources Function for the Bureau of Public Health The CA is aware that there have been recent changes related to the human resources function of the Bureau of Health and there appears ... http://veeneman.blogivists.com/2008/04/25/cook-county-corruption-chronicals-part-47/ Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki: 4. Conduct training of hiring department management on appropriate human resources skills. Part of the CA's mission under Section LO. of the SRO is to assist the County "in establishing a 'train the trainer' program empowering supervisors to ... http://veeneman.blogivists.com/2008/04/24/cook-county-corruption-chronicals-part-46/ Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki: 3. Conduct training of Bureau of HR staff on specific and critical human resources skills. Preliminary findings from the desk audit suggest that a significant number of Bureau of HR staff lack human resources experience and credentials, and ... http://veeneman.blogivists.com/2008/04/23/cook-county-corruption-chronicals-part-45/ The Guardian reports in Philadelphia: Barack Obama has been warned that his refusal to pay the traditional "street money" to local operatives to help get the vote out in Philadelphia today could cost him the crucial percentage points needed to knock Hillary Clinton out of the race for the White House. In ... http://veeneman.blogivists.com/2008/04/22/obama-struggles-with-democrat-organization-in-philly/