Competitive with what?
The article regarding Carol Sorrell, CEO of Kern Health Systems, is a great example of why the politicians of this state need to get the boot. There is zero accountability once the funds are earmarked.
The KHS situation is no different from many others. Remember First-5 Kern? Steve Ladd, booted from the county payroll, reborn in another quasi-governmental role, spending tax dollars on anything other than the intended purpose. Given latitude, the board granted him a lavish compensation package to double-up on his pension, and then had to pay him off to get rid of him. And you wonder why the state is bankrupt? Too many people paid too much for too little in the way of performance.
The UC and CSU systems are other prime examples. Lavish packages for executives with no accountability that frequently leave other public employ and double-dip on the taxpayer dime. Much talk is given to "being competitive." Competitive with what? Some situation elsehere? Why are these people the only ones considered for the job? How about some new blood, rather than the old retreads that soaked the public before and can't find a real job with accountability?
Is Sorrell's compensation package fair? Maybe in L.A. or the Bay Area, but few in this town have deals as rich. I would be curious to know if the study was adjusted to reflect the Bakersfield averages. Nonetheless, The Californian was spot-on to call attention to this. It stinks in today's economic environment.
TOM BRACKEN
Bakersfield
