Have to hand it to The Hartford Courant this morning. Its story about Connecticut Development Authority President Marie O’Brien, a Bristol resident, is a real talker.
Reporter Jon Lender found that the $136,000-a-year official got nearly $10,000 worth of taxpayer-financed counseling last year “after a state investigation found evidence that she ‘exhibited offensive or abusive conduct toward co-workers’ and should be subject to ‘remedial action,’ such as a reprimand or ‘anger management training.’”
According to Lender’s story, “a state personnel official looked into numerous complaints — which included allegations of a ‘mercurial’ demeanor and ‘yelling, screaming or shouting’ — from subordinates at the quasi-public agency.”
O’Brien, of course, has a different take on things. But read the story for yourself.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
12 comments:
I read the article about Mrs. O'Brien, and all I could think is that here is another example of a highly competent, motivated public sector employee, doing their job, but being demonized by spoiled workers who are not used to being required to perform.
Marie, besides being capable, is certainly people oriented.
But, she has a job to do, and that requires that other employees get their job done.
I applaud her for her commitment to the taxpayer: too bad she didn't get more support from her bosses.
We see the same thing locally, when department heads have to baby sit the political appointees and favotites.
Yet, we continually hear that government should be run like a business.
She did try, and got slapped dpwn for it.
To the first poster:
Were you there? How do you know it was the employees fault? Also, Marie is a political appointee of Rell, so you are mistaken about the babysitting part.
Mrs O'Brien is a very bright woman who knows how to get things done effectively. State workers have no clue what it's like to work in the real world and be held accountable for their work. This was her staff whining to their union rep to see if they can get her fired. Typical.
Again, how do you know this is just a case of state workers whining? Were you there?
Typical woman
I have worked for the city, managed my own business, managed a department in the state (not necesarily in that order).
I have a pretty good feel for the way things happen.
Marie is an appointee, but she is going against the bargaining unit mentality. Even key officials are reluctant to take them on, and individuals without that protection sometimes get thrown to the wolves.
This is one of the reasons that many good people leave state service, and therefore part of the reason that government is not as effective as it should be.
Stop your anonymous posting, Tom.
She's married to Tom Obrien..she has to take her frustration out on somebody.
Marie and Tom are both fine people who have done much for their community. Marie is smart and a little outspoken but she is not a bully. Typical state union workers to blow everything out of proportion to get their way.
I think if you read between the lines you will see that accountability and performance are not often considered "values" in the public sector which is unfortunate in that these type of situations where people complain and complain and force personnel officers to do something even if it is not necessarily the right thing. She inherited this department from a "good old boy" pal of Rowland - God knows what she found, especially if this was yet another department stacked with relatives who needed jobs and cronies who give money to campaigns.
Grandma always said you could catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar...some of the best leaders never raise their voice. They making people WANT to work for them. Stop blaming the employees. No one wants to work for a tyrant.
Marie is one of the smartest people I have had the pleasure to work with.
She gives her best and expects the same in return.
She is the first person I would call to get something done, and I know I could turn the task over and not have to look back.
The State is lucky to have her.
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