Watch out, Lebo. You're starting to act like Greece.

I'm 100% Greek and because of my Greek heritage, I'm very concerned about what is happening in Greece. I'm not an economist and have no idea what Greece needs to do, but an article in Pittsburgh Business Times caught my eye this morning. What to do when employees start acting like Greece (arrogant, self-important) Those two words, "arrogant, self-important" come to my mind, at least, about the attitude exhibited by our local governments.

In business, arrogance and defiance are lethal combinations, too. Fortunately, you don’t find this much, but you do with employees who, like Greece, overestimate their importance to the organization.

The article talks about employees, which is exactly what our local governments are. We are the employer (taxpayers) and they are the employees.

Once employees become arrogant, it almost always leads to defiance. They think they are bulletproof because of their great significance to the organization. The sad part is this condition almost always afflicts people with outstanding performance. Rainmakers, if you will. 

If there is one thing I learned over the years, it's not to tolerate arrogance from an employee just because he is a rainmaker. Trust me on this, the collateral damage a rainmaker causes is not worth the rain. They treat other people badly. They ignore policies and rules in the organization. They do whatever they want without regard to the consequences. And that is because, many times, rainmakers have no consequences.

Our public servants think they are bulletproof.  They are arrogant and ignore the rules. Incurring more and more debt is a way of life in our community.

I saw this during the high school renovation. I saw it with the toxic turf project. I'm seeing it with the deer issue and even the block party policy. The commission will be deciding whether to put a referendum of the Home Rule Charter concerning the number of commissioners required to incur debt. I believe Mt. Lebanon is headed in the wrong direction. We better get our act together before we end up like Greece.

The financial ruin of Mt. Lebanon

On Tuesday's Commission Agenda: Dave Brumfield will be introducing an ordinance that will be the financial ruin of Mt. Lebanon.

Introduction of Ordinance (Bill No. 7-15) amending the Charter to change the number of commissioners required to incur debt.  

On January 7, 2014, the Ad Hoc Home Rule Charter Study Committee recommended various changes to the Charter.  

Currently, a simple majority of the Commission is authorized to make decisions regarding expenditures, capital programs, budgets, and setting of tax rates. However, the Charter requires a super majority of the Commission to make decisions regarding debt. This ordinance would change the Charter regarding the number of commissioners required to incur debt to promote uniformity in financial decision making.  

The proposed ordinance would place the issue on the November 3, 2015 general election ballot.  

Recommended Action:   

DB 1. Introduce Ordinance (Bill No. 7-15). 

JB 2. Set the public hearing for June 9, 2015

This will be the financial ruin of Mt. Lebanon if this goes through. Our Home Rule Charter now requires four affirmative votes to incur debt. This is also referred to a "super vote." It was put in place as a checks and balances system to prevent an election year like this one where Wards 1, 3, and 5 elect their commissioners. It is not going to happen, but let's say that no incumbent wins this year. There would be three newbies in office. They would not need to rely on the advice of the Ward 2 and 4 commissioners. Wards 1, 3, and 5 hold all the cards.

Consider this. Bendel wins. He is proturf. Brumfield and Silverman are proturf. The three of them could incur debt to replace all the municipal fields with artificial turf. They could turn McNeilly into a new recreation center and our bond rating would plunge.

I have been told that this blog is toxic. I maintain that all I am doing is documenting the toxicity. This is really bad for Mt. Lebanon's future.