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Post by Admin on Oct 8, 2012 12:02:06 GMT -5
Just before Greg Pierce was fired a local citizens committee discovered that the Traverse City L&P had plans to raise rates up to 31 percent in the coming years for $120 million worth of investments in two coal-burning plants and a sprawling wind turbine project in Charlevoix County. So after taking over the management of Lowell's Light and Power he pushed his agenda for a Biodigester to the City Council and made sure that the voters didn't get a chance to weigh in on the project. The attached Traverse City Record-Eagle News article explains a lot of what happened there. But what about what is happening in Lowell? Attachments:
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Post by theotherside on Oct 8, 2012 15:01:22 GMT -5
Why after knowing this did light and power even hire this guy? Up there he gets fired and here he's doing some of the same things and gets $20,000 bonuses plus 5% pay increase!!! What's wrong with this picture?
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Post by gregcanfield on Jan 13, 2013 20:05:41 GMT -5
Mr/Ms Admin, please read your own attachment and correct your statement. Greg Pierce was not fired, he resigned. Looks like you are consistently accurate anyway.
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Post by theotherside on Jan 15, 2013 16:19:06 GMT -5
Mr. Greg Canfield I have read the attachments and it sounds like you are splitting hairs. Yes he did resign "abruptly" after missing furniture was found at Greg Peirce's residence. Now I ask you why would the general manager of Traverse city LL&P resign if he was Innocent? I believe he had a choice of resigning or being fired. Either way he is no longer employed there so what is the difference?
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Post by grayfox on Jan 15, 2013 17:44:03 GMT -5
I agree with theotherside!
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Post by grayfox on Jan 21, 2013 22:54:47 GMT -5
company's don't let good employees go they make bad employees resign. looking back thru newspaper articles there was a person that stated if somebody was wrongfully fired from their job there was alot of'' yellow pages full of good attorneys '' I wonder if there are alot of" yellow pages full of good plumbing companies" so Mr chairman you keep stating a couple of employees are upset. in your eyes how many does it take in order for the board of LLP and city counsel to open their ears to the public that wants change now .and quit messing with employees that have been around for Lowell and hopefully will continue to be here when these managers are finally called out for the crap they been feeding the public.
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Post by maximgorky on Jan 24, 2013 10:44:04 GMT -5
The theft of two pieces of furniture precipitated the dismissal without benefits of any kind, but it was not the primary reason. In stealing the furniture he revealed his lack of character in an obvious way, but the more serious reason was a letter he wrote to a citizen's committee threatening them if they revealed that the Traverse City publicly owned utility was going to raise rates 31%. He was also riding roughshod over a neighborhood that was fighting against overly large poles being installed; removing and trimming trees for a power line project "Pierce, however, soon found himself in hot water for criticizing a local citizens committee after word leaked that L&P may raise rates up to 31% in the coming years for $120 million worth of investments in two coal-burning plants and a sprawling wind turbine project in Charlevoix County. Pierce later apologized and the L&P board gave him a written reprimand." Traverse City Record Eagle March 24, 2008
He was summarily fired for the same methods he has employed in Lowell. So I say to Greg Canfield - The Record Eagle got it right! If anyone cares to take a 7 day subscription to the Eagle Record, they can have full access to the archives. Just type in "Greg Pierce" and there are numerous articles by various reporters spanning months. To suggest that the paper is lying is the height of hubris and arrogance on Canfield's part. And I should add, stupidity, because the facts are there for all to see. It's well worth the effort because you will see a familiar pattern of citizens up in arms at an arrogant and unresponsive board that thinks it is a power unto itself, and ignores the fact that the citizens own the utility, and that the utility is answerable to them. Lessons are there to be learned, and mistakes do not have to be repeated. Greg Canfield should be removed from the Lowell Light and Power Board for having the temerity to lie about honest reportage in the Traverse City Record Eagle. He did it because he thought he could get away with it. Is that the tip of the iceberg?
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Post by maximgorky on Jan 24, 2013 11:02:29 GMT -5
I want to add to my previous post, that if Greg Pierce "resigned" as Greg Canfield asserts, it's disingenuous and cynical, and meant to distort the truth. If he technically "resigned" it was because he was forced to. It's on record for all to see. "...L&P board Chairman John Welch said utility officials will meet with employees Monday to reshuffle their roles to cover Pierce's duties and the board likely will discuss his termination at their regular 5:15 p.m. meeting Tuesday. "We have not consulted with the whole board at this ponit and we haven't had a chance to accept his resignation formally." ...Pierce did not return a reporter's message for comment Saturday." Traverse City Record Eagle March 24, 2008.
The word" termination" and "resignation" are mutually exclusive, so it's patently clear that Greg Pierce's "resignation" was involuntary, and if I can find this information sitting at my computer in Lowell, what does that say about Greg Canfield, who supposedly vetted Pierce? At the very least he was incompetent, but that was then and this is now, and it's no longer incompetence but a wholesale cover up. To paraphrase a statement from yet another Record Eagle article, in an individual it's called hubris, but in a public body it's time to clean house!
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Post by gregcanfield on Jan 25, 2013 6:53:52 GMT -5
maximgorky
you post" To suggest that the paper is lying is the height of hubris and arrogance on Canfield's part"
Where did I suggest the paper was lying?
I merely asked Ms admin to correct her statement that Greg Pierce was fired when the link she posted stated resigned. She did change it for a period of time but now that correction is gone.
I have not accused anyone of lying here, I am trying to corrrect what I feel are misconceptions. You are correct about one thing, (I believe, if I understand your impressive use of large words, some of which I've never even heard before)
"The word" termination" and "resignation" are mutually exclusive"
quoted from the link to TC Record Eagle article, using those terms in the same sentence to describe Pierce's departure. Is it lying? I think thats a little harsh. It's poor reporting, doesn't anybody proof read this stuff before its printed. Bad english. I've seen inaccurate reporting locally too. Just because its in the paper doesn't mean it's true.
Oh, and what the heck does " hubris " mean?
I'll be back, out of time. Greg
(not afraid to use my real name, unlike other internet bullies, LOL!)
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Post by grayfox on Jan 25, 2013 12:54:32 GMT -5
why Mr Chairman would you like people to use there real names. so they could be harassed by bully board members or maybe be asked to sit down and have a cup of coffee. so you yourself could try to misinform or lead astray whats really going on at light and power to cover up your mistakes of hiring an incompetent manager that doesn't care about his employees or is to busy looking at how big of bonuses you'll reward him with again. companies don't let good employees go they work with them to build better relations which builds better business that grows. managers that are broken to begin with generally break companies down to where the company can no longer run smooth and things get lost in the mix.I don't believe Mr chairman that's how you've built a great company that is striving well. I'm thinking you your self worked very hard to get the company started and treated your employees great to help build it. sometimes people get caught up in what they think should work for all employees .that's not managing that's dictatorship and you Mr Canfield are better than that. Its not to late to fix things that works for all. hopefully you will direct you're energy towards finding a resolution towards building better relations fixing public concerns rather than using this bully tactics. we are blessed in having great employees at LLP and DPW that take care of or great community that have been here for years. lets work together in keeping them.like my grandma all way's said theres all ways room on the plate doesn't mean you have to eat all.
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Post by gregcanfield on Jan 25, 2013 20:36:12 GMT -5
Ouch  Bully Board Members , that's a laugh. My only interest in knowing whom I'm debating with is because I consider this to be a local issue that should be decided locally. In reading some of these posts I'm not sure if I'm hearing from a concerned citizen or the public relations department of the IBEW. 80% of the employees are happy and appreciate the direction of LL&P and happy with Greg Pierce as their leader. 20% are not happy. 100% of the Board supports Greg Pierce. Progress is being made on negotiations, we need to be patient. I enjoy hearing from community members, have encouraged and invited public attendance to our meetings, where we welcome input and publicly make the decisions that guide LL&P's direction. If you can't take the time to attend board meetings, your complaints have less credibility with me. We also would welcome letters of questions or statements of opinions on current, relevant topics. I have received quite a few comments regarding this recent controversy and I don't think the public support for the Voice's agenda is as strong as you Voice members would like us to think it is. As an appointed Board member, my responsibility is to make decisions based on what I feel is best for the ratepayers of Lowell Light & Power and I will continue to do so. Respectfully Greg Canfield |
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Post by theotherside on Jan 26, 2013 14:23:21 GMT -5
If your best interest is for the rate payers of LL&P why would LL&P spend $20,000 plus fighting just 3, yes that's right, 3 workers! Will LL&P use any or all it's resources just to prove your point to these three workers?
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Post by hopeforbetter on Jan 26, 2013 16:39:47 GMT -5
I don't believe for a minute that the Union is involved here. I think, Mr. Canfield, you underestimate the numbers, concern and knowledge of the public. The anonymity came when there seemed to be a “divide and conquer” attitude from the administration and individuals were feeling threatened (true or not, many have felt that way. Perhaps inappropriate management style). So believe me, we ARE part of this community. It's just US. And please remember, for every 1 you hear from studies show there are at least 50 more.
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Post by grayfox on Jan 27, 2013 16:36:34 GMT -5
its my understanding Greg P. hired the majority of this eighty percent. but what you've failed to mentioned is he also hired three other employees that he let go. is this the same pattern he uses when it comes to spending money. one big oops. whats in this debate for you Mr Canfield for some one so busy your spending alot of time defending a crooked manager.were the other managers you interviewed theifs also. because you stated he was the better pick for you? or the ratepayers of LLP?
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Post by gregcanfield on Jan 27, 2013 22:39:00 GMT -5
its my understanding Greg P. hired the majority of this eighty percent. but what you've failed to mentioned is he also hired three other employees that he let go. Board members manage the GM, they are not actively involved in hiring and firing. is this the same pattern he uses when it comes to spending money. one big oops. Obviously not if you look at the financial excellence LL&P has under his guidance, especially compared to the 5 years prior to his taking over. whats in this debate for you Mr Canfield for some one so busy your spending alot of time defending a crooked manager. I am here to clear up misinformation that is being spread by your group, although outnumbered, thats why I am here. ;Dwere the other managers you interviewed theifs also. because you stated he was the better pick for you? or the ratepayers of LLP? Lowell is lucky to have Greg Pierce, he has had other offers and opportunities and chooses to remain here. You ignore the positive and refuse to let go of inaccuracies that have been stated. The fact that LL&P is operated so much better now allowed us to refinance bonds and save the ratepayers $670,000 over twenty years. Look at the report I posted about what has been accomplished in the last 4 -5 years by a mid level employee. If this unhappiness was widespread then I'd be singing a different tune. I think brightlight nailed itTo: "theotherside"..so the employees are getting harassed by management and they are screaming about a coffee pot?? REALLY? My question would be when were these few good workers using the coffee pot? On company or personal time? Where I used to work if you wanted to make coffee you came in early so it was ready by the time to start work and the company didn't pay for it. You had to contribute money in a can and someone would buy it with that money. If they didn't pay for the coffee pot or the coffee consider themselves lucky. I would guess it being removed might have possibly been for more reasons than harassment, like maybe, just maybe abuse?? Only those directly involved would know but may not care to share the whole story. And management has not only the right but the responsibility to monitor its employees activities while they are "on the clock". That is not harassment. If good workers are doing their jobs someone checking them on their job site would not bother them. Its called accountability. And by the way, there are not 6 managers at LLP. I checked and there is 1 General Mgr who is directly responsible for 2 other managers. The office staff are paid hourly. I would hope those involved with settling this contract, which apparently includes you since you have seen it, would structure your issues toward important things like job security, pay scales and insurance and retirement benefits, not coffee pots and little extras that should be considered "treats"
Read more: voiceoflowell.freeforums.net/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=13#ixzz2JEnx015RRead more: voiceoflowell.freeforums.net/index.cgi?board=general&action=post&thread=11&page=1#ixzz2JEjsSx6Y |
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Bully Board Members , that's a laugh. My only interest in knowing whom I'm debating with is because I consider this to be a local issue that should be decided locally. In reading some of these posts I'm not sure if I'm hearing from a concerned citizen or the public relations department of the IBEW. 