tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post7733842473846406869..comments2023-10-17T22:56:42.784-04:00Comments on Only in The Republic of Amherst: People who don't get the conceptLarry Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-83045917113601300662008-10-09T17:26:00.000-04:002008-10-09T17:26:00.000-04:00OK, I stand corrected. I was more familiar with t...OK, I stand corrected. I was more familiar with the Amherst Housing Authority.<BR/><BR/>But there IS a percentage and in most cases is *is* quite favorable to the employee, isn't it?<BR/><BR/>And what is it for non-unit employees? That is the percentage that would apply here....<BR/><BR/>EdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-90741271174320351342008-10-09T13:36:00.000-04:002008-10-09T13:36:00.000-04:00Amherst negotiates the parcentage with each union,...Amherst negotiates the parcentage with each union, it isn't set for them by the state.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-62663789854131573432008-10-09T09:26:00.000-04:002008-10-09T09:26:00.000-04:00Well google "Mass GIC rates" and you will find it....Well google "Mass GIC rates" and you will find it. The figure I used is the statewide generic which includes not only state and UM employees but also those of towns that don't have their own special private insurance plans (including Amherst) and housing authorities and other "special municipalities" (more often called "authorities").<BR/><BR/>The 20%/80% figure was set into law by Mitt Romney in 2003 for all new hires.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-18162017555111331302008-10-08T23:45:00.000-04:002008-10-08T23:45:00.000-04:00Ed, bad link. Also, wouldn't it be town employee ...Ed, bad link. Also, wouldn't it be town employee not Mass. employee?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-1088572218462891452008-10-08T22:33:00.000-04:002008-10-08T22:33:00.000-04:00I'm FAMOUS! In case you're wondering. I have pos...I'm FAMOUS! <BR/><BR/>In case you're wondering. I have posted that question five times on Larry's blog without receiving a single response yet. <BR/><BR/>Larry's blog is moderated and yet he won't post his moderation policy or answer questions about whether he will answer questions ...useless propaganda.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-60204181365179660372008-10-08T18:03:00.000-04:002008-10-08T18:03:00.000-04:00Sorry, it is 80%...See http://www.mass.gov/gic/ann...Sorry, it is 80%...<BR/><BR/>See http://www.mass.gov/gic/annualenroll2008/RatesheetFY09.pdf<BR/><BR/>And if the employee is paying 20% of the total, then the govt is paying 80%.<BR/><BR/>EdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-45822920286093220182008-10-08T16:28:00.000-04:002008-10-08T16:28:00.000-04:0070% Ed? Where do you get your numbers?70% Ed? Where do you get your numbers?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-24453837035467401062008-10-08T12:29:00.000-04:002008-10-08T12:29:00.000-04:00One other question, exactly how is he being paid? ...One other question, exactly how is he being paid? As an independent contractor or as a district employee?<BR/><BR/>If the latter, he is going to get the GIC insurance package which means that he has an added 70% of a very nice health insurance plan tossed in.<BR/><BR/>As to the former, there is all kinds of creative things that could be done there. <BR/><BR/>Time for a chat with the ethics commission?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-28328808325765216702008-10-08T11:37:00.000-04:002008-10-08T11:37:00.000-04:00No, that was from the woman at Amherst Regional Hi...No, that was from the woman at Amherst Regional High School who, apparently, had a lot to do with Rick getting his sweetheart deal.<BR/><BR/>Yeah Ed, I noticed that too about saving money "every year" and wonder if it is a multi-year contract???Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-88103525005906346432008-10-08T10:59:00.000-04:002008-10-08T10:59:00.000-04:00"Why do you have to mouth off about everything, in..."Why do you have to mouth off about everything, including things that you don't really know anything about?"<BR/><BR/>Who was that from? That's terrible if it was Mr. Shaffer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-66206345653642652722008-10-08T10:11:00.000-04:002008-10-08T10:11:00.000-04:00Is this a one-time contract? If it is not, then t...Is this a one-time contract? If it is not, then the ethics commission is quite clear -- you simply can not break down a contract to come in under the limit.<BR/><BR/>HOWEVER, memory serves me that one has to have three price quotes if it is over $1000 or so -- they upped all the limits and I used the old levels years back. For UMass but it is the same law.<BR/><BR/>So if this guy gets $5001 or more, then there is a violation.<BR/><BR/>And I think there is something more about conflict of interest or appearance thereof which doesn't have a minimum dollar figure. <BR/><BR/>EdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-42421479662915953362008-10-08T09:53:00.000-04:002008-10-08T09:53:00.000-04:00Larry...Thank you for your suggestion that our Tow...Larry...<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your suggestion that our Town officials help promote the work of the Facilitation of Community Choices Committee. I will check out our Town Manager's blog. <BR/><BR/>Whether a resident is pro-override, anti-override, or somewhere in between, all opinions are being sought in our attempt to make solid recommendations to solve the current budget crisis in Amherst. We truly are a non-partisan group.<BR/><BR/>Not sure what all the fuss is about? Log in to www.amherstchoices.org and let your voice be heard!<BR/><BR/>Alison Donta-Venman, member, FCCC<BR/>www.amherstchoice.orgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com