News-Record.com

Six thousand dollars for better and more effective leadership is a small price to pay...

to have them learn how to steal more of our money more effectively.

Jerry,who pays for your seminars?

I bet Jerry pays for his own semiars as it's a good way to write off vacation expenses. The real question is does Jerry pay for his staff to attend seminars in their area of speciality?

I think John Hammer of The Rhino Times said it best, no one went to the convention in Phoenix last year!
Jack Hart
COnover

For the betterment of the communty??? Get real. They took a nice vacation at our expense. As far as the seminars attended by the author, I'm sure whatever cost he can't write off on his taxes he passes directly to his patients. I have to pay for my own vacations. How about the rest of you? Anyway, I'm sure you're all happy to have county commissioners who are so dedicated that they would give so generously of their time (for the bettermet of themselves, methinks) to travel all the way to to Hawaii and spend several days at a posh resort; all in the interest of learning. What an extreme sacrifice! A good question would be, "how many classes did each of these dedicated leaders actually attend during their Hawaiian vacation?"

I HOPE Jerry just forgot to add ***sarcasm off***

If this letter was intended to be serious, I hope people will remember it when shopping for an orthodontist.

Since our commissioners "learned" so much, why aren't they required to submit a detailed log as to what they did, where they went, what they learned, and how they intend to apply what they "learned" to Guilford County. Come on, Bruce and Paul, share with us!!!

I believe I read in the Rhino that did one of those attending actually attended the meetings, worked hard and actually put forth a little extra effort to learn something. I don't remember the name of the one who was so faithful but it was also written that the other one showed up for a few minutes, either late or left early and stayed secluded with his family the reminder of the time.
It was refreshing to hear that at least one made the effort to spend the taxpayers money well.

I would suggest that Dr. Clark and every other taxpayer in Greensboro get a copy of this week's Rhino Times and read about exactly what our commissioners did and didn't do in Hawaii.

Sounds like Paul Gibson made use of his time and taxpayers' money to gain some useful knowledge, which I hope he'll share with the other commissioners. Well done, Paul.

But according to Rhino reporter Scott Yost, who went to Hawaii and attempted to document the attendance and activities of Bruce Davis, Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, there is little evidence that Davis accomplished anything in Hawaii that justifies taxpayers funding his trip.

If a lovely family vacation in a tropical setting (with the exception of the time spent eluding the Rhino reporter) is "something positive for the community," then it sounds like Guilford County's $3000 was well spent on Bruce Davis' trip.

I wonder if N&R still thinks this is a non-story?

According to Scott Yost, Commish Gibson attended a few more meetings on Friday than did Davis. His reporting didn't actually accuse either one of not attending important conference sessions. He included that airfare was reasonable and hotel rooms cost no more than those in NYC or other large cities. I think anyone who got to go to a conference at a resort location might just go early and stay late (and pick up his/her own tab for that time).

Dr. Clark is an excellent orthodontist and is active in many worthy civic causes, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Additionally, he's a very nice person. His letter was not sarcastic; perhaps those who attend conferences and learn from them can offer insight to those who (apparently) do not.

I don't think it matters much just who wrote a letter with Dr. Clark's point. No matter whose signature was on it, the same folks would just disagree, be argumentative, and accusatory no matter what. I agree there's a lot to be cynical about these days, but I value conferences, have been to many, and have brought back important ideas and action for the group that paid to send me for professional improvement.

I also value conferences. And I value and respect Dr. Jerry Clark. And I respect and value Chairman Bruce Davis, so I was both surprised and disappointed by the conference report that I read in the Rhino. Conferences are not negative. But neither is accountability. Who knows? Perhaps Bruce was just good at avoiding Scott Yost, and he really did attend a lot of seminars and meetings. I guess we'll have to wait for his report at the next Commissioner's meeting to find out.

"I'll guess we'll have to wait for his report at the next county commissioners meeting to find out." Yeah,right.

Sue,

Since you think they are so valuable why don't you donate the money from your taxes to pay for their conference expenses.

Anyone know why Scott Yost didn't go undercover? I would think that the information he got would have been much more juicy had Davis and Gibson NOT known he was there.

It definitely makes me wonder if Paul Gibson would have been so enthusiastic about 'learning' if he had not known his every move was being reported.

I'll be watching to see if anybody is more "educated" since they went to Hawaii.
*kisses to "truth".

Well Jerry, since I am not YOUR patient (and never will be now) and I dont pay taxes that support YOUR salary or siminars, and YOU didnt just vote YOURSELF a big fat raise at my expense the I guess where you go for a vacation I mean siminar is none of my business. Since you brought it up though, my husband also is sent to seminars. He has been to places like New Orleans and Vegas, and believe me. He said it was more like a vacation. By the way, isnt school a more appropriate place for you to be receiving futher training?