STATESIDE
Stateside I
n yet another government scandal, Las Vegas is unfortunately again in the news. Numerous General Services Administration (GSA) federal employees face investigations, potential firing or criminal charges because of their lavish taxpayer-
funded parties, conferences and unauthorized vacations in luxury venues. Photos and videos of a senior GSA manager in a
Revel instituted four to six-year term limits for 816 key service jobs such as dealers and servers. Those employees who were not promoted, fired or departed will have to reapply for their positions.
Las Vegas hotel hot tub with drinks, plus his partying staff “rapping” about wasting money without getting caught, have emerged. But, get caught they did. The GSA mission is to oversee government spending. But, a picture is worth at least a thousand words for this $820,000 Las Vegas spectacle from 2010, which is apparently just the tip of the GSA’s proverbial iceberg. How ironic, considering April was 100 years since the “unsinkable” Titanic tragedy. Like GSA, the iceberg’s tip didn’t destroy Titanic, but what lay beneath the surface did. Nevada Democratic Senator Harry Reid and other
Las Vegas Democrats charge many congressional members investigating GSA with promoting personal political agendas over fact. Looking to minimize blowback on Las Vegas or Reno, Reid suggested one congressman “get a life”. Nevada faces record unemployment and housing
foreclosures. Remember, Reid let Congress’s 2009 $787 billion Stimulus Package exclude any gaming assistance. That was paired with President Obama warning people they can’t “blow a bunch of cash on Vegas”. Will further exposure of blatant systemic mismanagement affect all the November elections? I hope so. Taxpayers like me expect clear answers. As the Obama campaign theme is “fairness”, how fair is it for millions of hardworking taxpayers to underwrite this decadence. I’ve never had such generous expense accounts on any job. Folks, we have government gone wild. Can these
career politicians use the public’s lens about the brazen money squandering and fraud rather as it impacts their careers? Public outrage is growing. Currently, several GSA employees are on leave, some have resigned and others may face criminal charges. To me, these GSA losers reflect the unemployable. Their incompetence, combined with no common sense or integrity, overshadows any personal skills. But, their government unions may protect them from termination. Can you imagine private sector casino workers anywhere not getting fired instantly? When Las Vegas marketers and politicians promote their “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” slogan,
12 MAY 2012
Sharon Harris implores you to see the big picture
they must accept when what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay there and becomes part of the public dialogue.
Conversely, about 2200 miles away, Atlantic City’s
smoke-free $2.4 billion Revel casino resort opened with a champagne toast at dawn on April 2. At 710 feet and 47 stories – New Jersey’s second tallest – the 6.3- million-square-foot building occupies 20 acres. All 1,898 floor-to-ceiling glass guest rooms have ocean views. Designers recognized the future profitability of non- gaming amenities, resulting in a smaller 130,000- square-foot casino. Revel features 14 restaurants, a 31,000-square-foot spa, 55,000 square feet of retail, 10 pools and a 42-000-square-foot performance deck. Two theaters entertain 5,500 and 700 respectively. The oceanfront property makes a statement, thanks
to CEO Kevin DeSanctis’s leadership and determination to overcome years of delays and multiple personnel tragedies. Revel epitomizes slick, trendy and hi-tech. More than 63,000 applied for 5,000 jobs, but
unlike Washington, DeSanctis has unique perspectives on employment. He developed a revolutionary staffing policy, partially based on several economic realities. Revel instituted four to six-year term limits for 816 key service jobs such as dealers and servers. Those employees who were not promoted, fired or departed will have to reapply for their positions. He wants to maintain a motivated, attractive staff that does not burn out. However, some of these employees choose to
remain in place since their tipped jobs often pay more than salaried positions. The kinks have to be worked out. The local union charges potential discrimination as an employee ages. DeSanctis rejects them and their theories, saying “Local 54 tried everything to kill this project. We have nothing to talk to them about, but I do commend them on their efforts…” Revel is the first to launch this type of program, but
others may follow. Private industry typically rewards productivity and competence…the public sector often protects complacency and incompetence. Just ask the GSA, a reminder that Washington is
the granddaddy of all waste. Sadly, Atlantic City has its own storied history of overspending. Leave business leaders and investors alone to
actually thrive and prosper. Smart people usually find a way to succeed. Then, everyone wins. Good luck to Revel. The region’s residents haven’t
crossed their collective fingers with such high hopes since the Borgata opened in 2003.
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