Topic: RON GABRIELSON'S
started by: MADDOG
Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 12 2003,5:44 pm
Seems like Mr. Gabrielson has seen litigation before.< Price County >
Posted by Ole1kanobe on Sep. 12 2003,9:28 pm
Nice find.
Posted by jimhanson on Sep. 13 2003,9:51 am
Thousands of dollars in Attorney's fees, fight it all the way to a hearing (which he lost)--all to avoid paying 15 minutes of overtime to a jailer that assisted in rendering first aid to an accident victim in front of the courthouse on the jailers way into work. The jailer wasn't punched in yet, and left after the on-duty deputies took over. Oddly enough, the two sheriffs deputies that also rendered assistance on the way to punch in WERE paid overtime, as well as the deputies that were paid extra for assisting when their shift would normally be done.This is indicative of the kind of stubborn behavior of the County Administrator--spending thousands of dollars in legal fees to avoid paying 15 minutes of overtime--even when the jailer was rendering first aid? (Gabrielson contended that the jailer was acting as a private citizen, as he had no power or duties outside the jail. The Union for the peace officers prevailed, on the basis that, while a private citizen COULD ignore the need for assistance, a uniformed officer does not have that option).
Side note--on a recent tour of the new Courthouse, courtesy of Commissioner Mullenbach and Gabrielson, one of the participants, familiar with the background, asked the jailer conducting the tour "are you trained and proficient in First Aid"? (a reference to the Wisconsin incident) The jailer replied that he was proficient, receiving 30 hours of instruction per year. Gabrielson was unaware of the joke being played.
Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 18 2003,2:09 pm
Seems like Ron has had other county issues in Price County. In June, 2001, Ron, then Human Resource Director, sent out letters to Sheriff employees asking them to meet with him in closed meeting and anonymously share comments about their workplace conditions. When nothing happened, members of the department, in Jan. 2002, asked the committe if the work issues they brought up in the report would be addressed. Now Ron is in Freeborn County, the Price County Committee doesn't know what Ron did with the reports. Here's the full article: < report >
Posted by jimhanson on Sep. 18 2003,2:24 pm
"Refuse to pay for 15 minutes of overtime for the jailer rendering first aid to an accident victim, contest it all the way to a state hearing (lost), take employees gripes and suggestions, and LOSE them (no action taken)--and this is the HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR? How do you suppose those employees feel? Sounds like a Mel Brooks movie--"Sire, the peasants are revolting!" Nobleman--"Yes, they are!"
Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 20 2003,9:53 am
Seems that Ron has a different attitude about outsourcing lawyers then he had when he was in Price County:County legal work continues to be sent out
Personnel Committee says savings not significant to add a new position
Patti Wenzel
THE-BEE
Last Updated: Tuesday, September 12th, 2000 03:59:37 PM
Price County Personnel Committee made no decision on creating a county corporate counsel position at their monthly meeting last Friday.
Ron Gabrielson, Human Resources Co-ordinator presented the committee with a cost analysis. A typical year has approximately $75,000 in legal fees for the county. In 1999, Price County is projected to spend $110,750 on legal fees to area law firms. Gabrielson said approximately $36,000 of those were unforeseen expenses for a human services hearing, union negotiations, and Guardian ad Litem hearings.
A newly created position would cost the county $89,800 for a 40-hour week, and $74,000 for a 32-hour week in wages, benefits and expenses. Gabrielson also figured $17,000 would be needed for part-time clerical help to the corporate counsel.
"A corporate counsel would provide on-site legal services to the county and eliminate the high volume of calls made to outside lawyers," said Gabrielson. However, he noted that no one lawyer has expertise in all fields and some work would still need to be hired out.
The committee was asked by the Executive/Finance Committee to explore the amount of money the county spent with private lawyers for legal work, and to determine if creating a county position would be cost effective.
Committee member William Teeters asked that the issue be sent back to the Executive/Finance Committee. "There just isn't the dollar savings to change what we're currently doing for legal services," said Teeters.
Committee member Joanne Mabie suggested that the corporate counsel position be made part-time and share responsibilities with the current assistant corporate counsel to the Human Services Department. Sue Gunderson, Assistant Corporate Counsel for Human Services said her position was highly specialized and it would be very difficult to find someone who could practice all areas of the law well.
Area law firms that have performed legal work for the county and their fees:
-Slaby, Deda, Marshall, Reinhardt, and Fuhr received $33,742 during 1999.
-Ruder, Ware and Michler received $20,982 for representing the county during the Kay Confer employment hearing.
-Janet Marvin received $10,858.
-Terry Nussberger received $6,887.
-Willett and Klein received $2,689.
-Klein Law Office received $2,256.
-Daniel Snyder received $1,265.
In other committee business:
-- County employees may receive a new benefit. The committee will ask employees if they would like to invest in a Roth IRA. Gabrielson said the costs would be minimal, but the committee wants to know if there is significant interest before adding to the personnel assistant's workload.
-- Zoning Administrator Stacey Dahne was given permanent employee status, following her one-year probationary review.
-- Andrew Clark, Veterans Service Officer, offered his resignation to the committee. Clark will be moving to Washington state to return to school.
-- The committee denied a request by Mike Neumann to rescind his resignation as county emergency management coordinator. A new coordinator will be appointed.(See accompanying story)
Posted by jimhanson on Sep. 20 2003,3:08 pm
"Gabrielson said approximately $36,000 of those were unforeseen expenses for a human services hearing, union negotiations, and Guardian ad Litem hearings." Human Services hearing--like fighting against the 15 minutes of overtime for the jailer, listed above? Union negtiations--like the "gripe" sessions--later lost? It seems that wherever RG goes, it is a real boone for the legal profession! In Wisconsin, he fought to GET a full-time County Attorney--here, he has one, and doesn't use him--he goes OUTSIDE for legal advice. Which one is it, Ron? Oh, I forgot, that is the question that tripped his trigger when Belshan asked it!
Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 20 2003,3:20 pm
LOL,Jim. Good thing he doesn't read these forum, he'd be able to see all this! 
Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 23 2003,1:41 pm
Seems like everytime I turn around, I find Ron in litigation. Here he's involved in a sexual discrimination suit filed by Price County human services director, Karen A. Confer and reasons for dismissal.Here's an exerpt from 5/11/01
Gabrielsen concluded from his investigation that, "Confer's management style, professional behavior and outspokenness gave employees cause to be concerned." He also noted that Confer's lack of senior management skills and unfamiliarity had significantly contributed to the issues raised by employees.
< full story >
Posted by rosebudinal on Sep. 23 2003,6:27 pm
Guess if our local newspaper doesn't want to print this story or the Pam Bishop one.....we need to get these stories out and educate our community. It's no wonder Prizing used the yellow board. Man, I cannot believe the stench all around us.
Posted by shaker on Sep. 23 2003,11:13 pm
If we have the thousands of bucks to hire someone or some firm to study just about everything that goes on in this county, well just maybe We should have spent a few bucks on checking out this megalomaniac that was hired as Co. administrator.
Posted by fresno on Sep. 26 2003,1:18 pm
i would like to know what happend to a pic someone put on here with ronnie g's face superimposed on adolf hitler's face in a nazi uniform surrounded by nazi butt boys. it was funny how his face fit the picture like a glove. i bet ron would have stuck up for the nazis if he was around during w.w.2, anit-american that he is.non-freedom loving sonofabith that he is.:angry:
Posted by guest on Sep. 26 2003,1:28 pm
It was on the original Tribune forum but was it removed because the editor doesn't understand the concept of parody.If anyone could find a picture of Dylan B. I would appreciate it. I have the perfect ballerina body to superimpose it on
Posted by hoosier on Sep. 26 2003,1:36 pm
I dont know about Belden, the other four guys visible in this picture would look great with Mullenbachs, Behrends, Mathiasons, and Springborgs faces on them. I would have that enlarged and hang it in my computer room where I can look up and laugh it.
Posted by fresno on Sep. 26 2003,1:47 pm
you should take that pic and make it just huge and put all them other asswipes pics superimposed on there and then rent a trailer and drive around town with it.:p
Posted by hoosier on Sep. 26 2003,1:52 pm
LMAO @ Fresno. I have no idea who you are Fresno, but I like the way you think.
Posted by fresno on Sep. 26 2003,8:31 pm
lets just say i'm somebody who doesn't like the way the county commissioners and county administrator run things.:angry:
Posted by rosebudinal on Sep. 27 2003,12:12 am
Welcome fresno, some may say that we just are a bunch of grumpling negative people, on the contrary.....we are not afraid to tell the truth in here and look for ways to educate the general public about issues that otherwise are either shoved under the rug or totally engulfed in lies, innuendos, etc. I find that I am not alone in my anger at so much of the crap that goes on in our community and that there are others out there with ideas about how to better our community and move ahead.
Posted by hoosier on Sep. 27 2003,9:14 am
Rosebudinal, Very nice way of putting. You know, along with the complaints you see posted here, you also see a lot of suggestions and ideas to do things better. Our critics never seem to notice the suggestions and ideas, they just focus on the negative things that are said. All they can come up with is, "Why dont you focus on the positive." Thats their whole platform for making the town a better place, lets just imagine it is better, and by some miracle, it will be. I wish it were that easy, I'm sorry to those out there that disagree with us, but trying to clean up local government that is as entrenched and protective as this one is, well, it aint gonna be pretty. But it has to be done so the people can have their government back. And to the critics that think we are just a couple of dozen people in this forum, think again. This forum has had 5000 visits in one day, people make copies of the discussions and distribute them to their friends that have no computer. Go into a coffee shop in the morning, chances are they are all talking about this forum and what is being said. The only feed back I have gotten about what is said here is very positive, overwhelmingly(sp?) positive. So anyway, to all the critics, you are welcome to your opinion, come in here and post as much as you like, but man, you are gonna miss out on doing something good for your community if all you want to do is keep things the way they are now. You want something positive? How about this grassroots effort by people that still dont, or barely know each other, getting together to stand up for what they think is going to make this a better place to live. To me, you can disagree with our tactics, but if you dont see the same problems in our community that we all do, well, I guess that you have just what you want right now. Ask yourself if things are the way they should or could be. I think we have a long way to go, but it will happen, may take some years to do it, but it will be worth the time it took. I want it all, I want jobs, I want our kids to be able to return from college and raise their families here. I want other communities, not only in southern Minnesota, but all around the state to look at Albert Lea with envy, and to wonder, just how do they do it. My answer, when that day finally comes, is ordinary people banded together to do what was best for everyone in the community. Damn, what could be more positive than that?People Power
Posted by rosebudinal on Sep. 27 2003,12:01 pm
Oh,yeah and support one another in our right to state our ideas on the subject (whether we agree or agree to disagree). And are not stifled by the powers that be in our local government in doing so. No one here will stop you mid-sentence and say that you are being disruptive, argumentative, etc. and having someone in here like minnow is a welcome trade. I think most of the regulars like him. He adds controversy (sometimes, not always...) But, as the saying goes if we all thought alike....the world would be pretty boring. Point being made here, all ideas and opinions welcomed here for debate. Using maturity and descretion(name calling sucks....oops). Help!!!! I think I've bonded with you people LOL
Posted by rosebudinal on Sep. 27 2003,12:03 pm
Ok...ok... sometimes Hoosiers like california wave is cute and only adds to the point being made.
Posted by hoosier on Sep. 27 2003,12:13 pm
LOL @ Rosebudinal, you are officially one of the "Obsessed Minority."
Posted by MADDOG on Oct. 16 2003,9:24 am
A while back, Human Services hired a local gal as a case worker for the county. She was union. When the grant ran out, they had to let her go. When money was made available again, Ron hired a social worker out of the twin cities at I believe $40,000/yr. on a three year contract. The union filed a greivance, and Ron, afraid of the union and worried that if he let the gal from the cities go, she would file a lawsuit, hired the young union case worker back even though there wasn't a position open. More government waste.