* Doug Van Essen might win back his job in state government.
But he wouldn't be surprised if he is fired again the moment he returns to work.
That's because the state legislature, in the final hours of its session this year, voted in favor of a bill that was in name about the regulation of hair braiding.
In fact, the bill included a little-noticed section that dealt with Van Essen's job at the N.C. State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. It gave the board the authority to fire him again if an administrative law judge determines that the board was out of bounds when it fired him the first time.
The bill also offered a glimpse into the political nature of working for state government, even in an obscure agency whose mission is to make sure that 13,000 salons and spas in North Carolina adhere to sanitation standards and that barbers, stylists, manicurists and cosmetologists have the training they need to keep their clients safe as well as pretty. (N&O)
* In a book proposal, former John Edwards aide Andrew Young says that he assisted Edwards' affair with Rielle Hunter by setting up private meetings. He wrote that Edwards once calmed an anxious Hunter by promising her that after his wife died, he would marry her in a rooftop ceremony in New York with an appearance by the Dave Matthews Band. (NYT)
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Re: Rules changed on state employee
How many of you have already forgotten the first article? Please don't!
Someone, i.e. governor, Bev Perdue must take a stand and listen to the silenced voices of honest working people,it's time for change.Ray Mitchell and his henchmen need to be held accountable for their actions. It is incorrect to say 3 out of 4 people are awaiting Mr.Vanessen's return.Why not ask the inspectors and the office staff.That's if they have not been gagged.It's 3-4 people who do not want him back due to improprieties, lies and deceptive tactics to get him out. How awkward would that be? They've been told to re-employ this individual,but won't due to office politics. If Douglas Vanessen was guilty of not reprimanding certain inspectors, then what happened to their supervisors? They were promoted! Sounds like another CEO rip off scheme with our nation's largest banks.Office politics! Ray Mitchell used this same lame and tired excuse to put his puppets in place, including Joyce Lippard.She down grades schools that does not meet her standard, socio-economic standards that is and was flown on Mitchell's private plane to grade, inspect and open one of Mitchell's family salons.Which was allegedly, already opened illegally.They fired an
inspector without warning or reprimands after 20 years of service, while he mother lay dying on her death bed. I understand that North Carolina is a hire-at-will,fire-at-will state, but do not abuse your employees.This is why workplace violence is on the rise. The work of inspectors were constantly undermined and unappreciated, e.g.at a public hearing,one board
cried as a habitual offender,defended her reasons for allowing an unlicensed individuals to work in her shop.This is not to be tolerated.All
cosmetologist are educated to the process.There is no reason why the executive directors position or any other position should be held by cosmetologist. The office is there to implement the policies and laws according to N.C.State Board of Cosmetics Art Examiners.The problems happens when you have the chairman and his henchmen trying to micromanage the inspectors, office staff and manipulating laws with the aid of his personal attorney. It is time for rules to be amended and implemented.The chairman should not be a school or salon owner.This brings about conflict of interest.There should be a manicurist and esthetician on the board to cover all aspects of the industry.Laws were passed,cosmetologists can perform all like duties of those named above. Although,cosmetologists are not required to complete the same amount of school hours as those who are licensees. Wake up call! This industry is operating under one mandate only! Public Safety!!! Our clients come first! Proper licensing and operating under competency!This industry is not to be used for personal gain and intimidation of staff should not be tolerated.