S.C. WELFARE CZARINA’S SELECTIVE “HEALTH” BECOMING AN ISSUE
Embattled S.C. welfare czarina Lillian Koller didn’t have time to appear before a S.C. Senate panel investigating the unmitigated disaster that is her agency earlier this year … but she did manage to join her boss, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley, at the governor’s annual “State of the State” address that same week.
Priorities, right?
Now Koller – who has been on extended medical leave following an unexplained December incident – has been spotted hobnobbing with Haley at the S.C. Governor’s Mansion. Specifically, Koller attended a special banquet held at the mansion last we for county-level social services directors who staffed shelters during last month’s ice storm.
Really? She’s got time to attend speeches and dinners but no time to address the consequences of her agency’s ineptitude?
Incredible …
Last month, South Carolina’s mainstream media finally got around to confirming a shocking story that was published by this website last summer. We’re referring of course to the tragic tale of Robert Guilyard Jr., a four-year-old boy who was placed in an abusive home by Koller’s Department of Social Services (SCDSS) despite repeated warnings about his safety.
Because those warnings went unheeded, Guilyard was beaten to death in the home.
We called on Haley to fire Koller in the aftermath of that tragedy – not just because there is actual blood on her hands, but because the Guilyard tragedy was the latest in a long line of examples of her unfitness for office.
There’s the ongoing failure of this agency’s child support enforcement database – or the total lack of follow-through Koller’s agency has shown with regard to a food stamp waiver touted by Haley in her so-called “war on fat.” There are also questionable consultant payments and allegations of cooked books at its “welfare to work” program (as well as its food stamp system).
Despite all this, Haley is standing by her embattled appointee … referring to her publicly as a “rock star.”
How come? Easy – it’s politics.
Look … if Koller won’t do the honorable thing and step down, then she needs to step up and face the music for her agency’s terrible track record on … well … everything. If she is well enough to attend speeches and banquets, then she is well enough to sit for testimony before the legislative panel charged with oversight of her agency.
Anything short of that is cowardice …
UPDATE: Wow … get THIS. Several S.C. Senators tell FITS they requested Koller’s presence at a subcommittee meeting scheduled for this week in Columbia, S.C. Guess what … Koller refused to testify.
31 comments
With any luck, “rock star” will have the same connotations as “hell of a job”.
my vote would be “looking for a job”
This offices are in place because Liberal Democrats have idiots to pay off for their votes.
Does anyone REALLY care…We tolerate this costly and damaging branch of gov’t because the media has too many people fooled into thinking it’s doing good.
FITS is just blowing smoke up his own @$$ chasing this non-issue, w/ nothing more than he has. The democrats, or liberal-trains, paying FITS are just wasting their money…Partly because of his inability to effectively communicate, and partly because no one gives a $#!*….
I’ve listened to preachers,
I’ve listened to fools
I’ve watched all the dropouts
Who make their own rules
One person conditioned to rule and control
The media sells it and you live the role
Mental wounds still screaming
Driving me insane
I’m goin’ off the rails on a crazy train
I’m goin’ off the rails on a crazy train
The problem w/ cliché (and cut and paste) thinkers, is that you’re too stupid to offer content and/or context..and that makes you look like a Dumb@$$, anytime you post…not to mention, you bring nothing of intrest to the table..
Fortunately, that is one problem I don’t have..and most of you F*%king idiots, do.
If you ever offer a rational thought of any sort, I’ll be more than happy to engage you in a meaningful discussion about issues and philosophy.
In the meantime, I’ll let Ozzy’s words say what needs to be said.
Typical…
Probably you’re most interesting post ever.
Yet you believe that everyone here lives for and awaits your every word. You don’t realize that we’re not laughing with you, we’re laughing at you.
The problem w/ cliché (and cut and paste) thinkers, is that you’re too stupid to offer content and/or context…Fortunately, that is one problem I don’t have
——–
True. You’re too stupid to cut and paste.
Last I saw, “conservatives” have been in control for the past decade, and did nothing.
I’d be THRILLED if Obama just did nothing. That’s what Americans want..Stay the F*#k out of our way. We built this country…while you sat on your @$$#$ and complained..or just made it harder for working people…
And you are right…Obama has done a lot to F*#k up the country
FITS, did you know there is another DSS Senate Sub Committee hearing TOMORROW that Koller is “too sick” to attend? You should attend! She is going to send Jessica Hanak-Coulter who is the most unqualified individual to ever hold the position of Deputy Director @ DSS. Hanak-Coulter lied @ the last Senate Hearing and will do the same tomorrow. She is being used by Koller to take the heat and doesn’t care about lying to anyone who will listen! She will present manipulated data to make herself, Koller, and the Gov look good. Koller has been nothing but a disaster from day one. She has no morals whatsoever. Who in their right minds view children and families as numbers? Koller is a terminal cancer that has invaded DSS. Gov Haley, Koller, Hanak-Coulter, and the DSS Regional Directors are responsible for the mess @ DSS, not to mention tragedy after tragedy regarding children and families. When are these folks going to be held responsible? What is it going to take for Gov Haley to put politics aside and fire these worthless money sucking individuals? How many children and families will need to die or suffer until action is taken? Gov Haley, you should be ashamed of yourself for putting your political aspirations in front of the safety of children and families here in SC. Just admit it, Koller and her managers have been a disaster from day one and get rid of them. The hope (from DSS staff and citizens familiar with DSS) is that the Senate Sub Committee will demand Koller be fired or demand her resignation along with the others mentioned above. Everyone statewide who are involved with DSS (including DSS staff) are wondering why no action is being taken! this fiasco is sickening. Maybe we need a new Governor come November who will do what is right for children and families in SC!
I commend you for this plea to action. I guess it’s part of the culture now–get called before a legislative oversight committee and blow it off. Maybe the members of that sub-committee need to be noodged, with a sharp poke.
Close, but no cigar! The most unqualified person to ever hold a deputy position is Marcia Adams. The most unqualified director was Elinor (the “bloody bitch” ) Kitzman!
Dear Do something and Honorable Members of the DSS Senate Sub Committee
Along with my note of regrets that I am too ill to attend your little meeting I have enclosed for each of you a pair of my slightly worn thongs – just a reminder that this is as close you are going to get to my lily white ass
chow, LK
How does a state employee who has only been in office for 2 years or so have enough accrued leave to take this much time off with pay? Is she claiming to work from home and being paid? If she is being paid how is DSS tracking her work hours?
Incredible? No. This is SC where there is no accountability and no oversight. The voters can fix it, but next November they’ll troop dutifully to the polls and re-elect the official candidate of the Communist Party…oops, I meant the Republican Party — Nikki. And all the sheep say “baaa.”
No,NO, remember her Hine ASS Queen Haley promised transparency!!!
One of the many Haley unqualified, incompetent appointments! Kinda reminds me of Obama’s appointments and sychophants: Lois Lerner (IRS), Kathleene Sebelius, Eric Holder amoung a host of others, just like Haley’s!
Both Obama and Ohaley campaigned on a LIE of transparency, openess, positive change, etc. Both lied, sold out and have failed miserably!
Obama is a disaster and should have never been given a second term. The same is true with Ohaley!
Obama+Ohaley=Oshit!!!!
Let’s not make the same mistake with Ohaley, made with Obama…a second term!
It will be a “Great day in SC”, when Haley is gone, for good!
Vote anybody but Ohaley!
I heard ABC News 20/20 is doing a strory on this agency THIS WEEK…ABOUT TIME!!!!
Carl
Has this been confirmed. ..I want to see that interview. ..really need a laugh
I’d really like to see this! If only some of the DSS employees could talk – all of them feel the same. We have been long ready for a new administration.
SLED needs to take a close look at her, and her chief partner in crime: Haley.
So Haley has no problem hosting a banquet for county directors on the public dime? Hypocrite.
I heard they took picture of her being there.
It will be interesting to see how Jessica performs tomorrow. Last hearing she had lots of general info but could not provide specific data when pressed. Pretty ironic given this administration’s obsession with data over all else. Appropriate Response or CCBS is failing. The contracted providers are taking money for cases that inevitably get sent back to DSS for investigation anyways. Funny though, since the questions posed about vacant positions in front line staffing during the last hearing, it seems positions are suddenly easier to fill. Hmmm. By the way, no one ever threw a party for the employees who actually leave their families to man ice and hurricane shelters!!!! What the hell????
They will certainly not recognize the DSS staff who actually does the work….they are in this for personal gratification and their own advancement and big paycheck. Any employee @ DSS who questions there motives and their practices will find themselves unemployed. Nothing but a bunch of POS’s. What happened to protecting children and families?…………you guessed it, that went out the window with Haley, Koller, Hanak-Coulter and their Regional Directors. Too bad actual DSS employees cannot speak @ these hearings (they would lose their jobs); if so, their horror stories would force the Gov to fire each and every one of these idiots.
DHEC’s Templeton and HHS’ Keck operate in the same fashion. Tow their line, and you can rise regardless of incompetence. Question anything? If they can’t find a reason to can someone, there’s always constructive dismissal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_dismissal). In DHEC’s case ,in particular, I’m sure the Director’s background is very helpful to knowing how to do this with minimal liability potential. Everyone slips up though, and soon it will be costly for 2600 Bull St.
Nikki’s Lois Lerner…when/if they pin her down she’ll resign like the others have done.
Not only should they be fired they should all have criminal charges pressed against them for negligence and conspiracy that has caused the deaths of these precious children. Starting with Lillian Kohler, regional directors and those county directors who have no DSS experience and don’t have a clue about how to lead. All are yes men,bullying their subordinates,thinking they have no accountability . They have no integrity and ethics and could care less about employees or the population they serve.Just make excuses for their wrongdoings and pretend to be competent when they are nothing but liars and bullies .They are criminals and should be treated as such.