A Heartless and Unethical Employment Scheme
Photos
During these difficult economic times many of us have had family members or friends which have gone through extended periods of unemployment. Unemployed persons under financial pressure and desperate for jobs are often vulnerable to various schemes, some people have had their identity stolen when providing personal information for a job offer received over the internet, or paid upfront fees to obtain jobs that don’t exist.
Just last week, I read of what I think is the most heartless and unethical scheme yet. On Aug. 29, Propeller Investments issued a press release announcing that they are accepting applications for jobs at Briscoe Field and hiring on a limited basis. Even worse, on Aug. 18 Propeller participated in a job fair sponsored by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, accepting resumes in person from people desperate for jobs.
In 2010 Brett Smith, managing partner of Propeller Investments, announced the proposed Briscoe expansion would create 20,000 jobs. However, when C4BG interviewed AvPort management at Westchester Airport in New York (Propeller’s original model for Briscoe Field), they learned the airport only employs about 60 people. They estimated total employment of all companies located at Westchester airport was less than 200 people. Brett has told C4BG that he lives in Westchester and frequently flies out of this airport -- surely he is observant enough to recognize the difference between 200 people and 20,000 people as he walks through the airport.
If this were merely Propeller’s over-eagerness relating to premature hiring, we could understand, but Brett Smith has stated it would be at least three years before the Briscoe Field expansion would begin operating. Brett also continues to overstate the number of jobs which would be created if Briscoe is expanded and recently during a radio interview increased the number jobs to be created to 30,000.
So why is Propeller advertising for IT professionals, ramp technicians, and administrative staff now?
Is Propeller truly hiring personnel in Gwinnett or are they attempting to use citizens’ desperation to create support for an unpopular issue?
Perhaps the fact that at the job fair Propeller had a computer setup so “applicants” could send an email to the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners in support of Briscoe Field expansion reveals their true intent.
My opinion is that Propeller and Brett Smith will say anything and do anything to manipulate citizens into supporting a project that will have long-term negative effects of Gwinnett County. Propellers’ actions and misrepresentations in recruiting for non-existent jobs speaks volumes about their lack of integrity, ethics, and all the other “values” to which I aspire.
Jimmy Orr
6:45 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Jim, I have been reading your post. Heartless and unethical is putting it mildly. I cannot think of anything more despicable than to offer jobs that do not exist and jobs that may never exist to those who are unemployed and struggling to hold on financially in our stagnant economy. I suppose you might compare it to being tricked instead of treated on trick or treat night. Those poor souls who bared their souls by giving out their personal information on job applications for non-existent jobs were taken unfair advantage of. Especially if their participation at Propeller Investments' booth at the job fair included, as you say, an e-mail directed to our Board of Commissioners in support of the expansion of Briscoe Field with an option for commercial airline service. If your blog is indicative of Propeller's moral compass, I would say that it does not point true North.
M.K. Osborne
7:19 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The only way i would feel good about this situation is if all the commissioners signed a 10 year agreement barring employment or compensation from the winning bidder for them or family members. Then RFQ your hearts out!
Brian Crawford
7:55 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Great post Jim.
North Georgia Weather
8:30 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
I smell fish.
Andrew McNeil
7:43 am on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Jim, isn't it unfortunate that three of the Commissioners are determined to be in cahoots with the likes of Propeller/Brett Smith? Is this indicative of their naivete or their greed??? Not only does it reflect negatively on Propeller, it's a dark spot on our county commissioners (Lasseter, Howard, and Beaudreau) once again. Thank goodness for Chairwoman Nash and Commissioner Heard and their voices of reason.
SLR
8:29 am on Thursday, September 8, 2011
I haven't decided which side of the fence I'm on regarding Briscoe but I disagree with the sentiment here.
A recent press release http://flybriscoe.com/img/MEDIA-RELEASE-FOR-IMMEDIATE-DISTRIBUTION-JOBS.pdf
includes "Some of the positions that will be required include IT professionals, customer service agents, building and construction personnel, ground and ramp technicians, operations specialists, airfield maintenance and security staff, as well as business development, sales and administrative staff." and "Currently Propeller is hiring on a limited basis, however resumes are being collected and can be submitted...".
Laura
9:18 am on Thursday, September 8, 2011
In the coporate world, most of the executive/administrative/high-paying jobs already have people lined up to fill those positions -- from outside the local area. So much for the job fair. Oh,wait...I guess they will still need people to clean up the poop generated by this deal. ... and judging by the amount of poop that we've seen thrown at us by Propeller, there just may be a lot jobs created -- Master Pooper Scoopers.
Jim Regan
12:40 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Laura:
In this case because all airlines are union, the jobs will be filled by transfers from Hartsfield. So most new jobs will be created in Fulton County, not Gwinnett.
Alison
11:28 pm on Sunday, September 11, 2011
Propeller can't hire anyone for something that they haven't won the contract on. Also if Briscoe is ever commercialized whatever companies win the contract for construction and for the airline jobs would be hired by those companies not Propeller Investments.
Laura
9:03 am on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Did I hear at one time that there is federal money involved if the Gwinnett commissioners let this crooked deal go through (someone correct if I'm wrong)? Great. Take money from a government that is already 14 trillion dollars in debt. Hey. Here's an idea. How about NOT let the "Propeller" deal through with its grandiose propositions and pie-in-the-sky false predictions...and let's NOT take more money from the federal government coffers (yeah, like there's actually money IN those coffers) ... and how about if the "group of 3" stop hyperventilating all over themselves and take step back and move more cautiously and wisely before plummeting the taxpayers in over their heads on false pretenses. The "group of 3" don't have the ALL of Gwinnett's best interests in mind. They have their own interests in mind-- whether is fame or profit or both. Have ANY of the commissioners revisited the issue of the albatros that is called Cool Ray Field? No. And they're not going to. Why? They don't "revisit" decisions. What's done is done and they don't care if the predictions were grossly misrepresented. When they want to do something, they only pay attention to the most rosy picture they can find, and they base all of their decisions on that. They don't take "reality" into consideration. Only the extremes of prosperity and dreams of excessive economic growth. ...and the taxpayers are left cleaning up their messes. Is it election day yet?!!!!
terrance R. Brand
1:15 pm on Monday, September 12, 2011
Just another reason to shut this monster down and rezone the land to be used for other purposes. It appears that scandal and a taxpayer rip off are on the horizon over Briscoe.
R++ - One of the famous "Dacula Crew"
11:59 pm on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Laura,
I think you've found a source of more "shovel ready" jobs than the famous neighbor's dogs. Obama is SO proud
"So much for the job fair. Oh,wait...I guess they will still need people to clean up the poop generated by this deal. ... and judging by the amount of poop that we've seen thrown at us by Propeller, there just may be a lot jobs created -- Master Pooper Scoopers."
Mick
1:40 am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I've lived here for the majority of my life and I don't want Lawrenceville end up like Hapeville or Forest Park.