State Investigating Workforce Central Florida

Posted: 6:34 pm EDT April 19, 2011Updated: 7:15 pm EDT April 19, 2011

CENTRAL FLORIDA -- The
state is expanding its investigation into Workforce Central Florida
over an idea that some say is the stupidest idea they've ever heard.

The
newest allegation of misspending involves a marketing campaign, in
which the chairman of the board for the job agency marches around in a
super-hero cape

.As part of a new marketing campaign, Workforce
Central Florida spent a reported $14,000 on red capes to hand out to
jobseekers who visit their offices.

People who are unemployed told WFTV
that the capes aren't going to get them a job and they say it's a waste
of money.

In a promotional video, Workforce Central Florida Board
Chairman Owen Wentworth, dons a red cape to take on "Dr. Evil
Unemployment" in the agency's comic book-themed campaign.

The campaign which reportedly cost $73,000 includes thousands of red capes.Job-seekers
such as Gregory Bryant said the capes are a waste of money and they're
offended by the cartoon-like portrayal of being unemployed."Would you wear this around?" WFTV reporter Bianca Castro asked Bryant."No, I mean, would you?" Bryant answered. "It's a mockery to Americans.

"The
agency for Workforce Innovation, which has some oversight on regional
boards, sent a letter to Workforce Central Florida, calling the campaign
"insensitive and wasteful."

It's calling on its inspector general
to expand an investigation launched into Workforce Central Florida last
month. WFTV prompted that investigation when it reported the agency
spent $250,000 tax dollars on staff cars.

At the time, Workforce Vice President Kim Sullivan told WFTV, "We're like an open book and have good business practices."But
on Tuesday, the agency would not respond to any of WFTV's questions
because its new marketing campaign is under investigation.

Workforce
Central Florida is governed by a local board made up 44 community
members. WFTV tried to get a hold of some of them, including board
chairman Wentworth, but has not received a response.Workforce
Central Florida has been investigated before. In 2006, it had to repay
almost $3.5 million to the federal government to settle claims that it
misused public money.

http://www.wftv.com/news/27603869/detail.html

Just shows how disconnected these people are from the plight of the unemployed. Must be the heat or the swamp gas.

This investigation is long overdue, IMO.

They should put 44 bulls outside their building, fire these guys, force them to wear the red capes and then march them out the door.

Three easy steps for forum members interested in "encouraging" Workforce Central Florida to "re-think" their Cape Crusade....Create an email stating your position on their expenditures of taxpayers money on a "Cape Crusade" (as WFTV viewer did asking if Capes were made in China) then insert your email to Central Florida Workforce Board of Directors, (they don't make it easy so you can always email to this person questions@wcfla.com ) then copy your comments to WFTV, and to Florida State Legislators. Here are all the links if your interested in making a comment.

http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/about-us/board-of-directors.stml

http://www.wftv.com/contact/index.html

http://www.wftv.com/news/19451977/detail.html