Insurance Commissioner Enlists Local Help
Google of the future: This was an April Fool’s Day Prank.
Last night I received an inscrutable email from my fellow blogger and former Sussex County Republican Chair, Dave Burris. This is not unusual, I rarely understand what he is talking about. But I just received a press release that makes even less sense.
Karen Weldin Stewart, The Delaware Insurance Commissioner, has enlisted the help of David Burris of Milford to assist the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) in local outreach and public relations.
“Dave’s knowledge of the Twitter and Facebooks will make him an invaluable resource to the office” said Ms. Stewart at a meeting introducing Mr. Burris to the OIC staff. “His knowledge of policy and politics is quite evident in his resume, which says a lot.”
During Mr. Burris’ short address to the staff he stressed that changes were needed. “The Insurance Commissioners Office has been faking the funk for too long. The rest of the world has moved into the 21st century and so should this office, 140 characters at a time.”
Previously, the office had used volunteer bloggers for their public relations advice, but it was determined that spending money would yield better results.
Mr. Burris is the former CEO and president of several businesses in real estate, mass communications, food service and business consulting. He will receive a consulting fee of $10,000 per month plus expenses.
The Office of Insurance Commissioner is funded by the insurance industry through fees and penalties. No taxpayer money is used in operating the office.
Needless to say, but I find this unbelievable. I guess that they had some extra money laying around and had to spend it starting in the 2nd quarter.
Tags: Dave Burris, Karen Weldin Stewart, News, Twitter
OMG
I am really unable to comment at this time, other than to say that I look forward to helping the Insurance Commissioner, who I admire greatly for her tenacity and leadership style, as she embraces new media. I believe that the Commissioner has seen how the Governor has succeeded by using social media and believes that these exciting new platforms can help her as she tackles the difficult job of regulating and encouraging the Insurance industry in Delaware. That’s all I can really say at this time.
Very Funny!
Hahahaha.
LOL. What arrogance ….. or is this some kind of an April Fool’s joke?
This whole thing is an April Fools prank, isn’t it ? I was fooled,very funny .
Hmm, don’t you think an out of state consultant would have done a better job?
My fave line from amongst many: ” “His knowledge of policy and politics is quite evident in his resume, which says a lot.”
Can’t improve on perfection.
WTF?
Nicely done Mr. Geek.
“His knowledge of the Twitter and Facebooks…”
“The rest of the world has moved into the 21st century and so should this office, 140 characters at a time.”
I think I’m also qualified for this job. Did they do a bid?
Dave, you have sunk to new deep levels. So she needs the support of the republicans while she develops and implements new regulations? We are truly in deep doo doo now.
No faking the funk! That should be on ICO letterhead.
I am dyin’ over some of these comments.
JK — It is the job of the OIC to protect consumers in Delaware. Regulations are needed to do that. Especially in this post-HCR world, it will take the best and brightest to ensure that Delawareans are taken care of. My varied resume gives me the ability to assist in a myriad of ways, but the outward communication of the OIC’s goals and policies will go a long way toward demystifying the office and involving every day Delawareans in the office’s mission.
Demystifying? Now I’m doubled over with tears streaming down my face.
This is brilliant.
Is anyone checking Twitter to see how much of the ICs office Dave has moved to the 21st century yet?
Cassandra — We have not yet unleashed our Twitter presence for the office. Currently, we are preparing to release our first issue of “Delaware Insurance Monthly,” which will be an online-only, pageflip magazine featuring member of the office and their activities. It’s part of the demystifying process. The rollout of the Twitter accounts will occur in short order, after the staff’s mandatory “listening” period, where they will be monitoring social channels to get a feel for how other governments, insurance companies and the press are using social media.
I’m peeing myself. Wonder if wRONg Williams will pick this up and run with it as fact.
“Delaware Insurance Monthly” — DIM. I like it. I assume it will have plenty of pictures?
And what’s all this about “demystifying”? Who’s Mysti and why are we getting rid of her? And I’m not saying it sounds like a stripper name, I’m just sayin’….
Delaware Insurance Monthly!
Please run a feature on disabling the GPS tracking feature in state cars!
And during this “listening period”, will you be conducting any remedial writing and grammar classes, because, well, you know.
I also suggest a class on writing air-tight RFP’s so only friends of the OIC can qualify to bid on them. Oh wait, Elliott is already doing that.
I believe the IC’s office should begin a blogger outreach program, since blogs have been so tough on KWS. Perhaps a “wine & cheese with Karen” event is in order? A member of the IC’s office could be paired up with a blogger to ensure that we understand how awesome the IC’s office is – part of the demystifying process. The people of Delaware shouldn’t object, since the IC’s office isn’t operating on state funds. Maybe after the event the IC’s office can pick up additional consultants.
Dave, if you’re interested I’m working on an article tentatively titled “It’s the Insurance Commissioner, Not the Voter Commissioner: You Know Who We Work For”. I’d be happy to let you take a look. I think it might be DIM-worthy. I don’t have any pictures for it yet, though.
We certainly want to have a positive relationship with the blogging community so as to clear up some of the misunderstandings that have been propagated in the recent past. And we are absolutely open to having members of the community submit their ideas for the magazine. The more people are involved in the process, the easier it is to understand what a great job the OIC is doing in serving the interests of Delaware’s Insurance industry.
Ten grand a month! Plus expenses! And here I am working for a living.
If this is true:
At least the money is staying in Delaware
Dave Burris could have asked for more
And lastly–just because the blogging, social tech community is eating her alive–don’t you think there should be some outreach to the non-tech people, who are probably encountering HUGE insurance problems ( and yes, I’m talking generational disconnect here), and need help via telephone or the U.S. mail? The older community is going to have more established policies in place, w/ home ownership, autos, health and changes in health to really set off the ding meter. Don’t forget about them.
Oh yea–can I apply to be on the “transitioning” the transition team? I can pare down the resume to 140 characters, will work from any state you choose, and drive my own car. Salary negotiable, and not ridiculous. Photo attached from each decade. Just text me if interested.
I think that positive outreach to the blogging community should include transforming the seldom used Custom House office into a blogger meetingspace.
Pajamas (but not clothing!) optional.
And open 24/7!!
Just because the date is April 1 doesn’t give you the right to spread false information. Allegations of slander have been filed. Law enforcement will handle it from here.
Thanks for visiting, Beau.
Did i getcha ?
Not even a little.
Amateurs.
Would the correct term be “libel” or “slander” when online ?
Well since it’s April Fool’s–maybe punked?……
Would the correct term be “libel” or “slander” when online ?
How about “slibel”? It’s like “who” and “whom”, or “Mets” and “losers”. People just use them interchangeably.
I’m confused (heretofor referred to as Weldin’d). Is it the bloggers who are the cause of her problems, or her own actions and attributes?
FBH…
Slander is spoken, libel is written. So the correct term would be libel here, but the Fake AG would have no case, since 1) he has no standing to bring a civil suit on behalf of KWS (she would have to do it herself personally); 2) there is no crime of defamation that I am aware of, it is a civil tort, and thus the AG would have no role; and 3) since KWS is a public official, she would have to prove malice on our parts, and, at least in this instance on April Fools Day, there is no malice.
But DD, aren’t we speaking, when conversing online ?
BTW if anyone could call for libel, it would be Burris. He is now associate forever with KWS. 😉
Definitely the best April Fool’s prank I’ve ever been a part of. Thanks, Geek.
Just one of the many services we provide around here…
It is a prank witin a prank. KWS”s election to IC was a longform prank egineered by Harris McD
See my post re. joint House/Senate committee hearings on KWS mismanagement under her WDEL interview thread and also in the “Recent Comments” part of this site.
Nevermind the fact that there is all kind of fraud and mismanagement going on in her office. What were we thinking voting her in?