Klein Steel's No-BS Management
I don't know what they put in the water cooler at Klein Steel, but perhaps it should be added to the city-wide supply. In addition to employing retired General John Batiste, one of the most vocal critics of the execution of the Iraq war, the CEO, Joseph Klein, isn't afraid to say what he thinks and damn the consequences.
Yesterday, Klein got the "Business Person of the Year" award from the Rochester Business Alliance (i.e., the Chamber of Commerce). Instead of the usual "I want to thank the Academy" speech, he apparently gave a barn-burner, criticizing politicians at the head table and speaking inconvenient truths.
I say "apparently" because the D&C coverage is so focused on the reaction to the speech that it wasn't clear what was so offensive. Here's a bit of what he said:
He noted challenges, including workers' compensation, laws unfavorable to business and the state's lack of job growth[...]"Our young people won't come back because they can't find jobs[.]"
Isn't that just the plain old truth? Are the so-called "leaders" of this burg so goddam calcified and unapproachable that their panties wad up when someone speaks it? And is the "newspaper of record" so far in the Chamber of Commerce's pocket that they would rather cover hurt feelings than the truth itself?
If so, we're in much bigger trouble that even Mr Klein might believe.
