Corbett's Secretary of Health Back in the News

[Divernan]

Pa. health secretary orders jackets to give official look
Monday, July 11, 2011
By Angela Couloumbis, Philadelphia Inquirer
Eli N. Avila

HARRISBURG -- Stop! In the name of the secretary of health!

Eli N. Avila, Gov. Tom Corbett's secretary of health, has ordered up new blue windbreakers on the taxpayers' dime, with Department of Health emblazoned on the front and back. The windbreakers, for Dr. Avila and his executive staff, also display the state seal on a retractable flap.

In all, the Health Department said, nine of the windbreakers have been ordered, at a cost to the state of $553.82.

Dr. Avila also dipped into his own pocket this year to have a badge made for himself, with Secretary of Health around the state seal -- until Mr. Corbett's office nixed this idea.

Such are the latest actions of a Cabinet member who briefly made news in the spring after his dispute with a Harrisburg diner owner over the freshness of his eggs ended with Dr. Avila allegedly shouting, "Do you know who I am? I am the secretary of health!"
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11192/1159631-454.stm#ixzz1RnBJoQ3J
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A few other gems in the article - after shouting at the owner of the diner, Avila sicced a health inspector on him, prompting the owner to hire a lawyer to complain about harassment. (from an earlier story: the owner had just opened one morning and was frying an egg for his own breakfast when Avila showed up & ordered a fried egg. So the owner gave him the egg which he had just fried. Avila complained it was not fresh.) Avila also had an aide order a Bloodmobile (with people lined up to donate) moved because it impinged on his private parking spot in front of the Dept. of Health.

[Ruby the Liberal]

1. A badge? LOL!

Something about this screams small penis syndrome.

:rofl:

[blue neen]

2. Well, isn't he special!

It sounds like Mr. Avila is quite a piece of work!

[Divernan]

3. Avila was 2nd fiddle in a NY county health dept., but Corbett chose him to run PA's entire state HD.

Avila is a prime example of Corbett outsourcing a top level, high-paying Pennsylvania government job. He was a deputy (i.e., second fiddle) health commissioner for a county in New York, when Corbett tapped him to run the Health dept. for the entire state of Pennsylvania. With our major medical centers in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Hershey, etc., there are many in-state doctors as qualified as this upstate New York doctor to serve on the governor's cabinet. You know, medical professionals who have dedicated their lives to the health and welfare of Pennsylvanian citizens.

[blue neen]

4. Interesting.

He must have done something for Corbett's campaign or is friends with Governor Gashole's Corporate buddies.

I wonder what the connection is...

[grntuscarora]

5. After that diner story broke

my husband, who works in Harrisburg, made it a point to eat lunch there. Good eats, he says. And the diner was doing a very brisk business,too. Take that, Avila!
(Somedays it's the little 'digs' that keep me going:)

[Divernan]

6. Hi and welcome to DU & to the Pennsylvania forum.