vanderplow

Well, since this will not be a constructive conversation I will make this my last. First, I'm sorry my windows were broken out by a neighbor while I slept and stole my gear. That was my fault. You are wrong, I did not say all is well, I just said we are functioning. The only way we can do better is highlight the work that is done. All is not well, we have a lot of hard work to do. I do come to work prepared as a law enforcement officer. When all is said and done, if something happens we are Agents first. Lastly, my name is on the banner - is yours?

Ok, I can't let this go....nylawman - I hope your investigative reports are not as erroneous as your posts. Unless I know you from the fourth floor (Financial Management Division), please hold your commentary on ATF's budget situation to the professionals who deal with this everyday. My advice to everyone regarding the budget: keep working and putting wins on the board. We are not "going down hill". Last time I checked, with the approval of the chain of command, we in Financial Management, Acquisitions, Accounting, Budget Execution and Formulation, et al have facilitated financing for numerous complex investigations, equipment and services to keep the Agency moving. I can't recall the last time I had to say no to a righteous request. My offer still stands, if any ATF employee has any questions on the budget and/or the funding philosophy please look me up in Outlook and give me a call. I ask that everyone stay safe, work hard and help your brother and sister Agents and Investigators.

Paul, let me say this. It is admirable (no sarcasm), that you had the courage and integrity to come on here in an attempt to set the record straight and/or clarify. I'm not sure but I believe you are THE FIRST and ONLY ATF manager to do so. At a time when our Senior management all the way to the Top, hides, burys their heads in the sand and uses Chief counsels office to spin their corrupt acts, You have shown them how to handle your business. I know nothing of the facts that were discussed in this post, and quite frankly DON'T CARE. I'm just proud to see ONE manager address issues candidly and transparently. Happy New Year.

Good Evening,

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond. I will make this an open invitation to anyone who is interested, if I am involved with a specific event/topic, I invite you to contact me and I will be more than happy to discuss the issue with you (please note, there might be some things I can't talk about - but to the extent I can, I will). There are a multitude of projects going on at any one time and viewed separately, they don't make much sense. However collectively, it might make sense (hell, it might not, but I'm willing to listen/discuss).

I ask that everyone be safe in 2011, help your brother and sister Agents succeed and please give me a reason to ask for funding to support your case work and other projects which move ATF's mission forward.

Happy New Year
Paul Vanderplow
Section Chief - Resource Management

All I can say is wow! We have no money for basic required training, ammunition, investigative travel, car repairs and ATF is paying upper Mgt types to party in California and Las Vegas ( SHOT show) and God knows where else!!!

Good Afternoon,

This is Paul Vanderplow. If anyone has any questions regarding this event or the circumstances around it, please look me up in Outlook and give me a call. By the way, to interject some fact/reality to this "discussion" (marked for sarcasm) I cancelled this trip about two months ago when the other reason I had to travel to the LAFD was cancelled. I stand by my ethics, judgement and prudent use of Government funds. By the way, the last time I worked an event in California, I worked a 20 hour day with NO overtime, night differential, Holiday or Sunday Pay. Boy that sounds like a party to me (again marked for sarcasm).