Re: [UC] human resources
Please place this statement in context. Is it UCD's statement of responsibilities for the position? Is it a dictionary/encyclopedia/textbook definition (in which case please tell us the source)? Or is it a personal opinion? -Original Message- From: S. Sharrieff Ali [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Mario Giorno' [EMAIL PROTECTED]; univcity@list.purple.com Sent: Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:36 am Subject: RE: [UC] human resources ? Human Resources Responsibilities:? Associated with ensuring fairness in the implementation of decision-making procedures in organizations. Responsibilities include giving adequate consideration to employees' viewpoints, suppressing biases, applying decision-making criteria consistently, providing timely feedback, giving justification, being truthful in communication, and treating employees with courtesy and civility. ? -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mario Giorno Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 9:55 AM To: univcity@list.purple.com Subject: Re: [UC] human resources ? Sharrief, 1) There are now specific human resources or personnel staff listed online. I don't know if they've hired someone recently to fill this type of position, but I think it might be safe to assume that there is no director of HR. 2) If there is no HR manager, then the employees must represent themselves in workplace disputes with other employees, be they supervisors or subordinates. There is no law in PA or under federal guidelines that I'm aware of that forces a company, profit or non-profit to have an HR manager, although most businesses and organizations do, because of situations just like this. 3) John Fenton could always enter a civil dispute in court as could UCD for workplace harassment and firing without justified grounds for doing so. I don't know if John and the other UCD staff are hired at will, but if they are, the UCD director/board would have a legal right to fire John without notice or explanation. I'm now assuming that john was not hired at will, but probably a salaried, full-time vested employee with a formal work contract. If this is the case, then there would have to be prescribed explanations and guidelines of John's duties and position as well as his legal responsibilities while on the job. Mario On 7/17/07, S. Sharrieff Ali [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I would like to hear the list address the human resource department aspect of John Fenton's case. ? 1.?? Does UCD have an HR department? 2.?? Who represents the employee side? 3.?? What recourse should John have when allegations surface? ? ? S ? AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.
RE: [UC] human resources
Dave: I answered this question on-list and off-list, my post are not reaching the listserv which seems to happen to me often. It is from research I did on HR. Look up HR responsibilities on your own. Best! S -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dave Axler Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 2:17 AM To: univcity@list.purple.com Subject: Re: [UC] human resources Please place this statement in context. Is it UCD's statement of responsibilities for the position? Is it a dictionary/encyclopedia/textbook definition (in which case please tell us the source)? Or is it a personal opinion? -Original Message- From: S. Sharrieff Ali [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Mario Giorno' [EMAIL PROTECTED]; univcity@list.purple.com Sent: Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:36 am Subject: RE: [UC] human resources Human Resources Responsibilities: Associated with ensuring fairness in the implementation of decision-making procedures in organizations. Responsibilities include giving adequate consideration to employees' viewpoints, suppressing biases, applying decision-making criteria consistently, providing timely feedback, giving justification, being truthful in communication, and treating employees with courtesy and civility. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ] On Behalf Of Mario Giorno Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 9:55 AM To: univcity@list.purple.com Subject: Re: [UC] human resources Sharrief, 1) There are now specific human resources or personnel staff listed online. I don't know if they've hired someone recently to fill this type of position, but I think it might be safe to assume that there is no director of HR. 2) If there is no HR manager, then the employees must represent themselves in workplace disputes with other employees, be they supervisors or subordinates. There is no law in PA or under federal guidelines that I'm aware of that forces a company, profit or non-profit to have an HR manager, although most businesses and organizations do, because of situations just like this. 3) John Fenton could always enter a civil dispute in court as could UCD for workplace harassment and firing without justified grounds for doing so. I don't know if John and the other UCD staff are hired at will, but if they are, the UCD director/board would have a legal right to fire John without notice or explanation. I'm now assuming that john was not hired at will, but probably a salaried, full-time vested employee with a formal work contract. If this is the case, then there would have to be prescribed explanations and guidelines of John's duties and position as well as his legal responsibilities while on the job. Mario On 7/17/07, S. Sharrieff Ali [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I would like to hear the list address the human resource department aspect of John Fenton's case. 1. Does UCD have an HR department? 2. Who represents the employee side? 3. What recourse should John have when allegations surface? S _ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF0002000437 AOL.com.
[UC] New security system at City Hall
If you're planning to go to City Hall for anything, be aware that the new security system is now up and running. All visitors must enter the building at the northeast corner and be issued a visitor’s pass before accessing any of the upper floors. You may leave the building at any exit. Al Krigman ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[UC] Thank You, Paul Levy
Paul Levy of the Center City District -- CCD -- (of whom Wendell Lewis more truthfully than he imagined admitted he was not worthy) made a convincing point about the invalidity of UCD's scheme to label it's initiative a Business Improvement District (BID) and tax rental property owners because they're in business. Levy wrote: The CCD is a business improvement district. About 90% of our assessment revenue comes from office buildings, hotels, and retail establishments; less than 8% comes from apartment buildings. This is precisely the point many of us in the loyal opposition have been stating since the ill-conceived plan here was first introduced. Business is defined in the state enabling law as involving establishments engaged in trade and commerce. Levy points out that the CCD indeed is overwhelmingly involved with these kinds of properties. Clearly, apartment buildings interspersed among them are ancillary -- and probably should be assessed because they can't be reasonably excluded from the benefits. Here, of course, the opposite is true. This is clearly a residential district -- and the few businesses here might be included in the assessments of any broad-based district simply because they can't be reasonably excluded from the benefits. All of which says that if any plan is to be considered feasible, it should cover all properties in the specified area. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident housing provider ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[UC] PECO goofs again (this time with their billing package)
The Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) warns that 300,000 customers received bills with a reply envelope that has the wrong address. PECO will use an automated telephone calling system to alert customers to write the address listed on the front and back of the bill, on their own envelope, along with their payment. An additional 10-day grace will be arranged for customers who do not receive the message. Be sure to check the address on your bill reply envelope to ensure that the PECO address printed on the bill shows through the window. If not, use your own envelope and address it by hand. Al (they don't call me Mr Helpful for nothing) Krigman ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[UC] human resources
my post are blocked. -Original Message- From: S. Sharrieff Ali [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 7:32 AM To: univcity@list.purple.com Subject: FW: [UC] human resources -Original Message- From: S. Sharrieff Ali [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 6:18 AM To: univcity@list.purple.com Subject: FW: [UC] human resources -Original Message- From: S. Sharrieff Ali [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 8:35 PM To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'; 'UnivCity@list.purple.com' Subject: RE: [UC] human resources There are many definitions out there, anyone can look them up, the one I posted was just that..one..of many. You are correct, employees at UCD are at-will except for the Director. However, I am a former HR professional, I have written and reviewed multiple policy and procedure manuals for businesses, as well as hired and fired multiple employees. The Human Resource Department functions vary from company to company and State to State. HR departments are responsible for protected classes and diversity issues as well as sexual harassment cases. HR departments do act as a representative for companies and employees and manage disputes between them. In some cases there will be a union rep who will get involved. The picture I am painting is related to the workplace conditions at UCD which makes it impossible to manage disputes, allegations, or responsibly represent the needs of valued employees such as Mr. John Fenton. The workplace conditions clearly fall on the shoulders of the Executive Director and the Board. Mr. Fenton case should have been: 1. fully investigated by an HR representative 2. reviewed after with employee 3. a written warning should have been placed in his file 4. a probationary period set 5. company policy bulletin sent to all employees regarding the incident 6. employee education sessions set 7. and a public announcement given to the press regarding the policy changes and education. All of what I am mentioning is You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] at-will employment in Pennsylvania
Boy do I know all about this, At will sucks. I am not sure why S is bringing this up now, but it's a slightly sore topic for me. I was fired for NO reason from a previous spa. In fact, I was given a raise one short month before the letting go, and never had one verbal or written warning in the 2.5 years I worked there. I presume fear led them to my dismissal, but I try not to assume anything. I am much happier where I am now, and find that everything happens for a reason (and the reason is usually growth). Dan Myers On 7/17/07, S. Sharrieff Ali [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: *At Will* In Pennsylvania, employees are presumed to be *at will*. At-will employees may be terminated for any reason, so long as its not illegal. Generally, employees who work under an employment contract can only be terminated for reasons specified in the contract. In Pennsylvania, to overcome the presumption of at-will employment, an employee must demonstrate facts and circumstances establishing some tenure of employment. Overcoming the presumption of at-will employment is very difficult in Pennsylvania and has been characterized as an up-hill battle. -- to the power of breathing, Dan Myers Intuitive Masseur 215.901.0899
Re: [UC] at-will employment in Pennsylvania
Dan, Maybe you rubbed them the wrong way. I'm sorry. I had to. Please forgive me. On 7/18/07, Dan Myers [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Boy do I know all about this, At will sucks. I am not sure why S is bringing this up now, but it's a slightly sore topic for me. I was fired for NO reason from a previous spa. In fact, I was given a raise one short month before the letting go, and never had one verbal or written warning in the 2.5 years I worked there. I presume fear led them to my dismissal, but I try not to assume anything. I am much happier where I am now, and find that everything happens for a reason (and the reason is usually growth). Dan Myers On 7/17/07, S. Sharrieff Ali [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At Will In Pennsylvania , employees are presumed to be at will. At-will employees may be terminated for any reason, so long as its not illegal. Generally, employees who work under an employment contract can only be terminated for reasons specified in the contract. In Pennsylvania , to overcome the presumption of at-will employment, an employee must demonstrate facts and circumstances establishing some tenure of employment. Overcoming the presumption of at-will employment is very difficult in Pennsylvania and has been characterized as an up-hill battle. -- to the power of breathing, Dan Myers Intuitive Masseur 215.901.0899 -- Joshua Karstendick You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
RE: [UC] Thank You, Paul Levy
This is clearly a residential district -- and the few businesses here might be included in the assessments of any broad-based district simply because they can't be reasonably excluded from the benefits. All of which says that if any plan is to be considered feasible, it should cover all properties in the specified area. Al Krigman Exactly my point. The enabling law defines a business improvement district as being a district of entities engaged in trade and commerce, such as the 40th Street, Lancaster Avenue, and Baltimore Avenue business strips. The law also places apartments within a defined residential improvement district. So why did UCD's BID attempt to redefine apartments as being within a business improvement district despite the law's clear definitions? Again, my belief is that: a) a business improvement district that was within the letter of the law would be limited in scope to the aforementioned commercial strips; b) the proponents knew that if they proposed a residential improvement district, which UC clearly is, they would never get the required number of residents to approve it; and c) the residents, and not the big landlords and people beholden to Penn, would control the resulting entity. Karen Allen From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: UnivCity@list.purple.com Subject: [UC] Thank You, Paul Levy Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:58:48 EDT Paul Levy of the Center City District -- CCD -- (of whom Wendell Lewis more truthfully than he imagined admitted he was not worthy) made a convincing point about the invalidity of UCD's scheme to label it's initiative a Business Improvement District (BID) and tax rental property owners because they're in business. Levy wrote: The CCD is a business improvement district. About 90% of our assessment revenue comes from office buildings, hotels, and retail establishments; less than 8% comes from apartment buildings. This is precisely the point many of us in the loyal opposition have been stating since the ill-conceived plan here was first introduced. Business is defined in the state enabling law as involving establishments engaged in trade and commerce. Levy points out that the CCD indeed is overwhelmingly involved with these kinds of properties. Clearly, apartment buildings interspersed among them are ancillary -- and probably should be assessed because they can't be reasonably excluded from the benefits. Here, of course, the opposite is true. This is clearly a residential district -- and the few businesses here might be included in the assessments of any broad-based district simply because they can't be reasonably excluded from the benefits. All of which says that if any plan is to be considered feasible, it should cover all properties in the specified area. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman -- 36-year local resident housing provider ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] free can liners (leaf bags)
Bags have been picked up. At least I don't see the box on the porch! Dan On 7/17/07, Seth Kulick [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello area residents, I have one of those boxes of 250 or so plastic bags that used to be used for leaf collection (or maybe still are?). There are about 200 left probably. Actually they are called can liners on the box so I guess they're used for more than just leaves. Anyway, if anybody wants this, it is free to a good home, or even a bad home. It's on the porch at 4523 Regent. Seth You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- to the power of breathing, Dan Myers Intuitive Masseur 215.901.0899
Re: [UC] free can liners (leaf bags)
On Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 11:15:27AM -0400, Dan Myers wrote: Bags have been picked up. At least I don't see the box on the porch! Somebody took them overnight. Dan On 7/17/07, Seth Kulick [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello area residents, I have one of those boxes of 250 or so plastic bags that used to be used for leaf collection (or maybe still are?). There are about 200 left probably. Actually they are called can liners on the box so I guess they're used for more than just leaves. Anyway, if anybody wants this, it is free to a good home, or even a bad home. It's on the porch at 4523 Regent. Seth You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- to the power of breathing, Dan Myers Intuitive Masseur 215.901.0899 You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] human resources
Sharrieff, UCD is a very small company; you know that! I believe they subcontract with another firm to provide their cleaning and security staff, so they don't have many direct employees. If they had an employee just to handle HR for a few employees, Al would be screaming bloody murder about the expense of another flackette. Can't you just hear the upset...why does that little organization need a full time flackette to devote herself to the well-being of these employees we don't want to pay for? In the Fenton incident, there weren't any of the circumstances you cite where you say HR departments have responsibility - no issues of protected class, diversity or sexual harassment. Why would this be different from any other employee-director relationship? Isn't the director still allowed to say uh, John, there's an article in the Daily News which makes some allegations - can you tell me what happened? Furthermore, if there had been an HR person, how would HR have reviewed anything with John Fenton, if he's refused to talk? Face it, the UC list loves to fault UCD, whatever the organization does. We don't know if UCD handled the Fenton incident very well, very poorly, or somewhere in between, but as many folks have pointed out, confidentiality is to be expected. There are all kinds of privacy issues when one is dealing with employees, so they can't just announce things to you, me or local listservs. But, whatever UCD did or said, it's not like the list would have looked favorably on some other action or lack of action they'd have taken in this incident. By the way, one of the complaints was that it took them too long and we weren't continually updated. In response, you've been organizing a task force, but it's been weeks already, and we haven't had updates for days, and it doesn't seem to have even finished establishing what it wants to do! The list didn't give the UCD the benefit of the doubt when it took them some time to work their way through their responsibilities with John - what if the same complaints were being leveled at the task force? Wouldn't that be fair? And that reminds me - isn't UCD's assertion that John wouldn't talk to them beginning to sound credible, now that John still hasn't talked to US, either? Didn't Ray remind us last week that John, or someone claiming to be John, wrote to the list quite a while ago, that he would make a statement in a week or two in the UC Review? I just looked at this weeks' issue online - I couldn't find anything. Melani Lamond ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [UC] human resources
In a message dated 7/18/2007 11:31:21 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: If they had an employee just to handle HR for a few employees, Al would be screaming bloody murder about the expense of another flackette. There you go again. The miracle of being able to read my mind and predict what I'll do or say. As with the rabbi in Lvov who got the premonition that a great man in Minsk had died, the telepathy wonderful even if it's relationship to reality is nonexistent. Or, should I be checking in with you to find out what I should be saying and doing? Al Krigman ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [UC] How park planning really works
Anthony West wrote: Co-option did not occur in this case, since UCD introduced no agenda for the park that FoCP did not wholeheartedly support in the first place. hahaha thanks for clarifying that the co-option in this case was conscious, rather than unwitting. but we already knew that. from focp's website: As of this writing (November 25 [2006]), we've had a public meeting to present the first outline of action. We're still waiting to get illustrative materials from Simone/Collins and UCD, but here's something to get started with. By the mid-1990s, FoCP had been working for ten years on maintenance, and needed a new Master Plan. UCD was in a position to give us direction, and a stakeholders meeting was assembled. UCD held small meetings at first with USP, police. etc. UCD came back, and said You have three challenges: Maintenance, which is a 24-7 problem. Infrastructure: sidewalks, playground, trees. And Quality of Life (programming): loose dogs, trash from events, noise from events, urination, and worse. With that, UCD also suggested an approach. Clean the place up. UCD suggested holding a yearly fundraiser for maintenance, and to show major funders that we can clean this place up. Thus began the Party for the Park in 2000. This party is held every year, to raise money for maintenance. Once that was established, UCD helped us write a request to the William Penn Foundation to do planning process. We asked for $20K, we got $50K. We put together a bigger group of stakeholders and tried to pull in all components of community. We chose thd design firm Simone/Collins, and started the process. S/C collected documentation, hired a consultant to interview stakeholders. Surveys went out into community. In Park A, there is an emphasis on how the park brings people together. Proposals include improvements to the Farmer'Market area, the seating around Dickens and the Gettysburg stone. We need to create a gathering chess space in the center of park, and a climbable statue. UCD found funds to perform tree census by Morris Arboretum. Chris Leswing led this process. Clark Park is used more than ever before. Through our combined efforts, it's in better shape than ever, but there are problems. During rainstorms, water accumulates because of drainage problems. Electrical systems are outdated, and the pathways are worn out. It is vital that we take steps now. The plan presents concepts, but we need to take other steps: thanks to a grant from UCD and the FoCP. Simone Collins was hired to present a plan. and now, five years later, focp is busy staging meetings demonstrating community buy-in for ucd's agenda, and tony west, who tells us I know nothing and I judge nobody gratuitously smears fenton in the philly record while performing as an apologist for ucd and its proposed bid. meanwhile, everyone but tony west is befuddled! .. UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [aka laserbeam®] [aka ray] SERIAL LIAR. CALL FOR RATES. It is very clear on this listserve who these people are. Ray has admitted being connected to this forger. -- Tony West __ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email __ You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] Car break-in
My car was broken into at the corner of Cedar 48th last night. The thief got away with a 12-pack of paper towels (which was in the trunk -- nothing was visible in the car). Maggie You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] human resources
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: By the way, one of the complaints was that it took them too long and we weren't continually updated. In response, you've been organizing a task force, but it's been weeks already, and we haven't had updates for days, and it doesn't seem to have even finished establishing what it wants to do! The list didn't give the UCD the benefit of the doubt when it took them some time to work their way through their responsibilities with John - what if the same complaints were being leveled at the task force? Wouldn't that be fair? I'm pretty sure it was announced here that there's a committee meeting tonight. tony west is chairing it, I believe. also, I believe some of the complaints about ucd's 'communication' about all this was that ucd wasn't making its statements public (not publishing them on its website or in its publications), but was instead making statements, verbally, at certain neighborhood meetings. Didn't Ray remind us last week that John, or someone claiming to be John, wrote to the list quite a while ago, that he would make a statement in a week or two in the UC Review? I just looked at this weeks' issue online - I couldn't find anything. yep, I've been keeping a head's up about this johnfenton at hotmail.com, who posted here that he'd put out a statement shortly, in uc review. I want to see how long we go before hearing anything, if ever :-) ... btw, the dp has also been silent about this whole story, nothing appears in their pages after may 24. and of course we'll just have to wait and see how ucd tells the story in their next newsletter. stay tuned! .. UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [aka laserbeam®] [aka ray] SERIAL LIAR. CALL FOR RATES. It is very clear on this listserve who these people are. Ray has admitted being connected to this forger. -- Tony West __ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email __ You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] Financial Aid Opportunity for Girls Grades 9-12
This came into our office today, and I thought others on the list might know of students who could use this assistance. ++ Hello All, FOR YOUR INFORMATION. The Ellis Trust still has a large pot of money to spend on young ladies in grades 9 - 12. They can give up to $6,500 per student, per year. They give money for: *special school supplies such as graphing calculators, lab equipment, books, etc *tutoring (must be recommended by counselor) *college visits- group and individual *sports equipment and team participation fees *music, dance, theater and art lessons *college courses *after-school programs * $100 toward senior dues *college application fees *ACT/SAT's and transcript fees *CSS Profile for financial aid *TOEFL and transcript fees This is also a great opportunity for young ladies who may have wanted to participate in a summer program, but didn't have the funds to do it. If you know of anyone who may be interested please help them complete the application at http://www.wwscholars.org/ellis/http://www.wwscholars.org/ellis/http://www.wwscholars.org/ellis/ . The Ellis Trust spends approximately 2.4 million dollars each year. The money is spent on programs in pre-college preparation, music, theater, sports and a host of other opportunities for girls in Philadelphia public schools, as well as tuition at diocesan and independent schools for girls in grades 9 through 12. The Ellis Trust is establishing a strong reputation by making a difference in the lives of high school girls in Philadelphia. The partnership between White-Williams Scholars and the Charles Ellis Trust capitalizes on the complementary missions of two organization committed to providing resources to the most economically disadvantaged students. SS Profile for financial aid * TOEFL and transcript fees This is also a great opportunity for young ladies who may have wanted to participate in a summer program, but didn't have the funds to do it. If you know of anyone who may be interested please help them complete the Thanks for helping spread this info to young women who might benefit from it. Fred Fred Wolfe, Parish Administrator University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Chestnut Street at 37th Street Walk 215.387.2885 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.uniluphila.org messageboard http://uniluphila.informe.comhttp://uniluphila.informe.com
RE: [UC] at-will employment in Pennsylvania
I brought it up mostly as a point of clarification for those who may not know what at-will was all about. S -Original Message- From: Dan Myers [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 10:51 AM To: S. Sharrieff Ali Cc: univcity@list.purple.com Subject: Re: [UC] at-will employment in Pennsylvania Boy do I know all about this, At will sucks. I am not sure why S is bringing this up now, but it's a slightly sore topic for me. I was fired for NO reason from a previous spa. In fact, I was given a raise one short month before the letting go, and never had one verbal or written warning in the 2.5 years I worked there. I presume fear led them to my dismissal, but I try not to assume anything. I am much happier where I am now, and find that everything happens for a reason (and the reason is usually growth). Dan Myers On 7/17/07, S. Sharrieff Ali [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At Will In Pennsylvania , employees are presumed to be at will. At-will employees may be terminated for any reason, so long as its not illegal. Generally, employees who work under an employment contract can only be terminated for reasons specified in the contract. In Pennsylvania , to overcome the presumption of at-will employment, an employee must demonstrate facts and circumstances establishing some tenure of employment. Overcoming the presumption of at-will employment is very difficult in Pennsylvania and has been characterized as an up-hill battle. -- to the power of breathing, Dan Myers Intuitive Masseur 215.901.0899
Re: [UC] How political was Party for the Park?
Re: [UC] How political was Party for the Park?Thanks Margie, Someone pointed out a mistake in my earlier post. Votforandytoy alleged that the political endorsement came at the UCD Brew Pub party not the UCD party for the park. I apologize for my error. I don't go to these upscale parties and got them mixed up. Sharing these stories and information is very important. It's similar to the importance the founders put in a free press. Penn/UCD puts a dishonest spin out or puts up a stone wall. The one thing that I do not expect is an honest answer from them. It is our duty to protect our rights and stand up for ourselves like the duty of a free press to expose any similar Penn/UCD type direction for government. I think that is why the list is so patient with my constant questions and stories. Thank you listserv for your patience with me. Glenn - Original Message - From: Margie Politzer To: University City listserv Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 10:09 AM Subject: Re: [UC] How political was Party for the Park? Tom Knox walked around with Jannie Blackwell shaking peoples' hands. That was it. There were no literature tables, no speeches, and no promotion of candidates over the PA. Margie When the unresolved question came up about voteforandytoy receiving an endorsement by Wendell, we had a discussion about what occurred at Party for the Park. Now Liz has described Tom Knox action occurring at Party for the Park as well. It appears there may have been substantial campaign activity. In the interest of historical accuracy can folks describe events at Party for the Park which seemed like it involved candidates in what was the upcoming local election. Things like formal literature tables and speeches by candidates over the PA, or promotion of campaigning candidates over the PA would be examples of interesting anecdotes. Please feel free to contact me off list or on list. I can understand anyone's reluctance to post on list. Thanks, Glenn -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.8/904 - Release Date: 7/16/2007 5:42 PM
RE: [UC] human resources
Planning Committee Meeting RE: UCD Date: Wednesday July 18th 2007 Time: 6PM Location: Walnut West Library Community Room 40th and Walnut Street Planning Meeting # 3 Duration: 1 ½ hours Agenda: Community Stakeholders RE: UCD, planning meeting Attendees: Current Committee Members and Public Great opportunity for everyone to voice concerns and have your proposals included. OPEN TO PUBLIC Questions? Respond off-list to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ABOVE IS THE MEETING NOTICE I POSTED Melani: The task force or planning committee which is more to the purpose at this point is meeting as regularly as possible, schedule permit for the meeting location, attendees, and it is summer! ..lots of folks are away. We are planning the public forums for the fall of 07. I am not really posting notes as much as posting the meeting anocements for those who would like to attend. Once everything is set, we will publish the plan for meetings, locations, facilitators, and dates. The HR issue should be handled at UCD by a staff or Board member who is researched and designated to act on behalf of the organization and review employee policy infractions, complaints or requests. I understand the financial constraints of small organizations. My point is more specific to the deer in the headlights reaction from UCD in what was really a routine HR matter. The working conditions and public relations are poor and the leadership and Board is responsible, which is why you have a Board in the first place!. Folks complain about UCD because the management and Board are consistently blundering their way through most efforts in our community and continue to be a mostly poor partner and neighbor at best. We would like to see some reasonable and swift changes if we are expected to support partnering and assist in mission critical events. S -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 11:29 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; univcity@list.purple.com Subject: Re: [UC] human resources Sharrieff, UCD is a very small company; you know that! I believe they subcontract with another firm to provide their cleaning and security staff, so they don't have many direct employees. If they had an employee just to handle HR for a few employees, Al would be screaming bloody murder about the expense of another flackette. Can't you just hear the upset...why does that little organization need a full time flackette to devote herself to the well-being of these employees we don't want to pay for? In the Fenton incident, there weren't any of the circumstances you cite where you say HR departments have responsibility - no issues of protected class, diversity or sexual harassment. Why would this be different from any other employee-director relationship? Isn't the director still allowed to say uh, John, there's an article in the Daily News which makes some allegations - can you tell me what happened? Furthermore, if there had been an HR person, how would HR have reviewed anything with John Fenton, if he's refused to talk? Face it, the UC list loves to fault UCD, whatever the organization does. We don't know if UCD handled the Fenton incident very well, very poorly, or somewhere in between, but as many folks have pointed out, confidentiality is to be expected. There are all kinds of privacy issues when one is dealing with employees, so they can't just announce things to you, me or local listservs. But, whatever UCD did or said, it's not like the list would have looked favorably on some other action or lack of action they'd have taken in this incident. By the way, one of the complaints was that it took them too long and we weren't continually updated. In response, you've been organizing a task force, but it's been weeks already, and we haven't had updates for days, and it doesn't seem to have even finished establishing what it wants to do! The list didn't give the UCD the benefit of the doubt when it took them some time to work their way through their responsibilities with John - what if the same complaints were being leveled at the task force? Wouldn't that be fair? And that reminds me - isn't UCD's assertion that John wouldn't talk to them beginning to sound credible, now that John still hasn't talked to US, either? Didn't Ray remind us last week that John, or someone claiming to be John, wrote to the list quite a while ago, that he would make a statement in a week or two in the UC Review? I just looked at this weeks' issue online - I couldn't find anything. Melani Lamond ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [UC] How park planning really works
What are you talking about, Ray? In my article I quoted John Fenton's employer's statement, which hardly smears Fenton but does state the employer's version of the issue. I also summarized Councilwoman Blackwell's account, which differed from UCD's. Finally, I asked Fenton in person to comment, and he declined to do so, thus he did not allow me to publish his views. A news writer can't just make up stuff to fit his conclusions, the way you do. In that article, I wrote nothing at all about UCD's proposed BID, because it bears no relation at all to Fenton's activities or the subject of the story. UCD at this time is an SSD, not a BID. Yes, you, Ray Rorke, are befuddled. Q.E.D. -- Tony West tony west, who tells us I know nothing and I judge nobody gratuitously smears fenton in the philly record while performing as an apologist for ucd and its proposed bid. meanwhile, everyone but tony west is befuddled! [aka ray] You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] at-will employment in Pennsylvania
Sharrieff, I was thinking about the other UCD employees under John. We don't know if they were fired or if they were given a gag order too. Remember, at the Penn meeting we attended, Councilwoman Blackwell revealed this gag order that came with Mr. Fenton's forced resignation and six month severance contract. I think a lot of people reading Wendell's comments about Mr. Fenton in the Review would wonder, why the hell would John get a six month severance package if he was refusing to cooperate with a vital investigation? That is absurd because this was a very serious matter for Penn/UCD. Of course, the press leaks suggest that this was Blackwell demanding this severance. That is an absurd suggestion after she revealed Mr. Fenton's treatment at that very public meeting. She insisted that the entire forced resignation was wrong and she was fighting against all of this. If she was boldly lying about any of these matters, why wouldn't Wendell have jumped up and said that is a lie? His Sergeant Shultz routine, I know nothing, I see nothing would not prevent him from reacting to such a bold lie. I believe Blackwell. And I believe Penn handed Mr. Fenton a six-month severance with a gag order. Blackwell's story turns out to have been true otherwise and Penn/UCD's explanation is simply not believable based on what we know without doubt. I thought it was simply incredible that Penn/UCD would not have some outside professional interview all the other employees! Penn could have completely exculpated UCD as an organization had it done this. Of course, unless Penn/UCD was instead engaging in a cover-up because the policy failure that would be revealed absolutely could not be made public. In that case, all employees not just Fenton had to shut-up. That's what has happened to date. Its like shoving documents into a shredder. You also need to gag potential witnesses. In the face of the media reports and admitted violation of IRS law, why would Penn lawyers not see this incredibly simple cost effective way to remove all doubts and exculpate the organization? This could only be the most extreme incompetence by the Penn lawyers. Or, it was the absolute need for Penn/UCD to engage in a cover-up. If an outside reputable firm reported that all employees were interviewed, this could have happened. First, it would need to report that UCD had not instructed the employees or intimidated them from cooperation with the interviews. And then, it might have reported that the vast majority or unanimous number of employees reported no previous violations had been completed and that clear job descriptions were provided to them. With this simple process, Penn could have had its UCD organization cleared of wrongdoing. You, others, and I could not continue to criticize them as we do. I see the silence by all employees as a very huge indication of cover-up. Mr. Fenton is out of this now. But... WHERE ARE THE OTHER UCD EMPLOYEES, MR. LEWIS WENDELL??? WHAT IS THEIR STORY, MR. LEWIS WENDELL??? Did all employees refuse to cooperate with the investigation, Mr. Lewis Wendell? Were they all forced to resign with a six-month severance package to insure their silence, Mr. Lewis Wendell? We continue to have a lot of vital questions unanswered by Penn/UCD and one Lewis Wendell. Good luck tonight, Glenn - Original Message - From: S. Sharrieff Ali To: 'Dan Myers' Cc: univcity@list.purple.com Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 2:19 PM Subject: RE: [UC] at-will employment in Pennsylvania I brought it up mostly as a point of clarification for those who may not know what at-will was all about. S -Original Message- From: Dan Myers [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 10:51 AM To: S. Sharrieff Ali Cc: univcity@list.purple.com Subject: Re: [UC] at-will employment in Pennsylvania Boy do I know all about this, At will sucks. I am not sure why S is bringing this up now, but it's a slightly sore topic for me. I was fired for NO reason from a previous spa. In fact, I was given a raise one short month before the letting go, and never had one verbal or written warning in the 2.5 years I worked there. I presume fear led them to my dismissal, but I try not to assume anything. I am much happier where I am now, and find that everything happens for a reason (and the reason is usually growth). Dan Myers On 7/17/07, S. Sharrieff Ali [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At Will In Pennsylvania , employees are presumed to be at will. At-will employees may be terminated for any reason, so long as its not illegal. Generally, employees who work under an employment contract can only be terminated for reasons specified in the contract. In Pennsylvania , to overcome the presumption of at-will employment, an employee must demonstrate facts and circumstances establishing some tenure of employment.
Re: [UC] How park planning really works
Anthony West wrote: What are you talking about, Ray? In my article I quoted John Fenton's employer's statement, which hardly smears Fenton but does state the employer's version of the issue. I also summarized Councilwoman Blackwell's account, which differed from UCD's. Finally, I asked Fenton in person to comment, and he declined to do so, thus he did not allow me to publish his views. A news writer can't just make up stuff to fit his conclusions, the way you do. ucd's statement was: 'UCD has made numerous documented attempts to contact John Fenton asking him to respond to the matter under investigation. Our calls and letters have gone unanswered.' that's a statement of fact. in your article, you state: 'fenton is not cooperating with the investigation.' that's a judgement on your part about fenton, not a statement of fact. there are any number of legitimate reasons fenton might not have been able to communicate with ucd, reasons that you might not have known about, reasons that had nothing to do with cooperativeness. you might take more care, when writing for public newpapers, to avoid the ad hominem. In that article, I wrote nothing at all about UCD's proposed BID, because it bears no relation at all to Fenton's activities or the subject of the story. UCD at this time is an SSD, not a BID. your article was entitled Blackwell Battles Penn Over Services District: First in a Series. at the end of the article we learn that it's the first in a series of articles about how different neighborhoods tackle the challenge of supplementing public services. your next article, What's in a Bid? More Local Services or Just Taxes? makes the case for a 'winning bid' in mt. airy, and is an attempt to legitimize bids by presenting them in a positive way. as we all know, the legitimacy of ucd's proposed bid took a big hit when the whole fenton affair blew up and blackwell publicly voiced her alienation with ucd/penn. Yes, you, Ray Rorke, are befuddled. Q.E.D. ergo: I can see clearly what you, tony west, cannot. how dependent you've become upon ucd and its proposed bid, how that dependency is tenaciously defended, how intimately it's wrapped up with your personal need to control focp... as someone wrote earlier, the biggest converts make the best apostles! .. UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [aka laserbeam®] [aka ray] SERIAL LIAR. CALL FOR RATES. It is very clear on this listserve who these people are. Ray has admitted being connected to this forger. -- Tony West __ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email __ You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] 46th St Crime Alert
In a message dated 7/18/2007 3:48:23 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Rock em, sock em, Goo Braves! Beat their heads in, But in a Christian manner, Rip their guts out, In a nonviolent way. Reminds me of the Harvard Fight Song by Tom Lehrer: Fight fiercely, Harvard, fight, fight, fight! Demonstrate to them our skill. Albeit they possess the might, Nonetheless we have the will. How we shall celebrate our victory, We shall invite the whole team up for tea (How jolly!) Hurl that spheroid down the field, and Fight, fight, fight! Fight fiercely, Harvard, fight, fight, fight! Impress them with our prowess, do! Oh, fellows, do not let the crimson down, Be of stout heart and true. Come on, chaps, fight for Harvard's glorious name, Won't it be peachy if we win the game? (Oh, goody!) Let's try not to injure them, but Fight, fight, fight! And do fight fiercely! Fight, fight, fight! Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [UC] Diddy's Amish Roots
Ross Bender wrote: On the Letterman Late show on July 11, Diddy reminisced about his summers as a Fresh-Air Kid on an Amish farm. Yet another instance of the Amish/Mennonite contribution to American culture. [this has been a Mennonite history moment] http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/wahoo/index/php/20070711.phtml [Act 3] here, have another: http://www.upenn.edu/ARG/archive/mennonites/index.html [at the arthur ross gallery, penn campus] .. UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [aka laserbeam®] [aka ray] SERIAL LIAR. CALL FOR RATES. It is very clear on this listserve who these people are. Ray has admitted being connected to this forger. -- Tony West __ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email __ You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] 46th St Crime Alert
Harvard sucks. On 7/18/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Reminds me of the Harvard Fight Song by Tom Lehrer: Fight fiercely, Harvard, fight, fight, fight! Demonstrate to them our skill. Albeit they possess the might, Nonetheless we have the will. How we shall celebrate our victory, We shall invite the whole team up for tea (How jolly!) Hurl that spheroid down the field, and Fight, fight, fight! Fight fiercely, Harvard, fight, fight, fight! Impress them with our prowess, do! Oh, fellows, do not let the crimson down, Be of stout heart and true. Come on, chaps, fight for Harvard's glorious name, Won't it be peachy if we win the game? (Oh, goody!) Let's try not to injure them, but Fight, fight, fight! And do fight fiercely! Fight, fight, fight! Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Diddy's Amish Roots
On 7/18/07, UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: here, have another: http://www.upenn.edu/ARG/archive/mennonites/index.html [at the arthur ross gallery, penn campus] Thanks for the heads up, Ray. Looks like these are photos of a branch called the Old Colony Mennonites. Since Amish and Mennonites don't have anything better to do for excitement, they indulge themselves in a game called Church Split. The OC Mennos are a very tiny splinter group found in Canada and especially Mexico, where they have fallen on hard times and where some at least engage in smuggling marijuana to Canada. There was a sensational cover article in the Canadian magazine Saturday Night back in April 2004 titled The Mennonite Mob. They even have a godfather. http://www.caj.ca/mediamag/awards2005/(Andrew%20Mitrovica)%20Saturday%20Night%20Magazine.htm For a scholarly article on their background from The Mennonite Encyclopedia: http://www.gameo.org/index.asp?content=http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/O533ME.html [this has been a Mennonite History Moment] -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] 46th St Crime Alert
Penn swallows On 7/18/07, Ross Bender [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Harvard sucks. On 7/18/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Reminds me of the Harvard Fight Song by Tom Lehrer: Fight fiercely, Harvard, fight, fight, fight! Demonstrate to them our skill. Albeit they possess the might, Nonetheless we have the will. How we shall celebrate our victory, We shall invite the whole team up for tea (How jolly!) Hurl that spheroid down the field, and Fight, fight, fight! Fight fiercely, Harvard, fight, fight, fight! Impress them with our prowess, do! Oh, fellows, do not let the crimson down, Be of stout heart and true. Come on, chaps, fight for Harvard's glorious name, Won't it be peachy if we win the game? (Oh, goody!) Let's try not to injure them, but Fight, fight, fight! And do fight fiercely! Fight, fight, fight! Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Our Lady of the Grid Iron
When I played football as a youth, we always said a(n) Hail Mary before we went on the field. It didn't matter what faith you were; the Hail Mary was it. I used to think that one the the coaches should of exhorted us onto the field with OK, Boys Let's slaughter them for Our Lady! Joe (the only pass I know is the Hail Mary) Clarke Ross Bender wrote: On 7/16/07, *Anthony West* [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Fight! fight! inner light! Kill, Quakers, kill. Knock 'em down. Beat 'em senseless. Hit 'em till we reach consensus. Nice. Back at my Mennonite high school we had a similar cheer for our soccer team, the Bethany Braves. (We didn't do football, of course.) Much cruder than the polished Quaker version, which is generally true for things Mennonite versus Quaker: Rock em, sock em, Goo Braves! Beat their heads in, But in a Christian manner, Rip their guts out, In a nonviolent way. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] BIDs in the news
Ray, That Fenton did not cooperate with the investigation is not a judgement on cooperativeness of his character, and I did not write: Fenton is not a cooperative man, which would be a true ad hominem argument. It was just a statement of fact. He did not cooperate with this investigation. No one has disputed this claim with a conflicting account that alleges cooperation. He may have had wise, legitimate reasons for not cooperating. Knowing John much better than you do, I am sure he had good reasons. You write that my second article was an attempt to legitimize BIDs by presenting them in a positive way. Quite the mind-reader, you are! BIDs don't need to be legitimized; they are creatures of law. I explained the process of successfully establishing a BID. To study that, one needs to look at a BID that has been successfully established. I was quite surprised, though, to discover how free of opposition the Mt. Airy BID had been. I did not make a case for it; that case had just been made, entirely without me. I pushed hard to look for dissenters, looked under the usual rocks, found none. So a fact emerges: some BID proposals are more popular than others. Make of this fact what you will. And read my third article, while you're at it. Get out of your parochial cubicle on Locust Walk and check out the rest of the city you live in. If you have a tip on a BID in the city that is experiencing significant opposition or dissent, please let me know. I was the first writer in the city to publish the opposition UCD ran into from Blackwell. I can hardly have any dependency on UCD or its proposed BID. Its proposed BID specifically excludes me and has no relevance to any community activism I engage in, so I have publicly declined to take a stand on it. The company that pays me to report couldn't care less about UCD or Penn or FoCP or Ray Rorke; none of the above has ever been worth a plug nickel to us. We're interested in stories that shed light on citywide issues of governance, and local service districts in general are increasingly important players. Perhaps you find this bad news. Still, it's news you have a right to learn. -- Tony West ucd's statement was: 'UCD has made numerous documented attempts to contact John Fenton asking him to respond to the matter under investigation. Our calls and letters have gone unanswered.' that's a statement of fact. in your article, you state: 'fenton is not cooperating with the investigation.' that's a judgement on your part about fenton, not a statement of fact. there are any number of legitimate reasons fenton might not have been able to communicate with ucd, reasons that you might not have known about, reasons that had nothing to do with cooperativeness. you might take more care, when writing for public newpapers, to avoid the ad hominem. In that article, I wrote nothing at all about UCD's proposed BID, because it bears no relation at all to Fenton's activities or the subject of the story. UCD at this time is an SSD, not a BID. your article was entitled Blackwell Battles Penn Over Services District: First in a Series. at the end of the article we learn that it's the first in a series of articles about how different neighborhoods tackle the challenge of supplementing public services. your next article, What's in a Bid? More Local Services or Just Taxes? makes the case for a 'winning bid' in mt. airy, and is an attempt to legitimize bids by presenting them in a positive way. as we all know, the legitimacy of ucd's proposed bid took a big hit when the whole fenton affair blew up and blackwell publicly voiced her alienation with ucd/penn. Yes, you, Ray Rorke, are befuddled. Q.E.D. ergo: I can see clearly what you, tony west, cannot. how dependent you've become upon ucd and its proposed bid, how that dependency is tenaciously defended, how intimately it's wrapped up with your personal need to control focp... [aka ray] You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] Attempted Assault/ Robbery on 4800 Beaumont
About 11:15 a white male was yelling HELP as he ran down the center of the street. He was being pursued by an African American male. I yelled out the front window, Police, and stopped the chaser from going further. I yelled again, I just called 911, and the chaser, who was now walking the other way said, I don't give a f***, come on out here and I'll kick your a**! His pause gave me an opportunity to get a good description. I called 911 and gave the report and they sent three cars pronto. I gave the description of the incident. The guy running didn't stop, so I'm hoping that he'll read this and give a report to the police. The police went in pursuit of the man. The pursuer was an African American male, wearing long red basket ball trunks. He had a black shirt pulled up over his head. Two other neighbors saw this on Beaumont; one was there to help with the identification. Please everyone, be on the alert. This guy was really screaming. If you see/hear something like this act. It can make a big difference. Joe Clarke You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
