I was also at the meeting.
I do not remember either side making many fact based declarative
statements.
But there were lots of distractions and I may have missed a few words.
I did not hear Lewis Wendell state either of:
"John Fenton has NOT been fired" or
"John Fenton HAS been fired".
LW read a statement that referred to "suspension" pending an ongoing
"internal investigation".
I believe most in the room hear it as some version of, "UCD hopes John
resigns so that we won't have to fire him."
Several people referred to a "Termination package" which would allow John
to "resign", and "receive 6 months benefit".
I do not remember LW making any comments regarding this.
Such a package may be better than sending John back to work in a tainted
environment, but
maybe a better paradigm for all of us could be reached.
IF UCD and JF could achieve public and private accommodations, it could
catalyses work place toxins into useful compounds benefiting the people,
institutions and neighborhoods that are affected. Such success could be
a model for others undergoing work place traumas.
I like Lewis Wendell, John Fenton and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell.
Lewis is a good neighbor.
I have learned much from him, and in listening to him I have developed
more informed views of our neighborhood.
For me personally, he has been a voice for introspection and good.
I do not know how much of this brouhaha results from his decisions, but I
was sorry to see the "Lord of the Flies" attacks on his character.
Two wrongs do not make a right.
Jannie is a friend and hero.
She defied a Mayor and was arrested in the best of civil protests,
FEEDING THE HUNGRY.
Even those who did not agree with her methods were forced to think about
the problem and more viable solutions.
She is not perfect, no one is.
But I trust her heart, resilience and stamina.
John has been the type of guy we want to call family.
He has been helpful, accessible, cheery, accommodating and effective.
I do not know how well anyone's work would survive a rigid
"investigation".
In my experience, speed and effectiveness can sometimes require corner
cutting and mutual back scratching.
I know I would not want my work life disrupted by internal or external
audit.
And I don't like the idea that everything he has done will be put under a
microscope based upon reaction to gossip and a news report which may pan
out to be little more than juicy hyperbole born of the creative whining
of a PENN miscreant.
IMHO, these three people are strong, effective, intelligent and grounded
in good will.
They could be powerful enemies or a magnificent force for good.
I hope they work out their differences and channel their abundant
energies and talents for good.
Several people accused another neighbor, someone not at the meeting, of
being the Machiavelli in this mess.
His thumbprint is on too many other projects, too lightly dismiss the
accusations.
But, I have no fact upon which to base my doubts and nothing concrete to
contribute regarding a solution.
The person, in question, makes many valuable contributions to our
community and puts his time, money and labor behind his ideas.
When his goals align with mine I am delighted with the good he does, when
they do not align, I feel outgunned.
He may be smarter, better trained, more energetic, and have more free
time, stamina and resources than I.
I do not know why my last message transmitted in Asian characters.
I was trying to say that I did not see Kathleen at the meeting.
And IMHO, it does not seem fair that folks who were unable or unwilling
to attend, should post assumptions about words that were or were not
spoken. I heard the Councilwoman state unequivocally that it was a
community fair, with many components, but NOT a political rally.
She stated that Knox walked around the park for about "10 minutes" and
that the fair ran "All Day" and separately gave times (which may have
been "9 AM-5 PM") that indicated Knox was present for only a fraction of
the days events.
If such is the case, Knox's presence seems little different than his
perambulation through the more upscale "Party for the Park".
My point, is that once Jannie made her statement, any further forays down
a path toward termination, appear to be calling our Councilwoman a
"liar". Diplomacy and preservation of community bonds would both
recommend against such name calling.
John and Lewis are different types of people doing different types of
jobs.
John makes Lewis and UCD look good.
Lewis cleans up nice and can take UCD's successes, including John's
popularity, to the halls of power and the people with the big bucks.
One is the "go to guy" who gets the streets cleaned, the other handles
planning and development.
Together there is success, separated we've seen 3+ weeks of nasty
tension.
Sincerely,
Liz
On Fri, 8 Jun 2007 10:06:03 -0400 "Anthony West" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
writes:
Glenn's report is false. John Fenton has not been fired. His employer,
Lewis Wendell stated that clearly at the meeting Glenn attended. Seventy
people heard him say that.
-- Tony West
----- Original Message -----
From: Glenn
To: Anthony West ; UnivCity@list.purple.com
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 8:32 AM
Subject: Re: [UC] Reality check
Look at what West suggests:
"But to bash it for steps it was virtually compelled to take ... that
strikes me as unfair and stupid."
He is asserting according to this wanker "manual" that he made up, that
UCD was "compelled" to immediately fire John Fenton and lock him out.
West, did the manual require UCD to lie about a 2 week suspension? Does
the wanker "manual" demand that they immediately impose a gag order on
Mr. Fenton and bar him from talking to his former employees or anyone
else?
