Yes Liz,
Lewis Wendell did not at any time, and my ears were focused, confirm or deny
the account given by our Councilwoman, Jannie Blackwell. He reread the
statement, we've already seen. Late in the meeting, he asserted that all civic
associations have a "community representative." Other than that; his lips were
sealed.
It was our Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell who reported to us about the "forced
resignation," the immediate changing of locks, the gag order (which I heard
confirmed from a reporter sitting near me), and the six month severance
package. Of course the gag order would not be effective without the severance
package.
Councilwoman Blackwell also indicated that Paul Levy of the center city
district and "a community representative" were involved in the decision to
treat Mr. Fenton in this way. The name of the "community representative"
happened to be "my representative" from the Spruce Hill area.
I'd like to also confirm your report of Councilwoman Blackwell's denial of
wrongdoing. She told us she was at this rally for a very short time during a
long day. Not having personal knowledge about the set-up process of the
reported event is highly believable. Others on the list have turned this UCD
long term policy failure into an assault on our Councilwoman's ethics.
Even before the Thursday meeting from the reports, it was obvious that it was
a short stop for her on a long day. Examining the UCD policies and procedures
is what is indicated after this event; not trying to make Mr. Fenton a
scapegoat and unfairly accusing the Councilwoman of intentional wrongdoing.
Both of those directions are mean and should be exposed for what these are.
"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"."
Liz, one civic association leader on this list called my careful report about
Councilwoman Blackwell's account false. He then asserted that Mr. Lewis Wendell
clarified that the report we all heard from our city Councilwoman, Jannie
Blackwell, was false. That leader with that post was absolutely indicating
that our city Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell was a liar, and he offered no
support to contradict either her account or my report except to assert that Mr.
Wendell clearly clarified a different truth. Those of us in attendance know
that Mr. Wendell clarified nothing but instead asserted the existance of an
internal investigation.
This is a very serious matter, spreading false information and making false
accusations publicly, while representing a community civic association. I've
requested that the civic association remove this leader from the association
but I have gotten no response. The individual said what he said, and he
identified himself as a representative of the association at the Thursday
meeting.
I want to thank you for helping to confirm the reports about the meeting and
what our Councilwoman told us about the outrageous treatment of Mr. Fenton.
It's personally good to receive corroboration of the basic facts after being
called a liar. I've been called a liar so often. But by the reaction of the
list, my report of the meeting appeared to be the account generally believed.
It still feels better that my report was confirmed.
Spreading misinformation, demanding secrecy and power, etc. are the roots of
what you call nasty tension. It doesn't matter if its individuals on a
listserv or a powerful organization like UCD engaging in this. Sometimes, I
think the folks who have been asking for clarification and answers are the
people being blamed for the nasty tension.
As I said at the end of the meeting to Mr. Bryan, the fighting is inevitable
when those in power refuse transparency, accountability, and then engage in
extremely questionable activities. It is the failed process that causes the
nastiness. I know that I'm a nice person too, but I've been treated with
incredible nastiness in this failed UCD process.
I'm curious, had you heard about the UCD requirement that Karen shared with the
list? The need for the associations to send 3 choices to UCD to receive a UCD
board rep. I thought I knew a lot about UCD, but I completely missed that one
until Karen shared the story.
Thanks again,
Sincerely,
Glenn.
----- Original Message -----
From: Elizabeth F Campion
To: UnivCity@list.purple.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: [UC] Reality check
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?
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