This email, above, is an actual email actually sent from one County Commissioner to our former County Administrator Jack Brown. I have redacted names and other information so that readers will not know which commissioner sent this....and to whom this email refers.
In other words, the point here is not to pinpoint names, etc. The point is to have readers look at this email and ask themselves if this is a reasonable email. Is it rational, measured, and professional?
Or is it demeaning and threatening?
And is it overly-heavy-handed to demand an immediate meeting with the administrator with the demand that not only the administrator come, but also HR personnel and Legal Personnel?
If I was the employee on the receiving end of a "demand" email like this one---I'd feel like my job was on the line, on the spot, if I did not do exactly as I was being directed by this one commissioner.
And about the veiled threat of "I'll start making them famous" at the bottom of this email...What the hell does that even mean--is that a threat? Does that mean these employees will be publicly called out, humiliated, and/or demeaned if they do not immediately acquiesce to the whims of 1/5 of the Board??
I think we are going to have a tough time keeping any Administrator or senior staff if they are
subjected to verbal lashings like what I see in the email above---but hey, that's just my opinion. Yours may vary. But it sounds eerily familiar to a previous commissioner's pressures on staff....
But I will say this much: People have asked "Why do we need your proposed ordinance banning interference by board members, Jeff?"
This email above, Here's Why! (If someone would write this to a group of professional staff members, I wonder what that same individual would say in person to such staffers?)
13 comments:
IT IS DEMEANING AND THREATENING.
This is the statement from the PNJ article 4/24 though:
"No official complaints have been filed against any sitting commissioner, according to county spokeswoman Kaycee Lagarde."
I believe you have hours and upon hours of public forum of people making complaints.
Do you have any complaints from staff?
NO OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS?
Are they also afraid that they have done something wrong?
It is known that Underhill has spent years on social media making demeaning and threatening statements publicly all day every day.
If the rest of the BOCC is too cowardly to do anything thing that is what we have in Escambia. A coup by a madman on your watch.
As far as fighting Marlette and PNJ editorial whoever that is, I can see that you would want to fight but it's like do you go around a pile of dog crap or step right it.
Apparently something needed to give and if you all cave in, then that's who gives in.
Check with the Governor and see if any complaints have been filed.
If people see something and don't make it official and fight it out on facebook it's a waste of time.
Apparently you have made a few people mad along to the way and maybe the administration has covered up things.
I think it's a crux between the older way of being discrete and appropriate respectful or blasting everything out to the media like assholes. If I wanted to hear from an asshole, I'll just fart.
If the BOCC acts like scared politicians, I'm turning off the show.
I'm sure I will not be missed.
Anonymous
On your coffee with commissioner video from today I believe you have one thing wrong.
People have not asked for censor. It is CENSURE. From Randy Thomson asking you as a board to censure Douglas Underhill for his public remarks on social media after the Parkland School shooting remarks to the showdown against a past commissioner that made a PNJ article up, until this day you have been asked to intervene as a board against your fellow member Douglas Underhill and now to support the staff.
You have let it be brushed off as political. The BOCC has failed to act.
The board has in public and also in writing been called to Censure (as in REPRIMAND for actions) Yet you all failed as a body to take action.
The gentleman on this coffee with commissioner video also agreed. It is absolutely in your power and responsibility to correct and realign a board member.
Check.that.please.
Is it not under Robert's rules? It is a public reprimand. I understand though if May or Barry and Bender are too cowardly to make a stand, if the members of the board don't back you on this, it is basically hopeless.
Commissioner math 3-2
or 4-1
or lose the ballgame because one player thinks he is supposed to call the shots and call the refs idiots and the coach a GOB and fans crazy or others hosts of names?
That's not a democratic republic governing Escambia County if this continues.
That is tyranny. If the staff is unwilling to step up and make official complaint then they shame the profession and duties in which they are in. Let them know the public supports them.
So lets see do we have men and leaders or shrinking spineless violets? Many will be watching May 2. Drama doesn't win in the end.
You are leading on this and it is appropriate.
I don't care what anybody else says about it or you. You are correct.
However if as a board you do not stand up for staff and administration together then that will be in the record.
Balls in your court.
Watch out
Underhill is going down his Logical fallacy to do list.
Appeal to emotion.
He getting some one whose son was killed to back him for his treachery. He is spinning the same lies about the budget. Pitting one against the other.
He is a master of chaos.
We.See.Through.Him
I hate to be the bearer of more bad news but employees are I intimidated on a regular basis whenever they try to bring things to the assistant county administrator. This is definitely nothing new and people that attempt to do the right thing get told to shut up and go sit in the corner.
What is really sickening is how Underhill is using this crisis to try to make himself look good. These things were on the news in the past, the lady posting the video right now had posted it prior on his propaganda site. He knew all about it and was also complicit, if that's what you call it.
Then they turn it around and try to make it seem YOU are politicizing it when you are looking for solutions.
If I worked there I would also quit, duck and run.
If he would have simply shut up and had you all work it out as a team in a civil manner things could be better.
He is evil. I think he lies so much he believes his own lies and people follow him. Hand it to him--he is good at what he does. Deceit
He is manipulating the situation and spewing propaganda. Even the local media can't seem to see it. He is a disease. He smells a bit of fear or timidity and twists and turns it. In life psychologists tell you to run from those people. Instead D2 elected him.
If he goes down he will take the county with him.
Rue the day he was born.
To the dude scratching his butt asking why is it redacted?
"I have redacted names and other information so that readers will not know which commissioner sent this....and to whom this email refers.
In other words, the point here is not to pinpoint names, etc. The point is to have readers look at this email and ask themselves if this is a reasonable email. Is it rational, measured, and professional?
Or is it demeaning and threatening"
Almost looks like that Commissioner is power hungry and seeking dominance over County Employee but I ask myself if his long term plan is to take over the Administrator role as he's suggested ? Openly he is struggling on his part-time 80k a year Commissioner role. Guaranteed he would not have sent that to a Military General or high ranking Military Official who would of most likely randomly drug-tested his ass for insubordination taken his laptop and cell phone of him & assigned him to issuing security passes for rest of his career. Despite Underhills poplist notions he has no direction, just swerving through Gov halls with an opinion for anything that hits his electronic friend. Really what is the next stepping stone that will hurtle this non-career politician to the Tallahassee & beyond as I am hoping we civilians do not have to deal with him for much longer.
When the BOCC was alerted to problems you need to act as a team and vote on how you react and run things through the public information office and not allow one member of the board go rogue. The one who exposed this public safety issue inspection to the media is acting like he is above this but he knew about it also. He is losing. I hope that is proven here. Very disrespectful to everyone. Seems like he is the white trash he calls other people. Really both you two should stop the media circus but if he will not respect your policy at least you have tried to offset his abuses. The average person looks to the news but journalism in this town is very poorly informed. If Elder leaked it instead of going to the board that is also troubling. This is off topic. Yes that email is intimidation. Poor management and leadership.
Wow.
If one goes to the county web site, Looks up the ordinances tabs on the right hand side under administrator it makes it clear. Go to Chapter 2. It makes it very clear the **BOARD**. ***Not one SINGLE member OF the board!!!! has the authority, under county ordinance to do what Underhill has done surrounding the resignation of Amy Levoy and I believe also his actions with Weaver apply.
Ms Lavoy was appointed interim Administrator by law and Underhill attempted to usurp power. I think he has made for a hostile work environment and I hope they sue him, unless you all intervene I think that may be what you are opening up yourself as a board for. This is very serious.
I know you all have to hire an administrator and have a lot on your plate but this other is imperative to get the house in order.
It is imperative the BOARD as a whole gets a handle on this situation. One member as in UNDERHILL can not message on Social Media facebook ESCAMBIA CITIZEN WATCH that he wants to waive the ninety day leave the assistant administrator and acting administrator has given. I hope she stands tall and firm, even if she decides to exit.
I believe he has ALREADY broken ordinance by his behavior on social media surrounding AMY LAVOY and should be suspended from office for that alone.
Sec. 2-83. - General function.
The county administrator shall be the administrative head of the county and shall be responsible for the administration of all departments of the county government which the board of county commissioners has authority to control pursuant to all applicable legislation.
(Code 1985, § 1-10-4)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, F.S. § 125.73(l).
You decide among yourselves or let the Governor decide for you all are my thoughts
Read here on your own website.
DIVISION 2. - COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR[3]
Sec. 2-81. - Office created.
Pursuant to F.S. ch. 125, pt. III, there is hereby created the office of county administrator.
(Code 1985, § 1-10-2)
signed
Anonymous
Totally with you on this Commissioner Bergosh. The idea that a staffer should "file a complaint" under the current law, when there is no actual recourse, is absurd and not intellectually honest. The Commissioners can simply fire the staffer for opening their mouth and go on about their business. If your ordinance were to pass, Commissioners might have to lay off the childish grandstanding and actually attend to something productive.
Good luck hiring a new county administrator worth a damn. If I was a good candidate with other options I would be very leery of stepping into the middle of the mess that Escambia County governance is right now. But I do want you to know that I watch the commission meetings and respect your attempts to be the voice of reason and keep things civil.
I know the person that email referred to. Good luck after 7-9-19.
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