Were Some Public Works Employees Threatened?
Were some Port Orange Public Works employees threatened to be fired if they discussed mold problems at the DPW facility? If true, the city supervisor(s) that made those threats should be fired. Or as a minimum re-trained on the mandate’s of the 1st Amendment and Florida whistle-blower statues.
| from: | Ted Noftall <Ted@tednoftall.com> | ||
| to: | Jake Johansson <mjohansson@port-orange.org> |
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| cc: | “Fenwick, Robin” <rfenwick@port-orange.org> |
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| date: | Thu, Feb 18, 2016 at 5:00 PM | ||
| subject: | Mold issues at Public Works |
Good afternoon Manager Johansson,
Would you take a few minutes and provide an overview as to the mold / air quality testing going on at the Public Works facility on Virginia Ave.
Of interest would be
The extent of the problem, and when it was determined a mold problem existed.
When employees were notified, and whether they have been cautioned regarding any health precautions they should be taking.
Finally several employees believe they have been threatened with termination if they discuss this matter further AND I would ask that you categorically advise that no employees need fear termination for exercising their 1st amendment right to speak to whomever they please regarding this matter.
Regards,
Ted Noftall
Candidate for Mayor
City of Port Orange
From: Ted Noftall [mailto:Ted@tednoftall.com]
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2016 8:32 AM
To: ‘Jake Johansson’
Cc: ‘Fenwick, Robin’
Subject: RE: Mold issues at Public Works
Good morning Manager Johansson,
While I recognize that much of the secrecy you have implemented has been with the blessing and encouragement of Councilman Burnett and 2 others I am disappointed that you do not avail of opportunities such as the one I raised below to inform residents and staff alike as to what is going on particularly on a matter as important as employee health and alleged threats of termination.
For the record the report i was given does not answer any of the questions I raised.
IN ANY event thank you for taking the time to respond.
Ted Noftall
*************
—–Original Message—–
From: Johansson, Michael [mailto:mjohansson@port-orange.org]
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2016 5:10 PM
To: Ted Noftall
Cc: Fenwick, Robin
Subject: RE: Mold issues at Public Works
Mr. Noftall,
I believe you have received the Air quality assessment as part of your Public Information Request that answers your questions. I am as interested as you in ensuring the welfare of our staff. Thank you for providing your management advice in this circumstance.
All the best, Jake
*******************
This is very troubling that Mr. Johannson did not refute the claim that some city employees may have been threatened if they spoke to anyone about unhealthy conditions at their workplace.
In the military, subordinates are taught to keep their mouths shut and if necessary outright lie to protect the honor of the particular branch to which they are attached. I think Commander Jake is trying to replicate this within the City of Port Orange. He appears to be shrewd and calculating and shows no signs of good nature.
Should he of answered? Yes, Ted we did in fact threaten all employees to keep there mouths shut. I’m sure they were told, especially you employees who report everything to Ted. Now make sure Ted doesn’t hear about this threat because we will fire you. You other employees who report to Bob Ford or Alan Green better not say any thing about these threats or we will fire you to.
Really; Well Jake should not have taken the fifth if the claim about threats were not true.
Jake the snake took the 5th because he knows those threats were real – he ordered them.
He is willing to threaten employees and put their health at risk from being forced to work in a mold infested environment rather than man up take responsibility and disclose what is going on.
I don’t often comment on blogs, but when I do it’s on Port-Orange.us.
Maybe this explains where missing records have gone water and mold damage? Building records, site plans, city archives… But you would not put this stuff in part of a building that has a leaky roof or floods, unless. Then why do we have a chronic leak or water intrusion? Who is responsible for the buildings? And who oversees that person? Where is risk management and what are they doing to ensure the safety of our city workers, and avoid costly lawsuits? Who knew what and when? Sadly for commandant jake these are all fair questions to be asked by any concerned citizen and SHOULD be being asked by our elected council, and if not they do not need to be elected or re-elected to anything.
Looks like the Snake is too busy painting the tape of his dynasty with the Port Orange Hide campaign while Rome is burning.