Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Williamson, Young Say They Were Locked Out

Departing PMUA executives said Tuesday they were locked out, disputing Chairman Charles Tyndale's May 7 statement that they "took it upon themselves to leave" the authority.

Outgoing Executive Director Dan Williamson and Chief Financial Officer Duane Young spoke during public comment at the authority's regular meeting. Williamson, formerly the city's corporation counsel, had a three-year PMUA contract through June 30, but said Tyndale informed him by phone on April 30 he was not a finalist in the search for the next director and asked his preference regarding his "day-to-day status."

"I advised you that it was not my desire to remain there on a day to day basis without any real authority to continue and carry out my responsibilities," Williams said in a letter to Tyndale, adding "it would make sense" to bring in the new person. "I further indicated that my preference would be a monetary buy-out through the term of my contract," he said, though assuming he would remain until the new person was approved by the board.

Williamson said when he arrived at his office the same day, he found himself locked out of the internet/computer system, as was the Finance Department, and locks were being changed. The authority's security manager then stood by while he packed all his belongings, he said, which was "inconsistent" with the phone call and a letter from Tyndale regarding their conversation.

Williamson called the experience "humiliating"

The board held a special meeting on May 4 to hire an interim director and name signatories for payroll and other expenditures. Tyndale alleged at another special meeting three days later that the two "took it upon themselves to leave," and the board approved a new executive director, Rodney Hedley, with a mid-June starting date.

Tyndale began to respond to Williamson Tuesday, but attorney David Minchello of DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole cautioned him not to speak further due to possible litigation. But when Williamson concluded by saying, "I did not deserve to be treated that way," Tyndale said, "I apologize for your discomfort."

Young reviewed his 15 years of service, including a stint as acting executive director after former Executive  Director Eric Watson and Assistant Executive Director David Ervin left in 2011. He also traced the sequence of events on April 30, saying, "I was completely shocked" to see two locksmiths arriving as he packed his personal belongings. He said he was willing to continue receiving bi-weekly payments or a lump sum for the term of his contract.

Tyndale also apologized to Young.

Earlier in the meeting, the board approved naming Assistant Comptroller Leanna Walcott as "acting interim CFO," effective immediately, at no additional compensation. As yet, no successor to Young has been named.

--Bernice

12 comments:

  1. Finally what comes around goes around. Now he has a taste of when the Chief of Police was eliminated with his legal advice.

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  2. Oh boy! Another stupid move by the Board. I smell another lawsuit.

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  3. I smell a law suit

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  4. Williamson acted like a complete fool. I was very surprise Dwayne acted like that. He was there when Eric Watson and Dave was escorted out of there also. But Williamson being a lawyer I am just shocked.

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    1. I do not understand? Do you mean he acted like a fool because he stood up for himself after being disrespected by the Chairman. Dwayne was also disrespected. The Chairman acknowledged his mistake with an apology to both. You seem to be confused, I was an employed when Watson & Ervin left and they were not escorted out. The 2 situations are totally different.

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  5. Karma can be a wonderful thing!

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  6. The Karma will be on the rate payers.

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  7. Chairman Tyndale is working with Mayor Mapp and Watson to reorganize the PMUA. Those that think it will be better are in for a big surprise. The worst is yet to come. Oh! Don't forget their buddy Henry Robinson from the Yates Demolition on North street who is also a PMUA Board member.

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  8. As a new employee, it concerns me that the Chairman would tell an out right blatant lie about Williamson and Young leaving on there own. If he did that to them, what will he do to me? What does this say about our leadership? This is really scary

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    1. They were not told to leave. Both Dan Williamson and Duane Young abandoned their position without Notice. Because Duane Young was not given certain Authority information he requested from the I.T. Manager he left and Dan Williamson left also. By Dan's own words he was not willing to stay anyway after being told that his contract would not be renewed. I'll take Peace over Oppression anyday.

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    2. If there locks were changed, they were locked out of the computer system, and security was sent over to watch them, how do you consider that leaving on their own? You also probably think they should have come in the next day and just look at each other because they couldn't do any work. They were constructively relieved of their duties. Wake up

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  9. Mapps plan is to implode and disband pmua and bring all operations under city. But there's one problem he needs pmua to pay his patronage debt.

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