Thursday, April 4, 2013





  1. Interesting post form my Venice Scoop Facebook page.
  2. I was going to blog on this issue tomorrow, but I am so disappointed w the Mayor and two Council Members, that I felt impelled to type something up tonight.

    I sent the Mayor the thread, regarding Bob’s concerns with city employees talking to the press. The Mayors response was:

    I am a firm advocate of freedom of speech and do not see this as an infringement on that right. The City of Venice does have guidelines in a Resolution 2012-01 titled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF VENICE, SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A SOCIAL MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATION POLICY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE (attached), it does not deny freedom of speech, but does establish certain procedures to be followed. The procedures are in place to help assure the most accurate and factual information is disseminated.
    Sincerely,
    John Holic

    Well I heard from a contact at the city that the Mayor, Councilman Bob Daniels and Councilwoman Gates were all very upset that employees talked to the press. The concern is that the city will retaliate against these two for talking to the press.

    Daniels, Gates, and Holic are up for re-election in November and at this point, all three are running unopposed.

    Here is the issue that I have w this whole situation. Two employees talked to the Herald. One was off the clock and off city property.
    The other was on city time. The Mayor sent me a document, which I posted earlier today and it does not touch on employees talking to the press. Perhaps he sent me the wrong resolution, I don’t know. Both city employees did not communicate on behalf of the city. They gave their opinion as an employee and Union officer, on if changing the dispatch over to the city was the right move and how it would impact the employees at the dispatch.

    My perception is that the Mayor and City Council members are upset because the employees voiced their concerns, which in turn let the public, know that there are reservations with accepting this dispatch deal w the county. Perhaps the Council wants everybody to just keep quiet and only communicate the details that they want out, so they have established certain individuals to communicate their message. That way they can pass any resolution that they feel will benefit them politically. Where is the transparency?

    If you have a problem with the council getting upset over a individual utilizing their freedom of speech, while off the clock and off city property, send them a email at citycouncil@venicegov.com
    1Like ·  · 
    • 12 people like this.
    • Katt Alvarez this is not unusual. this is very normal for govt operations. not good, not right, but very normal and common. not surprising. govt operations never have total transparency whether its local or higher up. They never want anyone upsetting the apple cart, and if they do, its not uncommon for retaliation to occur. a piece of advice. NEVER do anything like this ON the clock. No matter if they tell you its ok or not. NEVER on the clock.
      18 hours ago · Like · 2
    • The Venice Scoop One employee was off the clock and off city property, is what I was told. Yet the council is mad w her. Why?
      18 hours ago · Like · 2
    • The Venice Scoop Sounds like some abuse of power going on at the city level. Just yesterday I had a city employee email me, stating he feared speaking out and having someone like Daniels get upset. This is a shame, when employees live in fear of some power crazed council member.
      18 hours ago · Like · 8
    • Katt Alvarez im just sayin, in my experience, if what is told to you is accurate, never do anything city oriented or job oriented on the clock. as far as the other employee, they have no say what they can do off the clock off the property, as long as its not conduct unbecoming. Merely discussing the pros and cons or maybe just the cons, falls under freedom of speech, and they have no say. Again, possibly upsetting the apple cart. I would still advise both employees to be prepared for what they have discussed and how it is perceived by the higher ups. I worked in this kind of environment for 25 years. the place and time can change but govt is govt and power is power.
      18 hours ago · Unlike · 2
    • Katt Alvarez If you remember i listed that as a possibility of why the employees of Northport or the other city, that is included in this take over, might not be saying much on this take over. fear factor is what I said. you never know.
      17 hours ago · Like · 3
    • Barry Lanehart Freedom of Speech? It would be nice if everyone had that Right. But....
      17 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
    • Lin Moonchild shame on them all
    • Barry Lanehart Here's one I heard- remember it.

      All those who were wrongfully forced out of their Jobs. 

      One way or another.

      All those who wrongfully kept their jobs, but
      forced those out. 

      -----------------------------------------
      Been there had that happen to me.
    • Rob Smith Only the incompetent and the corrupt fear freedom of speech and attempt to stamp it out whenever possible.
      17 hours ago · Like · 2
    • Susan Young Do these people not believe in the 1st amendment ?? Venice citizens your service and expectations are going to suffer greatly !! Council needs to be educated on they're loss and expenses !! The taxpayers will be paying dearly, money & service !! Nothing is for free no matter what Tom Knight is proposing !!
    • Barry Lanehart You would be very surprised to hear who told us we didn't have any Rights.
    • Susan Whitehead If you are a worker bee for government you have no rights. And this is from a bunch of part time wannabe politicians elected by their friends to do their bidding.
      Now let them threaten my job. 
      15 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
    • Susan Whitehead I sent something. And I think we know my prose well enough that I did not mince words.
      14 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
    • Susan Whitehead Also people, Ms. Peyton is a CIVILIAN who happens to be employed at the police department. Dispatchers are not sworn
    • Susan Whitehead Disclaimer: I do not hide that I'm the spouse of a Venice Police officer and I post under my own name. Anybody who knows me knows that I say what I think, tact is not one of my strong suits, and I don't tend to concern myself with who I piss off. That being said, my husband has no idea what I am typing on my little iPhone at a point in time. In fact the views expressed are mine and mine alone., and nothing I say should come back and bite him.
      14 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 7
    • The Venice Scoop Council has requested a copy of Res. 2012-01 Social Media & Public Relations Policy, which was placed in their drop boxes...........
    • The Venice Scoop To show you how serious they are, Bob sent a copy of Susan's email to their attorney. Yet, the Mayor kind of acting like he was not sure what she was talking about...........

      From: Robert Daniels <rdaniels@ci.venice.fl.us> Thursday - April 4, 2013 9:
      12 AM
      To: dpersson@sarasotalawfirm.com
      CC: jholic@venicegov.com, rdaniels@venicegov.com
      Subject: Fwd: Reference to article in Herald-Tribune

      FYI

      Regards,
      Bob Daniels

      Begin forwarded message:

      From: "John Holic" <jholic@venicegov.com>
      Date: April 4, 2013, 4:12:12 AM EDT
      To: "" <logismom43@gmail.com>
      Cc: "City Council" <City Council@venicegov.com>, "Edward Lavallee" <ELAVALLEE@venicegov.com>
      Subject: Re: Reference to article in Herald-Tribune

      Dear Ms. Whitehead,
      On behalf of Venice City Council, thank you for your comments. I know of no employee who is in danger of losing a job for speaking to the media nor do I know of any disciplinary actions. I will make inquiries later today.
      Sincerely,
      John Holic

      >>> <logismom43@gmail.com> 04/03/13 11:52 PM >>>
      I am writing to let you know that I find it offensive that you are considering discipline for an employee of the Venice Police Department for speaking to the media reference to the proposed consolidation of dispatching services to Sarasota County.
      The employee is question was on her own time and not on City property. She did not speak negatively of her employer. She was giving her perspective of the impact that she and her coworkers will be facing if this consolidation takes place. She did not say anything that wasn't already made public in the media prior. 
      The woman has a right to freedom of speech just the same as Mr.Daniels stating to the media that it was brought to his attention that the Venice Police Department "mishandled" the investigation of the bank robbery at Fifth Third Bank, and wants to discuss this at a council meeting and question exactly what the agency is doing; wanting made public aspects of an active investigation that 1-should not be made public and 2-could possibly jeopardize the investigation. Because he, nor any of the rest of you have the education/training/qualifications to make that judgement. And he WAS speaking negatively Chief McNulty, the supervisors, the officers who responded, and the detectives by the comments he made and that is the opinion of this writer by the fact it was brought to his attention that certain parts of the investigation were "mishandled". 
      You do not get it both ways. And to put an employee in fear for her job because she exercised her freedom of speech is unconscionable. You have a member of the Venice Police Department fighting in Afghanistan to protect that right along with a few others. Who do you think you are denying Ms. Peyton of her right? Maybe you didn't like what she said, but do you think she's happy to lose a job she loves and has had for 15 years and has to start over? She should be quiet and smile? The public has a right to know both sides, if you don't like that, then you have something to hide. That is the only logical conclusion. At least one member of Council has a problem with the Police Department; the micromanaging and questioning everything speaks for itself.
      As far as I'm concerned, not one of you are worthy of my vote.
      Susan Whitehead

      Sent from my iPhone
    • Susan Whitehead Did I hit a nerve?