Was there any?
I'm talking about Cindy Howe who has tendered her resignation as Executive Director of the Sunset Empire Transportation District. The Board, as of this writing has not accepted her resignation. Board members come and go but honestly, my friends, it was Howe who build what we have today often by dragging her board along with her. This isn't anything she told me. I just know how boards tend to work. I've probably been on too many. There are times when people just need to stay out of the way and refuse to recognize when they should. I say this in general and anyone who has served on any board knows what I mean.
There have been members of the community who have been critical of different proposals over the years but by and large Cindy has always done what a leader does. She finds solutions to problems. Here are a few reported by area papers most recently
May 2010
New bus service connects Portland, North Coast
by CRBJ
July 2010
New program seeks to make transportation services more accessible to seniors, disabled
by Greg Cohen
August 2010
Grant will help link coastal transit programs, promote regional service
by Greg Cohen
9/2/2010
Transportation plan for Seaside relates a tale of two cities
Improvements will help drivers, bikers and walkers get around town
by Nancy McCarthy
8/27/2010
Lawmakers support transportation plans
State funds North Coast projects on rail and sea
The Daily Astorian
8/26/2010
Transportation Commission approves request for Seaside transit center
by Nancy McCarthy-Daily Astorian
6/30/2010
New transport van helps veterans- Daily Astorian
And on and On....I remember one occasion when Senator Wyden was visiting the coast and took a ride on the bus. Cindy was right there pitching natural gas buses..and "wouldn't that be a clever idea?" The Senator was very fired up..
I don't know what finally amounted to the last straw leading to her deciding to move on. I just hopes she stays here because whatever she decides to do next, while any ones guess, is bound
to be a good thing. As I said, the board has not accepted her resignation as yet.
Thank YOU Tom for writing the truth. Couldn't have said it better.
ReplyDeleteI say we all go over to Cindy's and drag her back!
ReplyDeleteMoving here 39 some yrs ago...I was shoucked as there was NO public transportation?? Taking the bus in any small or big town is needed! Cindy & her staff did a wonderful job bringing "the bus" to our town.....Hope she stays on to continue her efforts...she has done a something good for our town
ReplyDeleteTom: Your comments are those of a true friend. Something in the backyard is amiss though, reading the last published minutes and news reports of possible disciplinary actions for the director makes one take a stance of wrong doing. What this wrong doing is, is unknown. Is they're a power struggle between the board and director? Were rules bypassed to accomplish things the board didn’t approve? Were financial outlays done without money in the cookie jar? Were grants requested for projects, items not approved? Were firings and movement of personnel done not following protocol? Did this audit start to tip the iceberg? My short analysis of the financial situation make it appear they are overspending and hoping for grants to cover shortfalls. It appears blame is being put on computer input and a new program/programs. Audits also seem to be a contentious argument of why financial information is always late or missing. Why do we always allow amateurs to run million dollar government businesses??? Will we ever learn all the facts? Has this agency (THE BUS) gotten to large. I think so. The services can still be provided, but I don’t need to see busses running by my house every 15 minutes.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have a great deal of specific information that has not been made public to my knowledge. This suggests that you may have some connections either with the board or a former employee. Perhaps you are that former employee? The report presented Thursday by HR was very preliminary and consisted of little , if anything concrete.
ReplyDeleteTom, your a good friend, but sadly I'd be willing to bet you will be very dissappointed...
ReplyDeleteInside person, the answer is no.
ReplyDeleteBut information of why they put her on paid administrate leave in lieu of accepting her resignation is smart. Accepting the resignation means they may be obligated to pay the 6 months severance pay under the contract. It appears in my small understanding this delays the situation and leaves the board several options after this mess is dwelt with.
Go to NorthcoastOregon.com on read the minutes posted in the article.
Cindy did a terrific job of moving a rinkydink bus provider into a real transportation system. Most of the folks that need to get to the hospital for regular treatments would be walking if it weren't for Cindy. Hopefully, this is not the usual Astoria witch hunt and all will be well.
ReplyDeleteNo one ever mentions her salary. $125,000 plus-plus.
ReplyDeleteThat is not her salary, by any means. It is much, much less, in the same amount as many professionals. No one ever mentions how many hours she put in either!
ReplyDeleteWhen this fiasco surfaces we will see that improper labor practices were used. She was turned into the state labor board for improper abuses of power when dealing with employee’s. This investigation found enough to carry the situation to the Bus board. We hopefully will get a full report later. I suspect the state is not finished with this either.
ReplyDeleteOther abuses of position possibly include receiving graft from suppliers, one was a cruise that she and her mother reportedly went on.
A situation dealing with a (green bus) that only got 5 miles per gallon, when she pressed her point to the board for another new one they took a stance and denied her request. Things have went down hill since then.
I know the items you mention are not based in fact. I'm not a betting person but I'd bet money I know who you are and you should be careful (like the rest of Clatsop County) what you think you know, what you are told, you hear and what is read. I say that, but in end you will believe what you want, including NOT to believe this!
ReplyDeleteCindy is a ruthless bully. Her leadership style is questionable. She has no humility. Her actions are in question because of her way of doing things. She lacks social graces. It is unfortunate that she is leanrning this lesson in front of som many people however we cannot escape lessons.
ReplyDelete