Clarifying without insults
The recent controversy created by my column of last week demonstrates the perils of Facebook. Yes, reputations can be damaged and it usually as a result of exaggerated reactions from readers or opinionated individuals who don’t have all the facts. Notice I have not called them liars… yet.
That column’s main purpose was to criticize Mayor Daniel Rivera’s hiring practice. The practice of hiring people and placing them on city positions sidestepping the City Council’s authority and the procedures called for in the City Charter. He selected a person to replace someone in the Elections Department and depended on a friend and supporter to find the right person. If I said she has no experience it was because (although she might be very competent, serious, dedicated, etc.) she had never worked in this type of environment and with the Presidential Elections coming and the turmoil of a recall petition, we need people in that office who know what to do. The fact that we have a community very disconnected with the democratic system, and community leaders encouraging the community not go out to vote this Tuesday, it is imperative that we have the right people in such a crucial department.
Please notice that I refuse to mention her name because this is NOT about her but about her appointment by the mayor. It was not my intention to cast a shadow of doubt on her professionalism or integrity as a person and I am very sorry that it has been interpreted that way.
The reason that I brought up Facebook is because things got so blown out of proportion that it has turned into an attack against me as if I offended Zoila Gomez with my comments. I would like people to point out where is the damaged I caused to her as a professional, a woman or a human being.
Let it be known that I have said publicly and privately, that I admire Zoila tremendously. I have known her since the late 80s when she was my hairdresser at Elsa’s Beauty Salon on Essex St. Anyone who came to this country as a teenager, raised a family, worked hard and managed to go to school at the same time forging the presence she has in this community, deserves my respect and all the riches in the world. I can repeat that proudly because Zoila earned it!
So, what triggered it? An overreaction to my column on her part and an even bigger overreaction to what she wrote. For those who have not read it and particularly for those who rendered an opinion without seeing it, here it is:
“The mess continues and the mayor is allowed to run that department at will. He selected and hired a new employee with no experience to keep Richard Reyes in company. This time, in violation again of rules or procedures, he personally hired Zoila Gomez’s secretary, a campaign supported and financial contributor.
“The mayor’s selection did not involve advertising for the position, allowing for applicants to respond or selecting the “best qualified person for the job” as he promised to do. What I don’t understand is how the City Council can look the other way and approve everything he sends down.”
Yes, I made a mistake by saying that the new hire was her secretary when I should have said that Zoila recommended her for the job. Had she called me, it would have easily been corrected as I am doing now without causing the commotion she created.
Undoubtedly, there are people who have been exposed by me and saw this as an opportunity to bash me, namely Laiza Lizardo St. Onge. There’s no credibility to her comment because on November 22 2015, I published pictures of her illegally parked in front of the stadium in spite of a police officer telling her to move it. Besides, there’s a police report anyone can look at. Laiza, you have a glass ceiling; shut up!
And Zoila, regarding your comment about becoming your enemy, it is so ridiculous that I would not dignify it with a response.
El desastre continúa y están dejando que el alcalde controle ese departamento a voluntad. Él seleccionó y contrató a una nueva empleada sin experiencia para mantener acompañado a Richard Reyes. Esta vez, en violación de nuevo de reglas o procedimientos, él personalmente contrató a la secretaria de Zoila Gómez, una trabajadora de su campaña y contribuyente económica.
La selección del alcalde no conlleva publicar la posición para permitir a los solicitantes que respondan y así seleccionar a la “persona mejor calificada para el trabajo”, como él prometió hacerlo. Lo que no entiendo es cómo es que el Concejo Municipal mira del otro lado y aprueba todo lo que les manda.
