Steve Smith and Karen Wheatey asked Commissioner Rick Glass for his resignation after his employer The Arc Of Volusia fired him over allegations of sexual abuse of a disabled woman under his care. Even though he has not been charged, his employer must have felt that there was enough evidence to fire him,right? What was he doing alone with this disabled woman in a compromising situation?
Then Mayor Roy Johnson thinks this is just a personal matter?
Liz Towsley had complained about possible sexual misconduct in regard to Chief Mark Barker in the past and other Holly Hill employees as well that made the newspapers.No charges were ever filed,but it sure makes you wonder who is running this City?
City Manager Oel Wingo was fired less than a year ago amid multiple accusations from Liz Towsley-Patton,Rick Glass and Donnie Moore.Liz Towsley stated that “she destroyed our city”. They investigated illegal document destruction and she was said to have lied to many city employees.Now nothing had been proven at that time and she was fired.At least she was not accused of a sexual abuse incident that Karen Wheatley described as “despicable and vile”. Liz Towsley did not seem to want to wait for an investigation to be done on Manager Oel Wingo before she was fired.
Listen to it in it’s entirety
http://www.justin.tv/cityofhollyhill/b/298408409
Holly Hill Commissioner Rick Glass draws jeers and support
Election would undo recent vote
BY ALAN SANDERFORD, HOLLY HILL
Proposed Charter Amendments Heading To Holly Hill Voters
PS-It Does not take a rocket scientist to realize how unjust this is!
Picture in 2008 when Liz Towsley was asked to resign!
Holly Hill Local expresses appreciation to voters in the Daytona News Journal.
Kudos to Holly Hill voters
BY ROBERT LEAS, HOLLY HILL
November 15, 2011 12:30 AM Posted in: Letters to the Editor Tagged: Holly Hill City Charter
I would like to take the time to thank the voters who took the time to vote “no” on the seven charter changes that Holly Hill city commissioners and their self-appointed committee were trying to ram though.
I would like to ask why the committee members wanted to take fluoride out of the drinking water? If they didn’t, why were we asked to vote on it?
To all the commissioners: Remember, 2012 is just around the corner.
Rick Glass including all commissioners voted to overturn last years vote!
The Holly Hill Charter City Review DID NOT recommend this!
If you listen to the August 23rd city commission meeting-Bill Arthur who was the head of the Charter Review Board
stated they DID NOT approve a special election for repealing 4 year terms.
Election would undo recent vote
BY ALAN SANDERFORD, HOLLY HILL
October 27, 2011 12:05 AM Posted in: Letters to the Editor Tagged: Holly Hill City Commission
The Holly Hill City Commission has decided to hold a special election and catch the citizens of Holly Hill off guard.
The people of Holly Hill voted, less than one short year ago, for two-year terms for all elected officials. This commission is apparently determined to undo that vote. If you get a chance to listen to the recording of the Aug. 23 regular commission meeting, available on Holly Hill’s official website, you will understand.
The commissioners made it clear that they would like to see the people’s vote overturned. That would keep them in office, uncontested, and deny anyone a chance to run against them in November 2012.
Attempting to keep themselves in power this way, at the very least, is an insult to the citizens of Holly Hill. Does this commission really believe that the people are not capable of making their own choices at the polls? If the commissioners do a good job of serving their constituents, they should have nothing to fear in an honest election!
This special election is budgeted to cost $12,000. Why are we spending our tax dollars to hold this unnecessary election? The people clearly voted for two-year terms last November. Now it looks like citizens will need to vote again on Nov. 8 just to keep this vote in place and honored.
Please get the word out to show up at the polls on Nov. 8. Stop this blatant attempt by this commission to, in effect, extend their term in office by overturning your vote.
http://www.news-journalonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2011/10/27/election-would-undo-recent-vote.html
THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!!!!!!!!!
Holly Hill voters overwhelmingly rejected two proposals that would have extended the terms of the mayor and city commissioners from two to four years.
Nearly three-quarters of voters refused longer terms for the City Commission, while more than 70 percent voted no on the measure for the mayor.
Voters in Holly Hill also rejected five other proposed charter changes, including:
· eliminating the two-term limit for the mayor;
· allowing the City Commission to appoint commissioners when a vacancy occurs, rather than holding a special election;
· requiring four votes to fire the city manager, rather than the three now required;
· allowing the commission to set hours for alcohol sales, rather than keeping the current 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. hours as required by the charter;
· and allowing commissioners to determine whether or not fluoride should be added to the city’s water; the city charter currently requires it.
Former Mayor Roland Via said, “The citizens certainly spoke just like only one year ago and with this overwhelming vote they said, ‘What part of NO do you not understand? I hope the commission is listening this time.”
All of the commissioners including the Mayor and City Manager have done nothing to safeguard the citizens from dangerous Daytona NA and AA meetings.In 2012 we need people in office who will keep the citizens safe in the parks.Free from harassments and death threats from the Volusia County Intergroup AA and Narcotics Anonymous Daytona.It would be nice if the commissioners and police department would start NOW and give relief to the citizens before a tragedy occurs.
The Arc Of Volusia is in the paper today talking about the achievments of the disabled people they serve.Also that despite Rick Glass being terminated for possible sexual misconduct with a disabled client,it is still a safe place. That they did proper background checks.No red flags. Really? Why was Rick Glass allowed to take the disabled woman off the property and be alone with her? How often was he alone with her and other clients of The Arc of Volusia? There is no mention as to how the investigation is going.
I would think they need to wait until it is finished before they say how safe it is.Was there multiple incidents? Multiple victims? They are not saying.
A recent incident at the Arc resulted in the firing of Holly Hill City Commissioner Rick Glass, who was in charge of manufacturing and employment.
The firing came a day after an investigation by state officials and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office began over whether there was sexual misconduct with an Arc client.
According to a sheriff’s report, a Department of Environmental Protection police officer reported a “potentially inappropriate sexual encounter” in DeLeon Springs on Oct. 10.
The DEP officer requested assistance from the Sheriff’s Office after checking out a suspicious vehicle, a silver Ford van, parked in a wooded area, the report said.
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Sex Crimes Unit was called in to investigate.
No one has been charged.
King said despite the incident, the Arc is a safe environment. Extensive background checks are done on employees hired. There were no red flags detected in the commissioner’s background check, King said.
“We did what was the right thing to do and we acted quickly,” King said of Glass’ firing.
“We look at everything we do in regards to safety and meeting the individual needs of everyone we serve every day because they are the most vulnerable citizens in our society.”
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2011/11/10/daytona-arc-clients-show-ability-earn-paychecks.html
Liz Towsley,Rick Glass and Donnie Moore did not wait to see if Manager Oel Wingo violated the states code of conduct.
But when the shoe is on the other foot,it is a different story. I think what Rick Glass is being accused of is much worse
than the issues they had with Oel Wingo.
Former Holly Hill manager facing ethics hearing
BY JAY STAPLETON, STAFF WRITER
October 29, 2011 12:20 AM Posted in: East Volusia Tagged: Oel Wingo
Oel Wingo
HOLLY HILL — The Florida Commission on Ethics has found there is probable cause to believe fired City Manager Oel Wingo violated the state’s code of conduct for public officials.
The next step is an evidentiary hearing to determine if Wingo violated the law by destroying public records and entering into employment agreements for the purpose of protecting her own $124,500 salary, state officials said.
Wingo’s lawyers are fighting back.
At stake is about $62,000 in severance pay that has been tied up since Wingo was fired last November, when the ethics complaint was filed. She could also be fined if a violation is proven.
“This commission on ethics has just found probable cause. It has not found Dr. Wingo guilty at all,” one of her attorneys, Joseph Blitch, said in reaction on Friday. “The city will be forced to support their allegations.”
The City Commission last year accused Wingo, who had been the city manager for less than a year, of pushing employment agreements with senior department heads “presumably for the purpose of protecting and insulating herself from a possible reduction in pay and benefits.”
At the heart of the controversry was a provision in Wingo’s employment agreement that allowed the city to reduce her salary or benefits without triggering her severence, but only if they reduced compensation for all department heads by the same or greater percentage.
Wingo executed agreements with all of the department heads but police Chief Mark Barker in July 2010, giving them protections from pay cuts unless reductions were implemented across the board to all workers. Many city workers are covered by union agreements that would make it difficult to enact citywide pay cuts.
Commissioners abruptly fired Wingo on Nov. 9 by a 4-1 vote.
They then filed ethics complaints with the Florida Commission on Ethics and the International City/County Management Association.
This summer, the Management Association closed its case, finding Wingo’s conduct did not violate that body’s code of ethics.
Wingo’s attorney pointed to that commission’s decision again Friday. “These very same allegations were put before ICMA, and they found no cause to support the allegations.”
There is evidence, Blitch said, that the allegations of ethics violations were brought by city officials “to avoid” paying the severance.
“The allegations she was trying to somehow benefit by trying to enter into these employment contracts is crazy,” Blitch said. “There was already an employment agreement in place that prevented (Wingo’s) salary from being reduced.
“I imagine she was trying to protect her managers.”
City officials had little to say of the points raised by Wingo’s lawyer. “That sounds like some type of legal opinion,” City Manager Jim McCronskey said.
The Florida Commission on Ethics is an independent nine-member commission formed to review ethics complaints about public officials.
In the order finding probable cause against Wingo, the state commission found there is probable cause that Wingo committed violations by entering into the “pre-dated employment agreements.” The commission also found probable cause that she tried to have records involving those agreements destroyed.
The finding of probable cause is not a determination that a violation occurred. A public hearing will be held to determine that. If a violation occurred, the commission can recommend civil penalties up to $10,000. The parties can also reach a settlement.
City Manager McCroskey, who was hired earlier this year out of 25 applicants, said his office has no opinion of the case. “We did as we were directed,” he said.
“But I can say the city commissioners I’ve talked to have indicated they were pleased,” he said. “They were pleased with the fact that the ethics commission moved forward with the finding of probable cause.”
I agree with these sentiments!!!
In case you missed the Commissioner meeting Tuesday, this article sums it up quite well.
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2011/10/26/holly-hill-commissioner-draws-jeers-support.html
It is interesting that the only Commissioner to openly support Rick was Liz Towsley-Patton. She emphasized Glass has not been charged with any crime and should be presumed innocent. This is the same women who supported the ouster of the last City Manager, who was not charged with a crime or convicted. She also pursued a two-year saga involving former Public Safety Director Don Shinnamon and former Commander Mark Barker. Neither of these two men had been charged or convicted of any crime, but that made no difference to Liz Towsley-Patton.
It is when her friend, Mr. Glass, who apparently sexually abused a 41-year-old disabled woman, is exposed, does she get on her high horse.
If the Commissioners are not going to look after the interests of the City, the voters can. Mr. Glass can be recalled. Grounds for recall are malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, and conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude.
Rick Glass may be guilty of misfeasance: performing a legal action in an improper way. This term is frequently used when a professional or public official does his job in a way that is not technically illegal, but is nevertheless mistaken or wrong.
There is no doubt that Rick was in a company van with the handicapped women.To be misfeasance, a crime need not be committed. If he just had consensual sex in an inappropriate place, that is still misfeasance. He may not be guilty of a felony, but he has harmed the image of Holly Hill, reputation of the Commission, and the voters of Holly Hill.
The only recourse is to recall Rick Glass, VOTE NO on all ballot measures, and vote all current officials out November 2012.
Looks like Liz Towsley was throwing around a lot of accusations at Chief Mark Barker a few years ago that she took VERY seriously!
‘HOLLY HILL, Fla. — The Holly Hill City Commission agreed on Tuesday night to hire a private attorney for two police officers, including the chief of police, accused of misconduct by a city commissioner.
City Commissioner Liz Towsley has accused the pair of lawmen of misusing taxpayers’ money and said she discovered sexual innuendos and offensive comments in their e-mails.’
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/15966522/detail.html
Jeez here Karen Wheatley and others were asking for Liz Towsleys resignation!
Group petitioning against commissioner to form PAC
Rating: 2.78 / 5 (18 votes) ShareThis
Posted: 2008 Jun 27 – 00:13
Drive has 500 signatures
By Bethany Chambers
HOLLY HILL – A group of citizens petitioning to remove Commissioner Liz Towsley from office has filed paperwork to become a political action committee, a representative said last week.
The group, now called the Committee for Political Integrity, decided to form as a PAC “to be on the correct side of the law,” founder Sheila Hancock said.
PACs can raise and spend money directly on campaigns for or against candidates and issues. Ms. Hancock said her group is not currently soliciting donations, but may in the future.
Ms. Hancock organized a group of six residents in late April after Ms. Towsley filed civil and criminal complaints against current and former city employees, including public safety director Chief Don Shinnamon, police commander Mark Barker and former city manager Joe Forte.
The group, identified by T-shirts and yard signs that show the words “Commissioner Liz Towsley” crossed out, is circulating a petition asking Ms. Towsley to resign.
Some of the yard signs were removed after complaints to the city’s code enforcement department that they were blocking rights-of-way, Ms. Hancock said.
Despite that opposition, the petition has 500 signatures, Ms. Hancock said, more than the 415 votes Ms. Towsley received in October.
Most of the signatures have come from resident-business owners who have long opposed Ms. Towsley’s stance against community redevelopment area spending along the U.S. 1 commercial corridor, Ms. Hancock said.
Ms. Towsley, a fired civilian employee of the police department, promised in her campaign last fall that she was seeking office to better the city, not to get revenge against Chief Shinnamon and Cmdr. Barker, her former bosses.
That’s a lie and it’s the basis of the group’s petition, Ms. Hancock said.
“She has lied to the city, to the people, to the commission, to the city manager, to the city attorney,” she said. “We feel that goes against her oath of office.”
Ms. Towsley, however, said she believes it is Chief Shinnamon and Cmdr. Barker who “don’t live up to” their police oaths.
The Committee for Political Integrity will begin going door-to-door to gain more petition signatures to present to the commission.
If Ms. Towsley does not resign, the group will conduct another certified petition for her recall in November, Ms. Hancock said.
Recalls have strict guidelines that must be met. By Florida law, a group cannot petition for a recall until an elected official has served one-quarter of her term, or one year in Holly Hill.
At that time, the group plans to return to the homes and businesses of those who signed the first petition to accelerate the process, Ms. Hancock said.
Ms. Towsley said recently she would not resign because she has “valid complaints.”
“Give it a rest. Do your recall and stop wasting time at the (commission) meetings,” she said. “It’s ridiculous.”
At a recent commission meeting, Ms. Towsley was supported in her claims by former city employees Steve Marteeny and his mother, Sue Marteeny, who said Chief Shinnamon used “unscrupulous tactics” in having them fired in 2004.
Although she had asked other friends and supporters to come to her defense, none did. Ms. Towsley said she believed they did not “out of fear.”
Resident Maureen Monahan, who campaigned for Ms. Towsley, said she has avoided the matter because it’s “city business and something that should be left in (city manager) Tim Harbuck’s office.”
Eight residents spoke against what they called Ms. Towsley’s “malicious,” “aggressive” and “personal vendetta.”
“You’ve made the city the laughingstock of Volusia County,” said Peter Myrick, chair of Ms. Hancock’s committee.
Ms. Towsley said that won’t stop her from doing what she thinks is right.
“I believe in truth and justice,” she said. “Call me a rabble rouser. That’s fine. It doesn’t bother me. I believe it is better to lose by honor than live by fraud.”
They have fired people for a lot less. Considering that The Arc of Volusia County was Rick Glass’s employer,that the City of Holly Hill could at the very least do there on inquiry about these allegations.I wonder if there is a ‘morals’code in the Commissioners contract? You dont have to be arrested to be fired or asked to step down.The City Of Holly Hill has already fired Rick Glass once before for stealing.
He was not arrested for that offense.
I disagree with Mayor Roy Johnson that this is just a personal matter with Rick Glass.If there is truth to these allegations than it most certainly is the business of the City Of Holly Hill and those that he serves!
CHECK OUT THE AUDIO FOR THE “AUGUST 23, 2011 MEETING” AS WELL TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE SPECIAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 8, 2011. THE VIDEO FOR THIS MEETING IS BLACKED OUT BUT THE AUDIO IS AVAILABLE. IT WILL BE WORTH YOUR WHILE TO LISTEN TO THIS! DON’T LET THEM TAKE AWAY THE SCHEDULED ELECTION FOR 2012 THAT THE PEOPLE OF HOLLY HILL VOTED FOR! THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MOVE TO KEEP THEMSELVES IN POWER!
PLEASE, WE NEED TO GET OUT AND VOTE ” NO” ON NOVEMBER 8 2011 JUST TO KEEP OUR VOTE IN PLACE.