NYCHA's Chair had two meetings with the NYCHA Central Office staff yesterday. Here are two quick, and very different reviews of those meetings:
"I attended NYCHA's 9:30 AM
meeting with the Chair."
Martinez outlined the state of the authority and did a good job. He answered all the questions from the audience even those he had nothing to do with such as the LIC warehouse and why we are moving all around to new locations. Things got hot when someone (lady) spoke up about Jeffrey Schanback, the head of NYCHA's Legal Department, and how she was not getting anywhere with him. She wanted to know who his boss was.
Some guy shortly thereafter started talking about Spotty and asking if this underground paper was telling the truth about all the underhanded doings (sexual harassment etc.). Martinez gave a great reply, fitting the role of a true leader, and I would bet gained the respect of most in attendance.
"Just like any other newspaper in print some stories are entirely true and some times the facts are not entirely true. I cannot tell you which ones are true because they would need to be/or are being investigated."
He went on to say that the best stories are those that come from the rumor mill within Housing and that those have the best avg. for being true. Before the Q&A session he talked about an Ombudsman program and how he wants this to work so that no problem goes unanswered after 48 hours.
He talked of the importance of the chain of command and that he would not tolerate any retaliation from any supervisor who is caught trying to subvert an issue surrounding a subordinates charge. All in all it was a good meeting a few people verbally challenged Martinez but I think they were just blowing off steam from the Franco regime. It is still apparent that there is a retained feeling of hatred/animosity and a true lack of trust between HA employees and the Exec. Dept.
I would recommend that the Exec. Dept. take a good look in the mirror and reflect on what they have done to all these people and come to the realization that they are in true need of counseling. Like the old Native American saying "Do not judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes." Perhaps the first step has been taken by Martinez reaching out with this open forum.
I'd suggest that the next step should be for all ADGM/DGM/GM/DIR etc. to conduct no holds barred meetings with their employees, without the presence of their immediate supervisors, so they could effectively evaluate right from wrong and then start on the road to training in the areas needed.
Anywhere one looks in housing it becomes obvious that training is needed to rebuild the weakened structure, which was caused by the atrocities of management. Another important statement Martinez made to every one was "Remember the most important thing is to set a good example by leading or conducting yourself with the utmost respect for others and to treat others the way you would like to be treated."
"I attended the afternoon meeting."
I think the guy means well but, He doesn't get it! KALMAN FINKEL SLEPT THROUGH THE AFTERNOON SESSION. HOW CAN WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN JOHN MARTINEZ WITH THAT JACKASS SLEEPING?
We were supposed to get the forms, announcing today's meeting, back in August. Our section didn't get them until Friday of last week! The memo was dated 8/27/99, so why did our supervisor wait to hand it out until 9/10/99! Gee I wonder?
Martinez got mad because nobody wanted to ask any questions.
Kalman Finkel's sleeping and we are still getting treated like crap even after Franco was beheaded. Sure we're gonna get up and ask questions & risk getting more abuse from NYCHA!
Not me!!!
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