To the editor:
This is in response to the misconceptions surrounding Larry
Szynkowski’s termination from the town of Elizabeth. This prompted
the unfounded recall petitions which are at issue during the
election on April 6. This is an excerpt from a paper in public
record. That paper contains much more information than this
excerpt.
I would encourage you to go get a copy.
All facts and events referenced in this paper are public
record.
Mr. Szynkowski’s employment contract with the board of trustees
states in Section 7, Subset B “…such work or activities will be
accounted for separately in writing on a monthly basis at the first
regular board meeting of the month following such work or
activities. The accounting shall be to the satisfaction of the
board of trustees, including, but not limited to, the accounting of
time outside of the office during normal business hours in which
the town administrator is performing other work or
activities.”
In December of 2003, the board of trustees was presented with an
invoice for payment for work in the amount of $5,477.22 that was
agreed to verbally by Mr. Szynkowski and Roy Hackett. This was in
direct violation of the Town of Elizabeth purchasing policy, which
states, “All materials, goods or public improvement contracts that
are estimated to cost in excess of $5,000 will be formally
advertised and bid with only the following exceptions.” None of the
exceptions apply in this instance.
At the regular town board meeting May 27, 2003, Mayor Parker
asked if Szynkowski wanted feedback in executive session or in
public. Szynkowski agreed to have the session in public.
The following is a synopsis of the comments at the meeting.
Mayor Parker says that he’s seen good improvement in Mr.
Szynkowski’s performance, but “thinks that there are some holes
that need to be filled.” He references inadequate information in
the packets and trustee Bunt agrees. Trustee Wilcox says that he’s
heard that communication isn’t perfect, but it has improved. He
references the need for Mr. Szynkowski to communicate through
department heads and be attainable when away from his
office.
Mayor Parker requests that Mr. Szynkowski communicate through
the department heads rather than directly tasking employees.
Trustee Schwarzkopf agrees that communication with department heads
needs improvement and that accountability for Mr. Szynkowski’s
whereabouts has not improved. He is disappointed in lack of
complete information in the trustee packets in regards to
subdivisions, annexations and information from referral agencies.
Trustee Gibb is also concerned about the lack of accountability as
to Mr. Szynkowski’s whereabouts when out of the office during
business hours.
On both Feb. 4 and 20, 2003 executive sessions were convened in
special meetings to discuss personnel issues with Mr. Szynkowski.
In these instances, the only issues to be addressed in these
meetings were personnel issues with Mr. Szynkowski and both special
meetings were posted as public meetings.
At the regular town board meeting on Oct. 28, 2003, trustees
indicate that staff is free to go, with the exception of Mr.
Szynkowski. There is no public record of any trustee stating that
the ” meeting is over and the citizens can leave,” as was published
in the Elbert County News. An executive session is called and upon
reconvening to the regularly scheduled meeting, trustee Wilcox
makes a motion to ask for the resignation of Mr. Szynkowski.
Trustee Gibb seconds the motion. Mayor Cohen asks for discussion or
comments.
Mayor Cohen states, “regardless of my feelings, this is not a
good time to be changing horses in the middle of the stream.” There
is further discussion with Mayor Cohen stating that he feels it
could endanger ongoing talks with developers. Trustee Bunt notes
that some members of the Board aren’t happy with Mr. Szynkowski’s
communication, but he doesn’t see anything in his job performance
that would warrant a dismissal or resignation. Mayor Cohen asks for
the vote to be taken. Results are 4 ayes, 2 nays and 1
abstention.
To get a list of candidates for the town administrator position
Corey Hoffman, town attorney, states that a response from Mr.
Szynkowski should be given first. Trustee Wilcox states “we need to
settle this issue tonight.” Trustee Bunt disagrees and says he
thinks that Mr. Szynkowski should be given time to consider his
answer. The board continues to discuss and trustee Schwarzkopf
makes a motion to give Mr. Szynkowski 30-day notice of termination
as stated in his contract. Mayor Cohen confirms that Mr. Szynkowski
will receive all benefits as spelled out in his contract. Trustee
Wilcox indicates that he would like an answer from Mr.
Szynkowski.
Mr. Szynkowski says that he is not prepared to answer and would
like to check the legalities of the issue. Trustee Gibb seconds the
motion. Mayor Cohen asks for the vote. Results are the same as
before, 4 ayes, 2 nays, and 1 abstention.
A survey was sent to residents of Elizabeth in their water bills
after Szynkowski was released from his contract asking if he should
be reinstated. Out of 529 surveys mailed only 29 were returned.
Fifteen were in favor of reinstatement and 14 were against. This
also demonstrates that there was not an overwhelming majority of
people who felt that the release of Mr. Szynkowski was wrong, in
fact it looks like the respondents were divided almost
evenly.
I encourage citizens, based on these true and researched facts,
to vote against the recall of Eric Wilcox, and Paul
Schwarzkopf.
Jeremy B. Rose
Elizabeth
To The editor:
On March 9 Jeremy Rose presented a letter he had written to the
Elizabeth Board of Trustees. He is certainly an individual I have
never heard of, but he apparently knows all about me. Mr. Roses’
letter was full of contradictions, false accusations, myths and
misunderstandings.
I had to laugh when he stated “Ms. Bunt did not exercise her
right according to Colorado Revised Statutes upon witnessing the
violation she is speaking of. He was referring to my research into
the violation of the Sunshine Law. Mr. Rose was stating that I
should have performed a citizen’s arrest. Well, I suppose I could
have, not unlike Gomer Pyle of “The Andy Griffith Show,” run up to
the four trustee’s being recalled, Wilcox, Scharzkopf, Ogan and
Gibb and shouted “citizens arrest, citizens arrest …” Sorry Mr.
Rose, I just didn’t think of it at the time.
Though I do feel these four should be held accountable, first
things first and I feel the recall of these four individuals is an
important first step. Remember though, despite the fact that the
residents of Elizabeth signed petitions to recall Gibb and Ogan,
their names will not be on the ballot as being recalled due to the
fact that their terms are up in April.
Then Mr. Rose proceeded to slam Larry Szynkowski, the town
administrator who was fired in my opinion, by a premeditated
decision without benefit of public participation, by the four town
trustees being recalled. The Sunshine Law states any decision made
by three members of a board without a pubic meeting is a violation.
A violation of Colorado Statutes is a crime punishable by law. I am
still gathering more information.
In this case there were not three board members who reached this
decision without a public meeting, there were four.
If what he says is true about Schwarzkopf and Wilcox giving
reasons for firing Szynkowski then why, at a board meeting
following the firing, when many, many people of Elizabeth asked and
then demanded to know the reason for this firing, none was given?
Not one of these four gave the courtesy of an answer, not one
answered the people who put them in their position of trustee. They
sat silent and ignored the questions and the public who asked
them.
He then quoted from Elizabeth Municipal Code stating that a town
administrator is there to serve at the pleasure of the board and
can be fired for no reason, at their whim. Well, if that is the
case, the newly elected board most certainly needs to revise this
section and if we expect to get a halfway intelligent town
administrator, this recall must be a success. Otherwise, who in
their right mind would want to work for a town that has members on
the board who will fire them at the drop of a hat?
I say the “three strikes you’re out” method should be
implemented for all employees. It’s not only unjust, but highly
unhealthy to the town to fire a perfectly good and apt employee for
personal reasons, simply because it can be done – big fish in a
little pond syndrome.
The new town administrator must also be aware that he or she is
going to have to account for every little second not in the
building during business hours. Mr. Szynkowski was criticized and
called on the carpet for not keeping a minute-to-minute log of his
whereabouts – talk about control. Of course the late hours he spent
working at the town hall virtually every night were never mentioned
or recognized.
I sincerely hope the new board has the presence of mind to offer
to Mr. Szynkowski the return of his former position. Of course,
with the way he was treated, would he even consider returning? If
not, it’s our loss in my opinion.
I find the entirety of Mr. Rose’s letter to be blatant
misconception but his account of what transpired at the Oct. 28,
2003, the firing, meeting is complete delusion. Surprisingly he
offers no “quotes” in his interpretation of what occurred. He was
not there, so other than listening to his friends Ogan, Schwarzkopf
and Wilcox, how would he know? Those who were in the audience and
were witness to the events of that evening have spoken up and that
is how the Elbert County News knew to publish the true
facts.
The only statement in his entire diatribe that I do agree on is:
“vote in the upcoming election on April 6, 2004.”
Yes people, unless you want town-altering decisions to be
reached behind your backs, sans a public meeting, it is vital you
vote to get these people recalled. There are a number of good
candidates on the ballot, think before you vote and get to know for
whom you are voting.
Terre Bunt
Elizabeth
To the editor:
In late January, the Town of Elizabeth contacted Parker Water
and Sanitation District requesting assistance in the operation of
its water and wastewater facilities. In the spirit of cooperation
and as a good neighbor, the district volunteered to help.
The district instructed me to provide any help possible to
insure the safety of the water and wastewater system in
Elizabeth.
I am the operations superintendent for the Parker Water and
Sanitation District and is a certified water and wastewater
operator. During the last two months I and district staff have
provided training, on-site inspections, evaluated processes,
prioritized projects, and suggested improvements to the operation.
The only costs that the town has incurred are for mileage on
district vehicles, parts required for repair and sample analysis.
There was no charge for any district employee help.
The district understands that the Town of Elizabeth is
conducting an investigation of alleged improprieties regarding the
water and wastewater system. I will continue to assist the Town of
Elizabeth in a technical capacity, but has recommended the
retention of a consulting firm to provide the town with expert
opinions regarding any investigation. This will further serve to
keep the involvement of the Parker Water and Sanitation District
focused on the needs of the general public until this matter is
resolved.
I am also an Elizabeth resident and as further dedication to the
community, am running for a seat on the April election of the Town
of Elizabeth Board of Trustees.
James Roche
Elizabeth
To the editor:
We would like to say thank you to the Elizabeth Education
Foundation for hosting a wonderful award dinner March 13 for 52
great S.T.A.R.S. winners, Students Taking Accountability and
Responsibility Seriously.
Our son was one of the winners; we truly enjoyed and appreciated
the hard work and commitment put forth by all who prepared this
fine dinner and ceremony.
The master of ceremonies, Mr. Chad Butera, was so gracious and
funny. He visited with the S.T.A.R.S. winners as they received
their awards, and tried to engage in conversation with each one
on-stage; Mr. Butera has a great sense of humor. We enjoyed all of
the speakers – the evening was very inspiring.
We also wish to thank the individual that nominated our son for
this award; we are very proud of both of our children.
Thank you all so much.
Marvin and
Patricia Johnson
Elizabeth
To the editor:
Recently a citizen of the Elizabeth C-1 school district wrote an
article that was critical of the school district by making
questionable opinions not substantiated with facts.
A study about two years ago reflected that 27 percent of the
households within the district had children in Elizabeth schools –
not 10 percent.
Stating that Elizabeth is a failing school system without
demonstrating why with facts, leaves the statement
opinionated.
Although there are those who are questioning the CSAP testing as
a measure of student and school progress, it is one of the
measurements presently recognized and reflects the Elizabeth
schools and students doing quite well as relates to statewide
comparison.
This writer has been unable, while researching records, to
ascertain an annual decrease in student enrollment of 10 percent.
What I have found is enrollment is steady without any appreciable
increase or decrease the past two or three years.
Data from this school year indicate we do not have excess
classroom space and excess staffing. The faculty and staff-
to-student ratio is an average of 9.61. Between the two elementary
schools there is a designed capacity for 940 students. The present
enrollment is 1,020 – 80 more than designed capacity. The designed
capacity of the middle school is 750 students. Present enrollment
is 640. The designed capacity of the high school is 1,000 students.
Present enrollment is 825.
Hopefully, the existing capacity of these two schools will
provide the space needed as the larger number of elementary
students progress through the upper grades.
It would have been informative if Mr. Dixon had told us of the
projected 5,000 new homes, how many will be within the boundary of
the Elizabeth C-1 school district. Could it be no more than 1,000
new homes within the next 10 years?
It is agreed that Elizabeth school district taxes – mill levy –
rank in the top 10 or so in the state. However, upon reducing the
$2.25 million deficit during the next two and one half years, it
might be possible to reduce the mill levy.
Improved fiscal management and personnel management might
produce this possibility of a reduced mill levy and perhaps there
might be some increase in tax revenue.
Norm Happel
Elizabeth
To the editor:
I agree with Kim Brugh that the goal of the Elizabeth C-1 School
District should be to “become the best in Colorado.” However, this
is not achieved by refusing to acknowledge other human beings.
There are, whether or not Ms. Brugh wants to accept it, gay
students in our schools, gay teachers in our classrooms and gay
community members in our neighborhoods.
Does Ms. Brugh also advocate that students who “prefer not to
have to ever think” be excused from the responsibility of
considering and interacting with people of various skin colors and
heritages, people with diverse religious beliefs and practices or
people of differing socio-economic classes and conditions? This is
not simply inviting intolerance; it is embracing
ignorance.
One of the persons responsible for the sexual orientation table
at the high school has already “accounted for the action.” The
young student, who has seen the Gay/Straight Alliance become
reality at the high school, was honored for her outstanding
citizenship at the STARS banquet, March 13, before a crowd of
parents, teachers, administrators, school board members, community
liaisons and even Sen. Mark Hillman.
The Elizabeth School District should be commended for its
commitment to all of our children.
L.M. Wasmund
Parker