July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
JCDC faces possible conflict (5/25/05)
Developer says he believes he may be disciplined
By By Mike Snyder-
A conflict that has apparently simmered behind the scenes for several years may be coming to a full boil.
Wayne Bailey, who was hired more than four years ago as Jay County’s first and only community developer, said this morning he believes that a move is under way to have him disciplined or removed from the position.
And he said this morning that without some changes, “I’ve pretty much had enough.”
An “emergency” meeting of the JCDC board scheduled for this morning was called off after some questioned whether proper notification had been given.
Calls requesting comment from Chuck Huffman, president of the JCDC board of directors, were not returned as of 11:45 a.m. today.
Bailey, whose position within JCDC is supported by county tax dollars, said this morning he’s unhappy with some of the structure and working conditions of his job.
Under a structure that would create separate boards for JCDC and community development, “the work environment would be greatly improved.”
The position of community developer, which had its genesis in a 1998 strategic development plan that suggested a county-wide chamber of commerce, has focused largely on obtaining grants for the smaller communities in Jay County — especially in Redkey and Pennville.
Bailey said he expected several issues to be raised in making the case for his firing, including work he did for a community outside Jay County using JCDC equipment.
Bailey contends he received verbal approval to do the work from some within JCDC.
“They’re saying they never approved me ... working outside the county,” Bailey said.
JCDC executive director Bob Quadrozzi said he is not aware of any pending action against Bailey and said such matters would be under the control of the executive committee, which deals with personnel matters.
“I wasn’t privy to (information about action against Bailey),” Quadrozzi said this morning. “If (Bailey) was, he knows more than I do.”
Bailey said he discussed his concerns recently with a county commissioner and councilman.
“My plea was to create a work environment where we can be productive and succeed,” Bailey said.
The current set-up of having the community developer report to the full JCDC board “creates a competition, and that’s not good,” he said.
After a dispute in an executive committee meeting earlier this year, Bailey said “I let it be known I’d probably have to find another job. I’m settled in here, and (my) kids are settled in. I’m hoping I can stay.”
Quadrozzi, who often stresses that Bailey does not work under him despite the fact both are JCDC employees, said that he wasn’t aware of specific problems experienced by Bailey.
“I don’t know what problems he’s having, if any ... He was hired to do a job. He’s done a job. Beyond that, I don’t know what problems he would have. If there are, he’s never expressed them to me,” Quadrozzi said.
Of Bailey, who was hired in August of 2000, Quadrozzi said, “He’s a good grant writer, and we helped make him that.”
The meeting of the full board of Jay County Development Corporation that had been scheduled for this morning was called off, apparently after some, including The Commercial Review, had raised questions about whether it was scheduled in compliance with the Indiana Open Door Law.
Members of the board were told of the meeting cancellation as they arrived at the Community Resource Center, the new South Meridian Street home of JCDC.
Late this morning, JCDC attorney John Coldren, board president Huffman and CR publisher Jack Ronald held a conference call with Stephen Key, general counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association.
Key told the local men that it is not clear whether organizations such as JCDC are subject to the open door law, which establishes guidelines for access to public bodies.
JCDC has provided notification of most of its meetings for most of its 20-year history. Coldren said that has been done as a courtesy.
The executive committee of JCDC board, comprised of Huffman, Pat Bennett, Rosalie Clamme, Sam Shoemaker, Ramon Loucks and Lee Bone, went ahead with a 10:30 a.m. meeting, several board members said as they left the Community Resource Center this morning.
Quadrozzi, who reports to the board of directors, said this morning he was asked by Huffman earlier this week to send an e-mail notification to board members of “an emergency meeting to discuss personnel.”
Quadrozzi said he was asked not to attend the meeting. Bailey was also asked not to attend.[[In-content Ad]]
Wayne Bailey, who was hired more than four years ago as Jay County’s first and only community developer, said this morning he believes that a move is under way to have him disciplined or removed from the position.
And he said this morning that without some changes, “I’ve pretty much had enough.”
An “emergency” meeting of the JCDC board scheduled for this morning was called off after some questioned whether proper notification had been given.
Calls requesting comment from Chuck Huffman, president of the JCDC board of directors, were not returned as of 11:45 a.m. today.
Bailey, whose position within JCDC is supported by county tax dollars, said this morning he’s unhappy with some of the structure and working conditions of his job.
Under a structure that would create separate boards for JCDC and community development, “the work environment would be greatly improved.”
The position of community developer, which had its genesis in a 1998 strategic development plan that suggested a county-wide chamber of commerce, has focused largely on obtaining grants for the smaller communities in Jay County — especially in Redkey and Pennville.
Bailey said he expected several issues to be raised in making the case for his firing, including work he did for a community outside Jay County using JCDC equipment.
Bailey contends he received verbal approval to do the work from some within JCDC.
“They’re saying they never approved me ... working outside the county,” Bailey said.
JCDC executive director Bob Quadrozzi said he is not aware of any pending action against Bailey and said such matters would be under the control of the executive committee, which deals with personnel matters.
“I wasn’t privy to (information about action against Bailey),” Quadrozzi said this morning. “If (Bailey) was, he knows more than I do.”
Bailey said he discussed his concerns recently with a county commissioner and councilman.
“My plea was to create a work environment where we can be productive and succeed,” Bailey said.
The current set-up of having the community developer report to the full JCDC board “creates a competition, and that’s not good,” he said.
After a dispute in an executive committee meeting earlier this year, Bailey said “I let it be known I’d probably have to find another job. I’m settled in here, and (my) kids are settled in. I’m hoping I can stay.”
Quadrozzi, who often stresses that Bailey does not work under him despite the fact both are JCDC employees, said that he wasn’t aware of specific problems experienced by Bailey.
“I don’t know what problems he’s having, if any ... He was hired to do a job. He’s done a job. Beyond that, I don’t know what problems he would have. If there are, he’s never expressed them to me,” Quadrozzi said.
Of Bailey, who was hired in August of 2000, Quadrozzi said, “He’s a good grant writer, and we helped make him that.”
The meeting of the full board of Jay County Development Corporation that had been scheduled for this morning was called off, apparently after some, including The Commercial Review, had raised questions about whether it was scheduled in compliance with the Indiana Open Door Law.
Members of the board were told of the meeting cancellation as they arrived at the Community Resource Center, the new South Meridian Street home of JCDC.
Late this morning, JCDC attorney John Coldren, board president Huffman and CR publisher Jack Ronald held a conference call with Stephen Key, general counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association.
Key told the local men that it is not clear whether organizations such as JCDC are subject to the open door law, which establishes guidelines for access to public bodies.
JCDC has provided notification of most of its meetings for most of its 20-year history. Coldren said that has been done as a courtesy.
The executive committee of JCDC board, comprised of Huffman, Pat Bennett, Rosalie Clamme, Sam Shoemaker, Ramon Loucks and Lee Bone, went ahead with a 10:30 a.m. meeting, several board members said as they left the Community Resource Center this morning.
Quadrozzi, who reports to the board of directors, said this morning he was asked by Huffman earlier this week to send an e-mail notification to board members of “an emergency meeting to discuss personnel.”
Quadrozzi said he was asked not to attend the meeting. Bailey was also asked not to attend.[[In-content Ad]]
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