Updated – April 27, 2012
April 11, 2012 will, for most current Senior Center Members, be the turning point in their relationship with the Park Ridge Park District and its Executive Director, Ms. Gayle Mountcastle.
I attended the previously unscheduled meeting, and, in my opinion, given Judge Flynn‘s recent call for Park Ridge Park District/Senior compromise, the nature of the issue, Ms. Wynn-Ryan’s grandstand theatrics, Mr. Biagi’s and Mr. Brandt’s childish and unnecessary shouts to clear the room, I was surprised Senior Center Senate members and others in attendance, were able to control their frustration and anger as well as they did.
The seniors distress revolved around an incident that took place at their Senior Senate meeting on March 26th; an incident, by the way, that had my phone ringing off the hook within minutes of it ending.
But rather than me telling you what I heard, lets read together, the following March 29th email from Park Ridge Senior Senate President Hameder to Park Ridge Park District Executive Director Mountcastle.
Note: I was asked to provide a better view of the text. You’ll find it just below this document.
Emails from Barbara Hameder to Gayle Mountcastle
Easy to read text.
Note: for your convenience, you are seeing the email string in date/message order which is the opposite of that shown in the document above.
Part 1 of 5
| “From: Teresa Grodsky |
| Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 5:55 PM |
| Subject: Senate/Senior Services descriptions |
| Gayle, Attached is the info on the Senate and Senior Services. As you can see, they are completely different. If you or anyone has any questions, let me know. Teresa” |
Part 2 of 5
| “From: Gayle Mountcastle To: Barbara Hameder |
| Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 10:59 AM |
| Subject: FW: Senate/Senior Services descriptions |
| Barbara –
Here you go.
Gayle Mountcastle” |
Part 3 of 5
| “From: Barbara Hameder To: Gayle Mountcastle |
| Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 4:12 PM |
| Subject: Re: Senate/Senior Services descriptions |
| Gayle, Thank you for sending me the info I requested. I think that the email Teresa sent you was a comparison of the basic differences between the Park Ridge Senior Center Organization, and Park Ridge Senior Services, Inc (SSI). As I remember, the Park Board, and previous executive director (Ray O), could never seem to be able to understand the difference between the two entities. And, I believe that you have taken this email out of context, and are just using it to refute the true duties and responsibilities of the Senior Senate, as written in the by-laws of the Park Ridge Senior Center (Organization...Not the building). Also, I feel that at the last meeting you acted in an aggressive, rude manner which was disruptive to the Senior Senate meeting. I felt that your need to raise your voice and threaten to "shut (us) down in a minute and lock the doors", was disrespectful to the Park Ridge residents and taxpayers who were present. As I mentioned at the meeting, we appreciate and will take into consideration all your input, but you are a guest at our meetings. I didn't want an argument, but just to be able to conduct the meeting and address the items on the agenda. I imagine that your intent is not to come across as strong as you do, but this seems to be the tone you project at every meeting I have attended. And, my intent is not to offend or attack but to come to a mutual understanding. Barbara Hameder” |
Part 4 of 5
| “From: Gayle Mountcastle To: Barbara Hameder Cc: Jennifer Elliott |
| Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 10:24 AM |
| Subject: RE: Senate/Senior Services descriptions |
| Barb - At the March Senate meeting, Jennifer discussed setting up a meeting to revise the by-laws of the Senate as they do not reflect the actual duties and role of the Senate at the Park Ridge Park District Senior Center. At this time, the Park District has decided that we need to further evaluate the Senate and it's role with the Park Ridge Park District Senior Center. Therfore, we will not be meeting on the by-laws and will be in touch in the next few weeks concerning next steps. Gayle Mountcastle Executive Director” |
Part 5 of 5
| “From: Barbara Hameder To: Gayle Mountcastle Cc: Jennifer Elliott |
| Sent: Monday, April 09, 2012 1:10 AM |
| Subject: Re: Senate/Senior Services descriptions |
| Gayle - The By-laws Committee of the Senior Center Senate (which was previously appointed by president Rudy Kiel), has been meeting, and will continue to do so. We intend to proceed in amending our by-laws, in accordance with the recommendations of our by-laws committee. The Senate will also continue to conduct its business, as has been discussed at its monthly meetings. As a long standing organization (always independent of the park district), we have both the right and the duty to our members, to proceed with our business. Barbara Hameder President, Park Ridge Senior Center” |
Senior Senate Leaders were concerned enough to have their attorney draft this letter to Boards attorney.
Now, the Park District’s side.
On April 12, 2012 I emailed a request for a courtesy copy of Ms. Mountcastle’s statement. I was denied the timely copy and instructed to submit a Freedom of Information Act request. So as directed, I submitted (FOIA-120412-001), requesting:
“Please provide a copy of Ms. Mountcastlee’s full statement.”
The purpose of the request was to gather facts used to confirm or refute hearsay and other unsubstantiated rumors and allegations – no matter the source.
The pages that follow represent the statement as delivered to me in PDF format on April 19, 2012.
Full Statement – Ms. Mountcastle – April 11, 2012
Local newspapers (and I assume, Mr. Trizna’s PublicWatchdog) were presented with the following Press Release on April 12, 2012.
On April 19, 2012 PRPD Board of Commissioners voted 6 to 1 to ratify their newly minted Park Ridge Park District Senior Center (by invitation only) Advisory Committee!
The local newspapers covered the April 12th and April 19th meetings this way!
Park Ridge Senior Center advisory panel faces marginalization : By JENNIFER JOHNSON jjohnson@pioneerlocal.com April 12, 2012 8:52PM
Senior, Park Tensions Mount In Park Ridge : By CRAIG ADAMS Journal & Topics Reporter
Vote On Park Ridge Senior Status Pushed To Apr. 19 : By CRAIG ADAMS Journal & Topics Reporter
Park Ridge Park Board forms new Senior Center advisory group : By Natasha Wasinski Contributor
Like so many stories in this extended Park Ridge Park District Senior Center saga, you’ll have to decide for yourself, what is true!
As for me, I’ve already come to my own conclusion. Time to officially change the name.
Seniors, the parties over - time to get serious about looking for a new home!
Of course, it’s just my opinion!
35 comments:
Mr. Butterly,
Can't read the first email. Can you do something about it?
Just registered for a new program offered by the new Senior Center management....the Gotcha game.
Few easy rules. No charge:
Hear-ya, Watcha, Gotcha!
Purpose of program is to analyze superb management skills leading to suburb continuation of superb Senior programming at 100 S. Western Avenue.
No advice offered, no vile name calling. Just watcha!
I double checked the Senior Newsletter calendar for April.The week of April 15-21 will not come again in 2012.
Opportunity neglected by new District management team.
For several years that awful Teresa celebrated National Volunteer Week along with other organizations and agencies throughout the country who rely on volunteerism to implement their programs.
A recognition event including a token thank you gift was given to each volunteer.
The program listing annually appears to have numbered 100 or so folks. It appears not even the dozen of the District staff or Commissioners, (who are micromanaging activities) could collaboratively carry on an important occasion.
NOTHING on the calendar!
It does appear the ONE who did this sincerely for years cannot be replaced by a dozen folks.
This celebration is not an annual task of an advisory group of volunteers, but rather the responsibility of management who should recognize and reward those throughout the district who carry out recreation activities on behalf of staff.
National Volunteer Week offers such an opportunity.
Gotcha is not a style comfortable for me. But I'll play and watch and pray for better days.
It is sad to observe previously healthy Seniors getting sick over the loss perpetuated by the District Administration, staff, and Commissioners.
It is unacceptable that many of our aging neighbors are now spending hours home alone because a once pleasant outing to the Senior Center is no longer inviting or challenging to them or available to them.
Did the Board in its haste to replace Ray, end their search before they should have in early 2011?
All of a sudden because a cabal with no respect for financial reality is not running amok, the beloved facility is no longer inviting, challenging and available? The place is bright, clean and attractive; the staff is pleasant and welcoming, and the "inviting" and "challenging" events are still "available" --
by any rational standard. If you are so concerned about "many of our aging neighbors," offer to take them to the Center to play cards, take free classes, have lunch and enjoy your friendly, upbeat fellowship. Or not. The choice is yours.
Anon: April 26, 2012 6:42 AM, Who are you writing to?
Also; a cabal: "a conspiratorial group of plotters or intriguers" (thefreedictionary), with no respect "for financial reality".
Who are these "plotters" or "intriguers" you speak of, with no respect for your “financial reality"?
And please, provide examples of their wrong doings before sending them away to reeducation camp - I'm sure they'd like to know. I know I would!
Mr. Butterly,
Thanks for the added text. Now I can read it. Did you change the email? Don't remember it being that long.
Playing my game again...Watcha,,,Gotcha...Knowing the grave concern the District has for generating additional revenue, they would not wish to miss cash raised through this immediate past Saturday's Annual Men's Club Pancake Breakfast. Such event this year supervised by the new superb management, forgot one very huge detail. The presence of a licensed food service person is required by the city Health officer. None was visible from all reports. Now our "officials" skirt or break the law for their dimes? Makes one proud. You have a problem, Ms. Mountcastle. Is this one of the "things" you referred to in your 4/11 epistle presented above that isn't working. That is not the responsibility of the Senate, some of whom did the work to implement the annual event. That responsibility is yours. I do not know if the city issues financial penalties for blatantly ignoring and breaking the law. Unfortunate management decision...a Gotcha I am not proud to announce.
Anon 4/26 6:42 a.m.
I am sure you are referring to me as the one who should "make a choice" ...as I do "care about those who are staying home under existing conditions at the Senior Center," but am almost embarrassed for anon's sake to admit such is physically impossible for me as I am wheelchair bound, which I wish I did not have to say in this context since i use my name. Such are the circumstances. My choice WOULD be different.
"Local newspapers (and I assume, Mr. Trizna’s PublicWatchdog) were presented with the following Press Release on April 12, 2012."
Ken, you have assumed incorrectly.
However, in the next week or so you are likely to see a PublicWatchdog.org post addressing this issue with which you actually may have some agreement, although most likely not entirely.
Robert J. Trizna: April 26, 2012 4:59 PM,
Hi Bob,
FYI --
I sent this email text to Ms. Mountcastle the morning of the 12th, before learning PRPD intended to send out a Press Release.
"Good morning Gayle,
Quite a night last night! By the way, as you said; it was good to finally put a face to the name.
Gayle, the extraordinary statement you read at the Board Meeting was quite long and detailed. Is it possible for you to email me a PDF copy of that statement?
Thanks!
Ken
p.s. I might suggest you also send PDF copies to Bob Trizna, the Journal-Topics and Pioneer Press."
As for your coming Watchdog post -- should I be sitting down when I read it?
Ken:
Thanks for thinking of me, but I didn't receive it.
As for the answer to your question, one might say it all Depends.
Oh thanks Bob!
I’ve attended quite a few meetings over the last couple years.
Oddly, it seems the Park Ridge Park District can’t hold a board meeting without the ubiquitous presence of its apparent consigliere. How peculiar! Why is that?
Maybe Park Board commissioners are just too lazy to learn Roberts Rules!
Anyway, me think’s Denmark has another rotting essence!
Maybe it's time for the self described "We can have a meeting anywhere" Senior center to move on and find their own clubhouse to move in to.. Instead of just complaining to complain, either get on board or get out...
8:06PM:
Your right.....when a government body makes a decision we disagree with we should just get on "board or get out".
So when the other blog involved in this Junior High cat fight (only with supposed adults involved) goes on about the TOPR issue.....or the Center of Concern issue that means they are worng, correct?? After all, a goverment body has made their decision.....get on board or get out....right???
What you really mean is basically that as long as you agree with the decision people are "complaining to complain" but if youdo not agree then it is OK.....The ole' double standard!!!
We're talking physical buildings where the "grumpy old seniors" involved have already said they can operate out of any facility... That's the "It's time to leave" part as the blog owner keeps saying.. Will the senior center (Yes, the Park Ridge Park District's tax payer funded) continue to offer senior programs? Yes. It's not a doomsday scenario where suddenly all seniors are kicked to the curb. The senior senate needs to realize they don't "own" the facility and need to move on.
Anon: April 28, 2012 9:48 AM,
You ARE talking about a physical building a piece of property with signage. You ARE talking about activities or programs; amusements performed with flat-floor and table.
You are talking about THINGS!
Those "grumpy old seniors" are referring to something else. Where you see a "Senior Center", they see a cold building devoid of trust and integrity.
Relationships are based on trust. Trust is based on experience. Seniors had a relationship with the Park Ridge Park District Board based on 30 years of trust and experience. The Mary Wynn-Ryan/Rick Biagi lead Board of Commissioners murdered that trust; that relationship, by their actions.
You, Mary Wynn-Ryan, Rick Biagi, Dick Brandt and other members of that Board can the act the victim till the cows come home, but that doesn't mean they aren't the ONES responsible for this travesty!
At this time, seniors are being encouraged by those same "grumpy old seniors", to take advantage of what is being offered at the Wynn-Ryan/Biagi Cultural Center and what their DUES have already paid for.
Finally, there will be no "moving on" any time soon -- you can blame the Mary Wynn-Ryan/Rick Biagi lead Board of Commissioners for that too!
Then I guess the seniors who frequent the Park Ridge Park District Senior Center should have agreed to cover more of the costs so my tax dollars didn't have to pay for your private club.. I'm a member of the community center next door and pay through the nose to be a member there but still pay for the privilege to go there. Sucks having to pay for the things we want.
Nice article in the 4/26 issue of TribLocal describing success of Des Plaines' Frisbie Senior Center, the senior facility independent of the Park District. They just own a shopping center.
Looks and sounds peaceful and productive. Is it true that Gayle Mountcastle really worked for the Des Plaines Park District when the senior recreation activities were booted from the Des Plaines Park District.?
So many questions. How much has the Park Ridge Park District spent on legal fees over the last three years? Why does that just pass over us as do the clouds? Anyone know? (as hinted by Anon 4/28 8:06 p.m.)
I have reviewed financial reports of District online and can only assume the legal fees are included in the whopping General Government category. It is well over half a million dollars plus benefits, plus insurance, plus no pension expense?...just cannot tell who all those folks are. More likely, Hoffman legal fees are reported in Contractual category? The summary report is just that...summary, no references, no detail. Great to keep the community well informed. Anyone know?
Sandee Main.....I agree!
I think some serious probing needs to be done to ascertain
legal fees for the last 10 years. I don't think there is any transparency on this issue. Since the attorney is always present, I can only assume the fees are substantial.
Sandee...care to comment on why your dear colleagues wrote substantial five figure checks to your lawyers out of the Kemnitz bequest...and then later fired Ms. Owens from your board for allegedly leaking that info?
Anon 4/29 6:57 p.m.
It became very clear to me that public dollars were being poorly spent on legal consult by the District, when those dollars were intended to be used to support recreation and parks.
Park Ridge Senior Services e-mailed Mountcastle to indicate a representative of our organization would like to stop by and get the cookbooks that were at the Senior Center so they could be sold...and requesting a time that would be convenient to do so.
Her response on February 2, 2012 was that "Our Park District Attorney has suggested, given the pending lawsuit, that all communications between the parties should be directed to Counsel on record. Thank you."
Contact the attorney to recover cookbooks purchased as a fund raising activity? Give me a break. Sound judgement, superb management as they profess?
I do have the cookbooks in my possession now. Nice gift item for $12.00. If you would like to purchase, we can make arrangements.
Will read the new Butterly blog which references how to produce a FOIA request to seek the information desired.
Anon 4/29 7:41
I direct you to the Park District attorney to share the court's opinion on that subject. I will not discuss private lives of residents herein.
Funds for supporting recreation and parks must be used for legal safeguarding of the public against the machinations of those who don't know when they're well off and who are diverting bequest funds earmarked for senior needs to paying lawyers to machinate against the rest of the public.
Really Sandee? So, it was okay when Vile leaked privileged stuff to you guys but it wasn't kosher when Ms. Owens did it to you?
So the senior senate isn't a governing body recognized by the Park Ridge Park District yet the senate fires off a letter from their attorney to the park district and yet you complain about legal fees of the Park District? Are you reading what the blog owner is posting? No really, it's time to go and find your own club house and don't come back.. Watcha gotcha switcher-roo indeed! Kettle? Meet the pot..
Anon: April 29, 2012 4:06 PM,
Thank you! I let your vile smudge appear on this site because I wanted your comment on record to demonstrate to Park Ridge Senior Center Members and others, the revolting and petty environment created by, in my opinion, a duplicitous and avarice Park Board; a non-fixable situation seniors have been advised (by me) to leave behind.
As to the need for lawyers – you have come to the wrong place. Machination and need for taxpayer funded lawyering can be found at the Board’s step, should THAT TRUTH be of interest to you.
Anon: April 29, 2012 7:34 PM,
I can’t speak for Sandee, but I sure found it the height of hypocrisy for Rick Biagi to publicly dump classified documents and publicly chastise Commissioner Vile for working on seniors behalf while knowing Board’s Attorney was simultaneously running the Boards mole, who by the way, also believed he was working on behalf of the seniors.
Who’s behalf was Mr. Biago working for when he took a dump?
Anon: April 29, 2012 8:22 PM,
I tried to make heads or tails out of that --- that --- stuff you wrote, without success. Do you think you can try again? This time with a coherent sentence!
A couple of anions:
Sandee, again as secretary of Park Ridge Senior Services, can attest that no "leaked" Park board strategy was ever discussed at any regular or special meeting of PRSS. Moreover, for Ms. Mountcastle to act on such assumptions put forth from Biagi is again an example of leadership ineptness.
Moreover, I actually saw no revealing strategies in documents or as described by Mr. Biagi when making his document dump accusing Steve and Teresa of acting inappropriately. I also saw none of my .emails dumped. Was this a very selective deed?
On NO occasion was there a request by any Park District associate to review minutes of any regular or special meeting of PRSS to verify charges directed toward Steve Vile and Teresa. Basing termination of an outstanding District employee upon a false and unverified assumption clearly is further significant evidence of poor management on behalf of both the Park Board and the Administration.
Moreover, it appears some have conveniently forgotten that ANY information discussed by any public body is public information whether in closed session or not.
We did review various documents presented via Hoffman which invited input into several generations of resolutions the board wished to implement. None of our input was considered to my knowledge, though I did not review any minutes of the board to verify that. Subsequent revisions which included no ideas from us did show that cooperation was not the strategy...and no one needed to "leak" that to me.
Sandee. You have your facts wrong. Biagi didn't make any accusations against Grodsky. The staff and its attorneys collected and verified that information (and discussed it with Grodsky) long before the Board was ever briefed on it.
Again, like Mr. Butterly, please get your facts straight before spouting off on things you don’t know.
Anon: April 30, 2012 2:45 PM,
You rang?
Please, person with no name, tell me precisely, what facts did I get wrong?
As to Mr. Biagi's not making "accusations", what do you think the leak was all about? Or did he just miss the urnal?
Anon 4/30
2:45 p.m.
Same old...but no one has signed my list of persons who have reviewed meeting records of Park Ridge Senior Services, Inc...research incomplete. I DO recall and if one wishes to take the time to reread the "dump", I am certain, Biagi made a comment to the effect, that he was unaware of where problems started...until he reviewed emails...the dumping...read again. Once enough for me.
Again a complete investigation should have included a search of the minutes of the target PRSS who Biagi was so concerned had inside information. I can not imagine any inside information would have been of value, anyway. Nothing mattered.
I believe the original argument began over a contract. Was it needed between the Park District and Senior Services when no other group in the City had such an arrangement with the Park District --- even those that serve a larger population.
That is what has been lost here.
There was and is no need for a contract.
Those fanning the flames of hysteria should be ashamed of themselves. You are knowingly passing off statements as fact that you know not to be true, simply to rile people up to accomplish....what? Not sure.
Anon 5/1 10:53 a.m.
Had I had any thought that the Senior recreational programming were not to continue at the 100 S. Western Building for years, I would not have voted "yes" to spend ANY dollars donated by businesses or senior partners for building improvements. That is a fact you cannot challenge.
Given the obvious future road to be taken, it is indeed a stain on all of us that Seniors will leave behind the results of gifts made by their friends, memorializing them. From my point of reference, we were operating under a gentleman's agreement established years ago by the city fathers, community businesses and the Park District, which is obligated to provide services among all age groups. I do regretfully take responsibility for all the times I used my vote to approve funding any building improvements.
There you go again, hinting that the center will close. Not, not, not, not true. Half a dozen of you are in a sardine can listening to the echoes of each other's misstatements. There is no basis in fact in any of it, yet you keep up the chorus of pretend doom. What, there isn't enough drama in your life? Upgrade your cable package. And thank the Park District, who alone, among the group including "city fathers and community businesses" that once supported the Senior Center, still does so;
proving as Claire Booth Luce once said, "no good deed ever goes unpunished."
5/1 Anon 5:08
Although I can not speak for the at least twenty combined members of Park Ridge Senior Services and the Senate, all of whom have provided the volunteer services to the existing site...I can state for a fact that twenty is a larger number than half a dozen. Both of the above mentioned entities are not allowed to meet in the building without paying a rental fee.(FACT) The Park District can provide services to seniors for as long as they wish in the building. I will not dispute that statement.
With each passing day, I become more energized and excited about the future. That is a FACT. I just spent the ;last half hour reading history of the Park Ridge Senior Center from the 1980's, from a possession of a long term Senior Center leader whose family moved him over the weekend from his Park Ridge to be nearer to them. The Care was not at the BUILDING for him any longer. What a great job these folks did in running their center and raising funds.
My favorite fund-raising story was the one which funded the grand piano. Seniors purchased "keys" through PRSS. That sounds like as much fun as was the kitchen shower as Seniors supplied the kitchen with platters, utensils. Pretty creative for those old people more recently.
Anon: May 1, 2012 5:08 PM,
Yours was the best Mary Wynn-Ryan impersonation yet! I read the first two sentences and all I could see was the at April 11th Park Ridge Park District Park Board Meeting: Mary Wynn-Ryan standing - arms outstretched - fingers extended - eyes fixed toward the seniors in controlled frustrated rage, emphatically stating the senior center was not going to close.
Pleeeeeeeeease!
We know the Park Ridge Park District Senior Center is not going to close! So please, please, please stop saying so, as if as if our hearing-aids are not turned up: as if we don’t get it! We know! We get it! And we know we’ve been getting it for the last year and a half. Ms. Wynn-Ryam, Mr. Biagi, Ms. Mountcastle: and even Boards Attorney, have commented on this issue. The only PRPD person not mouthing the party line: Park Ridge Park District has a responsibility to provide activities for seniors, is the part-time janitor! So enough, enough of this non-issue!
Now, if you reread the comments, Sandee Main, neither implied, or directly wrote, the building would close. And in this comment I for one shall not waste your time with implication of that sort either.
However, let me forthrightly state this!
A Senior Center is not a building with a name. Any unnamed building can be a senior center or a building where senior centered activities take place. The Park Ridge Senior Center, an independent senior lead organization, exists no more! It has been replaced with the new, Park District lead and Park Board directed, Park Ridge Park District Senior Center.
Now you might say, what’s the big deal? They’re the same thing – aren’t they?
The former is senior-centric. The latter is PRPD-centric. The former concerns itself with itself, and is non-political. The latter concerns itself with all Park District activities and is political. The former primarily revolves around people. The latter primarily revolves around money!
That said; the Park Ridge Park District Senior Center building is open. Under whatever future name the building might have, Park Ridge Park District will continue to offer activities to Park Ridge seniors somewhere on its property.
However, the Park Ridge Senior Center Membership, including the Senate, the group of elected senior leaders the Wynn-Ryan/Biagi lead Board recently insulted, have for all intents and purposes, like Elvis at the Sands Hotel, “left the building”.
The Senior Senate represents the brain-trust and core of senior volunteers that made the former senior center run, are already voting with their feet! The exodus has already started! Please note PRPD Board Members, fewer members are volunteering or participating in Senior Center activities. The seniors, once lively center has turned into a shadow of itself.
A movement is underway by non-center members to create the environment for change. And PRPD Officials, just in case you’re relying on card players to fill the halls, remember: card players go where the game is!
Anon, I am writing this comment so you might tell Ms. Wynn-Ryan and Mr. Biagi and your other friends on the Park Ridge Park District Board, they’ve won – well sort of!
Butterly you ask, how do I know all this?
I know all this because instead of being out sailing in Florida as planned, I’m now fully engaged in the redeployment process – thanks to Rick Biagi! I guess it’s just one of those unintended consequences, right Rick?
Finally Anon, what “good deed” were you talking about?
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