The Ooops Chronicles
Part 3 -- Ooops duck and dive e-mails
An ugly saga of journalistic uppitiness and municipal evasion
Trying to get information is like pulling teeth as doors slam shut in the wake of follow-up inquiries, but damn -- these folks are funny
-- John Patten, 04/20/05 to 04/22/05
-- jpatten@veniceflorida.com

Got a comment? Make it here.

RELATED:
Ooops, I did it again
-- Venice Florida! dot com, 04/17/05
Ooops part 2 -- The Ooops memo
-- Venice Florida! dot com, 04/21/05
OMI's Newton "removed" after Venice Florida! dot com's Ooops story reports soil dumping at water plant
-- Venice Gondolier Sun, 04/19/05

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro*
If it weren't for the fact that this is serious, this would all be hysterically funny.

Actually, it is hysterically funny anyway.

This gives you a behind the scenes look at how I sometimes have to deal with uncooperative official sources in writing some of the articles that appear on the web. While this has not been the norm for our current city administration, I can say that this kind of thing went on quite a bit in the past and I am kind of surprised that all of a sudden I have to switch back to aggressor mode in order to get information. As you can see, sometimes it's a hell of a lot of work just to get a few basic facts, like names and such.

Check back on this page, as it is a work in progress -- more e-mails will undoubtedly be added.

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From: John Patten
To: Chris Sharek
Subject: Soil
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 11:30 AM

It is my understanding that the soil in question was taken from the drying bed at EWWTP [Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant] yesterday and taken to the county landfill. Would you kindly verify that for me in an e-mail back to me?

Thanks in advance.

-- John Patten

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From: John Patten
To: Marty Black
Subject: Fw: Soil
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 9:05 PM

No response yet from this inquiry [above e-mail to Sharek requesting info on drying beds]. I think maybe he doesn't like me or something.

-- John Patten

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From: John Patten
To: Chris Sharek
Cc: Marty Black
Subject: Re: Soil
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 9:20 AM

Below is a copy of an e-mail that I sent to you yesterday morning [requesting information regarding the drying bed a EWWTP]. I haven't received a response yet.

Perhaps this is merely an oversight on your part.

Could you please respond with the requested information?

Thank you.

-- John Patten

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From: Martin Black
To: John Patten
Subject: Re: Fw: Soil
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 9:39 AM

Pam Johnson is out today but was preparing responses to your multiple inquiries. Patience....

Thanks!

Marty Black
City Manager

------------------------------------

From: John Patten
To: Martin Black
Subject: Re: Fw: Soil
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 9:44 AM

He's a big boy, he can answer a simple question. I can go to any other department head and get a quote, John Lane was quoted many times in the papers as I recall.

-- John Patten

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From: John Patten
To: Gerald Boyce
Cc: Marty Black
Subject: 616 Gulf Street memo
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 9:17 AM

In your memo dated April 19, 2005, you state that you spoke with several eyewitnesses, but the memo doesn't state who they were.

Could you please clarify that for me? Who were the witnesses that you spoke with whose accounts then were incorporated into the memo?

Thanks in advance.

-- John Patten

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From: Gerald Boyce
To: John Patten
Cc: Martin Black
Subject: Re: 616 Gulf Street memo
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2005 11:11 AM

Good morning Mr. Patten. You may not be aware that Ms. Pam Johnson is the City's Public Information Officer (PIO). Please direct your inquires to her. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.

Gerald Boyce

------------------------------------

From: John Patten
To: Gerald Boyce
Subject: Re: 616 Gulf Street memo
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 11:17 AM

Just to clarify: I neither understand nor am I cooperating. I would like to know who the witnesses were that you cited in your memo. Pam Johnson works for the city, you work for OMI. I was unaware that Johnson was also the press officer for OMI.

-- John Patten

------------------------------------

From: John Patten
To: Gerald Boyce
Subject: Re: 616 Gulf Street memo
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 12:22 PM

Since Ms. Johnson is unavailable today and you insist on routing all of your responses through a press officer, would you please direct me to the appropriate press officer within OMI? I will then ask him/her who the witnesses are that you referred to.

Thanks in advance.

-- John Patten

------------------------------------

From: Martin Black
To: John Patten
Subject: Re: Fw: Soil
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 9:49 AM

Patten: "He's a big boy, he can answer a simple question. I can go to any other department head and get a quote, John Lane was quoted many times in the papers as I recall."

and you saw where that got him....

and whether you are aware or not, most review these with Pam or I before any items are responded to for the media - it's an operating policy that keeps Pam in the loop.

Marty Black

------------------------------------

From: John Patten
To: Martin Black
Subject: Re: Fw: Soil
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 1:57 PM
 

So? He can answer and CC you and Johnson a copy. I'm not asking him if it's true that he is the secret love child of Ralph Nader and Ann Coulter, I'm merely asking him a simple factual matter -- was the drying bed emptied and did it go to the county landfill?

Part and parcel of being a department head is dealing with the media, even unruly and uncontrollable media types. I'll try to be gentle with him so that he doesn't stick his foot in his mouth. Again.

Then there is Gerald "Disco Maniac" Boyce -- I'm merely asking him who the witnesses were that he cited and that should have been in the original memo. I'm not asking for policy info, for an opinion, for him to speculate on anything. Moreover, Pam Johnson is not OMI's press officer. If we're gonna play that game, I'll go through OMI. They're on the web, I can navigate a corporate web site.

Plus I am hearing that Sharek has questioned folks on how I got the story. Who cares? Shouldn't matter. If everything is on the up and up, why would Sharek care who told me anything?

If George Hunt is reading any of this, he's probably laughing his *** off.

Reference to Disco Maniac can be found at http://www.boredskm.com/chris/people.htm

-- John Patten

------------------------------------

From: John Patten
To: Susan Mays, Corporate Communications Manager, OMI Inc.
Subject: OMI in Venice, Florida
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 2:31 PM

I am working on a story here in Venice, trying to get to the bottom of an incident that happened last week.

Details can be found at:
http://www.veniceflorida.com/features/waterplantdumping.htm
and
http://www.veniceflorida.com/features/waterplantdumping2.htm

In OMI supervisor(?) Gerald Boyce's memo, located in full at the above link, he cites witnesses at the sewer dig, however he omits their names. I have inquired with Mr. Boyce, however he referred me to the city's press officer who is not presently available. Moreover, the person he referred me to works for the city, not OMI, and is ill-prepared to answer questions for an outside vendor.

Therefore, could you find out who the witnesses are that Mr. Boyce referenced?

Also, what happened to Tim Newton? I was told by OMI that no disciplinary action was taken, but our city manager stated that Newton was "removed" from the city's service.

See
http://www.venicegondolier.com/NewsArchive3/042005/vn4.htm

Was there any further action by OMI in this matter or was Newton merely shuffled off to another location?

Thank you in advance for your help.

-- John Patten

------------------------------------

From: John Patten
To: Pam Johnson
Subject: OMI
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 8:38 AM

Good morning, Pam.

Welcome to Hell.

OMI has suddenly turned into a bunch of whining cowards and are refusing to answer basic questions. Your utilities head [Sharek], normally a cheery and verbose fellow, suddenly can't seem to figure out how to respond to simple questions like "What did you have for lunch?" and "Did the drying beds at EWWTP get emptied recently?" Then again, maybe his computer fell off of his desk again.

They all are presently are hiding under and behind your skirts, having decided that it would be in their best interests to throw you to the wolves. I'd suggest pant suits for the next few weeks and maybe a call to a good fumigator.

Actually, my best advice to you is to fake an upset stomach and get the hell out of Dodge. These guys will trample over anything in their panic to run away from pointed questions.

On the odd chance that you do decide to stick around and become their personal dart board, I have some very specific questions.

For Mr. Sharek, I'd like to know when the drying beds were emptied and what paperwork exists on the transfer of that dirt to the county's landfill. Obviously I want copies of the paperwork that the city created and any receipts and paperwork that the county provided to the city on the transfer of the dirt/slime/whatever.

For Mr. Disco Maniac, I want to know who he interviewed as sources for his infamous memo of April 19. If you can get him to turn down the volume on his Earth, Wind & Fire 8-track, tell him I want to know the names of everyone involved in the dig at 616 Gulf Street. Also, where exactly in the photos that I put online would that second hole be that he referred to?

Personally, if I were you, I'd write back to me and tell me to go to hell as you don't get paid enough for this crap and that you certainly don't work for OMI and that they can do their own dirty work, thank you very much. If not, sorry about the tire tracks across your back, send me the cleaning bill so I can put it online. I won't pay it, but it'll add to the pile of this ever growing clump of manure that OMI and Sharek are no doubt referring to as proactive public relations.

-- John Patten

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From: John Patten
To: Pam Johnson
Cc: Lori Stelzer Chris Sharek
Subject: OMI etc.
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 12:38 PM

You can cancel the request for info about the drying beds. I received all the information I need for the moment from the county -- 51.33 tons of MUNI sludge over a two-day period, this past Monday and Tuesday. Which pretty much scraped clean the drying beds, something that hasn't been done in over a year, year-and-a-half.

It does make me curious that all of a sudden, hot on the heels of this past debacle, that suddenly somebody got a bug up their butt and wanted all of the stuff in the drying beds gone in a hurry. It's not like somebody was disposing of evidence or anything.

Funny thing about the county. I didn't have to go through a press officer or any filtering-agent at all. The person who had the information actually was able to give it to me.

This strikes me as a dangerous concept. Perhaps someone from the city should contact County Administrator Jim Ley and advise him of the dangers of openness and accessibility. They'll never last long if they keep this up. Cats will be sleeping with dogs and all that apocalyptic visions crap.

I still want to know the names of all of the people who were witnesses in John Travolta Jr.'s memo as well as the names of all who were at the dig.

Anyway, thanks for playing along and as a parting gift, we have a copy of our home game to give to you.

-- John Patten

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From: Pam Johnson
To: John Patten
Cc: Lori Stelzer, Martin Black
Subject: Response
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 3:38 PM

John:

 

In response to a series of questions you submitted regarding a variety of issues about a sewer pipe repair, the following should help clarify:

 

As you know, on April 13 city utilities crews became aware that unusually high levels of storm water were infiltrating the sewer plant.  The location of the infiltration was identified. Crews were sent to repair it. The pipes were excavated. During the excavation, a vacuum truck was used to remove water and other materials near the two pipes (please see the April 19 memo on your Web site).

 

Other construction debris and fill removed from the site were ultimately treated at the Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant and trucked to the county landfill, as is the usual procedure. The drying beds are cleared whenever they are full. Records of the work order for the repair and the paper work for the landfill delivery are available through the city clerks office.

 

The photo of the break you have posted on your Web site apparently only shows the hole directly next to the leaking pipes and does not show the entire excavation site.

 

The utility department is undergoing many changes at this time. The city manager made it clear, as an organization, the city is making an effort to rectify past wrongdoing and continue into the future by performing on a higher level than is required. He stated, due to the fact that the utility department has been and continues to be under close scrutiny by the public and other government agencies, not only is each employee required to act in accordance with all laws and policies, but  also in a way that does not leave room for perceived wrongdoing. The expectation is to act in a way that is above reproach.

 

Mr. Black expressed to OMI, the citys contractor running the utilities operations, that he was disappointed in a decision made to use the water plant as a holding place for debris and dirt excavated from the hole at 616 Gulf St.  OMI made a decision to immediately remove Mr. Newton from the Venice job. Because he is not a city employee, the city cannot comment on nor does it have information regarding the personnel matters of a private company. The company has expressed a desire to cooperate with the city managers efforts to raise the operational standards of utility department. We believe their actions are consistent with this intent.

 

Any employee in any department - who has a concern about how something is done or handled should voice those concerns to the citys managers, supervisors and City Manager Black who is always available to schedule an appointment. Employees, management and elected officials must all work together to bring the citys operations and services to their highest level a level that does not compromise integrity, trust or professionalism.

 

Thanks, Pam

Pam Johnson
Public Information Officer
City of Venice

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From: John Patten
To: Pam Johnson
Subject: Re: Response
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 5:14 PM

 

Now having had a chance to more fully read your response -- I warned you to take a sick day.

Construction debris? The only construction debris was a brick that appeared to come from a manhole.

The photos I am inquiring about are located on the Ooops Part 2 page, thumbnailed pics will take you to these pics:

http://www.veniceflorida.com/features/images/waterplantdump5.jpg
and
http://www.veniceflorida.com/features/images/waterplantdump4.jpg

which show the entire excavation after being filled. That is the only hole in the entire area and if you notice the concrete walk-behind saw lines, they encompass the entire dig, about 5' by 15'. You find a second hole in those pics.

As far as Black's open door policy, it ain't flying down in the trenches. The men are terrified of Sharek, Black is supportive of Sharek, it's perceived to be career suicide to go up against either. Accountability is only credible if all are held accountable and the line workers and supervisors in utilities that I've spoken with sense a brand of favoritism -- if you have John Kennedy's cowlicks, you get a pass.

This wasn't just Tim Newton's screw-up. Sharek should have documented the incident and treated the area as a crime scene. He should have authorized fecal testing, if only to blow me out of the water as he stated to me that he knew I'd be looking into this. He should have been worried about covering his *** and the city's collective posterior instead of trying to cover for Tim Newton. Sharek had a constitutional duty -- he swore an oath of office when hired -- and he has failed miserably.

Nor is this the first time. Sharek has, in the past, voiced opinions to the effect that obeying the law is an optional decision -- "If we break the law, oh well." That's a direct quote.**

You and Marty can spout this crap about folks who have concerns and how they can safely voice them, but given Sharek's performance so far as head of utils and Black's support of him, only a fool would step forward.

I am that fool, but the city has already done its worst to me and I'm still here.

The rest should contact an attorney if only to state the words "I claim Whistleblower status."

-- John Patten

 

P.S. -- Pam, I know you are the messenger here and I just shot you, metaphorically speaking. I've been there so many times it's not funny. Don't take it personally, just realize that right now it's a big tug of war and you are the rope. Keep your chin up and we'll all get through this and have some cake at a later date.

 

To be continued...

* Hunter S. Thompson, from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

** E-mail to Pam Johnson dated 04/22/05: The quote is wrong -- that's what I get for quoting from memory rather than looking it up. The actual correct quote is ""Well, that's the way we're doing it and if we're wrong, oh well, we'll just pay the fine... We've been doing it wrong for so long, a few more times isn't going to hurt anything." Sharek stated those words last year when referring to a then-upcoming asbestos pipe cutting dig.

 

John Patten is the head of Web Operations for Creative Pages, and has worked in broadcasting for over 12 years. He can also be incredibly rude at times.