FINN OK'D: Letter Attesting to Manager's Fairness Convinces Commissioners
February 14, 2014
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City commissioners have reviewed a letter from a Peekskill, New York, administrator supporting Richard Finn that has eased concerns regarding charges of racial and public insensitivity, according to Commission President Lori Dufresne and Commissioner Chris Girard.
The commission is proceeding with plans to invite Finn to a public meeting and settle final details about a contract for the 61-year-old as the new city manager of Bay City.
A letter written by Valerie A. Swan, executive director of the Peekskill Youth Bureau was forwarded as part of Finn's background information from the Slavin executive placement firm employed by the commission to conduct a search for a new manager.
"All employees and residents were treated with respect and dignity without regard to their race, religion, gender, etc.," wrote Ms. Swan, who identified herself as the only African American person present at a training session during which he allegedly made racist comments.
"I found these allegations against Mr. Finn to be unfounded and even ludicrous," wrote Ms. Swan, adding: "It is extremely unfortunate that these unsubstantiated accusations were reported about in the local papers."
Both the Peekskill and Westchester County newspapers reported the allegations and posted videos of a news conference regarding the charges held by Finn on their websites.
Ms. Swan said the charges were brought by a former employee of Peekskill and some of his associates who had "a great deal of dissatisfaction" with the executive director of the Peekskill Housing Authority. She continued: "In spite of the fact that the City Council had no authority over this Executive Director, this individual and associates continued their verbal assaults and accusations of improprieties."
On more than one occasion the council meetings were adjourned early due to concern over public safety, she wrote.
"Under Rick's leadership, any forms of harassment and/or discrimination were strictly prohibited and the City maintained a strict zero tolerance," according to Ms. Swan, concluding: "While Rick served as City Manager, the City of Peekskill experienced a great deal of progress, including significant growth in the downtown area and along the City's waterfront."
Two commissioners, Jim Irving and Andrew Niedzinski, who had voted for another candidate, David White of Boyne City, had expressed concern about the allegations and the need to look into them further. The commission had voted 7-2 to offer the job to Finn instead of White.
The commission did not respond to the call by the pair for a further review and last Sunday released a statement that Finn was to be invited to come here to complete contract negotiations in a public meeting and to use the trip to seek suitable housing here.
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