Fuentes has at times clashed with the Common Council’s Community Development Committee over her efforts to implement changes in the program. Last year Council Majority Leader Tom Hoffay (D-Ward 2) criticized Fuentes for developing a plan to distribute over $100,000 in entitlement funds left over from earlier grants without placing it before the council. Community Development Committee member Bob Senor (D-Ward 8) meanwhile, accused Fuentes of putting the city in a bad spot by calling HUD’s attention to CDBG money spent in possible violation of agency guidelines under the previous administration.
Jennifer Fuentes. (Photo by Dan Barton)
Supporters fall by wayside
The office also came under fire in October 2012 when another Gallo campaign supporter, one-time alderman and county legislator Michael Madsen was fired from his job as community development’s in-house housing rehabilitation specialist for insubordination. At the time, Gallo criticized Madsen, who had worked as a carpenter and contractor, for performing substandard work on community development-funded project. Hoffay, meanwhile, blasted the use of in-house labor for work which had previously been farmed out, saying it was an end run around both local contractors and the council, which has oversight of city purchasing and contracts.
Alderman Nate Horowitz (R-Ward 3) who serves on the Community Development Committee, praised Fuentes as a highly skilled administrator and at $55,000 per year, a bargain.
“I thought she would go into the private sector and make four or five times more money,” said Horowitz. “She’s done a great job, she has a very unique skill set and she’s going to be very difficult to replace.”
Dunn, meanwhile, said he’s concerned that Fuentes’ sudden departure will interfere with the orderly administration of the $617,000 of the city’s 2013 CDBG award. On April 23, the Community Development Committee will meet for a final vote on how to allocate the funds. The full council will vote on the plan next month. Currently, the Community Development Office is staffed by an administrative assistant and a housing rehabilitation specialist. Fuentes expressed confidence in her staff but added that she did not know who would take over her duties. Dunn said that he hoped to get more answers on the situation at next week’s committee meeting.
“There is a lot of paperwork, a lot of deadlines and we need answers going forward,” said Dunn. “I hope the mayor has a plan.”
Who wants to lay odds on when the Mayor self-implodes?
That would be a terrible thing.. Gallo is incredibly hard working and committed and in touch with the community.. I can only wish Gallo success and with his success the success of our city.
Ms Fuentes worked hard and long as ward 5 alderman and again as the head of the office of community development… a huge amount of good works and progress came out of her term. I do believe that Mr Gallo is putting big demands on his people. He has a strong set of goals for the city… I don’t understand the reason for his decision, but I’m sure he does…. I support him as our mayor.
On the other hand, I’d remind Mr Gallo that he has no right to do other than the best job for his city, that he is obligated to keep his eye on the ball… Mr Sottile well demonstrated what poor management of people can do… along with my respect for Mr Gallo is the respect I have for the reporting in the Kingston Times… Again and again this mayor lets the newspapers carry vital city information and the City and the Mayor do not speak for themselves in the form of internet based releases… Ms Fuentes did not deserve to be fired in the newspaper… By the very fact that Ms Fuentes was selected by the Mayor, he owes her and the city a reason for her separation from the administration.
It must also send a chill into the other leaders in the administration and can compromise their work if he is seen as mercurial. That’s how he is characterized in the news… it’s up to him to speak directly to the people, to write directly to the people.
I am a firm believer that where there is smoke, there is fire. There are far too many rumors circulating about Mr. Gallo’s temper and inability to hold his tongue to not warrant him stepping back and maybe taking a long look at his behavior and reactions. Even if he has made good strides in some areas, firing people on a whim (and this article indicates he has spontaneously fired Ms. Fuentes before) is not good leadership. Leaders need to be able to react and respond diplomatically and not just based on their personal emotions or perceived slights. This firing smells more like a temper tantrum than anything.