JUST A QUICK UPDATE on the Facilities & Maintenance situation. As you know, numerous F&M workers have long complained about the actions and management style of Wayne Ward, IVC’s Director of F&M. The recent “Flesh-eating cart” brouhaha is typical. Reportedly, the Director consistently ignored warnings about the safety hazards created by this ragged little golf cart. Finally, the problem was corrected, but only at the direction of an outside party, namely, district Risk Manager Earl Pagal.
I’ve been told that Wayne was pretty steamed about that—so much so, that he kicked a rock. But, no, contrary to my earlier report, he did not kick the rock into a window. Rather, he kicked it into one of those metal roll-down doors, thereby producing a very loud and conspicuous noise.Such is the morale of F&M workers these days that this story has been gleefully repeated by them (or some of them) for many days.
Not long ago, Wayne hired a new lead custodian. I believe his name is Ernesto Gomez. Well, ten days ago, Gomez was fired. But why? I can find no one who has anything bad to say about Mr. Gomez. On the contrary, I keep hearing that he was a “hard worker.”
Why, then, was he fired? I am attempting to contact Mr. Gomez (I do hope I have his name right). No luck so far.
But custodians have told me that Gomez has told them that Wayne fired him for failing to be a “team player.” How so? Well, evidently, Wayne told Gomez to find "dirt" on custodians, and Gomez refused to do that. Gomez instead reported that the custodians were doing their job, and so there was no "dirt" to report.
As you know, some of the custodial staff have led the chorus of complaint about Wayne. They have even pursued formal grievances.
One more thing: some custodians speculate that Gomez was made the fall guy for Wayne's recent snafus, e.g., the great restroom paper-towel deficit, which caused much scramblage.
Has anyone heard Wayne's rationale for dumping Gomez?
MONDAY’S QUIZ: Which IVC manager was caught filling his car’s gas tank with college gasoline?
That’s a tuffy. Send your answers to DtB.
