JEA Board to Consider Mass Layoffs/Privitization

[thelakelander]

He really wants a number revealed, hell or high water. I think there's a belief that it will change the dynamic if someone offered several billions more than the $3 billion minimum.

[Tacachale]

He really wants a number revealed, hell or high water. I think there's a belief that it will change the dynamic if someone offered several billions more than the $3 billion minimum.

And then, everyone will overlook JEA's myriad leadership issues and all the shenanigans that got us to this point.

[Papa33]

It's the age of Trump.  Gaslighting seems to be an acceptable way to get through lying, cheating, and deception.  Then he will continue to try to wipe his hands clean by blaming other people and throwing them under the bus.

[Snaketoz]

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=D8397D03AB40D71B56BF29FDD34B8E9D44F88489&thid=OIP.YeQ7WQ6N5NYgxS7hp4vjUAHaKW&mediaurl=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-xx0AopECie8%2FUW9Q-JLY46I%2FAAAAAAAAAhw%2FTi_ST53dPqY%2Fs1600%2FDumpster-Fire.jpg&exph=500&expw=358&q=dumpster+fire+photo&selectedindex=0&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&eim=1,2,6

[Josh]

He really wants a number revealed, hell or high water. I think there's a belief that it will change the dynamic if someone offered several billions more than the $3 billion minimum.

Exactly. This is going to be his "But have you seen the stock market?" moment.

Nevermind that the higher the purchase price, the more the new owner's will need to recover from ratepayers.

[Steve]

Looks like The Southern Group (the lobbying firm Deno Hicks works for) withdrew from their JEA contract. I'm wondering if they didn't know that Hicks and Zahn had that land deal together. the Southern Group is a private company so not sure what they ask their partners to disclose.

JEA on the other hand is a public company, and Zahn HAD to disclose that if JEA did business with Southern.

In other news, it seems like Randy DeFoor (Republican - District 14) isn't letting this go either. Remember, she beat Sunny Gettinger (Democrat) for that seat and it was perceived (perhaps incorrectly) she was Curry's choice. She's clearly not Choice now (and while I'm biased, I guarantee Gettinger wouldn't be a Curry lapdog either).

DeFoor's main point is that JEA's presentation to the public is contradictory to the report JEA presented to the bond rating agencies in New York - her take is one of the reports isn't true and at a minimum this is unethical, and possible criminal. Good for her for having the chops to stand up to Curry and JEA.

I'm really dumbfounded as to whether Aaron Zahn is morally deceitful or just really not that smart. I change my mind seemingly every day. I don't think Hollywood producers could write this level of corruption.

[Tacachale]

In other news, it seems like Randy DeFoor (Republican - District 14) isn't letting this go either. Remember, she beat Sunny Gettinger (Democrat) for that seat and it was perceived (perhaps incorrectly) she was Curry's choice. She's clearly not Choice now (and while I'm biased, I guarantee Gettinger wouldn't be a Curry lapdog either).

DeFoor's main point is that JEA's presentation to the public is contradictory to the report JEA presented to the bond rating agencies in New York - her take is one of the reports isn't true and at a minimum this is unethical, and possible criminal. Good for her for having the chops to stand up to Curry and JEA.

DeFoor campaigned as Curry's favored candidate. Since the election she has proven she's an independent voice. Apparently the machine is none too happy about that.

[Steve]

In other news, it seems like Randy DeFoor (Republican - District 14) isn't letting this go either. Remember, she beat Sunny Gettinger (Democrat) for that seat and it was perceived (perhaps incorrectly) she was Curry's choice. She's clearly not Choice now (and while I'm biased, I guarantee Gettinger wouldn't be a Curry lapdog either).

DeFoor's main point is that JEA's presentation to the public is contradictory to the report JEA presented to the bond rating agencies in New York - her take is one of the reports isn't true and at a minimum this is unethical, and possible criminal. Good for her for having the chops to stand up to Curry and JEA.

DeFoor campaigned as Curry's favored candidate. Since the election she has proven she's an independent voice. Apparently the machine is none too happy about that.

I had forgotten that she campaigned on that message. This quote is saying something

The Mayor's team has noticed, with some saying they might have been better off if Democrat Sunny Gettinger had won because at least there would have been no surprises.

What, the Mayor's office is upset that a few council members remembered that the Mayor isn't "der Führer" of the City Council?

Related, I thought the letter to the JEA board he sent last night was really a letter to the City Council. When I read between the lines it sounded like he was daring the City Council to defy him. If I'm Carlucci, I'm like:

[vicupstate]

If you want to know why JAX is decades behind other cities on the urban core revival front, all you have to do is look at all the dsyfunction on the other issues facing the city.

Speaking of that, when is the judge going to rule on the School Board stuff? 

[Steve]

Multiple reports that JEA Board Member Henry Brown is going to make a motion to terminate Aaron Zahn. Current plan is to terminate him for convenience/without cause. Zahn would get 20 weeks pay.

I'm guessing there will be some debate on this, but Brown seems to be going the pragmatic route. At $500k, that works out to ~$192k. Likely litigation would cost more than that....unless there is a true smoking gun.

UPDATE: T-U reporting Curry will have a statement "within the hour"

[Papa33]

There seems to be plenty of "cause" for termination (including incompetence, if in fact, that is considered "cause").  But yes, I agree, 20 weeks pay, if that is what his contract calls for, would be less than any litigation involving the issue of "cause."

[Steve]

There seems to be plenty of "cause" for termination (including incompetence, if in fact, that is considered "cause").  But yes, I agree, 20 weeks pay, if that is what his contract calls for, would be less than any litigation involving the issue of "cause."

Sucking at your job is rarely considered, "for cause". Usually it has to be something explicitly forbidden in an employment contract or something against the law. If they have the smoking gun it's one thing. Otherwise, if Zahn can fight it he will.

[jaxlongtimer]

There seems to be plenty of "cause" for termination (including incompetence, if in fact, that is considered "cause").  But yes, I agree, 20 weeks pay, if that is what his contract calls for, would be less than any litigation involving the issue of "cause."

Sucking at your job is rarely considered, "for cause". Usually it has to be something explicitly forbidden in an employment contract or something against the law. If they have the smoking gun it's one thing. Otherwise, if Zahn can fight it he will.

Here it is in the Times Union: https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20191216/jea-board-member-will-try-to-terminate-embattled-ceo-aaron-zahn

Aside from incompetent leadership, I would suggest unethical and (it remains to be determined) violation of company policy/performing illegal acts offer plenty of support for "cause."  Zahn clearly has walked the line by not being transparent, not, as required, informing the City Council or its auditor of the privatization process before exploring it, ignoring a JEA Board directive not to work on privatization, promoting self enriching stock schemes, investing in a real estate partnership with a lobbyist and not declaring it, etc.

[Steve]

promoting self enriching stock schemes

The problem here is the board is culpable on this one too.

[Papa33]

From the floridapolitics.com article.  Should not and would not take an investigative journalist to answer the question.  I agree with the post above that this is on the JEA board as well.  Who chooses the board?

"That new leadership is not far away: "Given that the JEA Charter requires a Managing Director, I am planning to propose that Melissa Dykes be named as interim Managing Director and CEO effectively immediately. She is a talented and experienced utility executive, and I would hope the board would give her the opportunity to earn the permanent role before exploring a wider search."

Many wondered why Dykes was not considered in the first place. She was given a promotion and a new title when Zahn became interim CEO."