| LovelandPolitics.com |
| Councilwoman Lashes Out Against City Volunteers Commission Chairman works for unity among commission members in wake of Johnson's letter |
Loveland - September 17, 2009
Loveland City Councilwoman Carol Johnson lashed out against volunteer members of Loveland's
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) in a letter she emailed to all the committee members last
Tuesday. Johnson serves as the council liaison to the commission.
In the letter, Johnson accused the volunteer committee members of “sitting on your butts” with
regard to the Milner-Schwartz house the committee is working to preserve. The letter carries a
condescending tone throughout and finishes by threatening the commissioners Johnson not
supporting their efforts.
In the second to last paragraph Councilwoman Carol Johnson warns,
“I am not sure I will stay with HPC unless there are some indication of leadership among
you to actually advocate for what you want instead of whining..” (Note: Grammatical error
was in the original email).
LovelandPolitics was informed that at least two commission members informed city staff of their
intention to resign from the commission as a result of receiving the angry and insulting letter.
LovelandPolitics made an inquiry to all the commissioners and received the following response from
Chairman, Gerald Portugal, who emailed the same to the members of the commission,
“I am the Chairman of the Loveland Historic Preservation Commission and I plan to stay
on the Commission. I also hope to have the letter discussed at our next meeting on
September 21, 2009. I would hate to see this thing blown way out of proportion before
our next meeting. I know there are many views of this letter and they should be discussed
by the Commission before drawing any conclusions on the matter. So, at this point I
would ask everyone to be patient. "
Gerald Portugal, Chairman of the Loveland
Preservation Commission
Johnson is both political Allie and campaign volunteer for Mayor Pro Tem David Clark. Her older
colleagues have expressed off-the-record their concern that Johnson has been telling constituents
there are too many “old men” on the council in an apparent swipe at her colleagues' advanced
ages. In addition, David Clark has also been reported to be making a similar appeal to age
discrimination in an attempt to gain an advantage over his challengers for the Mayor’s race who are
senior to him in age.
Carol Johnson came to the City of Loveland after a humiliating defeat on her re-election bid to the
City of Golden City Council. Johnson ran two years ago as a new resident of the city unopposed
for the seat. Johnson’s condescending tone and difficulty with constituents earned her the nickname
among some Loveland city staff members of the “Queen of Mean.”
Johnson's seat is not up for election this cycle but will be in November of 2011.
Loveland City Councilwoman Carol Johnson lashed out against volunteer members of Loveland's
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) in a letter she emailed to all the committee members last
Tuesday. Johnson serves as the council liaison to the commission.
In the letter, Johnson accused the volunteer committee members of “sitting on your butts” with
regard to the Milner-Schwartz house the committee is working to preserve. The letter carries a
condescending tone throughout and finishes by threatening the commissioners Johnson not
supporting their efforts.
In the second to last paragraph Councilwoman Carol Johnson warns,
“I am not sure I will stay with HPC unless there are some indication of leadership among
you to actually advocate for what you want instead of whining..” (Note: Grammatical error
was in the original email).
LovelandPolitics was informed that at least two commission members informed city staff of their
intention to resign from the commission as a result of receiving the angry and insulting letter.
LovelandPolitics made an inquiry to all the commissioners and received the following response from
Chairman, Gerald Portugal, who emailed the same to the members of the commission,
“I am the Chairman of the Loveland Historic Preservation Commission and I plan to stay
on the Commission. I also hope to have the letter discussed at our next meeting on
September 21, 2009. I would hate to see this thing blown way out of proportion before
our next meeting. I know there are many views of this letter and they should be discussed
by the Commission before drawing any conclusions on the matter. So, at this point I
would ask everyone to be patient. "
Gerald Portugal, Chairman of the Loveland
Preservation Commission
Johnson is both political Allie and campaign volunteer for Mayor Pro Tem David Clark. Her older
colleagues have expressed off-the-record their concern that Johnson has been telling constituents
there are too many “old men” on the council in an apparent swipe at her colleagues' advanced
ages. In addition, David Clark has also been reported to be making a similar appeal to age
discrimination in an attempt to gain an advantage over his challengers for the Mayor’s race who are
senior to him in age.
Carol Johnson came to the City of Loveland after a humiliating defeat on her re-election bid to the
City of Golden City Council. Johnson ran two years ago as a new resident of the city unopposed
for the seat. Johnson’s condescending tone and difficulty with constituents earned her the nickname
among some Loveland city staff members of the “Queen of Mean.”
Johnson's seat is not up for election this cycle but will be in November of 2011.
----- Original Message ----- From: Carol Johnson To: Marc Cittone ; 'Jim Cox' ; Tangier Barnes - lrpintern ; Don Cook ; George Hill ; Gerald Portugal ; Gregg Ault ; Paula Sutton ; Robin Ericson ; Trudi Manuel Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 8:51 AM Subject: Re: Historic Preservation Commission Sept 21 Meeting Marc, Tangier, and Commissioners: I was not able to make the Saturday Boards and Commissions dinner as I was in Boulder in a 4 day seminar. Also I will not be able to attend the Monday, Sept 21 meeting as I will be attending the mayoral debate. Since I will not be attending, I wanted to express to all of you what I have shared with some of you individually while it is fresh in my mind. As your liaison for almost two years and someone who has attended many commission meetings in two cities, I can tell you that there seems to be some confusion in your minds as to the role of the HPC. This is your citizen advisory commitee: The Boards and Commissions Handbook describes you as an advisory body to the City Council and specifically (6) develop and assist in public education programs... including walking tours, etc. and (8) actively pursue financial assistance for preservation-related programs, to name two. These are your opportunities to make a difference in the city, not city staff's or mine, as council liaison. Since I came on board I have heard a lot of griping and moaning about how the city does not give historic preservation money or how the Commission does not have a mechanism to fix raising money. Instead of advocating or making change when you have the opportunity, you are not. Some specific examples: you have agendas and work plans, but from the chaos at meetings, I do not see good communication of expectations and roles with staff. HPC is in charge of HPC meeting agendas and workplans, not staff, so sit down with staff in your leadership role after reaching consensus among you and get that done. In your meetings, you re-hash the same misunderstandings pointing blame instead of fixing the problems. Fix the fundraising problem. Get in writing what you can and cannot do, and find a solution if you really want to fundraise. Third example: knowing it is your job to advocate for funding for Milner-Schwartz house, and sitting on your butts! Do you have any idea what a big deal it was that HPC is receiving money for this? Believe me it is, and you lost a lot of credibility with me and with council as a whole expecting that I as a council member would correct the errors Marc made in his presentation on insurance and historic markers. And were you expecting that I ask for the money? Think again. As your liaison be thrilled that I got it on the agenda for you on my own initiative. HPC is the advisory board, the citizen advocates, so where were all of you? After the November elections, council liaisons will be re-assigned. I am not sure I will stay with HPC unless there are some indication of leadership among you to actually advocate for what you want instead of whining and some leadership in getting straight who is in charge of the meetings and your goals and agendas. I am sorry if this sounds harsh, I am happy to discuss it at the October meeting. But all you need to hear why I am considering leaving this commision as liaison. It is obvious you are all passionate about historic preservation, but leaving the heavy lifting to staff or myself is just not appropriate. Carol Johnson |
| Loveland Councilwoman Carol Johnson |
| Below is a copy of the email Johnson sent the commission |