Fenty spokesperson invokes "personnel issue" to justify unresponsiveness

In response to Bob Summersgill's criticisms, which I forwarded to her, Fenty spokesperson Mafara Hobson replies:

From: Mafara.Hobson@dc.gov
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:27:54 -0400
To: equal@glaa.org, Christopher.Dyer@dc.gov, Bob Summersgill
Subject: RE: Mayor Fenty honored notorious "ex-gay" group

It was staffer error, the proper process wasn't followed. Beyond that it becomes a personnel issue, by law I can't share details.

Mafara Hobson
Communications Director
Executive Office of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty

I sent this reply:

Ms. Hobson,

If you go back and look at what Bob and I wrote, you will see that it is not just a personnel issue, nor is that an excuse for stonewalling. The Mayor is not helping himself by this response.

Rick Rosendall
GLAA

Update: Check out Bob Summersgill's remarks in the comments.

Comments

[Bob Summersgill]

This is an issue of management. That a certificate can be issued in the Mayor's name with only one low level staff looking at it is managerial incompetence. While I have been privately assured that there is a process to keep this from occuring, it obviously wasn't followed.

I have no qualms about the staffer who processes certificates not understanding the implications of this person being honored. I wouldn't know every hate group in town. But that is precisely the reason that multiple people need to see each one. Approvals must be from higher level administrators who will take responsibility for their decisions.

This failure of leadership and management is not a legal or financial problem. It is a perception and political problem which the Mayor is dismissing by way of an email from a flunky.

Rick set out 3 simple things for the Mayor to do to address and lay to rest this gaffe. He has chosen instead to keep his mistake alive and in the media for another day at least. That just points out more incompetence in the Mayor's office.