Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Letter: Colavito's ouster from key county post questioned

Letter: Colavito's ouster from key county post questioned



Publication Date: 03/17/09


Editor: According to Dr. Marie Colavito three days after she received another state award for her St. County Johns (health care) programs, she was told, by County Administrator Michael Wanchicek, that she was being transitioned out of her job. Meaning, it seems, fired. Yet at the March 9 Civic Assocoiation Roundtable meeting, her supervisor Jerry Cameron, an assistant county administrator, swore up and down he knew nothing about this.

When he was informed that a county Health and Human Services employee was told to go with her to her office to be sure she only removed her own belongings, he shouted out, "That's a lie" followed by "They are hysterical."

Well is she or isn't she out of the job?

Another question is why?

The St. Augustine Record wrote an editorial praising her work and the awards they are winning. Best in the state, they say.

What does the Record say now?

I guess being the best isn't good enough for this administration. Or is it something else?

Why is the administration, sheriff, school superintendent, and some of the judges pushing EPIC, an organization that I understand is totally unqualified to handle these programs.

Mr. Cameron name is on the sheriffs consortium group with the above people. Isn't this a conflict of interest?

Why would he undermine is own employee and award winning programs and people?

Let us not forget the most important people affected by this action. The mentally ill adults and children, that these services care for. Also NAMI the organization that watchdogs the mental health programs for their children and families. Last but not least the staff, that under Colavito's leadership, have provided these excellent programs and care.

It is a sad day for all when we can't tolerate our honest, effective and best qualified county staff. There's no place for the best in St. Johns County.

Dr. Mary Kohnke

Ponte Vedra Beach


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