What McKinney Did Not Get to Say

At the East Hampton Town Council on Tuesday night, Anne McKinney was given the opportunity to speak, offering a report as the acting iterim town manager.

Her comments, including sometimes heated exchanges with Town Council Chair Sue Weintraub, lasted for more than 24 minutes. However, McKinney did not get to say all that she wanted.

Below are the remarks she intended to include and wanted to share.

November 15, 2011 

Dear Glenn, Derek, George, Barbara, and Ted: 

I first want to thank you for your kind words regarding the way in which Ms. Weintraub and Mr. Dostaler abruptly relieved me of my duties as Acting Interim Town Manager last Thursday. I can't say I was all too surprised, though, and I feel that it's my responsibility to share with you how I saw the "writing on the wall." 

We can all agree on the importance of due process. As you may know, I spoke with Mr. Reimondo on November 1st and issued a Memorandum on November 2nd that requested disciplinary action in regards to the internal investigation issued by Friday, November 4th. During my meeting with him, Mr. Reimondo mentioned the then-upcoming elections, clearly insinuating that I would be gone very soon. I reminded him that the disciplinary procedure had nothing to do with the election, and that due process was to issue the disciplinary action to those involved and those individuals then would have the right to either accept or grieve to the Town Manager.

A couple days after my meeting with Mr. Reimondo, I received a call from Ms. Weintruab. She wanted to know what I was recommending for disciplinary action. I told her two things. First, it was not my place to make known my recommendations unless Mr. Reimondo's issued disciplinary action was grieved.  And second, it was not her place to be interfering with the process. Oddly, Ms Weintraub also mentioned the election, and I told her the same thing I had told Mr. Reimondo. Due process has nothing to do with the election results. 

Her outright questioning of my inquiries into numerous issues within the police department made it obvious to me that I was hitting a nerve. Why would she (and Mr. Dostaler) not want me to proceed for even one more week?  Hmmm ... 

On Friday November 4th, I received an alarming call from the town's labor attorney inquiring as to whether I had given Ms. Weintraub permission to call him to discuss the investigation. The attorney stated that Ms. Weintraub left a message saying that I had given her permission to talk with him. Needless to say, I was shocked that Ms. Weintraub would resort to lying in order to wrongfully gain information that she is not privy to. She has exposed her lack of moral integrity, outright disregard for due process, and total absorption in her self-serving actions.

So, when Ms. Weintraub and Mr. Dostaler came to me on Thursday, November 10th, I wasn't shocked. I was getting in the way of her agenda. She and Mr. Dostaler should be ashamed, but more importantly, you should demand some answers. I am strongly encouraging you, as members of the Town Council, to make certain that rules are enforced that prohibit any member of the Council to act alone (especially in a situation that would give direction to the Town Manager) without discussion and consent of the Council. Ms. Weintraub obviously had no regard for you, as her fellow council members (besides, of course, Mr. Dostaler), not to mention respect for due process and the best interest of the town.

I am comforted in the good that I see in each of you and wish you all the best. 

As always, I would be happy to sit down and discuss this further with you. 

Sincerely, 

Anne C. McKinney