HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 02 14 Public Input Other Document Provided By Ms. Carrie Weaver D ate : F ebruary 14, 2 011
The attached document was provided to the City
Commission during "Public Input" by Ms.
Carrie Weaver at the February 14, 2011 City
Commission Regular Meeting.
Commissioners:
Dear Sir/Madam
I am quite concerned about the recent happenings at the Winter Springs
Therapy Pool, the loss of our Water Fitness Director, Liz Abitante, in
particular.
I went out of town for week in January and when I returned for the first
week of classes, I was shocked to find that Liz was no longer employed
there. When I inquired, I was told she simply walked off the job with barely
15 minutes notice. 1 did not believe that for one minute. Liz Abitante is a
woman of integrity and very professional. She loved her work and would
never have left on such short notice without reason.
I have spoken before to this body of commissioners over 2 yrs ago in
regards to Ms Abitante. At that time she had been hired as a part time
employee but was working full time hours, developing the exercise
program, teaching all the classes, maintaining the pool and all the other
necessary chores. I spoke to you about the terrific job she was doing and
suggested it would be a disservice to our city and to the pool membership,
if we lost her as an employee because we failed to recognize her efForts
and compensate her accordingly. Fortunately, you decided to hire her full
time.
In the 2+ years since then, the membership at the pool and the Senior
Center has increased immensely and most of that has been because of Ms
Abitante's efforts. She was energetic, encouraging, morale boosting, all
while building our bodies and minds with her music and energizing work-
out routines. All of us are aware of how important exercise is to our
bodies and especially as we age. Most of us hate the boring floor routines
of gyms. We literally have to force our selves to go and then after a few
weeks we find all kinds of excuses not to go. Not so with the classes Ms
Abitante developed for us. They were fun, energizing and full of laughter.
We honestly looked forward to our sessions. I've encouraged any number
of my friends to come to our pool because we had something special that
none of the other pools had. We had Liz.
Ms Abitante developed a Volunteer Staff, taught them Water Fitness,
helped them become certified, taught CPR and all the necessary training
to produce a well rounded professional staff. Because of her, people
were willing to give their time FREELY because they felt appreciated and
were dedicated to helping others. They are still doing so, but for how
long? Are they being shown any courtesy or appreciation for their efforts
now? I wonder if the city is doing anything to encourage them to maintain
the service they are rendering.
My question to you is how could you atlow a dedicated loyal professional
valued employee leave under cloudy circumstances?
Was there an exit interview done?
Are we, the members, the only ones concerned about our loss?
Are we the only ones concerned about out Water Fitness Program?
Rumors abound. That she was harassed, ridiculed, humiliated in front of
others. Normally no credence is given to such, but when an employee of
Ms Abitante's statue and professionalism leaves on such short notice...
Doesn't some one other than myself ask....WHY?
As a long standing interested citizen of Winter Springs for over 38 years, I
feel you, the City Commissioners have let us down in allowing a valued
employee that brought so much joy to so many of our citizens to leave in
an untimely fashion. Are you doing anything to strengthen our Volunteers
to make sure they feel valued in their efforts? How long will our Water
Fitness program remain without good well paid leadership and direction?
I hope each of you will look into this matter and take proper action.
Sincerely,
Mrs Carrie Weaver