Management Change: Bold Move or Reckless Folly?

By Mitch B.

I found out about a week ahead of the brief note from management that Ms. Tonya Jenkins was dismissed/removed/fired as our onsite building manager. I don’t know the exact word to use as this bit of information that is of critical importance to all members of the River View Towers community was only available to me by unofficial word-of-mouth communication in the lobby of the building.

In the 44 years that I have lived at RVT, Ms. Jenkins has been the best onsite manager I remember having in the building. I am beyond disappointed that she is no longer here, looking out for our interests. The fact that she was unceremoniously and instantly terminated as our onsite manager is disturbing. None of the residents were able to say goodbye to her, nor was she able to say goodbye to us. No effort to show our appreciation for her years of dedicated service was possible. What kind of people would make a decision to do a thing like this? Surely not anyone who I can remain comfortable knowing that they are making other critical decisions about our building’s safety, finances and day-to-day operations.

Ms. Jenkins deftly and knowledgeably navigated the complex collection of local, State, and federal laws and regulations. She steered the building through the pandemic and the massive capital improvement projects that are only now beginning to wind down. Her professionalism, reliability, compassion, and practicality will not easily be found again. She regularly dealt with emergencies and issues after hours at the expense of her personal time and, at times, her health. We will not likely find anyone with the skills and dedication to adequately fill her shoes. Even if we do, they will not have the particular knowledge required to understand RVT’s unique history and circumstances and be able to respond as well to ongoing management issues. Did we find a replacement that was so good that we had to abruptly change onsite managers? Or have we simply jumped off a cliff without considering the potential consequences? Was the goal simply to oust Ms. Jenkins for personal reasons known only to those who were behind this action?

I can’t imagine that quality employees can be attracted to work in our building:

·       a building that has recently begun to stiff our staff on their year-end bonuses/gratuities as well as the thank you bonuses for years of dedicated service upon their retirements;

·       a building where lobby pitchfork mobs fueled by misinformation, rumors, and lies often impede the smooth running of our building;

·       a building in critical need of responsible guidance during difficult economic times for our building, our city and our country.

I hope that going forward, we can count on those charged with the care, maintenance and stewardship of our common home to serve in the best interests of our entire community.