New York City Mayor Eric Adams continues to have his city make the news for all the wrong reasons.
This time, it is over some leaked recordings from a meeting with Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh.
The fact that Kavanaugh recently demoted three of her chiefs is not helping the situation.
Bad Times
Kavanaugh recently demoted veteran assistant chiefs Joe Jardin, Michael Gala and Fred Schaaf.
When Deputy Assistant Chief of Safety Frank Leeb stepped down, he did not do so quietly.
He wrote, “It is a privilege to serve and I have never taken this privilege lightly.
“However, several changes have led me to believe that our organizational priorities are shifting away from the cornerstones of safety and training which have long protected the citizens and visitors of New York City as well as the members of our great organization.”
When the tapes of a private meeting were leaked, it created even more controversy, with one city official stating “This is disgraceful.”
Kavanaugh reportedly hammered department leadership for not “thinking outside the box.”
Another official stated, “She appointed Hodgens and Esposito then she does not ask their opinions about major personnel moves, who these chiefs have to work with on a daily basis.
“That sounds like an outside-the-box idea.
“She makes these moves without consulting them.
“Also, if something goes wrong in the field they will be held responsible.”
Kavanaugh reportedly told her chiefs, “not a single idea of what would help the membership and the citizens of New York has made it to my desk.”
Kavanaugh has come under considerable fire for not having any experience and questionable tactics.
Another source stated, “Facts are the commissioner doesn’t know the definition of leadership.
“This is not how you change culture, or team building. Trust is earned.
“You get back what you put out.”
Adams has been supportive of Kavanaugh thus far, but it will be hard to stick by her if this keeps up.
Source: New York Post
