July 22, 2008

Coe behind attacks on Hughes?

We received an anonymous tip last week claiming that City Administrator Ben Hughes was in the crosshairs of a group of city politicos. After today's news in the JT about Sandy Tingle's suit against the city, it looks like there was some truth behind the tip. So, here's what was written to us:
Alderman Jeff Coe has filed an open records request with the city. He wants copies of city administrator Ben Hughes' e-mails. He has been making noise publicly about "going after" Mr. Hughes and trying to get him fired. This has something to do with a personnel dispute involving another employee in the Mayor's office.

21 comments:

  1. The plot thickens....interesting....

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  2. Cole has know the Tingle's for years. Mr. Cole is just trying to help Mrs Tingle out.
    Interesting that the Post uses the headline for this " Cole behind attacks on Hughes ?" makes me think that The Post has a dog in this fight.
    Is that the case Mr. Block? Are you backing Hughes before the facts are in?

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  3. Mr and Mrs. Tingle and Alderman Coe have been very close friends of Mayor Beckers for many years.
    This all seems like she was losing her (Mrs Tingle) job because of disputes with the Mayor or possibly because of city employee cutbacks and now Alderman Coe has sided with the Tingles over the Mayor. It's a shame that people have to bring personal disputes into government jobs with the final cost going to the tax payers.
    Alderman Coe also has other relationships with city employees at city hall and may be wanting to flex his muscles over this to impress people?

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  4. Who is Mr. Cole? I think you mean Coe. The post always has a dog in the fight - look at the way they went after Maack's wife.

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  5. Interesting but the fact remains that Hughes will be an anchor on a sinking boat. Better to clean the decks in the long run. Of course one would want copies of Hughes emails, anyone can ask for them. Coe's biggest enemy is his mouth, a bit more silence would benefit him and those around him as he asked for the emails.

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  6. I agree an anchor is dragging. How quickly and easily can the anchors (she) be aweigh. How many will drown in the process and what will it cost the tax payers? In a couple weeks things will be clearer and perhaps we'll be done with the less than ethical, self-serving Tingles for good.

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  7. I think the Journal only has one side of the story, right? I would think that Tingle won't talk to reporters under the advice of her attorney.

    I am really amazed at the amount of wild speculation on the blogs. From affairs with the Mayor to what? Can any of this possibly be true? Will City Hall become City Haul and will there be an exodus of public officials? Good grief how does one get a the truth?

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  8. http://www.nationalenquirer.com/

    John Edwards caught, another scandal.

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  9. I think the dead weight here is Ben Hughes. He's been here how long and all these problems and allegations? The city does not have a very good track record of hiring good employees lately.

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  10. The title for the other related story here is wrong. Should read, "Employee files harassment then gets fired", NOT "Fired employee files harassment". You've got it in the wrong order Racinepost, it is misleading.

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  11. Anonymous writes: "The title for the other related story here is wrong. Should read, "Employee files harassment then gets fired", NOT "Fired employee files harassment". You've got it in the wrong order Racinepost, it is misleading."

    I don't think so. First of all, our headline ("Fired city employee charges harassment") is intentionally neutral on the question of which came first. Secondly, the timeline -- as Mayor Becker gives it -- says he sent a termination email to Mrs. Tingle on July 8; her lawyer's letter alleging harassment arrived on July 16.

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  12. Coe has his own skeletons.....any reporter with his/her salt could easily find that through open records requests

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  13. The great Civil war in the Dem party has began! Get out the popcorn!
    Bonus points Mayor Becker control over City Council GONE!
    This will be fun to watch. (Sory that Sandy will be dragged in the mud)
    Dustin/Pete any truth to the story that Hughes has a contract that he gets paid for a YEAR after he leaves Racine?

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  14. Pete, Sandy T was still employed on July 16th so she couldn't have been terminated prior to filing harassment.

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  15. Anon, read the JT's story:
    "Becker said he sent Tingle an e-mail July 8 letting her know that the 11th would be her last day. She asked to stay until July 18 and Becker said he agreed."

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  16. I've never known anyone to agree to a date to be fired? That doesn't sound right.

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  17. I think this story may be too hot for the Journal to handle.

    Sandra is very saavy, smart and meticulous. Becker really liked that about her, she was a skilled employee. Something happened, that we know for sure.

    Hughes is an unknown entity, but he is in the testosterone heaven with Becker. Anyone who takes a position working for the both of them should be in a protected classification, yes a union. The non-represented get the shaft in the courthouse.

    As for when Sandra left, well there could be a number of reasons to extend a week, perhaps some sort of benefit was only a week away.

    Sandra, you are one classy woman, don't listen to the crap going around. You supported Becker longer than most would put up with.

    Know that you have friends in the community.

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  18. This is the Chicken comming home to roost or is it roast? All of them were in the scam of getting Becker elected...Tingel, Coe,Wanggaard, Becker,all of the Dem party. Yes they would eat Becker $h!t sanwitches if they had to... now the sexapades are out in the open because she is not wanting to play the Red head bimbo part anymore. We all know she got that job as a "thank you" for being a loyal Becker back-er. If anyone denies this they are full of crap... we all know that Becker thanked several people with positions, Tingle, Wanggaard, Wahlen and the list goes on. Several committee members got special treatment for their loality.

    This is just the simple fact... "you reap what you soe" Ahhh a brite sunny day in Racine!

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  19. Jim Smith and his ambitious wife who would follow the mayor around under the guise of going for ice cream didn't make political appointments?

    Mrs. Tingle wouldn't have gotten the job if she wasn't qualified. From what I know of her, she was quite qualified. Sounds like you have a personal affliction with Mrs. Tingle and the Mayor.

    Joyce, you need to chill out, keep eating at Yuni's and go snicker in your OJ, your hubby has his share of skeletons in his closet too.

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  20. I find it very interesting that Mr.Coe wants to be so richous, any skeletins in your closet Mr. Coe. you know what they say people in glass houses shouldn't through stones.

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  21. Ms. Tingle was an extremely professional and dedicated employee at city hall. Anyone who dealt with her directly would know that.

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