PCOC'S PROBLEMS CONTINUE TO BUILD

Over nearly a year I have posted here about the very saddening situation which even now continues to build at the Polk County Opportunity Council (November 18, 2004) . The Bartow-based Community Action Agency does some good work to help the county's low income families, as well as serving as the primary Head Start provider for the area. But it really seems as though every time one turns around the leadership there finds a way to screw up.

Now two former employees who were fired have filed a joint lawsuit claiming wrongful termination under Florida's Whistleblower Act.

Teresa Meeks, who worked as an accountant in PCOC's fiscal office, claims she was sacked after refusing to file bogus hurricane claims "for damage that ostensibly occurred to PCOC property" last year which would have been paid by the federal government. Ms. Meeks also met with Congressman Adam Putnam (R - Bartow) in February.

Sharon Goicoechea, executive assistant to Executive Director Carolyn Speed, was fired after objecting to a free trip she took to Las Vegas, courtesy of Canon, after Speed signed a no-bid contact for the purchase of one of it's high-end copiers. It was also alleged that Speed, believing that Ms. Goicoechea leaked information about the trip to the Ledger, hired an investigator.

This promises to be a most interesting case. Once again, I say PCOC needs to get it's stuff straight. I say...start all over, sack the board of directors, get new leadership.