I am writing regarding an issue between Culver City parents, Parks and Reccreation Dept. Director Dan Hernandez, City Manager John Nachbar and the City Council.
This is what I think I know. There is a camp and after school program called C3 Sunshine Camp, a camp and after-school program, is run — through Parks and Rec — by an independent contractor, Camp Director Adan Pulido.
Adan is a resident of Culver City, where he grew up. My son attends his summer camp, which has been at the Stone House in Lindberg Park for the last three years. The camp is on the smaller side, which allows the kids to get a little bit more attention.
Adan Pulido is known as Coach P. Parents love him and the kids love him. During the school year, Coach P runs an after-school camp at El Marino.
About a week and a half ago, Coach Pulido’s contract with the city was terminated. The camp is allowed to continue for the rest of the summer but the after-school program will no longer be available.
According to Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Nachbar, the termination of the contract has nothing to do with the camp program or the safety of the children. It’s a personnel matter, and we are not going to talk about it, they say.
So three weeks before school starts, the after-school program also has been terminated. This leaves some families scrambling to find childcare.
But no worries.
The Parks and Rec Dept., along with Mr. Nachbar, have informed us that they have provided more staff to their current after- school program to cover those families at El Marino who will lose their childcare due to this termination.
This is unacceptable to the parents. They were outraged.
Many parents wrote to the City Council and to Mr. Nachbar to fight against this termination. A large group of parents, along with their children, went to the City Council meeting last Monday to discuss this issue.
Adan Pulido was allowed to speak, two parents from our group of 30 parents.
A request was made to put this matter on the Council agenda. We were informed that those requests would be addressed at the end of the council meeting. Then the Council sent us out of the room to have a meeting outside City Hall with Mr. Hernandez.
Mr. Hernandez listened to all of us. He continued to repeat that he is not at liberty to discuss the reason the contract was terminated because it involves personnel matters.
Mr. Nachbar then came out with somewhat of a bully attitude and stance.
He eventually changed his demeanor after it was brought to his attention how he was acting.
He blamed his initial attitude on the parents for attacking and demanding answers.
The end result of all this was that Mr. Nachbar agreed to meet with Adan Pulido.
Where Is Our Voice?
But the meeting hasn’t been scheduled yet as far as I know. After this meeting, Mr. Nachbar told many parents his mind is made up on this issue.
I feel as if the King has spoken — and that is that.
The City Council also denied the request to put the issue on the agenda.
We parents are still fighting this termination.
But we feel our pleas are falling on deaf ears.
We don’t know what our recourse is so now I am writing all the news agencies to see who would be interested in maybe doing a story.
By the way, there is a video of this outdoor meeting with Mr. Nachbar and Mr. Hernandez, which Coach Pulido can provide.
From my understanding, this contract was terminated because a city employee had issues with Coach Pulido using a storage room at the Stone House on the grounds of his Camp.
The room is empty during the camp session. The city employee verbally attacked him. A discussion ensued where the city employee used profanity while speaking with Mr. Pulido.
Mr. Pulido was called into Mr. Hernandez’s office and informed that this conduct would not be tolerated.
Mr. Hernandez asked if Coach Pulido had anything to add, and he told his side of the story.
Mr. Hernandez said that the city employee was warned about using profanity. She apologized to the Parks and Rec Dept., but not to Mr. Pulido.
Right after that meeting, which was recorded by Coach Pulido, his contract was cancelled.
Mr. Hernandez sent an email out to the parents notifying them of the situation with no valid explanation as to why this was happening.
Basically Mr. Pulido is losing his contract and his staff will be laid off due to a petty personality conflict.
What repercussions are there for the city employee?
When she deals with the public whether it be with a vendor, a resident or an independent contractor, she represents the City of Culver City.
Should someone who uses that kind of language speak on behalf of our city?
We are still trying to get this on the City Council agenda.
Ms. Tennant may be contacted at dltennat@!sbcglobal.net
