Hillary Gilles, the Downtown Improvement Board’s manager for Gallery Night and Palafox Market, was upset that she wasn’t included in Mayor Ashton Hayward’s Palafox Celebration on Oct. 24 to honor those who have made Palafox Street one of “America’s Top 10 Great Streets.”
Her outspokenness may have cost Gilles her job on the eve of her taking a medical leave from the position, according to emails the Independent News received through a public records request.
The emails only give a partial look at the termination of Gilles. We don’t know what was said in phone calls made or received or any conversation held about her employment. Ron Butlin, DIB executive director, and the DIB chairman Corbett Davis, Jr. said at the last DIB meeting they would give a full explanation in an upcoming board meeting.
We do know that the DIB has financial challenges with its parking revenue down and its decision to expand Gallery Nights in 2014. Whether that weighed into the decision to fire the DIB’s two full-time employees– we will have to wait for Butlin and Davis’ explanation.
Here is the email trail:
On Oct. 23, Gilles sent this email to our boss, Ron Butlin:
Subject: RE: [FWD: Future of Gallery Night Roundtable Discussion for DTC]
From: Hilary M. Gilles
Date: Tue, October 22, 2013 9:51 am
To: ronbutlin@downtownpensacola.comJim Sweida would like to be part of the discussion. Did you decide on a time for tomorrow?
Also, on the news last night they had a segment on Thursday’s Palafox Street Celebration. They said it was being held in part to recognize local business leaders and OTHERS who have been instrumental in the Renaissance of Downtown Pensacola. Does this still not include me?
Oh, and the back round for the news piece was video of the Palafox Market and Gallery Night and the events were mentioned as playing an important role in the wonderful growth of downtown.
Hilary M. Gilles
Palafox Market Manager
Gallery Night Manager
Butlin tried to defuse the situation and explained that it was Mayor Hayward’s event and the mayor wanted to focus on business and real estate investors:
Subject: RE: [FWD: Future of Gallery Night Roundtable Discussion for DTC]
From:
Date: Wed, October 23, 2013 8:50 am
To: Hilary M. GillesHilary,
Maybe I didn’t explain the event very well. First off, it began as the Mayor’s event and he asked us to help his office coordinate it. His office is in charge of who they are going to recognize. My understanding is that the Mayor wants to focus on Business and Real Estate investment period. They are not recognizing any City folks, CRA folks or DIB folks. The only non-investor getting recognized is Don Kelly who apparently was involved in getting the APA’s attention and who has subsequently passed away.Of course PM and GN are big components of why Palafox is a great place but this particular celebration isn’t about events. It’s about people who have taken risk with capital investment.
I am sorry you are feeling slighted, you have done a great job in growing PM and GN, but in this event, none of us fit in the category of investor. If you want to talk more about this let me know.
Ron
Gilles replied still disappointed and told Butlin that she was headed to a doctor’s appointment and would be taking medical leave:
Subject: RE: [FWD: Future of Gallery Night Roundtable Discussion for DTC]
From: “Hilary M. Gilles”
Date: Wed, October 23, 2013 9:42 am
To: ronbutlin@downtownpensacola.com
Cc: Deborah Dunlap, Gloria Heckman, Clay Roesch, Jim Sweida, Rafi HereRon,
It’s unfortunate that the two biggest revenue generating events, that are run by me, are not considered investments or businesses.These events were used to achieve the recognition that everyone else is taking credit for.
I shouldn’t even be put in this position where I am needed to explain my value, commitment, and years of hard work.
I am waiting for a doctor’s appointment and then will be taking medical leave.
Regards,
Hilary
Butlin again tried to calm Gilles down and said he was worried about a rumor that she had complained to the city council:
Subject: RE: [FWD: Future of Gallery Night Roundtable Discussion for DTC]
From:
Date: Wed, October 23, 2013 10:20 am
To: Hilary M. GillesHilary,
First and foremost, I hope all goes well with the Doctor.Secondly I am fearful this is escalating for the wrong reasons. This celebration is not about trying to recognize everybody who has had an impact on downtown. Every vendor at the market has had an impact on downtown.
I heard a troubling rumor this morning. Did you send an email to City Council complaining about not being invited on stage? I consider that inappropriate, and I would like to know facts before I respond to Council.
The email was more than a rumor. Dottie Dubuisson had forwarded to Butlin an email that Gilles sent to the city council the day before.
From: Hilary M. Gilles
Sent: 10/22/13 04:21 PM
To: Megan Pratt, councilmanbare@gmail.com, smyers@cityofpensacola.com, jcannada-wynn@cityofpensacola.com, ljohnson@cityofpensacola.com, pcwu@cityofpensacola.com, aterhaar@cityofpensacola.com, gwingate@cityofpensacola.com, Brian Spencer
Subject: [FWD: Re: Invitation From Mayor Ashton J. Hayward]FYI, Just to let you know that I have not been invited. (see below)
Regards,
Hilary M. Gilles
Butlin sent an email to city staff, hoping the mayor might recognize the DIB staff in his speech:
From:
Subject: [FWD: Important]
Date: October 23, 2013 12:26:10 PM CDT
To: “Tamara Fountain” , “Alan Gray” , “Rebecca McLellan”
Cc: “corbett jr”, “Jane Birdwell”Hello,
I’ve been made aware from this email as well as others and phone calls that Hilary has generated a campaign for solo recognition of her efforts associated with Gallery Night and Palafox Market. I am professionally disappointed by this behavior, especially the email to council members below. The success of those events are the result of many people’s time, talent and efforts. She is not the founder of either event – she is paid employee of the DIB and expected to perform in an exemplary manner. I thought I should make you aware of this situation.
It does remind me though that many who attend the event tomorrow will feel the need for recognition – a select few will be singled out. So, whenever the language can be inclusive of a broader net of consideration for the staff, volunteers and quiet people who go about making things happen – I know it is your spirit to make that happen.
Please let us know what else we can do to make this a success.
Best,
Ron Butlin
Executive Director
Downtown Improvement Board
That afternoon of Oct 23 (day before the celebration) Butlin received two emails regarding Gilles:
From: Clay Roesch
Subject: Re: DAB
Date: October 23, 2013 3:52:16 PM CDT
To:I spoke with Hillary yesterday. She was very upset at what she perceived as a slight by the DIB and the City for not recognizing her on the stage.
Many times people simply need to vent and so I’m experienced at that. She told me she sent the email to “put everyone on notice” of her discontent. I asked her if she was going to quip and she said no, she needed the job. When I saw the email regarding her scheduled appointment and intent to take sick leave I’m become very concerned for the management of the Palafox Market during her leave.
This seems to be spinning out of control.This is all I wanted to talk about and I’m likely exaggerating the effects. It’s simply FYI.
Clay
From: Deborah Dunlap
Subject: Gallery Night/ Palafox Market Recognition in tomorrow’s celebration
Date: October 23, 2013 4:15:31 PM CDT
To: Hilary@downtownpensacola.com,
Cc: Gloria Heckman, Clay Roesch, Jim Sweida, Rafi Here, Corbett Davis Jr., ronbutlin@downtownpensacola.com, “Ashton Hayward, Mayor of Pensacola”Dear Hilary,
While I know the Mayor has good intentions for the Palafox Celebration, I feel he has opened a Pandora’s Box regarding whom should be recognized. If he began reading the list of names of all the people who played significant parts in the revitalization of Palafox, it would take all three hours of the celebration….. and then some. Palafox was not transformed in the few years since he took office. It has been a rebuilding process for over three decades.
Palafox is what it is today because of hundreds of people who cared about, believed in, and worked for a brighter future for Downtown. Palafox is enjoying the limelight now because of a myriad of dedicated people: the brick and mortar investors and the financiers who provided the funding. It includes the businesses who located here and organizations who regularly make Palafox the stage for annual events that draw thousands to Downtown. It includes the people with political clout to bring dreams to reality. But in addition to the “big guns” we must recognize the individuals who implemented the decisions made in long hours of committee meetings.
The Palafox Market (5 years) and Gallery Night (3 years) have grown to stellar proportions under your direction and management. Even though you were “just doing your job” as DIB staff, you have gone far above the call of duty to make these events THE TWO MOST PROMINENT AND ENDURING OF ALL PALAFOX EVENTS! These two events are routinely praised in the news and on social media and they are regularly mentioned in the columns of travel writers across the nation. If anyone deserves recognition, it should be you dear girl.
I say this with my most sincere appreciation for all you have done to make Downtown an incredible place that is finally gaining the recognition it so richly deserves. THANK YOU HILARY GILES!!!!
Warmest Regards,
Deborah Dunlap
DEBORAH DUNLAP PROPERTIES
On the Friday afternoon after the event, Butlin got this email from Dubuisson praising the DIB staff:
From: “Dorothy Dubuisson”
Subject: Palafox celebration
Date: October 25, 2013 9:58:19 AM CDT
To: Ron Butlin
Cc: Gloria Heckman, Hilary M. Gilles, Clay Roesch, Brian SpencerRon- Please extend appreciation to all DIB staff who were involved in any of the event preparations for the Palafox celebration. Although a city event, I am aware that nothing happens downtown without impact to your staff.
It was a very nice celebration of what has been achieved in large part through the actions of DIB in concert with others. I hope your staff feels the pride which the entire community is sharing with this designation. And, as a personal acquaintance of Don Kelly who sat with him in serious analysis of downtown on multiple occasions, I know he would want all to feel their role was an important one.
Again my thanx to you and your staff for efforts made.
Warmest regards-dottie
By Oct. 31 afternoon, the decision to terminate Gilles, and apparently also Heckman, had been made. There are no emails to Butlin concerning Gilles’ employment from Oct. 25 to the afternoon of Oct. 31.
From: Katy Rodgers
Subject: Pensacola Downtown Improvment Boars Severance Agrement
Date: October 31, 2013 2:49:11 PM CDT
To:Mr. Butlin,
The severance agreement we spoke about over the phone is almost complete.
Per our conversation the agreement is being completed for Hilary Giles on behalf of Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board. Her end of employment date will be tomorrow, November 1, 2013 and is to receive four weeks severance.
The numerical amount of her severance will be $2,320.56. Please keep in mind this amount should be minus taxes and standard deductions. Once we have finalized the agreement I will be sending it to you at this address.
I have double checked the agreement and want to assure you that it covers the area of slander you were concerned about as well as states that she must return to you any passwords or codes of the company she may hold.
I spoke with Mr. Steve Dickson in regards to setting up a time to chat about TEL and the services we offer, as mentioned in our phone conversation. He said he would be more than happy to meet with you on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at 9 am if that would work well for you.
Please let me know if there is anything else I or TEL can do for you and the Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board.
Sincerely,
Katy Rodgers
Human Resources Coordinator | Total Employee Leasing
Subject: Updated Form
From: “Katy Rodgers”
Date: Thu, October 31, 2013 4:22 pm
To:Mr. Butlin,
Here is the most updated copy of the Severance Agreement. I have corrected the issues we spoke on the phone about. The only thing left undone was the changing of the amount. I apologies for the miscommunication on my part. If you need anything else, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerly,
Katy Rodgers
Human Resources Coordinator
There was some worry that Gilles would not show up for work on Friday, Nov. 1. Her emails shows that she was responding to emails about Palafox Market on Friday morning, but she could have been doing that from home:
From: ronbutlin@downtownpensacola.com [mailto:ronbutlin@downtownpensacola.com]
Sent: Friday, November 01, 2013 8:44 AM
To: Katy Rodgers
Subject: RE: Updated FormHi Katy,
Thank you. New question, what if an employee doesn’t show up for work? Do you send an email with the severance agreement attached or do you try to reach them on the phone?
Ron
From: “Katy Rodgers”
Subject: RE: Updated Form
Date: November 1, 2013 3:09:22 PM CDT
To:Mr. Butlin
You should reach out to the employee on this matter. Is this the same employee the agreement was drawn up for? If so did she quit?We recommend that, especially since you really want her to sign the severance agreement, you start a dialogue with her. Find out if she is unhappy. You can say you notice she wasn’t here today, ask her why and if everything is okay and whether or not she’s unhappy? If so you can say “I’m sorry you feel that wayâ€, bring up the severance, “If you’re really unhappy, we can offer you 4 weeks’ severance and wish you the best of luckâ€, and see if that route works.
Whatever the reason for her not coming in, we really recommend starting a dialogue with the employee before taking an action like this. If you would like, Teri or I could help you come up with more of a dialogue to keep you on track for such a conversation.
Please let me know if you need any more assistance with this, or any other matter. We would be more than happy to help.
Katy Rodgers
Human Resources Coordinator | Total Employee Leasing