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Many of you know that I have been working on systems and structures to
decrease institutional and structural racism.
 
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is a national leader for its
work on racial equity.  It is important that the Park Board continue this work
on eliminating racial disparities and that we have employment policies that
increase diversity.
 
Unfortunately, this does not prevent people from making false allegations
about racism for their own personal gain, or for the spotlight of TV cameras
and Facebook likes.
 
You can believe me about this or you can believe Hashim Yonis.  You can
look at the evidence and facts or you can make assumptions based on false
allegations.
 
Hashim Yonis is one of the main organizers of disrupting Park Board
meetings. He was convicted of theft by swindle by the Hennepin County Criminal
Court. He was found guilty of stealing money from the park board by telling
lies.
 
There is also extensive evidence contained in a separate civil service
investigation which is public information.
 
In addition to the evidence of his criminal activity, there is a document
with Mr.Yonis’ signature that is a legally binding contract.
 
Here’s the text of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board  statement
about this legally binding agreement:
 
“In July, 2013, a citizen complained to a park board employee that Hashim
Yonis was renting out Currie Park field and questioned where the rental
money was going.  An internal  investigation was conducted resulting in a
finding that Mr. Yonis had violated numerous civil service rules constituting
just cause for his termination.  On August 23, 2013, Mr. Yonis was terminated
from employment with the Park  Board.
 
On August 27, 2013, Mr. Yonis appealed his termination through the
Minneapolis Civil Service Commission.  A civil service hearing on Mr. Yonis’s
appeal was scheduled to be held on October 15, 2013.  The day before the hearing,
Mr. Yonis, through his attorney, asked the Park Board if it would consider
amending his termination to a resignation if he dropped his appeal.
 
After consultation with Park Board counsel, the Superintendent determined
that it was in the best interest of the Park Board to amend Mr. Yonis’
termination to a resignation on the following conditions:
 
He waive his right to appeal his termination;
He never apply or reapply for a position with the Park Board;
He waive his rights, if any, to sue the Park Board for any claim arising
out of his employment with the Park Board; and
That he not disparage the Park  Board, its commissioners or employees
relative to the investigation into  employment misconduct and his subsequent
termination.
 
Mr. Yonis signed the  settlement agreement on October 21, 2013. The dispute
over his termination is concluded.  The settlement agreement is public, as
is the investigation into the complaint against Mr. Yonis”.
 
Mr. Yonis organizes disruption by making false accusations that are untrue, defamatory, and in violation of a negotiated and voluntary settlement that he signed. It is because I care about fairness, racial equity, and social justice that I see the harm in spreading lies that divide communities.

Thanks,

Scott Vreeland
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Commissioner District # 3