October 23, 2008

Commissioner Rory Reid4600 E Sunset Road, #213Henderson, NV 89014

Dear Commissioner Reid,

This statement is to create awareness of the behaviors of some of the Planning Council members and the situations that are created from their abuse of their position on the RWPA (Ryan White Part A) Planning Council.

I have two persons that I am very concern about who currently serve as members on Council they are; Mr. David Bond Co-Chair of the Planning Council and Ms. Judith Klien, a member on the membership committee.

I have witnessed and have experienced, on many different occasions, misuse of their appointed seats on this Planning Council; the action that they have participated in, is not only undermining of the work that the RWPA Planning Council does, but at times has a feel of personal vendetta. For example, using their membership or position against members such as to bully and under mind individuals that they do not like or agree with on issues presented at the meetings. They use inappropriate tactics to convince other members to take their side and forcing there agendas on to the Planning Council. The candid rudeness that seems to projectile from their mouths is a problem during the meetings, very disturbing and discouraging to other members trying to speak. They have even tried to get members dismissed from the Council by pulling members aside and telling them to help “get rid of” certain members. This lack of integrity and negativity, not only causes division amongst the Planning Council members, undermines the very heart of the HIV community and is a disservice to the work that we are doing as the RWPA Planning Council.

Mr. Bond has recently been elected as a Council Co-Chair and has consistently used his appointed seat inappropriately. One way that he does this is at meetings, he is chairing, he lacks any sense of professionalism and has no regard to those who are in attendance, guest and members alike. There always seems to be a hidden agenda or that is the perception based on his behavior at the meetings and with others.

I am a member of this council and take its work. I view my position on the Council as a great honor and I have found it extremely difficult to accomplish anything with this kind of leadership. My intent for writing this letter is to help identify certain persons that are not focused on the betterment of the services provided in the HIV community of Southern Nevada that are provided thru the our funded Community Based Organizations. Their actions show that they would rather tear apart what is in place with bitterness and personal grudges with certain agencies, which have chosen by the grantee to provide services.

Thank you,

Lane OlsonPrevention Education SupervisorAid for AIDS of Nevada