Laura Neumann
Chief of Staff Laura Neumann is defending Steve Cox, the mayor’s chief of economic vitality and innovation, against allegations of sexual and gender discrimination by Terri Velasquez in a federal civil rights lawsuit.
“Steve Cox is not the man you read about last week,” Neumann wrote in an email submitted as a letter to the editor.
“He is one of the most highly respected City officials bar none, a man of great integrity, character, and compassion. He was my immediate mentor and continues to be a supportive, invaluable resource to me and to many. Let us not allow his good name and three decades worth of service be tarnished by a disgruntled former employee,” Neumann wrote.
“Ms. Velasquez is welcome to cry foul as is her right. But, not on behalf of all professional women over 40 who work for the City of Colorado Springs,” she wrote.
Neumann provided a copy of the letter to me and noted that I had “respectfully” given her the opportunity to comment before the story was published.
“At the time, I did not feel compelled to comment on a pending case of a former City employee. However, after reading it and realizing the impact the article had on our Chief of Economic Vitality; someone I consider to be a good man and an accomplished professional, I now feel I should make my perspective known,” Neumann said in the email.
Here is the full text of Neumann’s letter to the editor:
I feel compelled to write a response in regard to the allegations about Steve Cox’s discrimination against women, particularly those over the age of 40 who are in executive level City positions. I find it shameful that someone would think it a “good story” to publish such incendiary remarks about a City official who served such a critical leadership role in the successful management of the worst crisis in our City’s history. When that story hit, I believe Steve had logged over 20 days of intense and demanding work that well exceeded 12 hours a day. Not only did I cringe when I realized those personal attacks were in the paper, I was mortified when I realized they were on the front page.
With only seven months of City tenure, I have not met Ms. Velasquez nor do I know the intimate details leading up to her dismissal. But, what I do know is this. Not only do I think her termination was unrelated to her age and sex; I believe that City management has proved just the opposite of sexual and age discrimination with the hiring of several key executives in the past year under Mayor Bach’s direction.
Having worked closely with Steve Cox since my appointment as Chief of Staff, I will say there has never been a moment in time that I was dismissed or treated any less than a professional peer and equal. Bear in mind, of all who could have been hired in a role to replace him, my lack of municipal government experience could have made me a prime target if such a culture existed within City management. Instead, I found him a patient, willing, and an accessible resource who openly displayed deference to my position when the situation warranted.
Most telling to all who read this is how Steve and I led, followed, and worked together during the Waldo Canyon fire crisis. Not a day passed where Chiefs, Directors, and Managers did not spend hours crammed in Police Chief Carey’s conference room together managing ever-changing critical information while making crucial policy decisions. Some contributors were brand new to the team (2 weeks); others were 30+ years. Nearly half were women. Some days, Steve led our session. Others, I did. Every day, multiple times, he or I would get interrupted with an urgent matter, be pulled away for hours, and simply return to that Policy Room, catch up and assume the role that was necessary at the time (leader, follower, strategic contributor, sometimes contrarian). No ego. No subservience. Just incredible leadership synergy at its finest. When we were not in that room together, our conversations would be less than 60 seconds and usually start with “I need you to…” or “You got this…?” or “Are you good?” Nothing more was needed as the respect and intuitive crisis management connection were ever present.
So, please know that Steve Cox is not the man you read about last week. He is one of the most highly respected City officials bar none, a man of great integrity, character, and compassion. He was my immediate mentor and continues to be a supportive, invaluable resource to me and to many. Let us not allow his good name and three decades worth of service be tarnished by a disgruntled former employee. Ms. Velasquez is welcome to cry foul as is her right. But, not on behalf of all professional women over 40 who work for the City of Colorado Springs.
I am seeing in my crystal ball a vague image coming into focus, it is an announcement of a person receiving a promotion of some kind, yes that is what I am seeing the promotion of Chief of Staff Laura Neumann being elevated to an even more important role in the administration of the City of Colorado Springs. How could that happen after writing such a amazingly neutral position piece on her boss. Just kidding she has done a great job of defending her boss as all good underlings should do for the person that signs their check.
Just to recap:
Laura Neumann doesn’t know Terri Velasquez and really has no information other than was she was spoon fed by our dicator-in-chief. She’s circling the wagon with a useless soundbite to protect the inner circle, and for that she’ll be heavily rewarded. Her delay was likely due to the need for a “meeting of the minds” to craft a message that will be echoed by the others in the inner circle in the coming days. Despite the fact that a Federal Lawsuit has been filed and there’s credible proof that Cox accepted city money he was not entitled to (then quickly gave it back when caught) there’s nothing to see here…..please move along.
I read the story she is referring to, and it didn’t cause me to come to any conclusions. It was factually based, a lawsuit has been filed.
This letter is a PR nightmare for the city. To suggest that The Gazette should not print a story that contains facts about a lawsuit filed against our city ? Because of the fire? Really? Maybe Laura Neumann should let all of the media in Colorado Springs know when it is appropriate to do their jobs again.
A city employee with a whopping 7 months experience? This letter raises many more concerns than I originally had from reading the story it refers to.
Too Funny circling the wagon. His his cat fight bring on the popcorn. Everyone knows who signs her paycheck , I too would come out fighting to kiss up to the male gender.
Coming from a women who a week after the Waldo Canyon fire was patting herself on the back for getting all the right people in the right place. Self-serving.
Lilithia
Chief of Staff Laura Neumann is an accomplished professional, first and foremost. She is a woman over 40, as well, which puts her squarely in the category of professionals that Terri Velasquez alleges to be discriminated against. As such, Laura deserves to be heard without ridicule.
These childish attacks on Laura, therefore, are unreasonable and despicable. They are attempts to censor Laura, and serve to warn other women over 40 that they also risk irrational and vicious attack if they attempt to counter the Progressive narrative.
I applaud Laura Neumann for having the courage and loyalty to defend her mentor. Courage and loyalty, the courage to act on one’s principles, those are qualities of the very highest order, top notch!
Paling in comparison are: TC, BJ, N & L. What contrast!
@Dan, what she fails to mention is that she’s a woman over the age of 40 who volunteered for the Bach campaign. Note the importance of the last part. Quid Pro Quo….just like the hire of the supremely unqualified and about-to-be-fired Laura Benjamin.
Velasquez is attempting to right what she perceives is a criminal action being allowed under the direction of this city’s leadership. For that she was humiliated and fired. She and the other fired “over 40″ women have two things in common — they were in leadership positions and didn’t campaign for Bach.
Perhaps our Mayor’s biggest problem is that he wants total control of every situation, as evidenced by his numerous comments about people “talking out of turn,” including one during the fire. When he loses that control, he circles the wagons and his minions (see Laura Neumann) huddle, then go on the offensive while the mayor hides with “no comment”
I worked for a company that had a LOT of gender and age abuse. It is hard to prove when the ‘good ‘ol boyz’ group with their ‘token’ female. The female in my company was quite the ‘lady’ and it appeared the men loved her as she groped their croches…for real…and the only ‘female’ that ever rose to any position in the company. Wonder what Ms. Neumann is doing?
Sounds like Steve Cox still works as City manager or the chief of staff. Leave the charge of the staff to the lady Newman and start doing your own job Cox. Better idea, why dont Mayor Bach save the 175,000 salary you get paid and let the Economic Development Corporation/Chamber do the work they are meant to do. City doesnt need to be in the Economic Vitality business wasting more of our taxpayers money when the private sector is willing and able to do it. Terry V is a good woman and she wouldnt be bringing forth allegations unless she got proof. Smart idea to hire a bunch of ladies to bully around and then knowone can say youre bad to women.
I am reminded of Dan Aykroyd famous catch phrase. Laura you ignorant sl*t. This woman is unqualified for this job or to have a opinion on this matter or any matter.
Laura you were hired because you were a women no experience green around the ears, easy to mold brainwash you into thier train of mind.
Wait after a year and you start wanting to fly solo have different ideas see if you don’t always have to daddy (COX) for permission.
IS cox doing your job and your just the front person.
You reaaly should not have come out on this matter, makes you look like your brown nosing .
lilithia
This city spends more time defending and congratulating itself then any place I have ever lived. I am wondering who approved/wrote her letter Cox or Bach?
Mayor’s not an idiot. He really hires women to push around and show the public that he cant be a bad guy like the press reported while he was campaigning. Seems like this City has a short memory.