The executive director of the Public Employees Relations Board has been forced to resign his post effective Feb. 9.
The Source learned Tuesday that Ray Martinez was placed on two weeks' leave before his termination takes effect. The action came during a recent meeting of the board when members cited a lack of communication between Martinez and the board as the reason for his firing.
Administration sources have confirmed that chairman Aubrey Lee and St. Thomas-Water Island Administrator Louis Hill, Hugo Dennis and Oscar Henry voted for Martinez' ouster. Board member Zandra Messiah, the deputy personnel director, voted against the move.
Some board members reportedly also objected to Martinez making public statements to the media on the board's behalf.
The members decided that effective immediately, Lee would be the only PERB official making statements to the press. But calls to Lee's residence on Tuesday afternoon seeking comment on the firing of director Martinez were not returned.
