Millennium’s Response to the 11/29/04 Chicago Sun-Times Article about Steve Gardner

Millennium Information Services, Inc. ^ | November 30, 2004? | Steve Pietrzak

[hiho hiho]

Millennium Information Services is a small business that has been wrongly stigmatized by the Chicago Sun-Times article about Steve Gardner. The article is clearly meant to create the impression that Steve Gardner’s layoff was politically motivated. That just simply isn’t true. It is also important to note that the Sun-Times reporter, Mary Laney, never contacted us regarding this article.

Here are some key facts that correct missing or inaccurate statements made in the Sun-Times article: For purely financial reasons, we had to reduce management expenses. A decision was made to consolidate field management from five managers to three. The two affected field managers resided in the areas where our business had the most significant decreases. Mr. Gardner was one of those managers. Two additional corporate managers were laid off on the same day. No one in the company’s management was even aware of Mr. Gardner’s connection to John Kerry.

To help offset the elimination of Mr. Gardner’s supervisory position, Millennium offered Mr. Gardner other non-supervisory work, which he decided not to take. Since that time Millennium has offered Mr. Gardner additional work opportunities, which he has also declined.

The Sun-Times article states that Mr. Gardner was terminated via email. That is also incorrect. Mr. Gardner was informed of the layoff in a personal phone conversation with his supervisor. The email referenced in the article was simply a formal follow-up, not the primary means of informing Mr. Gardner. The only reason he was not contacted face-to-face was because he was an out-of-state employee.

In the Sun-Times article, Ms. Laney stated that Mr. Gardner had “seen the company advertising his old position.” A simple check of the facts would have shown that to be false. The advertisement placed by Millennium was for a non- supervisory position.

The Sun-Times article does not accurately reflect what occurred with Steve Gardner in regards to his employment with Millennium. It creates an erroneous perception that he was singled out for his political involvement. That is false. Three other employees also lost their jobs on that day for the same economic reasons.

Millennium as a company does not endorse or support any political position or candidate. We leave those personal decisions to individuals. We sincerely hope this helps to clarify the truth,

Steve Pietrzak President and CEO Millennium Information Services, Inc.

[redcountyrepublican]

Pulled up Google and found something a little strange!

Between Google's cached copy and the Millennium Site this information had been deleted

Steve Pietrzak, Millennium’s President and owner, founded Millennium in 1991. After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1976, Steve spent 15 years establishing a career in the insurance industry gaining a wide range of experience including underwriting, marketing, sales and service management in the property and casualty field. Through his various experiences in the insurance industry, Steve saw that there was a need for value-added underwriting and technology services. In forming Millennium, Steve established the company’s strategy of becoming the leading provider of value-added underwriting and business process services in the property and casualty industry. Millennium currently has worked with over 35 personal lines insurance companies, including eight of the top ten personal lines writers in the country.

Maybe it's just me but...sniff!sniff! PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE connection here

[write_on61]

Al French was suspended from his position for lying about an office affair.

>>On Thursday he was placed on leave by the Clackamas County District Attorney's office. It wasn't for his statements against Kerry, but for lying about an extra-marital affair. Reports say French misled his former boss ten years ago to avoid getting fired.<<<

http://www2.kval.com/x30530.xml?ParentPageID=x2649&ContentID=x46673&Layout=kval.xsl&AdGroupID=x30530

[write_on61]

Why would they lay off three other employees at the same time?

[write_on61]

From the Millenium letter: "The only reason he was not contacted face-to-face was because he was an out-of-state employee. "

[write_on61]

>>[No one in the company’s management was even aware of Mr. Gardner’s connection to John Kerry.]

Anybody buying that???? <<

Does it seem likely that the company would come up with a plan to lay off four employees the same day they see an article about Gardner?

[write_on61]

Does it seem likely to you that the CEO of one of the top insurance companies in the country would read an article the same day it was posted online, slap his head and say, "hey, my megacorp does business with that little company," and personally make sure his megacorp applies pressure to same little company to fire one person ... and to make it look good by coming up with a reorganization plan and laying off three others at the same time, all within ONE DAY?

[razorback-bert]

I wonder what made them squeal like a stuck pig?

[expatpat]

No excuse. His boss should have dropped by.

[expatpat]

You seem like an apologist for Gardner's enemies -- as well as a NEWBIE TROLL. Go back to the DUngeons.

[write_on61]

From Illinois?

[write_on61]

Never posted at DU.

I thought this was an open forum? Or is it only for those who agree with you?

[expatpat]

It's not an open forum for leftie disruptors.

[write_on61]

And you think anyone who presents a differing view is a "disruptor" ?

Why?

[Chuckster]

Maybe they were cleaning house. Maybe they are being completely open and forthright about their motives, maybe not. There is no way for us to know so we must either take what they say at face value or not.....

Or we could indulge in wild speculation just for the fun of it d;^)

[write_on61]

All true.