Anyhow, Ms. Cosgrove likes to call herself "system administrator" for microcomputers at the municipal offices in West Boylston. Technically Ms. Cosgrove could be trained to be proficient in security assignments and user interface. That isn't the issue. What's problematic is that Ms. Cosgrove uses her "position" as administrator to be controlling of others' behavior and ability to work. Her behavior itself is self-defeating, but it also points to gaping personal inadequacies that are unexplained. Why does an individual feel the need to "control" a complete stranger? Meanwhile, Ms. Cosgrove's technical abilities are mediocre even on the best of days.
In my case, Ms. Cosgrove copped an attitude towards me long before I worked at town hall. I'm hardly a full-cycle "genius" at networks and pathing, but I did correct Ms. Cosgrove when she made a statement about the World Wide Web that was blatantly erroneous. It wasn't a big deal, but the issue did need to be clarified, because there were other people listening who might come away with the wrong impression. Little did I know that I was dealing with someone who would take my challenge as a personal affront, and harbor those inappropriate feelings and reactions for years to come. We're not dealing with a "balanced" individual here.
So when the alleged Town Administrator Mr. Guida engaged his high-pressure "campaign" at moving me to the Tax Collector's office, the last-minute point he put in his closing was whether I would be willing to take on the duties of assistant System Administrator. He said nothing about what duties would be involved (Little did I know, my duties would never be appropriately defined). I accepted, because my move to town hall was already a substantial risk (which ultimately turned to disaster).
Ms. Cosgrove didn't want me or anyone to "assist" running the network, in spite of her pitiful sobs of how time-consuming and stressful the administration job was. My approach was to be negotiable, and to be sensitive that Ms. Cosgrove was not able to pick her choice of assistants. Conversely, Ms. Cosgrove's "approach" was to continually emphasize how little I knew and how incompetent I was. Initially I ignored Ms. Cosgrove's flailings, but when that didn't work, I employed a fail-safe shut-down technique from my sales training: I simply accepted Ms. Cosgrove's diagnosis that I was a complete idiot. Such acceptance renders any further discussion on the matter pointless. My action made Ms. Cosgrove even more angry, but at least she stopped talking to me.
One of Ms. Cosgrove's annoying but unsuccessful tactics involved trying to accuse me of being an advocate for Satan. I did EMail a document to a couple of employees, and it was directed to them, not to Ms. Cosgrove, but that didn't matter. Ms. Cosgrove didn't even bother to read it. She merely went to my then *new* boss and accused me of sending sacreligious EMail documents. Judge for yourself. What I actually sent is ASCII text of this document, with full attribute included in the message header: http://members.tripod.com/~BrainOfBrian/logic1.html . Obviously my boss needed to check his facts before accusing me of something, and you can be assured I let him know that; but, he wasn't the instigator of this "problem." Ms. Cosgrove fabricated the mess entirely on her own, wasting the organization's time and resources on a complete non-event. A good job at framing someone might have even made a dull workplace interesting, but this incident just sacrificed productivity and contributed to a hostile work environment. All employees in the building were reminded of Ms. Cosgrove's lack of professionalism, and that reminder was a Good Thing, but it wasn't exactly news.
Almost on my way out, Ms. Cosgrove "took issue" with my screen saver message. Yes, it contained a disparaging remark about someone from a distant department, AND in first-name only, I might add. However, this screen is in a location where the citizens cannot possibly view it. Whatever the case, the principles are no different from any EMail messages I might send. Even if I'm violating policy, it is not in Ms. Cosgrove's job description to enforce that policy. You can report it to the Town Administrator's office, but otherwise it's none of your damn business what I write.
Now I'm hearing through the grapevine that a certain individual is accusing me in my absence. Allegedly I've managed to configure some of the equipment so that certain hardware peripherals will no longer function. That's rich. First of all, I've been gone for a month as of this writing. Secondly, anyone who knows anything about me would know that I'd take full credit for any sabotage I managed to pull off. I didn't screw with your cheap little toy computers. This is as "public" a declaration as there is..
By the way, I would suggest you get that brand new HP printer back to the dealer for service. There is a legitimate manufacturing defect with the unit. If you continue to play martyr for much longer, the Town will no longer be eligible for the over-the-counter or Depot service you paid for.
Ms. Cosgrove, you are a LOSER! Only one other person I've known in
life is as nasty, spiteful, and vindictive as you. You're a poster
child for Sigmund Freud's journals on passive-aggressive behavior.
In particular, there's nothing in Life you love better than being a
tattletale. Thank God I no longer have to look at you.