Anti-Poverty Agency Chief Withdraws Resignation

John Flores, the executive director of Orange County’s largest anti-poverty program, withdrew his resignation after reaching an informal agreement with the program’s board of directors.

Michael Elias, who presided as chairman during a lengthy meeting of the Orange County Community Development Council board late Tuesday night, said Flores made his decision after the board asked him to reconsider.

‘Unanimous Decision’

“It was a unanimous decision,” Elias said, adding that after he announced the board’s decision, many in the audience cheered and clapped.

Flores, whose surprise resignation a week ago startled many in Orange County’s social service network, said he reconsidered only after winning a commitment from the board.

“The one commitment I got, “ Flores said, “is that there will be better distinction between the roles of the board and the executive director.”

Flores has six more months on a two-year contract for $40,000 annually. He was hired in May, 1984.

After submitting his resignation, Flores told key council employees that he had become “fed up” with a decision by board chairman Joe Montes to hold a public hearing--without consulting any board member--to air a former employee’s allegations of mismanagement.

The employee, Joni Valadez, 30, had left the agency Oct. 16 after accusing her immediate supervisors of mismanagement and discrimination against women.

Valadez, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, said Montes had told her that she could speak before the board, thus bypassing the agency’s normal grievance procedure.

But the board prohibited her from speaking at its meeting and recommended she file a grievance, an action she is considering, she said Thursday.

Montes could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

In a two-page memo dated Oct. 10, Valadez alleged that “internal problems” exist at the agency ranging from discrimination against women staff members to misuse of travel funds and favoritism.

She left the agency after working 4 1/2 years as a planner. She said she returned from maternity leave in January, 1985, and found someone else had been hired for her position

She was reinstated with $1,200 in back pay after she won a grievance action last April. From April to October, she worked under extreme stress, she said.

“I’ve been facing indirect retribution and constant hassles with my job position and pay raises that were due me. I’ve had to fight for everything,” she said.

Flores said Valadez’s claims have no merit.