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Subscribe to RSSFor two Florida municipal employees, an alleged plan to cast a supernatural spell on their boss was anything but super.
Due to some supposedly mystical birdseed and a janitor who blew the whistle on the seedy hex, one employee has been fired from her post at the North Miami Police Department and a recommendation for termination is pending for the other.
Veteran police officer Elizabeth Torres and office manager Yvonne Rodriguez's curse was to take place in August amid budget cuts and planned layoffs, but they never got past the planning stages.
"We were looking at a reduction in staff of about 9.4 percent, so everybody was on edge," North Miami Police Department Public Information Officer Mark Perkins told msnbc.com. "The two employees were conspiring to place birdseed in the city manager's office to get him to leave, the belief being that if you sprinkle birdseed around it, it will make the person - any person- want to leave."
But since they didn't have access to City Manager Lyndon Bonner's office, the two approached a janitor, hoping they could recruit her to sprinkle the seeds, which they later told investigators is a Santeria ritual.
Esther Villaneuva, the janitor, was working her night shift on Aug. 29 when Torres and Rodriguez approached her with a container full of seeds, according to the department's internal affairs report. It was the first time Villaneuva had ever had a conversation with the two women, Villaneuva said. Torres told her to "just take a little bit of the birdseed and spread it," according to the department's report. Villaneuva said no, expressing worry about the security cameras monitoring the office, and also whether something bad could actually happen to the city manager.
Torres allegedly told her, "No. Nothing's going to happen to him. He's just gonna leave. It's just going to make him leave. Don't worry, nothing bad is going to happen to him."
Torres even allegedly told her that she had used birdseed in her own house in the past, and it had resulted in her son and daughter going away for a couple of weeks.
When Villaneuva asked Torres why she didn't just spread the birdseed herself, Torres told her she didn't have an excuse for being in that part of the building at that time of night.
Villaneuva refused the request and told her boss, prompting an investigation that eventually led to Rodriguez, the office manager, getting fired last week.
"The police officer has union protection, the office manager does not, so technically, the police officer still has not been terminated, although recommendation for that is pending," Perkins said. Officer Torres will go to court for her appeal on Monday, he added.
Both maintained the plot was harmless, according to transcripts in the internal affairs report, which the North Miami Police Department released Wednesday.
'Nothing malicious ... a superstitious practice'
Torres, who has worked as a North Miami police officer since 1987, told investigators, "I want to clarify that it's nothing malicious and nothing intended to hurt that person. Just, just it can be viewed as either a superstitious practice or a religious practice in the Santeria religion ... This is something I was raised with as a child, all these superstitions and this quasi-religion."
Rodriguez initially denied involvement in the plot, department spokesman Perkins told msnbc.com, and was fired for "conduct unbecoming." She has worked for the department since 1996.
"The second time, she told the truth," he said. "If you work for a police department, that's not an option."
According to the report, Rodriguez said she didn't provide accurate information in the first interview because she "wasn't the initiator of this whole ordeal" and she feared getting in trouble.
Santeria is an Afro-Caribbean religion centered in Cuba that became more widely practiced in the U.S. and other nearby countries, particularly following the 1959 Cuban revolution, according to the BBC. The religion is revolves around relationships between humans and spirits, who followers believe will help them in their lives if appropriate rituals are carried out.
And despite what Torres said about birdseed, University of Miami Religious Studies Profess Michelle Maldonado told Miami's WSVN.com, "In Santeria, you can't just spread birdseed and make the supernatural do what you want it to do."
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Birdbrains.
LOL thanks for the morning laugh
Birdbrains...correct, but who are the birdbrains? Are the birdbrains the people spreading birdseed or the people who took it serious enough to fire them? Remember folks, the best stories come out of Florida.
Aha, the dreaded birdseed curse....you have to admit that in a strange way, the curse worked. Now two employees are no longer having to be in the area. What's scary about the tale is that a police officer, someone legally allowed to carry a lethal weapon or two, believed that sprinkling birdseed in an office would cause her boss to quit.
actually firing them for cause gets them 2 people closer to meeting that 9.2% RIF....no benefits or severance....Win for the taxpayers.
Bird seed? Now, those guys are nuts. Holy water, magic underwear, eating flesh and drinking blood, now those guys have got it together.
I heard Perry was sprinkling birdseed on Newt's oatmeal...
Guess they don't have to figure out who to lay off now.......
It's almost a valid argument for supporting unions. Getting fired for spreading birdseed? I would have written the person up, maybe even a suspension due to the 'intent', but I'm not sure if a firing was overdoing it or not.
The employee only deserves to be fired for being stupid.... Hey, I made a voodoo doll for one of my bosses, you won't hear me bragging about it though.....
SOB! Now I know why there were seeds in front of my office!
And they say black magic does not work!
And those brainless idiots are employed by police and city government? Its about time to change the hiring rules, don't you think.
They should have used Voodoo....much more reliable :-)
Whats the difference between spreading birdseed and sprinkling holy water... absolutely nothing!
I don't know what is more lulz inducing: The fact they thought Correlation == Causality not Coincidence and the bird seed scares people away (AHHH!!! BIRD SEEEEEDDD!!!!!) or they got fired over it.
Either way: Epic fail for those two ladies. Epic lulz for everybody else!
Now excuse me while I invest money in bird seed stock...
GOVHater -If you're serious about wanting an answer to your question - In the Golden Bough the author makes the point that both Science and Magic (unlike religion) postulate a world that is ruled by law. Then he goes on to make the point that the "tragic flaw" in magic is that it misunderstands every one of those laws. In other words - sprinkling the bird seed was not superstitious - it was an action based on completely false principles.
if they were going to have to go through layoffs anyways these two were a great start. They showed two major flaws making them very unnatractive for their jobs. 1) they are idiots who tried to use birdseed to place a spell on their co workers and 2) if they believed it would actually work (lets say the person htey did it to was very superstitious it might could have...) then they acted maliciously to coworkers. I am happy they were fired for this.
GovHater - The difference is holy water is used a symbol of cleansing. It has no "magical" power it is only a symbol. The people in the story believe that the birdseed actually would cause other person to leave.
Holy water gets things wet, bird seed gets things covered in bird@!$%#.
Tony your explanation is at least as good as my philosophical/mythological based one.
This is what they call an "Oxymoron." Who is the stupdiest persons here? The bird brains who believe in such nonsense or the people who fired them. It's kind of like firing Nancy Reagan.
I try to make sense, Purnell. I try.
15 years on the force, GONE, how stupid can you get ?
These two deserved to be fired, for stupidity.
However, if they "prayed" for their boss to leave, would that be the same thing. Does this not violate their right to freedom of religion without prejudice.
Admittedly, it's the dumbest thing I've heard in a while, but no dumber than when my bosses tried to write me up at Halloween. Yes, we had a "dress-up" day/party, and I wore my black, pointy witch's hat and offered everyone a nice shiny apple. My beanie baby "voodoo" doll was bought at WalMart--it was quite decorative--it still had the price tag on it. And yes, I was put through the administrative wringer for it--because a co-worker (read boss) felt threatened by my "witchcraft." (Please dear heaven, how do people like that get in power positions?) (They didn't pick on the clowns, though--I think clowns are much scarier than witches.)
Some folks are just a little too serious (and warped) for their own good. And no, they lost their bid to get me fired, although I had to report to the main office and "explain" myself (They really did try to get me fired, too). I've never taken part in another party, fundraiser or other office event since.
(No, I didn't bring in my broomstick. I left it parked in the garage.)
zapper, did you show pictures from the event, with you and the clowns?
Clowns and Nutcrackers (I think it's the teeth with the Nutcrackers)~~shudder, shudder~~. Both give me nightmares, although I don't find either of them directly connected to a religion. Perhaps a clown altar would be in order. Do you know why sharks don't eat clowns? They taste funny. Oh well, back to my broomstick~~~
Are people really all that insecure that they worry about birdseed and costume parties? Just wondering? I guess I'm just too rooted to reality to let things like that worry me--but that's just me.
(As for the wringer, I had the worst time keeping a straight face with all these "examiners" trying to twist the situation into something horrible and evil. I asked them if they had ever been trick or treating or handed out candy to little kids on or around Oct. 31. They acted like they had never heard of such a thing. What rock do some folks live under, or pretend to? And what's their goal with this behavior? Insecure, low self esteem, hidden agendas. Again, I just don't get it. I've got more important things to do than worry about such childish ventures. BTW, anybody got an extra bag of birdseed they'd like to give me? HAHAHAHA)
Sounds like it amounts to a joke. The city will eat this one.
It hit the wrong target my boss. She was turned into a witch more concerned with her ex- husband than work.
well... it worked. kinda.
True, they got someone to leave alright, it wasn't who they expected though, it was them! They also didn't want the budget cuts to continue, so by getting laid off, the city will actually save money now. Good job, ladies!
Union person still has thier job.. .WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You seriously think the city is going to win a case because someone wanted to sprinkle BIRDSEED around a desk? They will come off looking like idiots and cost the taxpayers a few thousand. They wiill also reinforce some people'sd opinions that management and the goverment is unreasonable. Or is the city going to prove that this "Curse" has some secret power. Great way to make the boses look like morons.
The suspended employee will be enjoying a paid vacation over the holidays and the lawyers will be presenting a large bill just in time for the Christmas season.
Seems like maybe they should check into the hiring of these idiots in administration first.
Maybe someone should also fire Perry as he seems to be using the same logic..
In the face of the worst drought in his state in over a century, Governor Perry called for 'days of prayer' to end the climate crisis; if only it were that simple. Seems like another spell to me. Just that the birds don't make out as well.
Fire Perry. Amen.
Sounds like Torres can't take responsibility.
They took off because they thought Torres was nuts!!!
Yeah, I was going to comment on that one. Who wants to stay near someone who goes around sprinkling birdseed indoors? So it DOES work, just NOT the way they had hoped.
I find it amusing that this town manager was fired from his last two jobs in this position. One was for a bungled investigation into a police administrator that backfired on him costing the town dearly. Bad decisions seems to be this guys only talent.
And like other superstitions You have to BELIEVE in order for it to work....
How do people like them even get hired???????
Leatherneck.
They are UNION!!! So they can do WHATEVER they want! They will be rehired thanks to the unions...That's why unions are out dated and need to go the way of the dinosaurs
EEOC and quotas.
If unions would get rid of seniority, they would surely do themselves a favor and cast themselves in a new light of responsibility.
@AKRandy, I used to think the same thing. However from the behavior I've seen in the corporate world lately... NO! They need to stay and maybe get stronger.
Now, I will agree that some of the rules unions have are ridiculous, however without them a lot of workers get taken advantage of.
Capitalism without regulations NEVER WORKS! Human greed will always trump any kind of "FREE MARKET". This is undeniable, indisputable fact!
They are cubans in miami - they got hired just based on that reason. In miami, they're not the exception, they're the rule.
Christian'
I agree wholeheartedly in what you say. I was a union local president for six years and held these views to be self evident. Most all of the union bashers out there have never been in a union. Do union rules and seniority have shortcomings? Of course. But it beats a boss firing you for frivolous reasons or imposing unjust working conditions on a person, hands down.
Christian....I get your point the greed of the unions have tanked a lot of companies and municipalities lately.
if anything this shows the need for unions. firing people because they had BIRDSEED. What's next? The wrong bumber sticker. Possession of a condiment? How is this in any sense of the word a violation of anything? Unless they can prove the existence of the curse.
The administration in that town have to be idiots if they think they will win this one in court. They will only come out looking like morons.
True. As this Town Manager has been terminated from his last two jobs recently, one in a bungled investigation into a police official that blew up in his face costing the town, how DID he get fired. the residents of his last town were glad to get rid of him..
Why would they think getting rid of the manager would change anything? The budget doesn't come from his office but from the mayor's office.
Wrong. In a city manager form of Government, the Mayor is a figure head. City Manager is boss!
it could depend on how much the city manger makes, maybe its enough to keep 4 or 5 more people from losing a job
See, here's a prime example as to why we should have made the "Weirdest people in the U.S." list ;)
soooo, no witch burning on this one? Even if she weighs more than a duck?
She turned me into a newt!
I got better.
I got better...
Build a bridge out o' 'er.
Casting spells, is about as effective, as praying.
Only if you believe there's absolutely no difference between the power of negative thinking and the power of positive thinking...
kflann,
Perhaps, you are casting your spells right. ;)
I meant to say 'you aren't casting your spells right. I hate it when I screw up a joke.
BIRD SEED???? Is THAT all it takes to get my kids to leave the house for a couple of weeks??? I'm going to the pet store. rflmao
I just sprinkled a sh*t load of bird seed around my cubicle to see if it would get me to go home early today.....so far it hasn't worked lol
what a pair of dipsh*ts hahahaa
another reason NOT to visit florida....voodo youdo...
OMG! Cannot add much to what has already been said!
Except that maybe we should watch out for those old people who hang out at parks and "feed birds!"
They both should run for Congress!
Maybe if we sprinkle the congressional offices! Hmmmm.
We should start spreading birdseed around the White House.
Did you read the article? If you spread birdseed around the White House it will cause YOU to leave! lol
If you spread bird seed around the White House and Congress it will just mean the bird brains in residence will be getting a free lunch.
This makes me wonder where the line is drawn. Can you be fired simply for praying that your boss will leave? What if you bring a rosary into it? No? Then how do you fire someone for sprinkling birdseed? What constitutes conduct unbecoming? What if they had sprinkled ashes that they believed would get their boss promoted? This is why we need HR departments.
Agreed. Why are they being fired for this?
It should be treated the same as praying for the manager to leave.
If we go by intent, then we should say that they should lose their jobs, but that anyone praying for the same desired result should ALSO lose their jobs.
There is nothing wrong with thinking something (or praying). Its is when you take action that the problem arises. This may have just been the first step in harming someone. Normal people don't do things like this.
I think they need to be checked up to see if they're fit for service. It seems to me that they have trouble grasping reality.
What if they did something more than birdseed but still within the realm of a spell against him? If they believed it would harm him? Would you say fire then? What if they acted against him in a soap opera back-stabbing kind of way? What would you say then?
"Normal people don't do things like this" - yes, but some religious people do. Still, it's better than pissing in someone's coffeepot which got one ass_hole fired after being caught on surveillance.
Spreading birdseed is "Taking Action?" Are you kidding. This will get laughed out of court. No doubt North Miami will be looking at a wrongful termination suit in a few weeks. Total overstepping of the authority of this manager. ?He must be a joy to work for if birdseed puts him in fear.
What6's next? Termination for the horned finger salute. What a buffoon.
Didn't Howard Stern pray for the exit of a certain "pig-nosed" boss of his? Like on a daily, public basis and what-not?
Are you sure the reason birdseed works isn't more like it would make the floor slippery/dangerous? Most states no longer allow throwing rice or birdseed at weddings for that reason....
It's not the action, but INTENT. When the bird seed didn't do its job, what next? A little Visine in the coffee?
maybe they wanted to infect him with chirpies
They forgot the making-the-janitor-spread-the-seeds spell which goes: Take a piece of coal in your left hand, stomp the ground three times, turn around twice, and say, "Lurpy, lurpy, grit and paste, pipe wrench, rusty hinge, go in haste!" Then throw the coal at him and say, "Mario!"
Pssht. Amateurs.
Is there no end to a womens treachery????????
WOW......What a great idea!
Let's sprinkle bird seed all over the USA and ...POOF!...no more Illegals
careful, that might make a bunch of us jump on the Mayflower and return to England.
I don't think anyone alive in the US came over on the Mayflower.
No stranger than the concept of holy water, or carrying a St. Christopher Medalion for protection.
Hah. You don't use rosaries and holy water to get rid of city managers. You use them to get rid of demons, didn't you see the Exorcist? Now, if the city manager were posessed of a demon....but then, I like the idea of birdseed. Might be hell to vacuum out of the carpets though.
Maybe the bird seed was intended to be coupled with an open window, thereby resulting in a flock of birds entering and crapping all over his desk, which would indeed cause the manager to want to leave. This attempt might be based on good science after all.
Mygirl - I am a secretary for a local government and let me tell you, most city managers or county administrators are demons :-) If I could find one I'd have an exorcist visit my office every day...
I have been putting birdseed in my parakeet's cage for years. He's still here!
Surely the Miami Police Department doesnt believe in this stuff. These people just made a fool out of theirselves nationally which should be plenty. seems like more birdbrains than just two
It isn't the Miami Police Dept. It is the NORTH Miami. Much smaller. Miami administrators don't fear birds as much.
I don't practice Santeria, I ain't got no crystal ball...
I was waiting for this.
Alrighty then, leave it to Sublime. They sang the song better.
America, how multicultural.
What is the Santeria spell to correct budget shortfalls?