The executive director of the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (CDF) – a local non-profit designed to give below-market loans to Rainier Valley businesses impacted by Light Rail construction – has resigned after a profanity-laced letter she wrote was sent to a small business owner.
Last week, KIRO published the shocking letter written by CDF Executive Director Martina Guilfoil (right):
I want to tell you that you are one crazy ass bitch. It was a complete waste of time for you to come before the board, though it did provide us with some comic relief.
We recognize a dog loan when we see it. Your comments will help us to improve upon our program operations where we will better screen out broke ass crazies.
I apologize for the trouble that this may have caused to you in perpetuating your delusion that somehow you might be credit worthy. Read more.
Guilfoil wrote the letter to Jessie Jones, owner of the Vision of Beauty salon on Martin Luther King, Jr. Way after the Othello-area business owner worked to get a loan from the CDF to help her business. The organization denied her request and she appealed.
According to KIRO:
Initially, Guilfoil only received a verbal reprimand for writing the letter, but after the letter got out earlier this month, the development fund board suspended Guilfoil for one week without pay.
Rainier Valley Community Development Fund Chair Joshua Williams tells KIRO 7 the letter was “totally unacceptable” and “did not reflect the values of the community development fund.”
The board says it will continue to investigate while it searches for Guilfoil’s replacement.
According to its web site, the Rainier Valley CDF “stimulates economic investment in the Rainier Valley area of Seattle. Since its inception in 2002 the RVCDF has invested over $23 million into the community through grants and loans to small business and commercial real estate lending.” Top right: Martina Guilfoil’s Facebook photo (since removed).
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