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Rainier Valley Community Development Fund

Closure of Columbia City Cinema Leaves Some Hard Feelings

July 9, 2011

in Arts/Living,News

Seattle Times (RVP news partner):

When the Columbia City Cinema closed after a seven-year run, it left thousands in wasted donations and unpaid loans as the fourth independent theater to run into trouble under its now-bankrupt operator.

The vacant building can’t be occupied because when Paul Doyle remodeled it, he did so without permits. Fire inspectors found missing sprinklers and alarms, burned-out exit lights and flammable debris.

“It’s basically a big matchbox,” said Seattle Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith. “Once you know that, if something ever does happen … ”

So the two-story, three-screen theater sits empty in the middle of the summer movie season. More.

Photo/do communications

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McIver Excited About New Position With Rainier Valley Community Development Fund

December 20, 2010

in Business,News,People In Your Neighborhood

The Seattle Medium:

Former Seattle City Councilmember Richard McIver, 69, may have retired from politics earlier this year, but if his smile and enthusiastic energy that fills the room when talking about his new position as executive director of the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (RVCDF) is any indication then he certainly appears to be a long way from retiring from the workforce.

I’m having fun,” McIver said in a recent interview with The Seattle Medium. “Working with this group of staff members and trying to accomplish something that is right but not traditional is a lot of fun because we’re trying to provide opportunities that people otherwise would not have.”

The RVCDF, established in 1999 as a self-sustaining, community controlled financial institution to stimulate economic development in the Rainier Valley, provides below-market-rate loans to the Rainier Valley business community. Read more.

Ironically, McIver, who was a member of the Seattle City Council at that time, helped create the fund to help businesses along the MLK corridor weather disruptions associated with the Sound Transit light rail construction project down Martin Luther King, Jr. Way South. Photo/do communications

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Embattled CDF Appoints Former Councilman Richard McIver as Interim Chief

September 23, 2010

in Business,Development,News

The Board of Directors of the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (CDF) announced yesterday that former Seattle City Councilmember Richard McIver has agreed to serve as Interim Executive Director of the Fund.

“The last few weeks have been difficult for all of us that support the work and mission of the CDF,” said Board Chair Josh Williams. “Recent events have detracted from the organization’s progress to date, yet have also helped us focus on critical challenges for the future.  Given McIver’s history with the fund in particular, and economic development and the Rainier Valley in general, we are very pleased to have the benefit of his leadership at this time.”

Councilman McIver’s experience on the Council includes time as chair of the Finance & Budget and Budget Committees, vice-chair of the Economic Development & Neighborhoods Committee, and a member of the Housing, Human Services & Health Committee.

“Richard’s leadership in creating the fund was instrumental, which makes him the ideal person to evaluate its progress and guide its future,” said Board member Jeffrey Taylor. “The CDF now can advance its priorities including a thorough investment and organizational review, continuation of the 2013 strategic planning process, and initiating the search process for a permanent executive director.”

Most Rainier Valley residents had never heard of the Community Development Fund until last month when former Executive Director Martina Guilfoil resigned after it was discovered that she had written a shocking, profanity-laced letter to a local business owner. In the wake of the scandal, former Seattle City Councilman Richard McIver has agreed to serve as Interim Executive Director of the Fund.

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More on CDF’s ‘Crazy A** B****’ Fiasco: Board Prez Knew of Shocking Letter Since NOV ’09

August 31, 2010

in Business,News

Ed. Note: In light of Monday’s revelation that Martina Guilfoil, executive director of the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (CDF), had resigned after it was discovered that she had written a shocking, profanity-laced letter to a local business owner, we asked Board President Joshua Williams to respond to several questions. His answers are below unedited.

How & when did the Board first learn of Ms. Guilfoil’s letter to Ms. Jones?

The full Board learned of the letter on August 12, 2010.  I was aware of the letter on November 19, 2009 – but chose not to share it with the full board with an understanding from Martina that it was inexcusable and that the letter was to be destroyed, not shared internally or externally, and she agreed.  We were notified by Ms. Jones on August 23rd that it had been anonymously delivered to her business.

How would you characterize the Board’s overall response at that time?

The Board was unanimous in their agreement that it was unacceptable, inexcusable, unprofessional and extremely harmful and that an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the letter should be undertaken.  The Board felt that if there were other instances in which Ms. Guilfoil had acted in a manner that didn’t best serve or represent the Fund, we needed to have that information.

Is it the Board’s position that Ms. Guilfoil did not actually send the letter to Ms. Jones?

This our understanding.

If so, do you have any idea who did?

This is part of the investigation that is not yet completed.

Is the Board aware of any other misconduct by Ms. Guilfoil?

At this point we cannot comment on any other issues with Ms. Guilfoil, as she has resigned her post with our organization and to discuss those matters publicly would not serve the community or the Fund.  We can say that Ms. Guilfoil is not believed to have done any legal wrongdoing.

Can you confirm that two other RVCDF staff members are currently on unpaid leave?

Two staff members are on leave.

If so, does their leave have anything to do with Ms. Guilfoil’s letter?

At this point we cannot comment on the leave of our staff since that would violate their privacy.

We can however say that we are assessing the conduct and professionalism of the CDF work-place, including our entire staff and roll of the Board, at this time to ensure that we can move forward with a team of individuals who want to serve the community and have the best interests of the Fund at heart.

According to his RVCDF bio, Joshua Williams serves as Vice President of International Banking and Trade Solutions for Wells Fargo Bank and has been a member of the Board since 2003. He lives with his family in the Mt. Baker neighborhood. Photo/RVCDF

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CDF Boss Resigns for Writing Letter Calling MLK Biz Owner a ‘Crazy A** B****’

August 30, 2010

in Business,News

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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