Bayside Residents Rally Behind Terminated Super

In two weeks, Mario Martinez, superintendent of the Jeffrey Gardens Apartment complex, will be homeless and have no source of income. The 61-year-old has been living and working at Jeffrey Gardens for 15 years, developing long-lasting relationships with tenants and maintaining the complexs various facilities.
But on the day of his return from visiting his family in Argentina,when he reported to the office one day late, Martinez discovered a letter addressed to him, stating that his failure to return to work on time was deemed an "unauthorized absence" and was ground for dismissal. The letter stated that Martinez had been repeatedly warned by Lisa Hadar, his employer, for "various job infractions" and that this latest infraction warranted his firing. The letter ordered that Martinez vacate his apartment within 60 days of the time the letter was delivered to him.
Residents of the apartment complex were confused by Hadars sudden decision and voiced their disagreement through signed letters blasting the Jeffrey Gardens Corporation for its insensitivity in dealing with their veteran employee.
"The news of Marios dismissal is very disturbing to me," said Theresa Brophy, a tenant who has been living at the Gardens for over 10 years. "I have found Mario to be extremely helpful and competent at his job…It is not often that someone is willing to go out of his way to help people and make their living environment safer."
Ruth Eichhacker, a tenant of the Gardens for almost 22 years has lived there long enough to see many changes in the position of superintendent. According to a letter she wrote to the chairman of Jeffrey Gardens, Martinez has been the most reliable of superintendents, stating that "he made himself highly visible and accessible to the residents" and is "prompt in dealing with any concerns, problems, or questions over the years that he has served as a maintenance worker and, eventually, a superintendent."
To residents of Jeffrey Gardens, many of whom sent 22 letters touting their displeasure with Hadars decision, Martinez termination was a shock.
But to the Argentinian native, this decision was no surprise.
"They fired Gloria Brodsky, who was over 60 years old and had worked for Jeffrey Gardens for more than 18 years," Martinez told The Queens Courier. "When Mrs. Hadar took over management, she treated Mrs. Brodsky like trash, cutting down her hours and decreasing her wages until she had to quit."
After she officially left Jeffrey Gardens, Brodsky told Martinez to be careful, "because they are going to get you next."
After Brodskys warning, Martinez said he began to notice the preferential treatment management gave the Gardens younger employees.
"Hadar has treated the other younger workers who work here with more respect, and has even given them priority over me," Martinez said. "When Cslaw Dabek, a 30-year-old handyman who has only worked here for five years, wanted to take the same vacation period as I, she let him go on vacation, giving him seniority over me."
Another example Martinez presented was when another young handyman around 30 years of age went on vacation and returned three days late. He was not discharged, rather, his pay was withheld for the three days he had not been present to work.
Repeated phone calls by the The Queens Courier to Hadar went unreturned by press day.
Martinez has requested aid from a number of sources, including the 111 Precinct, who advised him to begin petitioning throughout the complex. He also summoned the assistance of New York State Senator Frank Padavan, who has requested that Jerome H. Blue, commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights, conduct an "in-depth investigation of the serious allegations outlined in Mr. Martinez correspondence." Martinez is also currently in contact with Congressman Gary Ackerman and Assemblywoman Margaret Carozza.
"I have a very good relationship with the tenants of Jeffrey Gardens who have been supporting me through all of this," said Martinez. "I feel that this is age discrimination since there is no other reason why I have been asked to leave."
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