HOW IT STARTED

KATI BAKER, PARK SUPERVISOR
Kati Baker, Park Supervisor, responded dismissively to operational questions about power outage protocols and escalated after receiving feedback about her tone.

FEBRUARY 9, 2025

During a power outage in H Loop, I contacted Park Supervisor Kati Baker at 6:00 AM after interacting with concerned guests since 3:00 AM. I asked for clarity on:
  • Who to contact during off-hours utility issues.
  • How status updates are communicated to volunteers and staff.
  • What information I should provide to guests.
Her response was dismissive. I sent a follow-up email naming her tone and requesting the operational clarity I needed to serve effectively.
From: Samuel White
To: Kati Baker, Park Supervisor
Date: February 9, 2025
Subject: Following Up on the Power Outage
Hi Kati,

I wanted to follow up on our exchange about the H Loop power outage. When I choose my sites as a volunteer host, I'm always conscious of what each position means for guest interaction. Being across from the gate means being a natural point of contact, especially during overnight issues.

I'm a systems thinker by nature and profession. When I reached out at 6 AM, after interacting with concerned guests since 3 AM, I was seeking to understand how to best serve within this system. Having clear protocols helps me provide better service, especially during situations like yesterday's water outage where guests became agitated.

I hesitated to contact you at that hour because I wasn’t sure if other volunteers had already done so or if that was the correct protocol. And when I did reach out, the response I received made me feel small—like my concern wasn’t valid, when in reality, I was simply trying to do my job well. That hesitation is something I shouldn’t have to feel when I’m only seeking to be as effective as possible in a role that ultimately serves both guests and the park.

I’m still seeking clarity on:

1. Who to contact during off-hours utility issues

2. How status updates are communicated so that volunteers and staff can access the same information

3. What specific details I should provide to guests to ensure they feel informed

I choose to be here because I care about making these parks work well for everyone. I want to be a valuable resource, but I also need to know my role is respected. Having clearer guidance on these points would help me serve both guests and staff more effectively.

Additionally, I see an opportunity to improve how real-time updates are shared across teams. If there’s interest, I’d be happy to discuss a simple system for tracking and communicating outages, reducing redundant contacts while keeping everyone better informed.

Best, 
Sam

THE ESCALATION

This email — a request for operational clarity and feedback about dismissive tone — was weaponized repeatedly as justification for subsequent institutional actions:
  • Same day: Ryan Warren confronted me alone, cataloging first-week mistakes.
  • March 5: Referenced at the day-use meeting as evidence of problematic behavior.
  • March 25: Cited by Allison Watson during dismissal proceedings.
Every institutional action taken against me traced back to this exchange — not because I did anything wrong, but because I named her tone and insisted on the operational support I needed to serve effectively.