UCC: It is with regret that we write this email to discuss an issue that we
feel is negatively impacting the Ubuntu Community. Over a long period of
time Jonathan Riddell has become increasingly difficult to deal with.
Jonathan raised valid issues and concerns, but reacted poorly when he
received answers he did not agree with. As things progressed Jonathan
made public statements impugning the integrity of the Community
Council(CC)and twisting the words of others. He was also argumentative
to the point we feel he violated the code of conduct. Out of respect for
Jonathan’s contributions we allowed this situation to continue in the
hopes it would self-correct, but that has not happened.
At this time we have sent an email to Jonathan requesting that he step
aside from all positions of leadership in the Ubuntu Communityfor at
least 12 months. This request will require him to step aside from
leadership in Kubuntu as well. We apologize that this happens just after
the election of the Kubuntu Council and are willing to assist in anyway
to help with the transition.
Jonathan will be able to keep his upload and commit rights and is still
allowed to participate as a member of the Ubuntu Community. He is allowed
to request funds from the community donations program as an individual,
but requests for funding of Kubuntu activities, such as sprints, should
be requested by another Kubuntu leader. Likewise we would like for any
concerns that Kubuntu would like to raise with the Community Council be
brought to us by somebody other than Jonathan.
JR: I refuse your request to step down from the Kubuntu council because I disagree entirely with the accusations against me. I have never been agressive and claiming that I have is insulting and bullying. If you wish to pursue this request please send the CC meeting minute authorising it to the kubuntu-devel mailing list along with concrete examples of breaches of CoC and Leadership CoC.
Mark: The CC is entitled to choose who they will recognise as their counterparts and representatives in sub-communities like Kubuntu. It is untenable for us to ask people to volunteer to the CC, and then expect them to have to work with people who they do not feel are constructive leads; they therefore have the same ability to short-list candidates for leadership of sub-communities that I have for nominations to the CC and TB.
It is therefore not a question of whether or not you accept the CC request to step down. This is a statement from the CC that we no longer recognise you as the leader of the Kubuntu community. This decision has been rather painful, but is judged necessary. Whether or not you agree with the position, it is the final position of the CC.
You may not realise the extent to which your conduct has strayed outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour for a leader in Ubuntu. I would suggest you get the benefit of some distance from the project.
JR: Oh Mark, all I have ever done is the task you hired me to do a decade
ago. I have created the most successful community team in Ubuntu and
the most successful community project. I have never been agressive,
never misrepresented anyone and I have never ever done anything that
is not in the interests of the Ubuntu community. Two very basic but
important questions were not being answered and I’m pleased they now
have been to my current satisfaction but the CC members need to deal
with why they couldn’t answer them years ago and need to ask
themselves why they are wanting to destroy the community they are
enrolled to help. I have never claimed to be a leader of anything.