Why Are Violations Of City Personnel Policy Ignored?
Recently I attended a City Council Workshop where I was allowed to address the council about a violation of City Personnel Policies and Procedures by at least one city employee.
7.3 of that policy states that, "No municipal officer or employee shall use or authorize the use of municipal time, facilities, equipment, or supplies for private gain or advantage to himself or any other private person or group.
7.5 (a) states, "City employees may participate in political or partisan activities of their choosing provided that city resources and property are not utilized, and the activity does not adversely affect the responsibilities of the employees in their positions. Employees may not campaign on city time, in a city vehicle or in a city uniform, or wear political advertisement, or while representing the city in any way. Employees may not allow others to use city facilities or funds for political activities."
Basically the policy states that no city worker can represent the city in a ballot issue nor can they use any city facility, equipment or supplies in pursuit of a political agenda.
On 27 July 2012 at 9:15am the e-mail that is posted below was sent out from the City Recreation Department and is filled with such outrageous fabrications they could not be ignored. I confronted the individual responsible and she did not deny having sent it, only her dissatisfaction at being caught. I expressed my desire to not involve her if possible but she needed to tell where the e-mail originated. She refused and I explained that she left me no choice but to go to the City Council.
Following all the protocols to appear before the council I spoke at the work session, to a council less than interested, but I concluded my remarks with the understanding that the issue would be discussed at the regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday 28 August 2012.
At the City Council Meeting on 28 August 2012 the matter was not on the agenda, was not discussed and according to one council-member it wasn't even thought of.
Here is the e-mail, the only changes I have made is to remove the recipients.
----- Forwarded Message -----
This is the kind of underhanded hysterical lies many generated and passed on by governmental employees that help defeat the Charter.
7.3 of that policy states that, "No municipal officer or employee shall use or authorize the use of municipal time, facilities, equipment, or supplies for private gain or advantage to himself or any other private person or group.
7.5 (a) states, "City employees may participate in political or partisan activities of their choosing provided that city resources and property are not utilized, and the activity does not adversely affect the responsibilities of the employees in their positions. Employees may not campaign on city time, in a city vehicle or in a city uniform, or wear political advertisement, or while representing the city in any way. Employees may not allow others to use city facilities or funds for political activities."
Basically the policy states that no city worker can represent the city in a ballot issue nor can they use any city facility, equipment or supplies in pursuit of a political agenda.
On 27 July 2012 at 9:15am the e-mail that is posted below was sent out from the City Recreation Department and is filled with such outrageous fabrications they could not be ignored. I confronted the individual responsible and she did not deny having sent it, only her dissatisfaction at being caught. I expressed my desire to not involve her if possible but she needed to tell where the e-mail originated. She refused and I explained that she left me no choice but to go to the City Council.
Following all the protocols to appear before the council I spoke at the work session, to a council less than interested, but I concluded my remarks with the understanding that the issue would be discussed at the regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday 28 August 2012.
At the City Council Meeting on 28 August 2012 the matter was not on the agenda, was not discussed and according to one council-member it wasn't even thought of.
Here is the e-mail, the only changes I have made is to remove the recipients.
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Pulaski Parks
To:
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2012 9:15 AM
Subject: Cons on Charter
Cons for the Charter
this is the info I get for the cons on the Charter... Research it
yourself... from a reliable source *If
the charter is passed.. within 5 years the ambulance service can be closed and
contracted out to a private company that could only allow a limited number of
ambulances in Giles County at a time.
Private services go by your population. (Page 34 (g) (iii) )
*Term limits - This
will effect the commissioners and county executive in the beginning. Keep in mind
that at any time after this charter is passed a new charter group can change,
alter or add to it at any time WITHOUT a vote. (this meaning that they can put
limits on the sheriff, co clerk, register of deeds, tax assessor and trustee)
*School superintendent
does need to be elected instead of appointed.
This cannot be changed by the county vote. Legislature will have to change it.
*Penalties for
overspending??? Who is going to pay this
$1000 penalty??? Gas went up and caused
the Hwy dept to go over budget, Dr bills skyrocketed and made the sheriff's dept go over and the
ambulance service will most likely never be unde rbudget.
*Drug testing -
Legislature passed a bill this year that all elected officials are subject to
drug testing. Don't need charter to do this.
*This is a control
issue. If we are not happy with 21
commissioners trying to run our county government then what do we think we are
going to get from 7 unelected individuals that can rewrite, alter or add
anything they want to the charter without a public vote.
They are using taxes,
voting for school superintendent and term limits to get it passed. All of the "catch" phrases. Read what can happen after it passes. It is scary and too broad. Someone
in Knox county said it was the worst
thing that ever happened to them.
Look at Sec. 10.04 -
ALL RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS, REGULATIONS AND DIRECTIVES oF THE FORMER COUNTY
GOVERNMENT, OF WHATSOEVER BRANCH, DIVISION O DEPARTMENT, WHICH ARE IN FULL
FORCE AND EFFECT AT THE TIME THIS CHARTER TAKES EFFECT, "TO THE EXTENT
THAT THEY ARE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISION OF tHIS CHARTER" SHALL
REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT UNTIL ALTERED, MODIFIED OR REPEALED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS CHARTER. Notice the words "to the extent that they are not inconsistent with the
provision of this charter". It is too wide open for them to change. They are presenting a pretty picture to you
up front but after it is voted in the changes are going to take place that we will all regret.
*I can't sit here and
name 50 things about the charter that are not good right now. I believe we all
have a voice, we can vote!!!! If you do
not like the school superintendent and he is appointed by the school
board...call your board members, vote them out.
If you don't like how the county officials do their job . vote them out.
That is your right and we should all exercise our right to vote.
Take time to read
and ask more questions. Ask how a new
committee of 7 is appointed and then ask if they make additions, changes or
alterations does it have to be voted on.
You might not remember but the charter committee went to the
commission and ask that they give them additional time to make changes right
before the election and the commission voted no. So, you see they already have
in their mind changes they want to make.
This is the kind of underhanded hysterical lies many generated and passed on by governmental employees that help defeat the Charter.
posted by Allen Barrett | 8:04 PM
43 Comments:
WAB. If you had followed up with the proper resources, you would have found out that the City has an employee handbook. You would also know that the persons involved in this were disclipined according to the employee handbook policies. You would also know that a letter was sent out explaining to all city employees the policy on computer usage and electronic communications.
The city council does not typically get involved in disciplinary issues, but they do expect the policies in place to be followed. In this instance, it was.
Barrett,
You REALLY need to consider having that Mustang appraised. You are absolutely unbelievable!
Thanks for bringing that to his attention 8:16.
It also makes me glad I voted against the charter. I think that was the best email Barrett has ever posted on this blog. Funny how irony will bite you in the rear sometimes.
Didn't I hear something about someone sending an email about the president or his wife on work computer and getting fired? Does anyone remember just what it was?
Is it just when Barrett is for something it's ignored or could it happen to any of us?
8:51
I am not only glad I voted against the charter; I am pleased that I worked hard in our community to help see it defeated.
And one of the best tools we had to use against the charter is the group of troublemakers who were behind it and pushing it.
Excellent post.
8:16 Are you saying there was more than one city employee involved?
WKSR website posted on August 21 the agenda for the upcoming meeting included citizen Barrett was to go before the city council with a concern about a city employee being disciplined for using government time and equipment for personal political ue which is against the city employment policy. If the appropriate supervisors had already taken care of the situation surely it would have been a courtesy to notify Barrett it had been done. Would have saved themselves and the employee further embarrassment.
I suppose that using lies and distortions is OK for a Christian Gentleman to use if it serves his purpose.
9:43
You REALLY need something to do with your time. No Christian should resort to the bearing of tales, causing strife and trouble, etc. How can you defend the hypocrisy of one who does?
What was done to the city employee, given a pat on the back?
I have never seen such outright lies passed off as truth. Whoever wrote that paper should be ashamed and the people who sent it to others are just as guilty and should be fired but then they are just following the example set by their bosses.
Every negative thing written about the charter in that email was true. You are one angry person 6:45. And always full of crap.
That is simply not true 8:06 and you would be hard pressed to prove ansy thing other than the fact that the school superintendent is not voted on by the people and the drug testing.
The idea that seven appointed people will govern the county is an outright fabrication as are the speculations presented about the future none of which has any foundation in fact or even reasonable thought.
Nevertheless, WE THE PEOPLE have spoken quite clearly that we do not want your charter.
Oh yes, you the people have spoken; based almost entirely on lies. Outright, low-down dirty lies told for the sole purpose of defeating the charter. I'm not upset because the charter was defeated, I believe the voting process to be a wonderful thing. However, by the senders own words, even he did not read the charter.
How can you be proud of a victory won through the spreading of mistruths, propaganda and scare tactics. You people should be ashamed to look in the mirror or enter the doors of a Church.
I firmly believe criminal charges should apply in a case like this. The whole situation speaks volumes about your integrity, gullibility and intelligence. I would be ashamed to be someone who is proud of all the underhanded tactics used.
Ray Lanier
Well put Mr Lanier
Time will tell.
I love the tactics. Anyway to get the right information out is fine with me.
Whether the email sent on city computer was about the charter or something against Mrs. Vanzant the person sending it should be fired. If they can't follow rules what else might they do?.
They might go crazy and take a dump on a desk or the floor. They may go so far as to not flush the toilet after a heavy urination from a hard night of drinking.
The sky is falling, the sky is falling!!! Run.
Another couple was to go before the board about an issue and they weren't on the agenda as well. Harould Brooks met them at the door and sent them on their way. That was the second time they had been misled by Mr. Brooks. Why does he have so much power? How did he get the job of keeper of the door and decide who could have a meeting and who couldn't. People you may not like Mr. Barrett but this is one time he is most likely telling the truth. And these peopel doubtfully know Mr. Barrett.
That would be great,6:54, if it had been the right information. Let me guess, you didn't read the charter either. Well, it's on your head, now live with it.
Ray Lanier
I read the charter Ray. After reading I decided that it was not in my best interest as a citizen and agree with the email. I guess it is what makes me conservative and you a government fed liberal.
If you read the Charter and came away with the understanding that most of the things in that e-mail were true or even remotely possible because of the charter you are missing most of your formerly active brain cells.
Heck, Mr.B, he either didn't read the charter or the email. Surely it's impossible for anyone to be that utterly stupid.
I don't have anything against conservatives; it's complete lying idiots like 10:30 that irritate me.
Ray Lanier
where is channel 4's I-Team whe you need them. The city government needs to be exposed for all their wrongdoings not just this one. I've been a city employee for over thirteen years and if Barrett or any concerned citizen knew what all goes on behind city doors, they would really have something to be pissed about. I along with a number of employees have been threatened and told how to vote, what to say, and how to feel on many accasions when it came to politics. The city administration has made it very clear to most employees that we either do as we are told or look for other employment. People dont realize the impact of a threat like that. If we stand up and loose our job, they will make sure no one else will hire us not to mention all the things they can do to make sure our lives are totl distroyed. The bottom line is they have all the power and we have none.
9:53, I will contact the I Team and any other investgative news team if you will tell them what you've told us. They can protect your identity by distorting your voice and not putting you on camera at all.
You can contact me either by email or by phone. I will certainly not betray your confidence. Ask around town, go to the Circuit Court Clerks office and ask the chief deputy about me. Ask Sheriff Helton or Deputy Marshall Storey. You will find I am a man of my word.
Ray Lanier
931-371-1529
raybestus@gmail.com
OMG Do I smell another law suit? Please leave it alone! The people voted including me, I never heard of nor read the email and I voted no anyway. I saw what a fiasco the FM was and knew the same people were behind the charter and that was all I needed to place a "no" vote.
7:28
You are absolutely right, and I too believe those behind it are the main reason the charter was overwhelmingly voted down. We don't need it anyway.
Here's the thing about voting. NOBODY knows how you voted unless you reveal that information.
This blog is a continuing source of trouble and strife for our county. I just wish it could be shut down.
Please leave it alone? Seriously? If what the poster at 9:53 said is true, how can you even say that. This has nothing to do with the charter being voted down. It has everything to do with city employees being told how to vote, what to say and to do so under threat of losing their jobs.
Do you really think this is ok? Come on guys, you can't really believe that. I hate to accuse anyone of enabling something that is obviously illeagal, but if you don't have a problem with a situation like this, I'm afraid that's what you're doing. How would you like being forced to vote the way someone wanted you too. You would not, and you know it.
It is wrong on so many levels, and lawsuit or not, I will do what I can to see it brought into the light of day. I am a concerned citizen, and if there is a shread of truth to the poster's allegations, you should be too.
Ray Lanier
Ray
I'm the one Barrett told the lie on that I enable wrongdoings, and I just wanted to tell you that I fully agree with you. Nobody has the right to tell others how to vote. Those guilty of that need to be dealt with severely within the parameters of the law.
I just hope it's not true.
Peace
If the ones behind the charter caused it to fail and they were the ones behind FM, how come it to pass?
Someone had said before on the blog any thing Barrett is behind will fail I just wondered why FM passed then.
I thought FM passed because people didn't like what was going on with the school system. Seems the sxhool system is why FM is in trouble now isn't it?
When will we hear just what happen with the money?
9:10 Sometimes it takes someone from the TV station to make things be checked into.
Was it last year or year before they checked into, I think it was Nashville, where the man only worked part time. Used the company car for his on personal use. The man got fired.
I certainly hope what was said about Pulaski isn't true.
She never should of sent the email from her work place. That left it looking like her boss agreed with it.
She should of saved it to a memory stick and taken it home to her computer to send.
It looks like it must to have come from someone in the city to her work place.
I too am a city employee and everything 9:53 said is absolutely true. People would be outraged if they only knew half of the things that goes on at city hall. I hope Mr. Lanier gets a call from the employee that wrote the 9:53 post but if they dont I understand why and its because of fear, not just loosing your job but everything else that is going to be done to you and your family.
11:17
But nobody goes into the voting booth with you, so what is the point?
It would be very easy for someone like David Rackley to see how you voted.
2:34
That's a lie. Why don't you leave your name with the accusation and stop trying to stir up trouble?
I understand the fear involved, I really do. All I can do is give y'all my word that you will remain anonymous.
I can offer even more references -- not bragging -- if you need them. They can all attest to the fact that my word means something. Some may only know me as "Sasquatch", but I don't mind if you use that. I know a couple of people at Channel 5 and I'm sure I could get them to agree to respect your anonymity. I will not even ask your name if you contact me.
Please, for the your sake as well the sake of the citizens, let's expose this corruption. I will not think badly of you if you can't, however. Just give it some thought.
Hey CG, we finally agreed on something and I didn't get struck by lightning or have my roof cave in or anything. Lol. Peace back to ya.
Ray Lanier
Ray,
I have a valid reason for not revelaing my identity, and hope you understand. And I've nothing to do with the county or school system.
I am in agreement with you that this needs to be exposed. Nobody has the right to coerce or intimidate others into voting one way or the other...or at all.
Ray, I'm thinking that you and I would probably agree on many things. Peace, my friend.
Well, I am a people person. I don't see it being out of the question for us to maybe grab a bite of lunch or a cup of coffee. I can respect your wish to remain anonymous.
Holler at me if you take a notion. I'm always up for a bite. Later tater.
Ray Lanier
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
"Heaven will guide its course."
"No, let's follow him....."
Speaking of City Government!!!!!!!Why do we have a mayor, city council, and Economic Development. I haven't seen or heard of anything they do for anyone or anything in this town. Are we growing:NO, Are we seeing people stampeding to live here: NO, Have we seen any improvement in our downtown businesses or new businesses: NO, Do you see any of our city leaders out and about wanting to find out what they can do to improve or sleepy little town, NO. And does Pat Ford ever talk for himself or does he have a hand up his back with someone moving his lips and them doing the talking. This little town could use a good house cleaning from the top down in city and county. And replaced with people who have a vision.
GOD love Dan Speer
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