Jefferson leaders clash over position

Thursday, March 25. 2010

Jefferson councilman C.D. Kidd’s recommendation that the public works director position held by Jeff Killip be eliminated led to a heated discussion at the Jefferson City Council Monday night.

More than 60 people attended the meeting, apparently due to concern that an agenda item to hold a closed session to discuss personnel was about eliminating some of the city department heads.

Kidd called for the closed meeting to discuss “downsizing due to the economy” and Mayor Jim Joiner told him that would not be a permitted discussion allowed under the Georgia Open Meetings Law. Joiner then read the three allowed reasons for closing meetings.

“If you’re going to talk about that, we’re going to do it in public,” Joiner said.

A heated discussion then followed with Joiner asking Kidd and councilman Bosie Griffith why they want to eliminate Killip’s position.

Kidd said he suggested it as a way to eliminate $90,000 from the budget. He said that Killip’s position was added at a time when the city anticipated growth and that has not occurred. He added that there are people in place in the water, street and sewer departments who could serve as supervisors. He pointed out that is how it was done before a public works director was hired.

Joiner questioned whether the council could eliminate a position and Kidd quickly pointed out that the council created the position.

Joiner questioned Griffith about a conversation they had two weeks ago and said that Griffith told him that he wanted to eliminate the position because Killip is not a professional engineer, is not an American citizen and is not friendly to him.

Kidd said he had received complaints about Killip, including that he uses his city car for personal business. He added that his main issue is that the city could save $90,000 by eliminating the position.

City manager John Ward said eliminating the position would not save the town $90,000 because consultants would have to be brought in to manage the projects that Killip supervises.

Kidd then asked that the discussion be postponed.

Joiner said, “I suggest y’all think what you are getting yourself into. Meeting adjourned.”

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#1 well maybe on 03/25/10 at 03:47 PM [Reply]

I believe they can go into closed session to discuss personal.All this did was air dirty laundry in public.
But hey the herald got a story so it's OK.

#2 Oldtimer on 03/25/10 at 09:33 PM [Reply]

Why am I not surprised Jim has always had a problem when any did not agree with hum. C.D. Kidd and Mr. Griffith have been on the council at lot longer than Jim Joiner how dare him treat them like that at a public meeting. They need to call a meeting and not invite him, he can't even vote unless it's a tie anyway. Jim do what you usually do, don't get involved, you seem to take that stance more often than not. I hope the real reason comes out why you do not like Mr. Kidd then he'll know what to do! Instead of worrying about all this you need to be studying things a little closer to home anyway. You need to be thinking what you have got yourself into Jim! The council needs to do what they need to do in order to serve the best needs of the citizens not a few spoiled people. Byrd Bruce truly loved Jefferson, Jim loves himself.

#3 Missing Information on 03/25/10 at 11:38 PM [Reply]

I'm a little disappointed that one of the top reporters Mainstreet News employs attended this meeting and 6 or 7 of the BIGGEST points failed to make this article:

1. Joiner's statement that one reason for Kidd and Griffith wishing to fire Jeff Killip not being an American citizen would be a violation of Federal Law and would immediately bring on a Federal Lawsuit.

2. Councilman Roy Plott wondering what makes Councilman Kidd feel the elimination of Killip is so necessary when A) the City is in "fine shape financially" B) the City has not been forced to furlough any employees C) the City has not been forced to eliminate ANY positions- much less one that oversees the City's drinking water, the City's streets and the City's waste water treatment plant. Councilman Plott stated that he has access to the same financial data that Kidd and Griffith due and that the City is in wonderful shape due to the hard work turned in by its employees.

3. City Manager John Ward's statement that since Jeff Killip has been employed by the City of Jefferson he has secured more than $1,000,000 in grant money for projects city-wide.

4. City Attorney Ronnie Hopkins had a copy of the City Charter ON HAND to answer any legal questions as to the power of City Council. Yes, City Council created the position but City Council can not fire an employee. The City Manager's position has the power to hire and fire employees.

5. Councilman Kidd's rather bold assertion that City Manager John Ward could "certainly handle some of the work" currently performed by Jeff Killip.

6. The fact that Councilman Kidd couldn't put a complete sentence together at any point in time during the meeting. He mumbled, stumbled and contradicted himself on multiple occasions. The "personal business" Jeff Killip uses a city vehicle for is dropping off his daughter at school on his way to the office. His position is permitted to utilize a take home vehicle.

7. Mayor Joiner repeatedly stating that Councilman Griffith was very confident he had secured the needed votes to eliminate the position of Public Works Director because Griffith had personally told the Mayor 3 times over the last 2 weeks: "Jeff Killip is gone". Mayor Joiner stated that Griffith would not have been so confident and repeated himself both publicly and privately had he not "worked to get the three votes". See the Federal Lawsuit above that those three councilpersons would have subjected themselves to.

In short, there is a lot of missing information. Perhaps its in the paper version. I just think Angela Gary didn't write a complete article here. I was one of the 60+ in attendance and it was painfully obvious about 5 minutes into the discussion that Councilman Kidd had stuck his neck on the line for something that Councilman Griffith really wanted.

#4 Eric A. Nicolaus on 03/26/10 at 05:22 AM [Reply]

Per Bosie Griffith's "Not an American citizen" comment: EEOC federal law discussing "National Origin Discrimination" is discussed at: www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/nationalorigin.cfm. Per Bosie Griffith's comment concerning Professional Engineer (PE) requirements: Was the PE requirement a part of the advertised position? If it was, there is grounds to remove Mr. Killip IF he said he had a PE and did not. If not (which is undoubtedly the case), refer to EEOC federal law discussing "Retaliation" discussed at: www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/retaliation.cfm. Per Bosie Griffith's comment about "Killip not being friendly to him": refer to EEOC "Retaliation" again.

#5 Jurasic Jack on 03/26/10 at 06:45 AM [Reply]

Not a professional engineer? The job entails professional management and administrative experience supervising subordinates. Managers are not required to stamp and seal their work as are professional engineers.

Not an American citizen? There are currently more than 25,000 non-US citizens serving in our armed forces. Please do not belittle non-citizens’ service to America.

Not friendly? Friendship founded on good public works management is a better proposition for the City than is public works management founded upon good friendship.

Jefferson, as will the rest of Jackson County, boom again. I suggest keeping a man involved and working that knows the infrastructure.

#6 Parker Barnett on 03/26/10 at 07:45 AM [Reply]

Griffith=is not friendly to him; want a close door meeting; using city car for personal business What am i to think of this?

#7 letthe on 03/27/10 at 10:01 AM [Reply]

I think it's time us locals speak up about the things Bosie did and said as he went door to door campaigning last election season.

Who is willing to go first?

#7.1 cdr on 03/29/10 at 10:23 AM [Reply]

Jim Joiner has set a tone that anyone can come and disrupt a public meeting; he invited the last remaining friends he has left in this town and made a little show. I hope everyone remembers this the next time there is a meeting and the opposite side wants to be heard. I hope he knows what he's gotten into.

#7.1.1 R. Smith on 03/29/10 at 05:52 PM [Reply]

cdr,
Mayor Joiner assisted the City in possibly avoiding a HUGE lawsuit that was the direct result of the actions of C.D. Kidd and Bosie Griffith. Joiner forced Kidd and Griffith to follow the law involving open meetings and Title VII. I think that I'll stand with anyone who stands up for what is right and against what is illegal any day before I side with those who try to hide their illegal actions out of the eyes of the public. Thank goodness we had someone like Joiner in a position to save the City from any further embarassment due to the actions of Kidd and Griffith.

For those who want to read about what really happened check out the meeting minutes on the City of Jefferson's website at www.cityofjeffersonga.com.

#7.1.1.1 comeonman on 03/30/10 at 07:12 PM [Reply]

You have got to be kidding me... please. Are you telling me positions can not be eliminated without a lawsuit happens everyday. Jim and the other cronies just did not want their friend gone. They have the right as elected officials to carry through with their vote. THE MAYOR HAS NO VOTE. If the truth is they should sue him he can not prevent an executive session if called for by the council but being as arrogant as Jim is he thinks he can do anything....

#7.1.1.1.1 R. Smith on 03/31/10 at 08:44 PM [Reply]

No I not saying that at all. What I am saying is that now that Mr. Griffith has gone all over town attempting to get support for eliminating the Public Works Director position by making statements that violate Federal Title VII Laws he has eliminated his ability to take action without a lawsuit. If he and Mr. Kidd had gone about it right then they would have clearly been within their authority. Read the minutes and/or ask Mr. Griffith what he said. Not only did he violate federal law he admitted to it.

#8 R. Smith on 03/29/10 at 11:04 AM [Reply]

The following Equal Employment Opportunity statement is part of the Policy and Procedure Packet given to each City of Jefferson employee and this same packet is voted on and approved by the Mayor & Counci. It basically outlines that Jefferson acknowledges both State & Federal EEOC law. It goes on to state that an employee who violates this policy could be disciplined up to and including termination. If an employee can be terminated for violating the policy, what happens when an elected official who voted to enact the policy violates it?

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Jefferson is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to afford equal employment opportunity to qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, or disability.

We will continue to direct our employment and personnel practices toward ensuring equal employment opportunity for everyone; therefore, we intend that all matters related to recruiting, hiring, training, compensation, benefits, promotion, transfers, layoffs, City-sponsored educational, social, and recreational programs, discipline, discharge, and all treatment on the job be free of discriminatory practices. Any employee or applicant who has questions or concerns about our practices is encouraged to contact the City Manager.

The City has affirmative action compliance obligations and programs. Any
applicant or employee who has questions about our affirmative action program is
encouraged to contact the City Manager. Qualified persons who have a disability, are disabled veterans or veterans of the Vietnam era and who wish to be considered under the affirmative action program should so advise the City Manager. Providing this information is voluntary and refusal to provide the information will not subject the person to any adverse treatment. The information will be kept confidential and only used for proper job placement and in the interest of the employee's health and safety in accordance with the law. If an employee is disabled, but otherwise qualified, we would like to include them under the affirmative action program. Employees are asked to provide complete information about their skills, their medical/occupational restrictions and the reasonable accommodations which could be made enabling them to perform the job properly and safely.

Non-Harassment Policy

The City of Jefferson remains committed to an environment which permits an
employee to develop and pursue opportunity free from harassment of any kind on the basis of national origin, race, color, sex, age, religion, or disability. Any employee who feels that they are the subject of harassment or that they have witnessed harassment of any kind should immediately contact their supervisor or the City Manager. If someone in the employee's direct chain of command is the alleged harasser, the employee may proceed outside the chain of command and take his or her complaint directly to the City Manager. All complaints of harassment will be promptly investigated. The City will preserve the confidentiality of harassment complainants and witnesses as much as possible consistent with a thorough investigation. There will be no retaliation against any employee who reports harassing conduct.

Prompt, corrective action, up to and including termination of employment will be taken when an investigation of a harassment complaint confirms the allegations.

#9 A simple thought. on 03/29/10 at 08:26 PM [Reply]

If the story is going to be told.The truth is all the city top officials need to be removed. They are simple minded and promote noting, but themselves.They never have scaled down high emergency rates and are just as bad as Sunny Purdue and these other high dollar officials. If you dont belive me just look at the progress of Jefferson in the last 10-15 years compared to Winder, Banks Crossing and even Braselton.

#10 Not gonna vote for Jim! on 03/30/10 at 09:37 AM [Reply]

I voted for this goofball but it won't happen again. I didn't know a lot about him and was new to the area, but I have become aware of so much lately that I'm ashamed of those who did vote for him including me. We need to look closely at those who run for office from now on or we are doomed to repeatedly put people in there that are idiots, case in point.
I have already started working to get this fool out of office and get someone in there with a brain. Goodbye Scarecrow!

#11 letthe on 03/30/10 at 10:09 PM [Reply]

I hope everyone takes the time to read the actual meeting minutes listed above.

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Jefferson leaders clash over position

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