Georgetown Mayor Jack Scoville — overriding a grievance committee decision — said “no” to a former worker’s request to be reinstated to her job.
Millison Jordan, who was forced to resign from the City of Georgetown’s finance department for “insubordination to a superior” in November, told the city’s six-member grievance committee she was unfairly terminated from her job as an administrative assistant.
The panel, last week, decided to side with Jordan and recommended the decision to terminate her employment be “set aside.”
However, because the city has a strong mayor form of government, Mayor Jack Scoville was charged with making the ultimate decision.
He decided to uphold the termination be upheld. He declined to comment for this article.
Jordan said Scoville offered no explanation for his decision in his letter, which she received Tuesday.
“I went into this open minded. I knew there was a chance they would hire me back and a chance they would not,” Jordan said Tuesday. “I really just wanted my side to be heard, and it was. The committee saw my point.”
Jordan also said she holds no hard feelings towards Scoville for disregarding the panel’s recommendation.
“I do not fault him for the decision he made, even though I may never know why,” she said.
Jordan, who was an administrative assistant in the city’s finance department, said she was told Nov. 20 she would have to perform cashier duties in the collections area because of a hiring freeze enacted by city council.
She said she decided to move some items from her office to the cashier area so she would not have to leave her cash drawer unattended during the day.
That, she said, led to an altercation between herself and Walt Ackerman, the assistant director of finance.
Ackerman, according to testimony from the grievance hearing, told Jordan she was “being irrational” by moving things from her office since working in the cashier’s position was probably temporary.
Jordan admits she started “being loud” as she told Ackerman she was going to move her things because that would make it easier for her to do the cashier’s job.
“Mr. Ackerman asked me not to yell at him anymore and I stated to him that I was not yelling, but if he felt that I was I was sorry,” Jordan said.
She testified Ackerman put his finger in her face and “with a forceful tone said ‘you will not run this department.’”
Jordan said Ackerman wanted her to come into his office but she refused.
“I said that I would not discuss this without (Miller) or someone else being in the office with me because I was not comfortable nor did I want to be backed up against the wall,” she said.
Jordan told the panel she had no idea Ackerman was considered one of her superiors. She said she thought they were equals in the workplace.
By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com
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As an employer, even if one of my employees cursed me for every name in the book and I then retaliated by violating their personal space, then I would become just as guilty as my employee. In fact, I would feel more accountable than my employee, as I am expected to demonstrate leadership. Posted by on 2/16/2010 |
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Hey, why was my post deleted? I agreed with the mayor, and he is a pinhead! Posted by on 2/12/2010 |
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Truth is no one who is posting was there> I can speak from past experiences with both individuals and say in all honesty the the problem was most likely NOT caused by Milison. Posted by on 2/12/2010 |
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Life is what it is. The decision has been made by the person who has the final say so. As for the people who leave comments that are threatening and childish why don't you be grown up enough to state your name?? If you hold a grudge take it to that person dont say "You will be next!" What a child!!!! Grow up!!! Posted by TJU on 2/10/2010 |
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I will first say that I do not know anyone in this article, and I'm just a concerned outsider looking in. Jordan, apparently, was being percieved as disruptive when asked to work beyond her normal duties for what she was hired to do. There is no excuse for acting in a non-civil manner, and perhaps should result in some form of punishment. Ackerman, apparently, pointed his finger in Jordan's face. Again, there is no excuse for acting in a non-civil manner, and should result in the SAME punishment as Jordan recieved. Whether you are the subordinate or the authority, there is NO EXCUSE in either case. Let's put this into perspective: If a person hits you, then you hit them back...aren't you both just as guilty as the other? Was Ackerman acting in self-defense? Now, I do feel that termination may be too strong for both, but equal punishment should be given. Posted by on 2/10/2010 |
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Who is Ackerman, does he rule City Hall. The city of georgetown and the council members has always been at one anothers throat. Every body wants to be the boss over there, they are like wolfs in sheeps clothing, the whole bunch, to many chiefs and not enough Indians. Go get them missy you the girl. What a mess the city of georgetown is in. Posted by Jones on 2/9/2010 |
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She was a troublemaker and got exactly what she deserved. Good riddance! Posted by on 2/9/2010 |
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ummm no the "supervisor" was totally in the wrong here. He instigated it and chose a time when the real supervisor wasn't there to exert his "authority". Posted by on 2/8/2010 |
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Well finally, a democrat exercising some backbone. If this had happened in the private sector, that lady would have been sent hiking as soon as she raised her voice. Posted by Ben Dover on 2/7/2010 |
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Lord Help the City Of Georgetown! Posted by on 2/4/2010 |
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Scoville is a pinhead, but he may have made a good decision by accident. The facts, right and wrong, and the findings of the committee aside; putting Ms. Jordan back into the office would have created some degree of aggravation at the work place. The finance department has enough tension trying to get work done. I would want the department running as smooth and efficient as possible. That's not necessarily my opinion since I don't know all the details. It's just another point of view. Good luck Ms. Jordan in finding another job. However, in a county where unemployment is 15%, you might reign in that tongue in your next position. Posted by on 2/4/2010 |
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So why bother with a grievance committee if one person, who presumably had the same information as the grievance committee, can overturn their decision and decide what HE feels is best for the city? King Scoville has spoken! Jack, do you really feel that is a responsible way to run the city? Might as well do away with the grievance process and let Jack decide these things in the first place. Posted by on 2/4/2010 |
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The Mayor,in my opinion,made a huge legal and politicaly mistake. Yes Linda,this is the good ole boy system at it's finest. Mrs. Jordon was judged by her peers based on the facts and evidence presented during the hearing. The grievance committee was arble to hear the testimony and see the expressions of the people testifying. The grievance committee did their job and to have the Mayor overturn their decision is a slap in the face not only to Mrs. Jordon but every member that served on the grievance committee. Why didn't the Judge overturn the verict made by the jury in the OJ Simpson case. Lord help us all. My question now is how will the Grievance function in the future? Did Jack Scoville send a message that you have to support the decisions made by the City Bosses? This is another example of being power hungry and controlling other people. Poor Georgetown. Posted by on 2/4/2010 |
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Well I guess the mayor's stance is "the buck stops here". That's certainly applicable to Ms. Jordon's future. Shame on you Mr. Mayor for disregarding the findings of the grievance committee. Isn't this a little like a judge overturning the verdict of a jury? Sometimes its hard to do the right thing. huh? Politics, politics, politics, when will it end in City Hall? If Ms. Jordon would have been a man this little man would not have been so macho. Sexual Harassment? Discrimination? Get a big lawyer Ms Jordon and overturn this little lawyer's decision. Lets see him over turn a grievance committee of 12. The buck does't have to stop with him. It is not his buck, it is yours. It appears this may have been done in a legal maneuver as to not admit guilt. SUE'EM Posted by Sadie's Pa on 2/4/2010 |
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JESSICA MILLER NEEDS TO BE NEXT..... Posted by on 2/3/2010 |
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Another glaring example of the cronyism that exists in Georgetown - as I said before, the town is going to dry up and die because of actions like the mayor's and Charles T Smith! Posted by on 2/3/2010 |
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Good for you Mayor. You can see through the smoke and mirrors. Posted by on 2/3/2010 |
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Sorry to hear that the Mayor would not uphold Millson in this case. Hope he never has to experience what Millison has had to experience....business as usual I see at City Hall. Good "old" buddy system! You should feel proud of yourself Mr. Mayor! Posted by Linda Dingle on 2/3/2010 |
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I guess Ackerman will get a slap on the hand...since no one seems to know the chain of command at City Hall... Interesting! Jordan I hope you move forward. Posted by on 2/2/2010 |
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Looks like business as usual at City Hall. Seems nothing has changed with a new Mayor. Posted by on 2/2/2010 |
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The mayor does not need additional info. We have a strong Mayor form of Government and he is free to fire at will and not go along with any of the council/committee recommendations. Posted by Lee Padgett on 2/2/2010 |
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I suspect the Mayor had some additional information, on which to base his decision ... and never did think that "leadership by committee" was a good model. Posted by on 2/2/2010 |
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Here we go again. Looks like the NEW mayor has put the taxpayers in position for a nother lawsuit. Sounds like MJ should have been given her job back, Mr. Ackerman and Mx. Jordan given reprimands and probationary status and lets get on with business. If this is the way Scoville is going to do business we are screwed.......... Posted by on 2/2/2010 |
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