Amanda Lehmert at the News and Record reports that AJ Blake has filed an EEOC claim against the city of Greensboro in spite of the fact that he has been reinstated. Apparently there may be some issues with respect to a loss of earnings. It appears that Bob Morgan's action did not prevent the occurrence of an EEOC complaint or the threat of further litigation.
I have a couple of important questions. Did anyone outside city government meet with Bob Morgan regarding this case? For instance, did he meet with any of the Pulpit Forum ministers like Cardes Brown and Nelson Johnson? And if he did, would that be considered improper? After all, one must make decisions regarding employee discipline with complete objectivity-- and, as we are repeatedly told, with confidentiality.
ADDENDUM
There is a rumor in the Police Department that Morgan consulted with Rev. Nelson Johnson on his decision. When asked about that Morgan said, "that would be preposterous."
He did say that he met with four members of the Pulpit Forum, as he would meet with anyone in the community that had a legitimate reason to meet with him. But he said his meeting with members of the Pulpit Forum was not part of the decision making process.
Morgan said he always allowed the city employee who is being fired to come in and plead his case, and allows the employee to bring their attorney. In addition, Morgan said that he consulted with city attorneys over legal issues and reviewed the record of the disciplinary hearing. When asked again if Nelson Johnson was consulted, Morgan said, "Hell, no."
It would have been completely inappropriate if Morgan met with Pulpit Forum members and discussed this matter. The City Council is obligated to take action on that issue.
"It was completely inappropriate for Morgan to meet with Pulpit Forum members on this matter. The City Council is obligated to take action on that issue."
He needs to go.
NOW.
Posted by: bubba | October 01, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Reminder: City Council will meet tomorrow at 2:00 and go into closed session to discuss this situation. Yvonne Johnson stated that 6 members should be present. Perkins, Bellamy-Small, and Wade will not be present. Trudy has been advised by her attorney to stay away because she is being sued by the 37 members of the EEOC complaint.
Posted by: Wendy S. Raines | October 01, 2009 at 08:08 PM
Let's face it. GPD and the City Administration are just as out of control as they were when Johnson was running things. Nothing has changed, and it won't until Greensboro gets a City Council and Mayor worth a flip. The city needs to elect some people who really want to govern in an honest and ethical manner. How sad is it that a council member can't attend a meeting because of a worthless lawsuit? Adults are not in charge in this city. Greensboro isn't yet as bad as most Democrat-dominated cities, but it is getting there.
Posted by: Stormy | October 01, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Wendy, regardless of the attorney's advice, I am very disappointed in Trudy Wade's decision. Regardless of her legal circumstances, she has a job to do as a council member, and I hope she reconsiders.
I am glad, however, if there will be enough members for a quorum.
Bubba, I agree.
And Stormy, yes, we need a better mayor, and a better City Council.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | October 01, 2009 at 10:31 PM
If he is going to meet with political entities like the Pulpit Forum maybe he should have solicitated opinions from other groups.
Posted by: Wendy S. Raines | October 02, 2009 at 09:11 AM
Wendy, that seems as if it would be fair. But in reality, it just does not seem appropriate to receive input from outside groups about what a city employee's discipline should or should not be. Receive complaints or statements of praise--yes. But receive messages from the outside intended to influence an upcoming decision regarding discipline-- no. And have discussions with those on the outside about disciplinary issues with a specific employee-- no. The Pulpit Forum ministers do not have any legitimate role in that process.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | October 02, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Joe,
Filing a lawsuit against a council member to force that council member to recuse from pertinent votes may be a new snake in the grass strategy.
You lose a council decision by a 5 to 4 count. Sue two members and return with a 4 to 3 victory. Something's wrong with that picture.
Posted by: Tony Wilkins | October 02, 2009 at 01:18 PM
America waking up to culture of corruption
By Michelle Malkin • October 2, 2009 12:32 PM
Check out the latest Rasmussen numbers measuring the American public’s mood:
For nearly two years, economic issues have held the top spot in terms of importance among voters.
But the latest national telephone survey shows that 83% now view government ethics and corruption as very important, placing it just ahead of the economy on a list of 10 key electoral issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports. Eighty-two percent (82%) of voters see the economy as very important.
This is the first time since October 2007 that voters have rated ethics and corruption as more important than the economy. Voters viewed the two issues evenly in November and December 2007 before placing a higher priority on the economy starting in January 2008.
Last month, 86% of voters said economic issues were very important while 80% saw government ethics that way.
Perhaps, the Greensboro City Council and the Mayor should recognize and understand this, unless, of course, Greensboro citizens continue to slumber about governmental corruption and ethics.
Posted by: Stormy | October 02, 2009 at 01:58 PM
Tony, great point. I had not thought of that particular angle. But it would have been a shame if Trudy Wade had been unable to attend. I am told she is there at the meeting this afternoon.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | October 02, 2009 at 03:39 PM
The problem, Stormy, is that so many voters simply do not know what the score is locally. I suppose we will see what the primaries and elections bring.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | October 02, 2009 at 03:41 PM
Joe,
If voters do not know the score by now in Greensboro, they are either complicit with the corruption and ethics violations and enable it, or they just don't care. I really don't see any other answer. Sometimes people have no eyes, and they have no ears. How can they just not know what is happening?
Posted by: Stormy | October 02, 2009 at 04:36 PM