Published: May 01, 2008 12:08 pm            

Fiscal Court to decide future employment status of Solid Waste Coordinator

April 30, 2008 — After being suspended from duties as Solid Waste Coordinator, Kenny Crockett appeared before Carter County Fiscal Court Friday to request the court to put him back to work.

Crockett was suspended following a DUI charge in September that ended in the suspension of his driver’s license Oct. 9.

During the special called meeting, Crockett stood before Judge Executive Charles Wallace and the magistrates as his county position was discussed.

Quickly into the session, Millard Cordle made a motion to dismiss Crockett from his job as director for the solid waste department. “While you were off duty, at no fault of the court, your absence of 120 days from work caused the county a lot of problems,” Cordell told Crockett. “During those four months, we didn’t have anyone to work.”

James Wilburn seconded the motion, but then withdrew the motion following Carter County Attorney Bob Miller telling the court the present policy and procedures state a county employee cannot be dismissed without an amended policy or from the recommendation of the judge executive. Cordle refused to withdraw his motion, but it failed from a lack of a second motion.

Wilburn told Crockett the county’s insurance company sees a problem with Crockett working as a county employee without a driver’s license. Cordle asked Crockett if he had in fact driven a county vehicle during his suspension. Crockett answered, “No.”

“I am not the only county employee to be caught for DUI,” Crockett told the court. Following Crockett’s statement, fiscal court members made no comment.

Due to personnel litigation, the court went into executive session for nearly two hours to discuss Crockett’s employment.

No action was taken due to the fact that Crockett left the building and never returned. Several attempts were made to contact him, Wallace said. Another special meeting is set to be scheduled within the next two weeks to discuss Crockett’s employment.

        

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