WALTON COUNTY suffers outbreak of on-the-job harassment suits under BCC Chairwoman Jones.
Finally, county employees have had enough harassment from Commissioner Jones, her political cronies, and her husband Jerry Jones. From being bullied to resign to being followed home by Jerry Jones, the employees have spoken up and said "enough is enough". Multiple harassment suits with more to come have been filed against Jones' in her quest to "run" every nook and cranny of the county and to place only "yes" men and women in positions of authority.
Incidences of placing "favorites",relatives and
relatives of friends in positions of
authority, not following hiring procedures, treating employees with disdain and vitriol, being intimately involved in daily county operations (which is not allowed ),
Involvement in code cases where complaints have been filed against friends and businesses,
to using her husband as her bully stick, are just a few of the complaints Jones will have to answer.
Bravo to those who refuse to let this go on at the expense of the tax paying citizens who have been promised honest, ethical behavior from her. (See her Campaign mailings.)
Time to clean house?Time to take back ""Our Walton" from those whose only interest is power over people, money and the benefits of office?
You betcha. Because evil prevails when good men and women do nothing.
And Walton had some very good men and women working for the citizens.
(This may be copied and reposted but nothing may be added to this without express consent of Walton Politics.)
Replies
156
Beach Fanatic
"Investigation finds Jones innocent of wrongdoing", yup, go ahead and read it again, slowly.
Innocent is a strong word.
That's the cover story in the Walton Sun this week...
HOWEVER, if one takes the time to read the article, you might just question the validity of that headline and like myself, start to create some other options for a headline, none of which use the word "innocent".
Of course Commissioner Jones is "pleased" and "gratified" by the findings, who wouldn't be. She and the county have been able to white wash the entire thing.
What sort of an "investigation" doesn't allow the witness/complainant to have their legal advocate present with them? Last I checked, the County is a government entity, funded by tax dollars. It is not a private firm or private business. From the get go, anyone participating in this "investigation" should have been weary of this situation and I don't fault anyone for being concerned about retaliatory action.
Also, part of an thorough investigation is to identify and interview ALL WITNESSES. Not some, or a few, but ALL. This obviously was also not done as the attorney for the employees is on record saying there were others wanting to speak, but they were not interviewed? WHY?
Witness Statements were not recorded? Why Not? Wouldn't the County want a formal record of what the employees all have to say about Commissioner Jones? Of course they WOULD NOT want that. You know why? Because after this fiasco is all over, those recorded statement would be subject to public record requests and the County doesn't want the public to hear what its employees have to say.
I'm sure this is far from over and unfortunately it looks as if the only way the employees will get the truth out is though the court system.
Support the Walton County Employees.
Innocent is a strong word.
That's the cover story in the Walton Sun this week...
HOWEVER, if one takes the time to read the article, you might just question the validity of that headline and like myself, start to create some other options for a headline, none of which use the word "innocent".
Of course Commissioner Jones is "pleased" and "gratified" by the findings, who wouldn't be. She and the county have been able to white wash the entire thing.
What sort of an "investigation" doesn't allow the witness/complainant to have their legal advocate present with them? Last I checked, the County is a government entity, funded by tax dollars. It is not a private firm or private business. From the get go, anyone participating in this "investigation" should have been weary of this situation and I don't fault anyone for being concerned about retaliatory action.
Also, part of an thorough investigation is to identify and interview ALL WITNESSES. Not some, or a few, but ALL. This obviously was also not done as the attorney for the employees is on record saying there were others wanting to speak, but they were not interviewed? WHY?
Witness Statements were not recorded? Why Not? Wouldn't the County want a formal record of what the employees all have to say about Commissioner Jones? Of course they WOULD NOT want that. You know why? Because after this fiasco is all over, those recorded statement would be subject to public record requests and the County doesn't want the public to hear what its employees have to say.
I'm sure this is far from over and unfortunately it looks as if the only way the employees will get the truth out is though the court system.
Support the Walton County Employees.
Beach Fanatic
These employees will day Get their day to prove what is true. Many of us will see to that.
Beach Fanatic
Remember you can fool some of the people some of the time but you can not foo all of the people all of the time.
Who in a black truck ran Danny Hlidewell’s wife Of the road and into a ditch.
What commissioners husband took a gun to Nob Hudson’s house twice.
What commissioners husband threaten a citizen in front of witnesses.
Their guesses and first two do not count.
Who in a black truck ran Danny Hlidewell’s wife Of the road and into a ditch.
What commissioners husband took a gun to Nob Hudson’s house twice.
What commissioners husband threaten a citizen in front of witnesses.
Their guesses and first two do not count.
Beach FanaticAuthor
"Complaints of any nature are taken seriously by the county," said Larry Jones. “In this instance, once presented with the employee complaints, it was important to ensure that they were thoroughly and independently investigated.
What a joke!
The key for an independent investigation is that the investigators must have no official ties to the people they are investigating. Gary R. Wheeler, a partner in the Jacksonville law firm of Constangy, Brooks, Smith, & Prophete, specializes in labor law and was hired by the county! Of course he will find for the people writing his check!!
"Wheeler interviewed County Administrator Larry Jones, Cecilia Jones, Human Resources Director Ella Mae Walters, Assistant County Administrator Stan Sunday, and Cecilia Jones’ assistant, Evelyn Strickland." So let me get this straight...the attorney only spoke with those whose job it is to cover the BCC's a$$es! There were other employees who requested to participate in the investigation, but their names were not listed on the investigator’s report. It was not real credible of the Attorney to interview Ella Mae Walters who has subsequently been arrested and charged with insurance fraud!! If she would lie to obtain benefits she was not entitled to for her boyfriend by logging onto someones else's computer to make it appear that someone else committed the fraudulent acts, there is NOTHING PREVENTING her from LYING to cover Cecilia Jones actions!! She is not credible!! She is a fraud!!
"Walton County Attorney Sidney Noyes advised Sullivan to direct complaints outside the realm of Board of County Commissioners to other agencies." "Hinote and Alford have claimed that Commissioner Jones’ husband has followed them in an attempt to intimidate, but Wheeler said those claims were outside the scope of his investigation." So who was really leading this dog and pony show? Well of course the County was!!
What a joke!
The key for an independent investigation is that the investigators must have no official ties to the people they are investigating. Gary R. Wheeler, a partner in the Jacksonville law firm of Constangy, Brooks, Smith, & Prophete, specializes in labor law and was hired by the county! Of course he will find for the people writing his check!!
"Wheeler interviewed County Administrator Larry Jones, Cecilia Jones, Human Resources Director Ella Mae Walters, Assistant County Administrator Stan Sunday, and Cecilia Jones’ assistant, Evelyn Strickland." So let me get this straight...the attorney only spoke with those whose job it is to cover the BCC's a$$es! There were other employees who requested to participate in the investigation, but their names were not listed on the investigator’s report. It was not real credible of the Attorney to interview Ella Mae Walters who has subsequently been arrested and charged with insurance fraud!! If she would lie to obtain benefits she was not entitled to for her boyfriend by logging onto someones else's computer to make it appear that someone else committed the fraudulent acts, there is NOTHING PREVENTING her from LYING to cover Cecilia Jones actions!! She is not credible!! She is a fraud!!
"Walton County Attorney Sidney Noyes advised Sullivan to direct complaints outside the realm of Board of County Commissioners to other agencies." "Hinote and Alford have claimed that Commissioner Jones’ husband has followed them in an attempt to intimidate, but Wheeler said those claims were outside the scope of his investigation." So who was really leading this dog and pony show? Well of course the County was!!
Beach FanaticAuthor
Article by Deborah Wheeler:
Two Walton County employees working in different fields filed complaints against County Commission Chair Cecilia Jones in October claiming discrimination and harassment.
Last week, Gary R. Wheeler, a partner in the Jacksonville law firm of Constangy, Brooks, Smith, & Prophete, which specializes in labor law and was hired by the county, released findings of an investigation he conducted.
Wheeler found Jones innocent of wrongdoing in both cases filed by Assistant County Administrator Dede Hinote and Recreation Manager Brad Alford.
“I am pleased with and gratified by these findings,” said Jones.
Attorney Jennifer Sullivan of Destin represented both claimants.
Sullivan said the investigator’s reports are not surprising.
“The report contains no facts to support the conclusions and no summaries of witness statements,” she said.
Sullivan was not allowed to be present when her clients were interviewed and they were not recorded. Instead, her clients submitted written statements in lieu of interviews.
Sullivan said there were other employees who requested to participate in the investigation, but their names were not listed on the investigator’s report.
“Similar to my clients, these employee-witnesses feared participating without some record of their statements, which the investigator would not allow,” she said. “This was not the independent investigation as we requested.”
Sullivan said her office continues to be contacted by Walton County employees about issues involving the same county officials and employees.
“We are considering all options,” said Sullivan.
During the investigation of both, Wheeler interviewed County Administrator Larry Jones, Cecilia Jones, Human Resources Director Ella Mae Walters, Assistant County Administrator Stan Sunday, and Cecilia Jones’ assistant, Evelyn Strickland.
Both Hinote and Alford have claimed that Commissioner Jones’ husband has followed them in an attempt to intimidate, but Wheeler said those claims were outside the scope of his investigation. Walton County Attorney Sidney Noyes advised Sullivan to direct complaints outside the realm of Board of County Commissioners to other agencies.
Hinote’s and Alford’s allegations share the common assertion that Commissioner Jones has interfered with day-to-day operations, including injecting herself into employment decisions and directing county personnel to carry out various tasks at her discretion.
Wheeler found that no county policy expressly prohibits County Commissioners from becoming involved in day-to-day operations, but county policy does prohibit commissioners from taking certain personnel actions in regards to employment.
Wheeler found no violation by Jones of any policies. Nor was there any evidence of gender discrimination or harassment, which was alleged by Hinote.
“While there was no indication that Commissioner Jones violated the authority of commissioners’ policy, facts were revealed that indicate Jones does sometimes become involved in certain day-to-day personnel matters,” he said.
Wheeler’s recommendation was for the county to take steps to clarify the role of a commissioner and to discuss best practices.
“The report encourages the county to develop policies to better help commissioners and staff communicate in a more consistent manner. I agree with this recommendation,” said Commissioner Jones.
Essentially, the Authority of Commissioners policy prohibits County Commissioners from taking any tangible employment action (such as hiring, terminating, demoting, or promoting).
“Complaints of any nature are taken seriously by the county,” said Larry Jones. “In this instance, once presented with the employee complaints, it was important to ensure that they were thoroughly and independently investigated. Now that the investigations are complete and the findings of no wrongdoing have been submitted, we look forward to learning from this process and moving forward, working together for a better Walton County.”
Noyes told The Sun that Wheeler’s bill is being paid by the county’s insurer, FACT.
www.waltonsun.com/news/20171122/investigation-finds-jones-innocent-of-wrongdoing
Two Walton County employees working in different fields filed complaints against County Commission Chair Cecilia Jones in October claiming discrimination and harassment.
Last week, Gary R. Wheeler, a partner in the Jacksonville law firm of Constangy, Brooks, Smith, & Prophete, which specializes in labor law and was hired by the county, released findings of an investigation he conducted.
Wheeler found Jones innocent of wrongdoing in both cases filed by Assistant County Administrator Dede Hinote and Recreation Manager Brad Alford.
“I am pleased with and gratified by these findings,” said Jones.
Attorney Jennifer Sullivan of Destin represented both claimants.
Sullivan said the investigator’s reports are not surprising.
“The report contains no facts to support the conclusions and no summaries of witness statements,” she said.
Sullivan was not allowed to be present when her clients were interviewed and they were not recorded. Instead, her clients submitted written statements in lieu of interviews.
Sullivan said there were other employees who requested to participate in the investigation, but their names were not listed on the investigator’s report.
“Similar to my clients, these employee-witnesses feared participating without some record of their statements, which the investigator would not allow,” she said. “This was not the independent investigation as we requested.”
Sullivan said her office continues to be contacted by Walton County employees about issues involving the same county officials and employees.
“We are considering all options,” said Sullivan.
During the investigation of both, Wheeler interviewed County Administrator Larry Jones, Cecilia Jones, Human Resources Director Ella Mae Walters, Assistant County Administrator Stan Sunday, and Cecilia Jones’ assistant, Evelyn Strickland.
Both Hinote and Alford have claimed that Commissioner Jones’ husband has followed them in an attempt to intimidate, but Wheeler said those claims were outside the scope of his investigation. Walton County Attorney Sidney Noyes advised Sullivan to direct complaints outside the realm of Board of County Commissioners to other agencies.
Hinote’s and Alford’s allegations share the common assertion that Commissioner Jones has interfered with day-to-day operations, including injecting herself into employment decisions and directing county personnel to carry out various tasks at her discretion.
Wheeler found that no county policy expressly prohibits County Commissioners from becoming involved in day-to-day operations, but county policy does prohibit commissioners from taking certain personnel actions in regards to employment.
Wheeler found no violation by Jones of any policies. Nor was there any evidence of gender discrimination or harassment, which was alleged by Hinote.
“While there was no indication that Commissioner Jones violated the authority of commissioners’ policy, facts were revealed that indicate Jones does sometimes become involved in certain day-to-day personnel matters,” he said.
Wheeler’s recommendation was for the county to take steps to clarify the role of a commissioner and to discuss best practices.
“The report encourages the county to develop policies to better help commissioners and staff communicate in a more consistent manner. I agree with this recommendation,” said Commissioner Jones.
Essentially, the Authority of Commissioners policy prohibits County Commissioners from taking any tangible employment action (such as hiring, terminating, demoting, or promoting).
“Complaints of any nature are taken seriously by the county,” said Larry Jones. “In this instance, once presented with the employee complaints, it was important to ensure that they were thoroughly and independently investigated. Now that the investigations are complete and the findings of no wrongdoing have been submitted, we look forward to learning from this process and moving forward, working together for a better Walton County.”
Noyes told The Sun that Wheeler’s bill is being paid by the county’s insurer, FACT.
www.waltonsun.com/news/20171122/investigation-finds-jones-innocent-of-wrongdoing
Beach FanaticAuthor
The article in my opinion is a real disservice to Walton County taxpayers.
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