Gipson, aldermen still at odds over HR

Holly Springs Mayor Sharon Gipson refused to budge on her position on hiring practices in the city.

After an over two hour executive session to discuss a number of issues, the April 4 meeting of the board of aldermen erupted in chaos when the board attempted to force Gipson’s hand in her refusal to use Human Resources in the vetting process for new candidates for employment.

Gipson had 16 motions on the agenda to hire people in a number of departments and also motions to transfer four individuals from their department to another one.

The closed session was called to determine the need for an executive session on a number of issues, including a complaint by resident Jim Smith that he has been unable to contact anyone in the city about his utility bill or to get his calls returned.

Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather made a motion to go into executive session to “iron out” Smith’s concern.

“It’s our responsibility to get back with you in a timely manner,” the alderman said.

After going into closed session, Gipson came out and listed several items to be discussed including potential litigation, the HR (Human Resources) director, ICS Head Start, a school board member, July 4 fireworks, and Smith’s complaint about lack of communication with city leaders/departments.

HR director Patricia Dawson, who was suspended with pay for about three months by Gipson, became the tipping point for a heated discussion about hiring procedures and practices. The board of aldermen has been at odds with Gipson after it passed a motion to institute a procedure for handling all applications for jobs in the city and the procedure for screening candidates which included having a board member present during the interviewing process, having all candidates go through screening at HR, and interviewing and consultation with department heads.

Returning from the executive session, Gipson said the board had reinstated Dawson after first a failed motion by Ward 1 alderman Bernita Fountain to terminate Dawson. The board then unanimously passed a motion by Merriweather and seconded by Ward 3 alderman Colter Teel to reinstate Dawson and place her on 90-day probation.

She also said two employees, one at HSUD and the other in Buildings and Grounds were reinstated in their positions.

Forthwith, Gipson called out the names of the sixteen prospects she wanted to hire and they stood.

Fountain then made a motion to have all candidates go through HR for processing now that Dawson was reinstated.

“I want these people be sent through HR, since Ms. Dawson is reinstated,” Fountain said.

Gipson said some of the candidates were vetted by the supervisor of the department and some in the presence of aldermen.

“Wagg (Janice) and Bo Sellers did not interview with me, neither had an application in with the city,” Gipson said.

“I do get to make recommendations and you make decisions I don’t agree with, let us make it clear. They (the candidates) have been interviewed and references checked.”

Gipson said she also has supervision over Dawson.

“We cannot hold up progress of the city based on one individual. Even yesterday people were texting me about work to do in this city. As mayor, I have never seen anything like this. This board has expressed they are not going to vote on (the candidates).”

Ward 2 alderman Andre Jones said he had reached out to those interviewees.

“We have some fine interviewees, but we have to have a consensus of this board,” he said.

“I’m not sure why we are here,” Merriweather said. “We passed a resolution over a year ago that all candidates will go through HR. I don’t know the candidates. I am saying the board resolved that candidates will go through HR. We hired HR (Dawson) a year ago.”

Gipson said the board packets were distributed but the applicants were on the prior agenda.

“As far as dealing with HR, that department, I well know what my rights are as mayor of this great city. Anyone with an issue, that will be insubordination.”

“We know we need people to hire and we expect it (the procedure) to be carried out,” Merriweather said.

Gipson disagreed.

“It’s not legal and if it usurps the authority of any mayor, I will follow the state law,” the mayor said. “What we are talking about is procedures. Part of the chaos is people not knowing their lane. It’s a monster…the situation of not wanting to respect the authority of a black woman. I expect everyone to follow the rules of the handbook. I ask the public to be patient as we work to pick up the debris, repair your lines, water.”

Merriweather retorted.

“Madam Mayor, you are not the director of HR,” she said. “We have an HR director right there to do her job.”

“It is something to exercise my right,” Gipson said. “The internal sabotaging, it has to stop.”

Alderman-at-large Dexter Shipp asked for a three minute recess.

“One for the Father, one for the Son and one (minute) for the Holy Ghost,” Gipson quipped.

At that juncture, Teel left the meeting.

Resuming the meeting, Gipson put all candidates she recommended to hire on hold until the next meeting.

The candidates were:

• Shunna Brown, Dunmetria Russel, Miranda Isabel, and Jordon Tucker - Customer Service Representatives in the Holly Springs Utility Department (HSUD).

• Jasmine Jackson, billing in HSUD.

• William R. Payne, water division, HSUD.

• Travon D. Johnson, general laborer, Holly Springs Street Department.

• Keebler Martin, general laborer.

• Hershel A. Clayton, general laborer, HSUD water division.

• Cassandra Echols, general laborer, HSUD water division.

• Isaiah Glover, general laborer, HSUD water department.

• Judah A. Martin Jr., general laborer, HSUD water division.

• Kentona Shipp, general laborer, Holly Springs Buildings and Grounds.

• Kevin Ingram, general laborer, Holly Springs Buildings and Grounds.

• Jermaine Glass, general laborer, Parks and Recreation Department.

Motions to transfer included:

• Sean Eason, from HSUD to Buildings and Grounds.

• Corey Jeffries, from HSUD water division to Concrete Division.

• Michael Howell, from Buildings and Grounds to Street Department.

• Javontae Moore, from Buildings and Grounds to Street Department.