Grantville police chief suspended

.times-herald.com ^ | Sep 11, 2013 | Celia Shortt

[moonshinner_09]

rantville Police Chief Doug Jordan was suspended without pay for one calendar week at Monday’s city council meeting. The reason for Jordan’s suspension was that he violated a policy given by City Manager Johnny Williams.

“I require all my employees to inform me of anything that is not routine in nature,” Williams said. “A trip to Arizona and an article in the paper that was not discussed with me or the police committee is not routine.”

Recently, Jordan traveled to Arizona to meet with “America’s Toughest Sheriff, Joe Arpaio.” Following their meeting, Jordan expressed his hopes to establish Grantville’s own drug team. He also planned to have some of his officers travel to Arizona for training.

During his comments at the council meeting, Council member Johnny Cooks shared his lack of support for Jordan’s actions and plans.

“I was not very pleased by it,” he said. “I was not in support of it. I am not in support of this kind of news by police officers representing the Grantville uniform without the council or city manager’s approval.

[moonshinner_09]

I think we should all call the city manger and tell him how wrong and unfair this this is and that this is still America.I would bet immigration had something to do with this as well.

[moonshinner_09]

Error ..Grantville Police Chief Doug Jordan ..

[Jack Hammer]

Obviously retribution for the meeting with Arpaio.

If he’d been meeting with some big Lefty, it’s unlikely anyone would have said a thing.

[Hoodat]

South of Newnan, ping.

[mad_as_he$$]

Where the hell is Grantville?

[moonshinner_09]

It is in GA

[forgotten man]

It is near Gruntville.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Did he travel on the city's dime on city time?

If he did then he's wrong, if he didn't then they should STFU.

[autumnraine]

BFE Ga.

[Yo-Yo]

If he’d been meeting with some big Lefty, it’s unlikely anyone would have said a thing.

You mean like flying to NYC to meet with Mayor Bloomberg and discuss gun ban strategies?

[ApplegateRanch]

Isn't Grantville next door to Freebietown?

More to the point, did the town pay for the chief's trip? Was the chief there representing the town? (No, and no.)

Jordan expressed his hopes to establish Grantville’s own drug team. He also planned to have some of his officers travel to Arizona for training.” -— “Council member Johnny Cooks shared his lack of support for Jordan’s actions and plans.Does Cooks have something against drug enforcement? Does he have a vested interest in drug dealing/use?

Glad I asked!

C(r)ooks Lundy on left

Comment from Mrs. Chief Jordan: Christine Jordan · R L Osborne High School
Since when does an employee have to tell an employer where he/she is going and what they are doing on their Anniversary? I would like to see where that is written down in the “RULE” books. FYI The foremost reason for our “Trip to Arizona” (Which we 100% paid for) was for our 31st Anniversary” as we vacationed there on our honeymoon, and for which he took an vacation day. My husband is totally dedicated to Grantville and making it a better/safer place for all its residence. I might suggest that talking to employees to get facts would be a better solution. Thank you to the people of Grantville for your support.

And another apropos comment: Brenda Godbee Raptis on behalf of the citizens of Grantville who operate with both sides of their brains, I would like to apologize for the actions of two of our most incompetent Council members who continue to disgrace our community. Please know that my family supports Mr. Jordan and cannot understand why Mr. Cooks and Mr Lundy would not want him to do everything in his power to rid our drug infested area of that problem. I think that is a very disturbing question that needs to be addressed.

[ApplegateRanch]

Here's your answer; it was at the top of the 'comments' section following the story; comment from Mrs. Chief Jordan:

Christine Jordan · R L Osborne High School Since when does an employee have to tell an employer where he/she is going and what they are doing on their Anniversary? I would like to see where that is written down in the “RULE” books. FYI The foremost reason for our “Trip to Arizona” (Which we 100% paid for) was for our 31st Anniversary” as we vacationed there on our honeymoon, and for which he took an vacation day. My husband is totally dedicated to Grantville and making it a better/safer place for all its residence. I might suggest that talking to employees to get facts would be a better solution. Thank you to the people of Grantville for your support.

[Solar Wind]

This is a power play by the City Manager, Johnny Williams, while the mayor was out of town and could not oppose his actions. The mayor fully supports Chief Jordan and will undo this as soon as he gets back. Details from the article:

Mayor Jim Sells is on vacation and was not at the meeting. Selma Coty served as Mayor Pro-Tem and in that role could only vote in case of a tie.

“There was a quorum,” said Coty. “Mr. Cooks and Mr. Lundy voted in favor of the recommendation. Mrs. Jabaley voted against the recommendation. If I had not been in the chair, I, too, would have voted against the recommendation.”

Despite not being at the city council meeting, Mayor Sells gave his opinion about the suspension.

“I am appalled at the council's decision to suspend our police chief without pay,” he said in an email.

“I believe Councilmen Cooks and Lundy have put their personal agenda ahead of the citizens’ best interest in Grantville. They have taken advantage of my absence on vacation and are abusing a dedicated city employee. Chief Jordan has my full support. He has the support of his staff and the community because of the job he is doing. At the next council meeting, with the full council present, I will ask to have his lost pay restored."

Chief Jordan will return to the office on Tuesday.

[hamboy]

Looks like the city manager and councils there are acting like Idi Amin.

[CodeToad]

Seems the city better get their money together for a good lawyer. This employee has them by the short and curlies.

[Jack Hammer]

Exactly correct.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Thanks.

City Manager Johnny Williams statement that "I require all my employees to inform me of anything that is not routine in nature" should not apply to any employee's personal life. This should cost the city, big-time.

(Johnny Williams is the dufus with the dyed hair.)

At a recent Grantville City Council meeting are City Attorney Mark Mitchell, City Manager Johnny Williams, who has been with
Grantville now for a year, and Grantville Mayor Jim Sells.

[FreedomPoster]

GA FReeper ping to an interesting story. I have been really learning lately that if you’re in a smaller city (say 75,000 or less), you really need to pay attention and keep tabs on your local government, and you can make a difference if you do.

Worth emphasizing:

Mayor Jim Sells - “Chief Jordan has my full support. He has the support of his staff and the community because of the job he is doing. At the next council meeting, with the full council present, I will ask to have his lost pay restored.”

This was some loose-cannon council members who got a temporary quorum and voted for this nonsense.

[steve86]

What’s all that white stuff on Sells’ shoulder?

[Lazamataz]

Was the Chief in uniform, allowing pics to be taken? Then he was wrong.

Was he in civilian clothes? Then he is in the right.