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Personnel Committee: Huff violated sexual harassment policy; no violation of CSC conduct statute
By James Martinez, Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 12:58 PM EDT
OTSEGO COUNTY - Otsego County's Personnel Committee ruled Wednesday that a derogatory comment Animal Control Director Keith Huff allegedly made to a county employee violated the county's sexual harassment policy and Huff could face disciplinary action by the end of the week.
The 3-1 vote came during the committee's meeting in the county building Wednesday morning. The ruling followed a 75-minute closed session, at Huff's request, and indicated derogatory remarks allegedly made by Huff violated the county's sexual harassment policy, but did not violate any criminal sexual conduct statute. The motion, in public session, directed County Administrator John Burt to contact labor counsel to determine appropriate disciplinary actions.
Huff, accompanied by an attorney, declined comment after the meeting.
Committee members Clark Bates, Paul Liss and Doug Johnson voted in favor of the motion. Lee Olsen voted no.
The 3-1 vote came during the committee's meeting in the county building Wednesday morning. The ruling followed a 75-minute closed session, at Huff's request, and indicated derogatory remarks allegedly made by Huff violated the county's sexual harassment policy, but did not violate any criminal sexual conduct statute. The motion, in public session, directed County Administrator John Burt to contact labor counsel to determine appropriate disciplinary actions.
Huff, accompanied by an attorney, declined comment after the meeting.
Committee members Clark Bates, Paul Liss and Doug Johnson voted in favor of the motion. Lee Olsen voted no.
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"Looking through all the information we had, there's still an element of doubt in my mind on what really occurred," said Olsen.
"I just thought the motion expressed probably what I felt," said Bates, following the meeting. "I don't think it's anywhere near as serious as anyone is making it out to be, especially the media."
The Personnel Committee is now done with the issue, explained Liss.
"According to our policy (John Burt) would make the disciplinary action because he's (Huff's) direct supervisor," said Liss.
Bryan Graham, who serves as counsel to the county, conducted the investigation into the allegation, which county officials acknowledged eariler in the week involved a county employee.
County officials also refused to comment on any specific details of the closed session or investigation including when the allegation occurred and the identity of the complainant.
Graham collaborated with labor attorney Howard Shifman to review the information as it applied to county policy and any possible law violations, Burt explained after the meeting.
"I'm not set to comment on any possible punishments, but I've got to consult the labor attorney," said Burt.
Burt could not say for certain when a punishment would come, but anticipated action by the end of the week following his consultation with legal counsel.
As stated in the county's sexual harassment policy, which was recently updated, "any employee or department manager who violates this policy is subject to discipline up to and including discharge." The policy lists "Making derogatory comments, insults, suggestive remarks or jokes based on a person's sex," as an example of such harassment. The policy also states the violation must be proved by a preponderance of evidence.
Burt reiterated Wednesday Huff's retirement and the sexual harassment complaint are unrelated.
As previously reported, the Otsego County Board of Commissioners agreed to pay Huff $24,757.44 for vacation and sick time accrued during his approximate 32 years of employment. Huff is also set to receive an additional $3,000 as part of his retirement.
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"I just thought the motion expressed probably what I felt," said Bates, following the meeting. "I don't think it's anywhere near as serious as anyone is making it out to be, especially the media."
The Personnel Committee is now done with the issue, explained Liss.
"According to our policy (John Burt) would make the disciplinary action because he's (Huff's) direct supervisor," said Liss.
Bryan Graham, who serves as counsel to the county, conducted the investigation into the allegation, which county officials acknowledged eariler in the week involved a county employee.
County officials also refused to comment on any specific details of the closed session or investigation including when the allegation occurred and the identity of the complainant.
Graham collaborated with labor attorney Howard Shifman to review the information as it applied to county policy and any possible law violations, Burt explained after the meeting.
"I'm not set to comment on any possible punishments, but I've got to consult the labor attorney," said Burt.
Burt could not say for certain when a punishment would come, but anticipated action by the end of the week following his consultation with legal counsel.
As stated in the county's sexual harassment policy, which was recently updated, "any employee or department manager who violates this policy is subject to discipline up to and including discharge." The policy lists "Making derogatory comments, insults, suggestive remarks or jokes based on a person's sex," as an example of such harassment. The policy also states the violation must be proved by a preponderance of evidence.
Burt reiterated Wednesday Huff's retirement and the sexual harassment complaint are unrelated.
As previously reported, the Otsego County Board of Commissioners agreed to pay Huff $24,757.44 for vacation and sick time accrued during his approximate 32 years of employment. Huff is also set to receive an additional $3,000 as part of his retirement.
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1 comment(s)
firstwife wrote on May 30, 2008 2:28 AM:
" I was married to tom for 20 years and he has a daughter. He has not changed one bit. We were beaten and shot at all so. We ran and hid in a shelter. He found us and tried to burn down the shelter. He destroyed any car I ever had (put 1 in our pool). I could tell you stories that would have gotten him 3 life sentences. Times were much diffrant then so police would come and tell him to stop. Every bone in my body has been broken by him. He shot at me more than once and missed. He even did this AFTER he married Gail. I have been out of state hiding for the past 12 years. He killed my pets. He kidnapped me. You can check Wayne County records in MI. I am so glad he didn't kill Gail,,,,he will when he get's out,,,,,,, "
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