Published: October 27, 2009 10:37 pm      

Transfer shakes up commission

LEWISBURG — The reassignment of a key employee from one courthouse office to another has created a firestorm of controversy in Greenbrier County. During an executive session held last week, the county commission decided to transfer Melissa Scott from the planning commission to the assessor’s office.

Commissioner Brad Tuckwiller expressed his dissent in a strongly worded e-mail to the media two days after the vote. He questioned the timing of Scott’s transfer, given that the move takes place just three weeks prior to a scheduled public hearing on the adoption of a new comprehensive plan. Scott had worked closely with the planning commission and a paid consultant who helped to craft the plan.

“This continues the trend since January of assigning employees to new duties for which they were not hired nor evidenced any interest or expertise,” Tuckwiller wrote. “The outcome has been a reduction in quality of service for county citizens and to centralize decision-making to the county commission for its patronage.”

He pointed out that Scott is the only certified floodplain manager in the county.

“Floodplain management is a federally mandated program that requires a high level of technical expertise to assure county and citizen compliance and eligibility for the Flood Insurance program,” Tuckwiller wrote, adding that the state liaison for the program has been “extremely complimentary” of Scott’s direction of Greenbrier County’s program.

Planning commission President Britt Ludwig, a Lewisburg attorney, sent a similarly scathing letter to the county commission Monday. She outlined Scott’s duties in the planning office, which included administering the county’s zoning, subdivision and cell tower ordinances and serving as the key public contact for the comprehensive plan.

“Despite the central role that Ms. Scott plays in the implementation of ordinances and policies of the Greenbrier County Planning Commission, no one from the County Commission consulted with or even notified the Planning Commission of your decision to reassign Ms. Scott to another office,” Ludwig wrote.

“At the very least, your decision at this particular time to reassign Ms. Scott is highly irresponsible and contrary to the best interests of the citizens of Greenbrier County. At the very worst, this action is one act in a series of actions by some members of the County Commission to undercut the ordinances and plans that are in effect to provide for the orderly, efficient, and safe development of land in Greenbrier County,” she continued.

“Responsible governance does not always lead to popularity. The few land use regulations that Greenbrier County has put in place are designed to protect the public welfare and effect the efficient allocation of scarce public resources. By manipulating the planning department to meet your own personal goals, you are squandering the county’s resources and bankrupting the public trust,” Ludwig concluded.

During Tuesday’s county commission session, former Commissioner Lowell Rose characterized Scott as “one of the best employees the county has.”

Over the objections of county commission President Betty Crookshanks, Rose criticized the “firings and hirings and moving people” that have been instituted since he left office at the end of last year.

“You need to consider the ramifications of what you are doing,” he warned.

Rose was one of five people who spoke about the decision to displace Scott during the time at the end of the session reserved for public comment. The others who voiced similar opinions included Rob Ridgeway, an engineer who regularly deals with the planning commission office; Jewell Doering, a local farmer and community activist who helped put together the proposed comprehensive plan; John Walkup, a contractor and farmer from the Williamsburg area; and Ludwig.

Following the meeting, Crookshanks said Scott was moved to the assessor’s office to supervise the refinement of the county’s expanded GIS system, which received funding from the commission in July.

Scott did not request the transfer, Crookshanks confirmed.

The personnel decision means recently hired Kelly Banton will assume full responsibility for the planning commission office, including issuing building permits and determining if the site is located in the floodplain, according to Crookshanks.

“Kelly’s getting the training she needs right now,” Crookshanks said. “She’s taking classes, and I think Melissa’s been helping her.”

Commissioner Karen Lobban had no comment on the situation. She serves as the county commission’s representative on the planning commission and cast a vote against recommending adoption of the comprehensive plan following the planners’ public hearing in August.

The county commission has a public hearing scheduled to gather input on the proposed plan on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Following the hearing, the commissioners will set a date for a working session to discuss the comments. The commissioners will not vote on the plan until the next regular session, at the earliest.

— E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com