No recommendation

Citing a lack of evidence offered by either side, the Cherokee County Grievance Committee failed to issue a recommendation on the grievance brought by two former clerks against Veterans Affairs Officer Sammy Willard.

Willard fired clerks Kathy Love and Michele Tucker on Sept. 29 for allegedly making unfounded statements against him. The grievance committee heard their appeal Wednesday, Nov. 12.

The committee had 20 days to complete its report but brought the matter to a speedy conclusion when chairperson Delisa Coggins delivered the committee's findings to Willard on Thursday morning.

Under the county's grievance policy, the committee could have backed Willard or recommend that Willard rehire the employees. That recommendation would be nonbinding on Willard.

However, the committee found "that neither Mr. Willard nor Ms. Love and Ms. Tucker could elaborate on the allegations that were made; therefore not enough evidence was given on either side to the committee members to uphold the termination decision."

Coggins had no comment on the decision, saying it was up to Willard to release the findings. When reached at the Veterans Affairs Office, a belligerent Willard refused to comment or release the findings before ending the conversation abruptly by hanging up.

The Ledger obtained the committee's findings Thursday afternoon through a source who wanted to remain anonymous.

When called at her house, Tucker said she had not been informed of the findings. When told of the grievance committee's finding, she said "it wasn't clear to her what the decision was."

At the request of Love and Tucker, the hearing was closed to the public.

According to the grievance committee's report, each side was given an hour to present their case. The testimony began at 10:08 a.m.

Willard used only four minutes to explain his reasons for firing Tucker and Love. He stated he went on vacation in June and upon his return July 21 he learned of allegations

the employees made against him.

He told the committee he was unaware of the specifics of the allegations and cited insubordination as the reason for the firings.

Love and Tucker needed 12 minutes to present their case. They said while Willard was on vacation they were approached by Veterans Council Chairman Frank Sossamon to answer questions and address problems in the Veterans Affairs Office in a meeting with the Cherokee County Legislative Delegation.

That meeting led to encounters with Governor's Office official Phil Butler and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

They told grievance committee members they had no choice but to meet with SLED and were sworn under oath not to discuss their allegations.

In his rebuttal, Willard said the Veterans Council has no authority over his office and the clerks should have discussed the problems with him instead of Frank Sossamon.

Spartanburg attorney Pat Knie represented the fired VA employees in the grievance hearing.

In addition to Coggins, the other members of the grievance committee include emergency preparedness director Rick Peterson, Sheriff's Department Capt. J.P. Manning, magistrate office employee Tallulah Goforth and tax assessor department employee Sarah Reddish.