TEXARKANA - The Texarkana Board of Directors voted Tuesday night to approve City Manager Harold Boldt’s decision to fire the city clerk earlier this month.
Before voting 4-3 in favor of a resolution approving Boldt’s decision, the board also voted 4-3 not to allow the public to comment on Patti Scott Grey’s termination before directors took action.
Her attorney had approached the podium and held up a public comment card that she had filled out to speak on Grey’s behalf. .
“They will rue this day,” Louise Tausch of Atchley, Russell, Waldrop & Hlavinka LLP said loudly from the audience afterward.
Grey was fired Feb. 3 amid allegations that she accused Boldt of stealing and inappropriately using a stamp containing both their signatures. She was employed by the city for 21 years and had served as city clerk since 2000.
Mayor Wayne Smith described the actions taken by the board Tuesday as an “injustice” for Grey.
“It appears orchestrated to unlawfully terminate an employee,” Smith said. “I welcome a lawsuit.”
Arkansas, Pages 18 on 02/22/2014