Washington County panel clears firing; case has ties to lawsuits

FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County officials were justified in firing the county's purchasing manager last month, a Quorum Court committee ruled Monday afternoon in a case that's tied to several ongoing civil rights lawsuits against the county.

Wendi West had filed a grievance against County Judge Marilyn Edwards and comptroller Cheryl Bolinger protesting her termination June 2. Monday's decision by the Quorum Court's Personnel Committee was unanimous, but the pattern of recent lawsuits suggests the dispute could move next to federal court.

The ruling comes after several tumultuous months in the purchasing department, which handles other departments' purchasing needs. West was promoted to the manager position in February to replace Mandy Przysczpkowski.

Przysczpkowski was fired in November, shortly after the county judge put Bolinger in charge of the purchasing department. Przysczpkowski is suing the county in U.S. District Court, claiming she was fired as part of a campaign of harassment against supporters of Edwards' political opponent in last year's election. The county has denied her claims and pointed to several reasons for the firing.

Bolinger on Monday said West repeatedly showed she couldn't handle the responsibility, showing up late for work and taking months to complete tasks. An order of business cards made in January for the prosecuting attorney didn't come through until April under West's supervision, for example.

"It was numerous departments, numerous elected officials -- I got complaints Wendi wasn't following through," Bolinger said. "It's a huge concern."

"I wanted Wendi to be a success here," Bolinger added, pointing to multiple write-ups as evidence she tried to explain clearly how West could improve.

West said Bolinger expected her to take on Przysczpkowski's duties immediately, months before formally giving West a promotion and pay raise. West said she wasn't given enough training or help to handle the move and felt she couldn't complain without being punished.

"I did my duties the best I could with the limited training that I had," West said. She noted Bolinger's write-ups and said: "For the most part, I think they were exaggerated."

Instead, West said she was fired because she intended to testify on behalf of Przysczpkowski during the lawsuit. When county attorney Steve Zega asked when West told Bolinger about this, West said she didn't remember.

In addition to Przysczpkowski, three other current or former county employees have sued the county, claiming their support of Republican Jeff Williams in the county judge race last year led to harassment and punishment from Edwards, a Democrat, and her subordinates.

Fayetteville attorney Josh Bailey is representing all four county employees in U.S. District Court and advised West during Monday's hearing. Bailey and West declined to comment afterward on whether West will continue her fight.

The justices of the peace on the Personnel Committee voted against West after county attorney Steve Zega brought in several county employees to testify on the difficulty of working with her. Zega called the idea of a political conspiracy "ridiculous."

NW News on 07/07/2015

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