Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 28, 1990 TAG: 9007280176
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER
DATELINE: INDEPENDENCE LENGTH: Medium
Steven Shaffner and Jesse Farmer, chairman and vice chairman of the supervisors, have instructed the three county Social Services Board members - Bettye-Lou Fields, chairwoman; Robert B. Wells, who is also a supervisor; and Dennis Cooley - to attend the 7 p.m. meeting with the four-member governing body that appointed them six months ago.
Farmer had suggested calling for a state administrative review of the firing and moved for such a review at the board's July 10 meeting, but got no second on his motion.
Bockes has had no comment on her dismissal except to say she has hired an attorney, Kurt Pomrenke of Bristol. The Social Services Board has hired Joseph Tate of Marion, and the county will have to pay any legal fees incurred if the firing goes to court.
The only reason given for the Social Service Board action has been that morale was low among department employees. But it has been the employees who have been most vocal in objecting to Bockes' firing.
Twelve of the department's 18 workers - including Betty Richardson, acting director since Bockes left - signed a letter saying they "want the public to know that we have always been supportive of Nancy Bockes. Due to the misinformation that has been propagated concerning low morale and disgruntled employees, we feel the need to correct the record."
The letter praises Bockes' leadership skills and concern for agency clients, adding: "Her influence, skills, and knowledge concerning providing funding for important mandated and non-mandated programs are unequaled."
Hope Orren, eligibility supervisor, said none of the department employees was interviewed about morale before the dismissal occurred. "I have asked for clarification since then and I've been told we are not privy to this information," she said.
She said the firing happened about two weeks before the new fiscal year budget was to be finished "and it put us in a bind like you wouldn't believe." Bockes has always been good at coming up with funding sources, Orren said, but now "we were left without a leader . . . We're coping with it by just directing our attention to the needs of our clients."
Bockes appealed the firing under the first step of the department's grievance procedure, but Fields, the chairwoman, denied it.
by CNB