ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995 TAG: 9512080058
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PEARISBURG
SOURCE: CLAYTON BRADDOCK SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
Janet E. Tuckwiller, who resigned as Giles County administrator earlier this week, sharply criticized the Board of Supervisors Thursday.
She aimed charges at both current and future board members, though she offered no specifics to back up her claims.
All of the current supervisors up for re-election, save one, were defeated in November. The changing of the guard will take place in January.
Ross Martin, former employee of Hoescht-Celanese and a one-time manager of the old Pembroke Telephone Co., will serve as interim administrator.
A full-time administrator to replace Tuckwiller will be named "in a short time," Martin said.
Tuckwiller said her resignation, which she submitted during an executive session at Tuesday's board meeting, was prompted by her philosophy "not to participate in or condone" the supervisors' actions.
Two board members reached in their homes Thursday said Tuckwiller had done a good job in office and had suffered through criticism for things that were not her fault.
"I've supported her from the word 'go,'"said Herbert H. Brown, a longtime supervisor from Narrows. "I think she was an excellent administrator."
Bobby Compton, who served two terms on the board, says Tuckwiller was not forced out of office.
"That will be in the minutes of the next meeting," he said. "I will bring it up myself.
"It was her choice to resign, but because three members of the new board had said they would not work with her."
But at least one board member had suggested to Tuckwiller, outside of the realm of a board meeting, that she step down.
Compton said the criticism Tuckwiller received while in office stemmed from issues that were not her fault. Once, for instance, she was criticized for not cashing a certificate of deposit, Compton said. But that was the treasurer's responsibility, not Tuckwiller's, he added.
In a statement released Thursday, Tuckwiller said recent months have been filled with "negative and hostile environment" that was intolerable for her and other members of the county staff.
"I have learned more than I care to know about intimidation, threats, back-stabbing, harassment and other types of abuse," she said.
Said Supervisor Jay Williams, "I had hoped that she would not get into that kind of stuff."
Tuckwiller said she believed she had done an effective job serving citizens and the Board of Supervisors.
Tuckwiller was appointed administrator in September 1993, succeeding Ken Weaver, who had resigned that summer.
"I refuse to serve as the scapegoat for board members who lack the courage of conviction to make tough decisions and stick by them," Tuckwiller said.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB