ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 28, 1996 TAG: 9602280059
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: KRISTEN KAMMERER STAFF WRITER
The actions of hiring or firing an employee usually take place behind closed doors. But Monday night, at a regular City Council meeting, nearly 130 people threw those doors wide open to protest the dismissal of Suzanne G. Glass, superintendent of the Department of Welfare and Social Services.
Glass, who has worked for the department since 1967, was dismissed from her $44,000-per-year job by the Welfare Board on Feb. 16.
On Monday, she addressed council members with a carefully prepared statement describing her dismissal.
"I believe I have been treated shamefully by the Radford Welfare Board," she began. She said board members told her during a meeting Feb. 15 that she could either resign immediately or face dismissal. "The board members stated this action was being taken because they no longer had confidence in my ability to manage the agency."
Glass then read aloud the termination letter sent to her by Dennis A. Cropper, chairman of the Welfare Board.
The letter cited several reasons for the dismissal, including concerns from former and current staff members, complaints from regional and state offices regarding adherence to policies and procedures and the agency's poor image in the human services community.
"These problems have existed for a number of years and have been cyclical in nature," Cropper had written. He was out of town Tuesday and could not be reached for comment.
Glass called his accusations "untrue and ludicrous."
She further argued that her abrupt dismissal violated her rights "to hear the charges, confront my accuser and present evidence." And she asked that City Council reinstate her in the position of superintendent and protect her so that she have "reasonable expectation of continued employment."
When Glass finished her remarks, the audience erupted in a round of applause and gave her a standing ovation.
Then, nearly a dozen audience members stood to speak on her behalf.
Ken Edwards, who has lived in Radford most of his life, said that he had dealt with Glass several times on a professional level and that she was a vital part of the community. "The way she was treated was unconscionable and [the council] should be embarrassed," he said. "Mrs. Glass is an asset to our community and we shouldn't be here tonight."
Other longtime friends and associates noted Glass' professionalism and devotion to her work, citing her help in organizing events such as food and clothing drives, fund-raisers and school programs.
"We should be giving this lady a medal, not railroading her!" one angry person shouted.
A student from Radford University, who had studied Glass' department and found it to be both efficient and professional, offered to turn his 50-page evaluation over to the council if it could help Glass in any way.
After the audience's comments, Glass asked Robert Nicholson, a City Council member who sits on the Welfare Board, to name the specific reasons for her dismissal.
The crowd supported her demand with shouts of "Yes, give us specifics!" and "Come on, Bobby, put up or shut up!"
An unruffled Nicholson stood before the crowd and said that while he understood Glass' comments, it "hurt him to see the attitude some [people in the audience] had taken."
He added that, though he knew the audience wouldn't be satisfied with his answer, the personnel matter was confidential and he was unable to make public comments unless the case went before a court of law.
The matter was brought to a close when council member William Yerrick said he believed that all citizens have the right to due process and he hoped that Glass would pursue the matter legally.
Meanwhile, Ernest Sprouse has been appointed to head the Department of Welfare and Social Services until the Welfare Board hires a new superintendent.
Sprouse, 60, who retired in 1992 after 26 years as Bristol's director of social services, said his contract is "indefinite."
"The thinking is two months," Sprouse said, adding that he is not interested in seeking the position permanently.
Sprouse said he spent Monday, his first day on the job, meeting the 10 employees of his new agency. He's scheduled to make the department's annual budget presentation to City Council on Monday night.
In other business, council passed a resolution to authorize the Virginia Department of Transportation to acquire rights-of-way for the Rock Road improvement project.
Also, council member, David Worrell, requested that City Attorney John Spiers, meet with the commonwealth's attorney to discuss making the recently passed "obscenity ordinance" more specific so it wouldn't seem to prohibit the sale of adult magazines and videos.
Staff writer Robert Freis contributed information to this story.
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