THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 21, 1996 TAG: 9602210447
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
The new Dare County recreation director's daughter, a dance instructor in the department, moved her office Tuesday into a different agency because personnel policy prohibits employees from supervising relatives.
Lisa Cudworth has taught dance for more than nine years in the county. Her father, Jerry Allen, was chosen to fill the recreation director's position vacated by Johnny Tillett in December. Allen will start work March 15.
County Manager Terry Wheeler said he realized when he interviewed Allen for the job that his daughter already worked in the department and that Allen would not be allowed to supervise her.
``It would be wrong of us to leave her there,'' Wheeler said. ``It's important that we don't compromise the nepotism policy.''
Wheeler said that if Allen's resume had not been so strong, the conflict may have discouraged him from hiring Allen. Allen has many years experience as recreation director in Elizabeth City and as county manager in Camden County.
Allen said that although he would not want to compromise his daughter's job, nepotism policies are to be expected.
``It's no big deal as long as a person is not put in a place of supervising her,'' Allen said. ``Obviously I couldn't supervise her, and I wouldn't want to.'' County spokesman Charles Hartig said it was decided that Cudworth's office needed to be moved months ago because of space problems. Hartig said she will work in an office in the personnel department and work under the personnel director.
``Lisa administers the entire dance program,'' Hartig said, adding that she seldom is in her office.
Cudworth, whose job title is ``recreation specialist,'' said she teaches 204 dance students. She said it was decided that her office needed to be switched when Tillett was still the recreation director.
Other than her new boss and office, Cudworth said her job will remain unchanged. by CNB