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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2020)
community october1 2020 13 Release of Commissioner Candidate’s Personnel Records Raises Questions continued from front page Land Development Services Director Todd Dugdale, dated January 25, 2016, was deemed “Unsatisfactory.” Garrett’s probationary period was extended by six months and he was denied an annual step increase in pay. The performance review docu- ments the following concerns: • an inability by Garrett to adhere to fol- lowing established rules, policies and procedures • not seeking appropriate input when de- veloping plans and proposals • acting defensively when challenged and exercising poor judgement • not demonstrating the ability to estab- lish working relationships with other de- partment heads and staff working under him. “Your working relationship with most of your staff and several staff de- partments are broken,” states the review. The performance review and personnel records also offer details concerning two misconduct allegations which were investigated and substanti- ated by Human Resources Director Jean Ripa. The first incident involved a complaint filed by then Columbia Coun- ty Sheriff Jeff Dickerson on December 8, 2015 documenting an incident at the County Jail facility, which resulted in a finding that Garrett would no longer be trusted in the facility unaccompanied and that his ability to perform his job had been compromised. The second incident involved Garrett’s use of a racial slur when refer- ring to employees who had worked for him. A memorandum dated February 2, 2016 shows that Garrett received a Writ- ten Reprimand for “Failure to Meet Per- formance Competencies and Employee Misconduct,” which noted, “...that any further pattern of the performance de- ficiencies… will result in further disci- plinary action up to and including dis- missal.” In a written response to Dugdale and his performance review, Garrett de- nied the allegations and stated he did not believe he had been given a fair assess- ment of his overall performance. A follow-up memo dated July 21, 2016 from Dugdale to Garrett ad- dressing his performance during his extended probationary period noted Garrett was making progress in areas of concern, that he had completed rec- ommended supervisory training and a structured mediation with his staff, and he was placed on regular status. In April 2017 Garrett canceled a contract with Columbia County Men- tal Health – Sunrise Janitorial, which provided janitorial services for several county facilities. Those contracted ser- vices were assumed by county facilities staff under Garrett’s supervision, lead- ing to three employees filing a formal grievance with their union representa- tive. The Statement of Grievance stated the union employees had not been for- mally notified about the change to their working conditions and did not receive written descriptions of what tasks they were expected to perform. The union in- vestigation notes that when asked about the change, Garrett stated the contract employees, “...were disabled, so his staff would be able to do a much better job.” The County ended up hiring temporary employees to perform the work rather than hiring a permanent employee to fill a vacant spot, which was again ques- tioned by a union representative in Janu- ary 2019. Garrett’s performance reviews in March 2018, conducted by Commis- sioner Alex Tardif who Garrett is run- ning to replace on the Board, notes he is a satisfactory employee “...who has done some great things for Columbia County, including transforming the way the Parks Department operates.” He is noted for his “can do attitude,” but as Tardif points out, he “moves a little too quickly, which sometimes gets him in trouble.” In the review Tardif suggests Garrett “listen more, talk less.” “He needs to hear what others are saying… he can sometimes bulldoze people in an attempt to get his point across,” noted Tardif. Garrett’s March 2019 perfor- mance review, also written by Tardif notes similar concerns, including “com- pleting projects at the 11 th hour,” while also noting Garrett was, “continuing to grow into his role,” and “continues to provide innovative solutions to prob- lems.” The release of Garrett’s per- sonnel documents preceded a conten- tious appearance by Garrett on 1600 AM KOHI radio on Friday, September 18 when Garrett met with Tammy Maygra and Brady Preheim to discuss his work history with the County. Garrett says he was hired to make drastic changes at the County. He again denied that he ever used a racial slur, and said the accusa- tions were made by disgruntled employ- ees; he said none of the three employees from his staff that were working for the County when he assumed his position are still employed there. He said he had no problem with his personnel file being open to the public, but he called the re- lease of them “dirty politics.” Anonymous Donor in Support of Vernonia’s Voice
