|
|
Published May 20, 2008 11:12 pm - Allegations that former Joplin mayor and current City Council member Jon Tupper harassed city employees, worked to drive out Jerry Calvin, city parks director, and had an adversarial and obscenity-filled cell-phone conversation have come to light.
In our view: Policy needed
Allegations that former Joplin mayor and current City Council member Jon Tupper harassed city employees, worked to drive out Jerry Calvin, city parks director, and had an adversarial and obscenity-filled cell-phone conversation have come to light.
If these allegations prove to be true, then Tupper has violated the city’s code of ethics for council members. That code reads that council members should not request the appointment or removal of any person to office or employment with the city. Council members “shall deal with the administrative officers and services solely through the city manager and neither the council nor any member thereof shall give orders to the subordinates of the city manager, either publicly or privately.”
If the allegations are determined to be unfounded, then the city should move on.
But if City Council members proceed with a public hearing on June 23 in which city employees are brought in to make the allegations, then that constitutes another interference by the council. Not only is it inappropriate, but it’s a violation of the code of ethics. City employees do not answer to the council. They answer to department heads, who in turn answer to City Manager Mark Rohr.
The city has policies that cover harassment complaints brought against other employees or supervisors, but with the exception of the prohibition of interference, there is no policy that sets out how to handle a situation in which a council member is accused.
Let us offer a suggestion.
Outside counsel should be used to provide a full disclosure to the public and to the council, and decisions concerning repercussions should be based on that report.
Don’t let this turn into a trial of city employees; it’s a question of whether a City Council member acted appropriately.
The council definitely needs a policy on how to confront one of its own.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
 |
|
DRIVERS
Environmental Services Company looking for Class B-CDL drivers, competitive wages, medical and dental benefits and paid ...>MORE
MERRY MAIDS
Training at $8.00 per hour. Great earning potential with increases and bonuses. Good environment, no nights, no weekends...>MORE
NOW HIRING COMPANY DRIVERS
Now hiring company drivers for Late model Peterbilts to pull dry van or reefer. Weekly pay, direct deposit, full benefit...>MORE
THREE RIVERS HOSPICE WEST
seeking a full time RN. Position offers independence, flexible scheduling, small, case loads, competitive wages and bene...>MORE
AIR SERVICE COMPANY
is seeking a residential and commercial HVAC service tech. Must have 5 years experience as well as a good driving ...>MORE
WELDER
Needed for manufacturing setting. Must be dependable with some experience preferred, but will train right person. Wages ...>MORE
DISPATCH SPECIALIST, FULL TIME
dispatch specialist, full-time, 30 wpm, multi-tasker, weekend/evening availability $450/week. Send resume to Po Box 2402...>MORE
DRIVER TO HAUL LIVESTOCK
driver to haul livestock;. Experience necessary. Smith Bros Inc 800-279-6045....>MORE
TELLER. LOCAL CREDIT UNION
TELLER. Local credit union has opening for part time teller, experience preferred. 1:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, so...>MORE
WANTED FULL TIME COOK
wanted Full time experienced cook for a 37 bed residential care facility. 201 Fir Road, Carl Junction. (417)782-5659 EO...>MORE
See all ads |
|
2006 DODGE LARAMIE
4x4, every option available, plus lots of added extras, beautiful truck, looks like show truck, might take trade in. (41...>MORE
HOMEMADE 5TH WHEEL FLATBED TRAILER
16’ long, 7 1/2 ‘wide with 2 ft sides. $600 includes 5th wheel receiver; also like new bedliner for small pickup, $20. (...>MORE
2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT
All wheel drive, all options, plus lots of other added extras, 9000 miles, might take trade in. 417-206-4028....>MORE
BUICK 1993 REGAL GRAN SPORT
buick, 1993 Regal Gran Sport, 2-door, automatic, black, 3800 motor, bucket seats, low miles, $1350. 417-434-7382....>MORE
1930s DUESENBERG
“Gatsby Era”; factory built 1988; V-8, 5.0, automatic, spoke wheels, 12,950 miles, two convertible tops, white/tan, beau...>MORE
1956 CHEVROLET
2 door Post, V8, automatic, many upgrades. Not a show car but excellent daily driver. $11,500. (417)388-0330 after 5 p.m...>MORE
1996 MOTOR HOME
National Dolphin motor home, 35’ diesel, automatic, slide out, washer/dryer, central vacuum, extras, very clean, runs ex...>MORE
BUICK 2001 LASABRE
60,000 miles on motor/1 year warranty, 30 mpg, $1800; 2001 Montana, leather, loaded up excellent condition, 28 mpg. $190...>MORE
2000 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY
117,000 miles, $4500/best offer. 620-232-1202....>MORE
YAMAHA 2003 1100
YAMAHA, 2003 1100 V Star Classic, loaded with equipment, only 3800 miles, $4800. 417-847-7568....>MORE
See all ads |
|
3 RENTAL HOUSES
3 RENTAL HOUSES, good cash flow $89,000. 10% down. 417-438-7500....>MORE
6 BR, 3.5 BA
4200 sq. ft., 9 years old, $255,000. (417)358-1510....>MORE
BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED INTERIOR
BEAUTIFULLY remodeled interior, 3 br, 2 ba, Columbus, KS 913-402-0061....>MORE
COUNTRY SETTING
RENT TO OWN, 3 br, 2 ba, 2-car gar, central heat and air. Country setting, south of Joplin. $775 per month. ZERO DOWN. 4...>MORE
28X56 3 BR 2 BA NEW CARPET
28x56, 3 br, 2 ba, new carpet, all appliances, solid wood cabinets, $35,900. 417-869-5144....>MORE
3 BR, 2 BA, 2 1/2 ACRES
5 Mile Creek. 5 minutes from DownStream Casino, W. of Joplin. No credit needed. 417-389-0745....>MORE
3 BEDROOM, 1 1/2 BATH
Reduced to $79,000 by owner, pretty, central heat, refrigerator, washer/dryer included, laundry room etc attached garage...>MORE
1 BR, 1 BA,
refrigerator, stove, $350/$200 deposit. Water/trash paid. 303 N. Byers, #C, Joplin. Call Management 417-529-4907 leave m...>MORE
GROVE OK ON GRAND LAKE
GROVE, OK ON GRAND LAKE, 3 acres with 90,000 sq. ft. building located 200 ft from public boat access ramp at Elk River. ...>MORE
110 W. WILSON, CARTERVILLE
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-4 P.M. Motivated to sell this lovely 4 br 3 ba Victorian home, 1936 sq ft. Located 2 blocks from Ele...>MORE
See all ads |
|
BEAGLE PUPPIES
flashy, small type, shots, wormed, $40/each. (417)439-3647....>MORE
MORKIES
2 males and 3 females, shots/wormed, $200. (417)548-2433....>MORE
LIONHEAD RABBITS
Guinea pigs, each comes with own cage. (417)529-7266...>MORE
GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPS
8 weeks, AKC registered, parents on site. (417)358-2226....>MORE
TABLE SAW
10” Older Craftsman, heavy duty; also a 6” Craftsman Jointer, 417-659-9782 or cell 417-540-3470....>MORE
SNARE DRUM
SNARE DRUM, Ludwig, case, stand, practice pad, $150. (417)439-1997 or (417)623-2997....>MORE
MO CONCEALED CARRY CLASS
September 6, 7:30-3:30 p.m. in Joplin. 417-499-5523 www.swmofirearmstraining.com...>MORE
AIR CONDITIONER, 220
AIR CONDITIONER, 220, 25,000 btu, $195; washer/dryer, $175/set; older upright freezer, $75; sub zero refrigerator, $700....>MORE
5TH WHEEL 1992 EXCEL
5TH WHEEL, 1992 Excel, 28’, large slide, excellent condition, new refrigerator/tires. $10,500. (417)206-7869, (417)439-1...>MORE
WASHER
GE washing machine, Maytag dryer, top of the line, just like new. (417)623-3297....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
