‘N-word’ spelled out in complaint

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Wednesday, January 6. 2010

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An African-American manager in Barrow County’s government has informed the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that a department manager and a member of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners used racial slurs about her in 2009.

Sophia “Tonie” Russell, manager of Geographic Information Services (GIS), said in a document filed Dec. 8, 2009 with the EEOC that her “current supervisor” allegedly has called her, along with other African-American employees of the county government, a “nigger.”

She also alleges that a “white male” commissioner referred to her as a “little nigger girl” and “stupid” and that he told someone in the human resources department: “That nigger (Mrs. Russell) can go work with (a hostile co-worker) or get fired.”

The allegations are spelled out in an amendment to the original EEOC complaint Russell filed in August 2009 shortly after her demotion in connection with the board of commissioners’ June 2009 cost-saving actions.

Her amended complaint is the first public disclosure that at least one of the subjects of the county’s investigation sits on the board of commissioners.

The document does not name the officials who allegedly uttered the remarks, but it does identify their positions.

Russell’s “current supervisor” is Lyn Clement, who as director of the recently created Barrow County Community and County Development Department supervises all three African-American employees with offices in the county government’s headquarters on East Broad Street.

The December complaint does not indicate that either Clement or the unnamed commissioner made racist remarks directly to Russell, but that the allegations are based on “information and belief.”

For the full story, see the Jan. 6, 2010 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 bob23 on 01/06/10 at 03:46 PM [Reply]

That "little nigger girl" sounds made up. Sounds like someone was upset because they got let go due to downsizing. Sad as to how much it will cost the county to defend this.

#1.1 An open minded person on 01/06/10 at 04:06 PM [Reply]

There are only 3 Black people at the Barrow county GOV bulding ? Problems are what you get when you hire a used-car-sales men to take over as county manager. If she feels strongly about this, maybey she does have proof. I've read that many women including the HR lady has had problems with the current administration.

#1.2 Anonymous on 01/06/10 at 05:23 PM [Reply]

Wilburn defended the use of the word. Didn't deny it -- DEFENDED it. End of discussion! She wins. And this is not someone we want on the BOC.

#1.3 Anonymous on 01/06/10 at 06:53 PM [Reply]

Bob - you need to go up to the county Annex and hang around for a bit. You may be enlightened on the stuff you overhear as a citizen, when you walk by the doors of some of the offices (try the one down the long hall when you come in - last door on the left). Now, imagine hearing comments like this on a daily basis. Now after you do all of that, you may change your mind. If you were in that environment every day - would you be upset because you were downsized??? No, you would probably be glad you weren't in that environment anymore.

#1.4 David Astle on 01/13/10 at 10:08 AM [Reply]

Check your facts. Ms. Russell was not let go, she was demoted. I was the one let go. I am white and I am male. She has a legitimate complaint. The BOC did not consult with her involving changes to her department (GIS). The changes they made were contrary to a previous BOC's ruling on placement of the GIS department. The movement of her department under another had no cost savings and was purely political in nature. Trust me, I was there and had work in this environment. I completely support her in her suit.

#2 Clarence on 01/06/10 at 04:52 PM [Reply]

I bet she laughs all the way to the bank...

#3 Anonymous on 01/06/10 at 06:05 PM [Reply]

Another "black-eye" for Barrow County. What's next!

#4 to bob23 on 01/06/10 at 06:26 PM [Reply]

Are you actually giving those buffoons credit. Spewing that type of hate and not thinking about consequences is up those fools alley...Unless you are one of them too...hahahaha
Damn right, they are gonna pay!!!

#5 elizabeth on 01/06/10 at 07:46 PM [Reply]

Oh my God , she believes on information and belief what a bunch of BS. They are just trying to get a paycheck out of Barrow County and so is the HR Director, she stirred all this up and is continuing to carry on this big charade and the BOC and the local newspapers and the blog are helping her, wake up people, she doesn't care about these people she is using them to save her job.Barrow County needs a HR director with some ethics and a conscience would be nice.

#5.1 Bill Healan on 01/07/10 at 12:18 AM [Reply]

Elizabeth, Wake up and smell the coffee. Don't you realize what a black(NPI) eye this gives us? We should all be denouncing this behavior, not defending it. Are you still living in the 50's? It may be decades before we are able to get new business to come to Barrow.
Larry Joe may believe that "It ain't illegal".
But it IS damned embarrassing. Ms Elder, is this something your religion finds acceptable?
Steve, where is your outrage about this? Coach.
how can you sit back and not speak out? Billy,
I know that they listen to nothing you say. But someone must stand up and say "ENOUGH". Ben.Are you still waiting for your report from Staff? Sorry Bud they are all gone. You now have to figure it out yourself. And Danny, Nero fiddled while Rome burned. This wasn't good enough for you. You sang and started the fire that will consume Barrow County. It may not recover from you in my lifetime.
Thank you Mike,Scott,Susan and all The Barrow Journal for jobs well done. In years past this might not have been considered newsworthy.
And Barrow County, this can not happen to us
unless men and women of good conscience do nothing.

#5.1.1 Anonymous on 01/07/10 at 06:51 AM [Reply]

Bill Healan - thank you for your comments. As you stated, and as as English philosopher Edmund Burke said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Thank you for always being a defender of what's right and for taking a hard stand against what's wrong. You have always been consistent and taken a stand, even when it might not have been popular. Thank you for publicly calling on the Commissioners and the Chairman to do the same thing.

Commissioners: the citizens and the county employees (which also may be your constituents and county citizens) are crying out, begging you to please do what's right. Please keep in mind that some may not feel that they can speak up for fear of retaliation. You are the voice of your constituents. You hold good and evil in your power of decision. "To whom much is given much is required." Please be a good steward for all of us.

#5.1.2 John C. on 01/09/10 at 06:12 AM [Reply]

Bill I can't believe you would post comments like this when the claims are still unproven. Are you trying to convict people in the media how unprofessional or a lawyer to make such accusations. You are truly a disgrace to your profession for not letting the judicial system do its job. I sure hope someone doesn't accuse you of something in the media. Why do we even need a judicial system when we can just convict people in the newspaper with unproven claims. Once again Bill nice job convicting people without due process.

#5.1.2.1 Anonymous on 01/09/10 at 11:18 AM [Reply]

I think it is fair to say that "something" did occur. The county is spending tens of thousands to dollars to have this "something" investigated, and, given the penny pinching attitude of the commissioners, I don't think they would have done this absent some realistic "proof" that the events did occur - in some format. Having said that, and since the matter is now in the public record, there would be nothing wrong with any of the commissioners' denouncing the use of the "N" word. I believe Bill Healan in right on point - he isn't convicting anyone - but asking that our elected officials stand up and be counted.

#5.1.2.2 Anonymous on 01/09/10 at 05:50 PM [Reply]

Wilburn DEFENDED the use of the word - didn't deny it DEFENDED it. If it hasn't occurred then why would Wilburn feel the need to DEFEND the use of the word?

#6 Where are you? wilburn on 01/06/10 at 08:08 PM [Reply]

wilburn, defend this! hahahahahahahahahaha

#7 job well done on 01/06/10 at 08:18 PM [Reply]

Susan,
Job well done. Keep up the good work. This is the type of journalism that is responsible for keeping checks and balances and hold those abusing power accountable. Their only regret...they got caught. You are merely exposing the ignorance and prejudices that has permeated our society since time. wilburn, where are you? can't wait for your rebuttal...(rolling on the floor laughing my @ss off..)

#8 Barrow County Newcomer on 01/07/10 at 04:45 AM [Reply]

I was raised to be tolerant of all races, religions, ethnicities, etc. Personally, I cannot say the "n-word", just can't do it.

I just moved to this county last year from Oconee County because I wanted more house for my money and to be a little closer (but not too close!) to Gwinnett. Barrow is the most redneck and backwoods places that I have lived in. I can't believe all the crap that has gone on in the past year here.

Dear BOC: Please make better use of my tax dollars and stop acting like 3 year olds.

#8.1 Anonymous on 01/08/10 at 11:32 AM [Reply]

MOVE BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM THEN!!!!

#8.1.1 Barrow County Newcomer on 01/09/10 at 05:41 AM [Reply]

I'm from New York City, if you really want to know.

And I'm sorry, Barrow County is redneck and a little behind the times. But notice I never said that I did not like this county.

#8.1.1.1 Fio LaGuardia on 01/09/10 at 10:32 AM [Reply]

The settlement that became NYC was founded in 1625. Winder-Barrow is not now or ever will be on the level of what is, arguably, the world's greatest city. So, it's really kind of fish-in-a-barrel shooting to denounce our little village as "behind the times" and lacking the cosmopolitan air of NYC. If these characteristics so affect your quality of life, then you might consider living elsewhere. One thing is for sure: You will not be able to effect any sort of change by calling people "rednecks" and comparing Winder to NYC. If venting anonymously about the shortcomings of this venue makes you feel better, then by all means continue.

#8.1.1.1.1 Barrow County Newcomer on 01/10/10 at 04:29 AM [Reply]

I lived in Georgia since 1990 and I'm not moving back. Cold weather sucks!

#9 Citizen on 01/07/10 at 07:11 AM [Reply]

Our BOC members are all a bunch of cowards...YES, THERE, I SAID IT! where is the outrage???? I am yet to hear even a SINGLE one of them call in the press and denounce, distance themselves, and call for these two to step down or be removed!!!! What a joke of an administration!!!

#10 Anonymous on 01/07/10 at 02:14 PM [Reply]

It will be interesting to find out which of the commissioners is accused of uttering this word - my money is on one of two - I don't believe that Steve, Ben or Billy would have uttered these remarks - they have two much class. I also don't think that Eva would have either - not a lady like thing to do. That leaves us with two candidates - Danny and Larry Joe. I don't believe it would be out of character for either of them to do so.

When the final report comes in, I hope and pray that the allegedly guilty party does the honorable thing and resign. I also think Lyn Clements should have been fired months ago - how may more mistakes will he be permitted to make. Of course, he does do a good job of carrying Danny's water for him.

#11 Bill Healan on 01/07/10 at 02:55 PM [Reply]

Thank you for your remarks. In my opinion, you were the best commissioner that Barrow ever had. You stood up for the employees and always thought of what was best for the citiziens. You are right: we need to stand up for what we believe and stop living with this kind of embarrassment. We deserve better in this county.

#12 where"s on 01/09/10 at 08:15 AM [Reply]

Where's Al and Jesse ??

#13 Steve pierce on 01/09/10 at 06:31 PM [Reply]

Did we elect these clowns?

#14 Anonymous on 01/09/10 at 11:27 PM [Reply]

where is Africa America? if you were born in this country, you are an AMERICAN! You don't see news stories being politically correct about English-Americans, German-Americans, Irish-Americans, etc.

#14.1 Anonymous on 01/10/10 at 10:39 AM [Reply]

You don't see news stories using the "N" word either when refering to a person. You also don't see news stories confusing continents and countries. The term is not Africa America, it is African American, which is identifying a race, like "white" will refer to English-Americans, German-Americans, Irish-Americans, etc.

#14.1.1 Anonymous on 01/10/10 at 06:16 PM [Reply]

I think you misunderstood the comment. I once had a black waitress with a heavy Jamaican accent. She kept talking about her country -- "my country this, my country that etc". When I asked her what her country was she replied "Why Africa of course!" My response - "honey Africa is a continent not a country." Course didn't see her after that - no service, but the point the person was trying to make. Africa is a continent, not a country like France, Germany, Italy, etc ....

To be African American you would have to be from the country of Africa -- Africa is not a country - it's a continent.

Either way, I totally disagree with the use of the "N" word. The two men who used it should be fired / recalled!

#14.1.2 Anonymous on 01/11/10 at 05:57 PM [Reply]

I played tennis with a girl that moved to the United States from South Africa. When we were introducing each other to the league she said somewhere during the conversation that she was African-American (white as a ghost with red hair). The black people didn't like her after that.

#14.1.3 Anonymous on 01/12/10 at 07:16 AM [Reply]

I know exactly what African-American means. That lady isn't anymore African-American than I am European-American. The point I was trying to make is that if she was born in the United States, it should say she is a black American. She is not from Africa, but maybe her great, great, great so on grandparents were. And by the way, just because someone is from Africa doesn't mean they are black. I don't think the guy from Egypt at my gas station would like to be called African-American.

#14.1.3.1 Anonymous on 01/12/10 at 06:22 PM [Reply]

I agree - My family is from Europe. I refer to myself as a 1st generation American. I don't refer to myself as French-American.

If they are going to have a classification of African-American, then they should have French-American, Irish-Americans, etc ...

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