Winder fires HR director

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Wednesday, February 8. 2012

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Winder’s city administrator on Feb. 8 fired the city’s human resources director in a cost-saving move. Don Toms told Penny Wilkins in a memo that her position is not being funded in the FY2013 budget, and due to its sensitive nature, she had to be terminated immediately.

The memo states that Toms would be taking over some of the HR director’s duties and that he would delegate other tasks to other staff. The city also will utilize its insurance broker and new software.

Toms has a background in human resources, and he said the city not only would save money by eliminating the position but also have “increased efficiency within the decision-making process between the City Administrator and the Department Heads.”

Toms provided Wilkins with two weeks’ severance pay in addition to any unused annual vacation she has accrued.

She has worked for the city government for 13 years and has been the HR director since September 2007. Her annual salary was $59,881 with total benefits and salary of $82,000.

Wilkins is the second long-time employee close to former mayor Chip Thompson to lose her job in the past eight days.

The Winder City Council at a called meeting Jan. 31 voted unanimously to appoint Gloria Andrews to replace city clerk Sabrina Wall.

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#1 Another control freak on 02/08/12 at 05:57 PM [Reply]

Reminds me of Dumbwood across the street! Wow, one that knows it all and will want to control everyone and everything while chasing employees! Next he will give himself a huge raise due to the added "responsibilities" he now carries. Get ready for another crazy de javu 4 years in barrow,

#1.1 When you elect GOB's on 02/08/12 at 06:04 PM [Reply]

Don't expect anything to change.

Barrow County citizens -- let's not make the same mistake in the 2012 county elections.

New blood, Educated (beyond high school), professional,

#1.1.1 Anonymous on 02/08/12 at 06:39 PM [Reply]

sounds real good...know 4 people like that wiling to run for those positions and put up with the never satisfied crap from people here?

#1.2 STICKS AND STONES on 02/09/12 at 06:19 PM [Reply]

Just wait until Winder has to clean up the mess that Toms is instigating . . . he's experienced, oh yea, but not in a lot of good areas . . . re: his work background...probably those folks were glad to get rid of him and lucky Winder....and to think that the new mayor and city council are too dense to see what's really happening.....SO Penny's out and Henderson will get an assistant and probably a big raise...Henderson ought to be out of here about two years ago due to the sexual harrassment lawsuit. Oh, and by the way, Gloria probably has a friend who needs a job . . . who's next City employees?

#1.2.1 wish on 02/09/12 at 08:30 PM [Reply]

they would clean house have dept of labor fill postions with blind search and no city involvement in interviews

#2 Bill on 02/08/12 at 07:10 PM [Reply]

I have know penny for several years. She is really mean and thinks she knows what she is talking about. Mr. Toms and the mayor made the smartest decision by firing her. Thank you know the employees will be 100 percent happier and be able to work more efficient.

#3 Anonymous on 02/08/12 at 07:31 PM [Reply]

Glad we finally got a real mayor and leader. It will take a while to clean up Chips mess

#4 Chris Stevens on 02/08/12 at 07:35 PM [Reply]

Keep your chin up Penny. Maybe you can reapply in 6 months

#5 Mr. Fox on 02/08/12 at 07:55 PM [Reply]

Mr. Stevens this lady was a real nightmare, she messed up a lot of employees lives. She made and had city policies in place to how she wanted them. I feel horrible for anyone who loses their job but I feel no guilt for her. She was rude, mean, and thought she was better than everyone.
I am surprised she has not been sued by employees current or present for mistakes she has made. While I feel the citizens of Winder are very important; so are the employees who work for them. Mr. Toms and the Mayor have made one of the smartest decisions. I work and live in the City so I know how this woman is. A lot of the citizens did not see how backstabbing and full of crap she was because they did not have to work with her.

Ding dong the witch is GONE.

#6 Life-Long Barrow Citizen on 02/08/12 at 08:00 PM [Reply]

I am glad to see Barrow cleaning house. If we hire ANYONE for a top level position, they need to be educated and have professional experience.

If we elect ANYONE to public office, they need to be educated and have professional experience.

This county can attract quality individuals if we give them chance. Furthermore, this county is losing dozens of bright and intelligent students who go off to college, graduate, and never come back because no one will give them a chance to succeed in their own hometown.

#7 Anonymous on 02/08/12 at 08:26 PM [Reply]

Hey city employees. How you all liking that raise Chipper gave you as he was getting booted out the door. Wonder who is next? Time to play spin the bottle.

#7.1 Tim on 02/08/12 at 08:31 PM [Reply]

Who knows? It might be that $75,000 a year good for nothing fire captain.

#7.1.1 Anonymous on 02/08/12 at 11:09 PM [Reply]

You need to check your facts. The fire captain only makes 65K a year. But I do agree. He is doing nothing. Most departments have their rookies doing inspections after a one week training course.

#7.1.1.1 Jack Legg on 02/09/12 at 09:08 AM [Reply]

I have to throw the flag on your dumbass right there, for illegal use of the brain.There is NO competent fire department in america today who "uses rookies to do inspections after a one week course".
The job of fire inspections is one of the most detailed jobs in the fire service, in the age of liability that we currently live in it would cost millions of dollars in lawsuites if an idiot inspector passed off on some building that did not meet code and then there was a loss of life from a fire in that building.A poor inspections section has been the downfall of many fire chiefs and local administrative govts across america.If you dont know something then you should at least try and educate yourself before spouting off with diarhea of the mouth.

#8 Proud on 02/08/12 at 10:42 PM [Reply]

I stand up and applaud Mayor Maynard, Administrator Toms and our city council. Finally, right decisions are being made. May all of you continue to make the City of Winder a great place!

#8.1 STICKS AND STONES on 02/10/12 at 05:17 PM [Reply]

You must be nuts or really delusional ... let's see what you'll be saying in a couple of years . . . Shame on you and others who rely on maliciuos reporting and gossip to form opinions, rather than the cold, hard truth.... sad.

#9 Police on 02/08/12 at 10:58 PM [Reply]

Dorsey needs to be next. WPD has never had that many people quit because of the Administration. Bunch of clowns running that department.

#9.1 Anonymous on 02/08/12 at 11:07 PM [Reply]

Amen to that! The entire department needs to be reevaluated! The WPD is a disgrace to the city

#9.2 dont let door hit u on the on 02/09/12 at 12:26 AM [Reply]

Dorsey focuses on the wrong crap, but he got some purdy new police trucks and got racing stipes and the word police on the side you can't read so people will think its a glass repairman or plumbing company or something, and now the cars dont match again. I guess he has alot of time to pick out decals and crop, sure isnt improving the image of the department or solving crime. the word Winder looks like a kid wrote it, clown car.

#10 Just fill in Garrison for Chip on 02/09/12 at 05:07 AM [Reply]

and the same comments were made when Dumbwood took office. I'll check back with you in about a year to see how you feel.

Glad we finally got a real mayor and leader...

It will take a while to clean up Chips mess...

I stand up and applaud Mayor Maynard...

Dorsey needs to be next...

Elect a member of the GOB party and you don't get change, just the same.

Just as a side note, by nature of the job, HR Directors have to be stand-offish, or at least the good ones are. Would you want the HR director to be BFFs with your arch enemy at work?

#11 Anonymous on 02/09/12 at 12:26 PM [Reply]

First of all, I just want to thank Chief Dorsey for the outstanding job he is doing in the department. As far as the department being ran by clowns - well you can only do so much with what your given. He is an outstanding pilar of the community and is always willing to sit down and listen to any given problem within the city or department. Try doing his job for a day - you couldn't! I'd like to see you turn a department around from what it was with the last one in charge. As far as the WPD - they are not a disgrace and I'm proud these ladies & gentlemen are serving our community. Good job Chief Dorsey, the community is happy you are here and proud to call you "ours." Keep up the good work.

#11.1 some police on 02/09/12 at 12:44 PM [Reply]

Departments you can tell the officers cause they still wear ties, real badges, drive marked cars, full uniforms including watchmen covers, but no winder and BCSO sometimes look like college kids who stole thier papas off duty regalia and got the keys while Papa slept. look professional act professional and people will treat you so, act like your hiding being cool and be will treat you like the 14 year old your acting like badge or no badge.

#12 Longtime on 02/09/12 at 11:39 PM [Reply]

When will all of this firing and news making controversy settle down in Barrow County.

It was handled poorly at the County, cuts had to be made, but some were poor choices, seemed more like power issues than making the correct cuts, but hopefully we can get back to business and run this county.

Same with Winder, except it seems there is a bit of political payback business going on, look get the ship righted and now and let’s move forward. The Winder City government used to be the one government without most of the drama. I didn't see any of this crap when Ouzts was mayor and the budget was always in the black. We need to work on the issue of Winder-Barrow Co and how to serve the people and make it prosperous going forward. Prove that we have the right people now or you will find yourselves out at the next turn, getting sick of the constant turmoil.

#12.1 Anonymous on 02/09/12 at 11:59 PM [Reply]

After four years of Chip and Sabrina it will take David a while to get things back in order. " I knew Buddy Ouzts and Chip is no Buddy Ouzts."

#12.2 Richard Saunders on 02/10/12 at 04:40 AM [Reply]

Longtime - You must be blind. Buddy Ouzt is the reason Sabrina's salary was so high (and Penny's). He carelessly spent taxpayer's money without the Council's approval or their knowing (which violates the city's charter). One fine example of his doings is the Mayor's Walk. That's in a fine location, not. He managed the city much like his dealership.

#12.2.1 Longtime on 02/11/12 at 02:41 AM [Reply]

How is it that Winder was always in the Black at the end of the fiscal year when Buddy Ouzts was in office? Winder had over a million in the bank when he left office, didn't take the next administration a year to burn that up.

"He managed the city much like his dealership." -Yes, He was tight with OUR MONEY just like He was with HIS own, You can say whatever you want about Chip or Danny, neither is in same class with Buddy, and we wouldn't be where we are now if Ouzts wouldn't have retired. I see clearly and watch closely. You can say a few people needed to go maybe, but you can’t say Buddy was not frugal with our money. My City rates have gone up SINCE he left, rarely saw that while he was there.

You may tell us more of why you don't like the Mayors Walk mini-park, My only issue is that Winder has been Winder since 1893 and was still here prior with several other prior names, so there was probably at least twice as many past mayors than on that monument, but where it is, so?

Richard, You may have a beef with those two employees, I didn't know one of them at all(never met her) but I will say this: when I called City Hall, Ms. Wall addressed my issue and corrected the problem, and it was done fast. So dislike her or not, I got results as a CUSTOMER, that is the job, that mattered to me. Again, I won’t argue the salaries, but in 23 yrs you expect some raises to occur.
Really, would you work somewhere 20+ yrs without any increases possible.

I just hope we made proper decisions, not political and don't end up hiring 2 to do what one experienced person did before. I want what’s best for Winder overall.

Anonymous, I still know Buddy Ouzts.

#12.2.1.1 Richard Saunders on 02/11/12 at 08:48 AM [Reply]

Longtime - Your rates have increased since he left office to pay for all the incentives he initiated. You don't have to look too hard to find them; just look. The same political game played by Budy is being played at the Federal level by both parties, raise the debt ceiling, spend spend spend and pass it on the next generation to deal with. Well now we are dealing with. Look at the health care plan all council members receive or their retirement benefit. Yes I said retirement benefit. This was all inacted by Buddy and now we are paying for it.

#12.2.1.2 Tim Glue on 02/11/12 at 02:45 PM [Reply]

The two they fired had no experience when they were hired and even with a few years of experience will not be able to be hired at any other City. The problem with Winder is they promote from within.

#12.2.2 Larry Peppers on 02/11/12 at 02:53 PM [Reply]

There are good things and bad things you can say about Penny. She saved the City money by firing people who were sick and made it hard for the PD to hire officers, so there were some cost saving the City can contribute to her. But she was not a people's person and never focused on the human side of human resources. I think she focused on the "sour" part of re"sour"ces.

#13 Whitner Milner on 02/11/12 at 10:23 AM [Reply]

Penny Wilkins has always been a person of integrity. I've known Penny since she was young and she has always been kind hearted and caring. Undoubtedly she had an important job that required tough (and sometimes unpopular) decisions. It's easy to judge someone in her position until you have to walk in their shoes. Penny is a wonderful Christian woman and her character and integrity will always keep her in the company of like minded people. Winder will miss you !

#13.1 Brad on 02/11/12 at 03:03 PM [Reply]

Integrity?? When I worked for the City I went to her for some info and got the run around and bad information. She try to prevent me from giving time to a friend with cancer. She interpeted policy based on if she liked you. If you worked with Public Works you were dirt in her eyes. She never respected the employees.

#14 Anonymous on 02/11/12 at 03:08 PM [Reply]

She was cold hearted during the Ruduction in Force excuse. Did not give anyone time to say good by or any reasons. I guess you now know what it is like to be on the other side. As you send to me "you should have gotten an education". Hope your GED prepared you for your next move.

#14.1 Big Dawg on 02/11/12 at 03:14 PM [Reply]

"send" to me. I can see you should have followed her advice with that education. With that said she was dumb as rocks and only got that job because the City only promoted from within under Buddy. We all know she did not sleep her way into the position.

#15 Jimmy Graham on 02/12/12 at 11:08 AM [Reply]

Why can't the City contract their entire HR department out. Based on the salaries they are paying they would get a whole educated staff to process everything. Better staff less money, would not have to pay benefits. Something for the Mayor to think about. In the end I think it was a good move to reduce the HR staff.

#16 Jane S on 02/12/12 at 11:17 AM [Reply]

Who cares who Winder fires, if they were doing their job, and nice to their customers they would still have a job. The way I see it the City Clerk $110,000 + HR Director $82,000 = the unbudgeted raise Chip gave the employees. Now the budget is back to balanced. Thank you City of Winder.

#17 Anonymous on 02/12/12 at 11:35 AM [Reply]

Can we have fireworks to celebrate this change. WOW I guess people can now smile around City Hall without getting the evil eye.

#17.1 Right there with you on 02/13/12 at 12:03 AM [Reply]

I am sure many employees and past employees would pitch in and pay for the fireworks. This is truly a time for celebration with Sabrina and Penny out of there!

#18 Doctor Smith on 02/12/12 at 11:40 AM [Reply]

This is not FUNNY, the City Fired her. She had been saving for years to have that stick removed from her butt and how she no longer has insurance. You should be ashamed.

#19 Winder Joe on 02/12/12 at 11:51 AM [Reply]

Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? The Cowardly Lion said it Best - Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot? What have they got that I ain't got?
I thank the City of Winder for finally having some Courage to do what is right.

#19.1 Neo on 02/12/12 at 12:13 PM [Reply]

As Morpheus said:

"The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it. "

The Mayor and City Admin have now been unplugged.

#19.1.1 Gene Poole on 02/12/12 at 08:21 PM [Reply]

Dooooooo Whaaaaaat?

#20 scott on 02/20/12 at 12:12 PM [Reply]

Im so glad to hear this. i used to work for the city then i got cancer and she made my life a living hell. she is the most cold hearted person ive ever seen. i would still be working there if it wasnt for her. the citys employees are the best. I would love to work there again now shes gone

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