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Former Ogdensburg mayor says his wife was bypassed for county promotion in retaliation against him

Posted 1/4/18

By JIMMY LAWTON OGDENSBURG -- Former Ogdensburg Mayor William Nelson spoke at the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislator’s meeting Tuesday with acquisitions that led legislators to discuss the …

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Former Ogdensburg mayor says his wife was bypassed for county promotion in retaliation against him

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Former Ogdensburg Mayor William Nelson spoke at the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislator’s meeting Tuesday with acquisitions that led legislators to discuss the hiring practices in the Real Property office in executive session.

Nelson said he believed County Assessor Bruce Greene was inappropriately denying his wife Darlene Griffin-Nelson the Senior Tax Aide position in retaliation against him after he shed light on County employees who allegedly were doing non-county work while on county time.

“Darlene interviewed for this Senior Aide position, and when she was not awarded the job asked Bruce why she was not awarded the job. Bruce response was that it had nothing to do with her qualifications or performance, he just felt it was ‘best for my office at this time.’ I ask why would you not promote the person with most experience and seniority, and the most proven track record of excellence to a position she more than qualified for? Why would you not reward your senior employees with a promotion?” Nelson asked.

Nelson said he believed that reason was due to him blowing the whistle on issues at the Real Property office.

“Why is she being overlooked and black balled for this position? Because of me. Several months ago I was made aware from several employees in the Real Property Office that there were employees in the department that had second jobs being paid for by other municipalities to do those second jobs; jobs to be done not on our county time, which as we know is not right. Unfortunately, some were performing those outside jobs on county time, yours and my tax dollars. This is totally wrong, and when I was Mayor of Ogdensburg we had to address a similar situation. So as a former elected official, I figured Mr. Acres would want to be aware of this issue. I spoke with Kevin and he told me he would bring it to Ruth’s attention to address and put to an end, which he did.”

Nelson said that because he came forward his wife is being retaliated against and overlooked for a promotion.

“Many of you know my wife. She was always jovial, in good spirits, loved her job and loved her co-workers. Now, she is upset and nervous every day when she goes to work.

In addition to my complaint, Darlene who has never had or filed a compliant in her 21 years, faced what I consider an act of workplace violence, where she was screamed at, sworn at, and followed into her work space with the person continuously yelling and screaming. She immediately went to her supervisor as the director was off, and was told she did not deserve to be treated that way and advised her to meet with the union rep, which she did.”

Nelson said the said his wife called him upset following the incident.

“The employee who did this even admitted to acting inappropriately but it appears to have been swept under the rug as a minor incident. In my place of employ, if this happened, we take it seriously and take appropriate action to address it,” he said.

Following Nelson’s address to the board, legislator Rick Perkins asked that the county table a resolution that would allow Green to fill the Senior Tax Aide position.

There was no discussion of the matter in open session as it dealt directly with employment history and conduct particular county employees.

The matter was discussed in closed session, but the board returned and supported the resolution following a vocal vote, according to County Administrator Ruth Doyle.

The resolution itself simply grants the department head the ability to fill the position. Who is granted the job is up to the discretion of the department head.