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WashCo engineer fired by commission The Washington County Commission terminated the contract of County Engineer Bob Gunter, effective Aug. 31, during its Aug. 15 meeting, which was continued from the day before. Probate Judge and Commission Chairman John Henry Armstrong told the court of commissioners that they would take up the business of discussing Bob Gunter's future employment with Washington County. At this point Gunter stated that he was "not prepared to tender his resignation" and wanted to know why the commission wished him to. "I'd like to know the reasons for the commission's lack of confidence or trust," he inquired. Armstrong polled the commissioners individually and the first to speak was Commissioner Willie Dixon who stated, "The biggest problem I see is a communication problem. We must work together as a governing body and engineer. We are not working to make things happen that are low cost projects. We need to be on the same page for we are working for the people of this county. I often don't know when changes are made to bridges. We are not communicating well and working as a team." "Communication is one of my problems (with Gunter), too," said Commissioner Hilton Robbins. "We should communicate daily. We have asked you to do things and they are never done. The landfill is one example; there is a hole there as big as (you know what) out there. I tried getting a road surveyed 11 or 12 months ago on a road I'm going to pave, but never got it. I had to hire an outside surveyer at a cost of $1,900 to the county." Commissioner Termite Beasley said, "The last engineer left some money in that department, what happened to that? We ask you for a piece of equipment and you act like it's your equipment." Beasley also commented on a lack of "road leveling." "I understand how Bob feels about some of the things going on," said Commissioner Allen Bailey. "The only problem I have is the length of time it takes to get things done." "I asked you two months ago to make periodic reports to me," said Armstrong. "Yes, it was in the month of May. I have not had a message from you nor a report. No reports since May." "Communication is an issue on both sides of the fence," said Gunter. "You are the employee here," said Armstrong. "There are six road departments in this county. I am only one department," said Gunter. "You requested and we purchased you a $110,000 vehicle to patch roads," Armstrong said. "Our roads have had no maintenance since they were constructed," said Gunter. "We don't work together. Last November I approached the commission and said 'Y'all are bringing too many projects to me, leaving me to prioritize.'We have no comprehensive plan. In November or December in 05, I requested that the commission come together and decide which projects to do and in what order. Historically the commission has dropped their problems on the county engineer's desk and it becomes his problem. When I complete a project, I make one happy and four others unhappy. There may be some personality conflict, but there is no prioritization in place. I am being held responsible for situations I cannot control. Most of the time y'all bring your problems to me. I have 20 work days in a month; it's a time issue; I just can't get it all done on time." Armstrong said, "I got two different phone calls from prospective engineers wanting our county engineer job. I did not seek these calls." Gunter asked, "Judge, what does that have to do with what we're discussing here today? We are understaffed. There are lots of things y'all don't see that's going on." "In this county the people hold our feet to the fire," said Armstrong. "Our infrastructure is dying and there are no plans in place to restore it," said Gunter. "None of you (to the commissioners) will be satisfied as long as this mechanism is in place." "You are insinuating the Unit System," asked Commissioner Dixon. "I am not recommending a unit system," replied Gunter. "I am saying that there are no priorities set by the Commission. You just drop problems in the engineer's lap!" "In the past, we've not had a problem with the county engineer and priorities," said Armstrong. Gunter responded, "This board has never taken part in prioritizing; has never adopted how we would operate on a dayin and day-out basis." "In talking to these guys, I came to the understanding that they are asking for your resignation," Armstrong said. "Gentlemen, I will not tender a letter of resignation," said Gunter. Armstrong responded, "Well, the whole world heard that. Johnny Johnson is not here today, but he goes along with this." Commissioner Dixon said, "I feel that a lot of things were not brought out. We need a change. Communication is important. We are not getting things done. We have to look out for the people. I offer a resolution to terminate Bob Gunter's employment." The motion was made by Robbins and seconded by Beasley. "We wish you a smooth transition to another job," Armstrong told Gunter. "I've been terminated from a few jobs myself." After the meeting Gunter said his firing had political overtones, but he said that he "did not openly support any candidate for probate judge." "However, I was told by some of the commissioners that I was not supporting the Judge." He added that he verbalized back in October the possibility of resigning and he was asked by commissioners Johnson, Bailey and Dixon to reconsider and he thought the matter had been put to rest. Gunter said he believes one of his difficulties with the commission stemmed from one of the outside Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contractors removing hurricane debris from private property illegally and FEMA gave orders for the contractor to stop. Gunter said he did not know if he would pursue fighting his termination. "I am bound by a professional code of ethics and I will not compromise."
AMobile Press Register reporter present at the meeting asked Gunter where he was from and he answered, "Here. Chatom. This is my home."
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