‘Restructuring’ cited as reasoning
Sonya Webster
Robbinsville – Town Finance Director Sonya Webster was “released” by the Robbinsville Board of Aldermen on July 14, during a special-called meeting at Town Hall.
During that meeting, the board went straight into closed session, along with Town Attorney Ellen Davis. The board reconvened in open session and announced the dismissal.
According to officials, the decision to release Webster was made in a motion made by Alderman Kenneth Hyde and seconded by Alderman Debbie Beasley, with Alderman Brian Johnson casting the third and final vote.
Mayor Shaun Adams did not vote.
The decision was effective immediately. No reason was given for the dismissal, although the board said there will be restructuring of Town Hall staff.
Hyde accompanied Webster as she collected her things from the office and escorted her to her car.
Deputy Town Clerk Shari Birchfield was named acting finance director, pending restructuring of town staff.
“We’re here to help you,” Johnson told Birchfield after she was notified of the changes. “Even maintenance offered to help. You will have an increase in your hourly salary until we get it straightened out.”
Finance director is the senior position at Town Hall and serves at the pleasure of the board. In addition to keeping the town financial books, the finance director also serves as clerk to the board and functions as a town clerk, publishing agendas and keeping minutes.
Town aldermen were limited in their comments by rules protecting personnel privacy.
In a prepared statement, the board announced it had “voted unanimously to release current finance director/clerk to the board from the appointed positions due to restructuring office positions and N.C. G.S. 159.24,” which provides that the finance officer serves at the pleasure of the board.”
Contacted later June 14, Webster said she had never been written up for performance issues and released this statement:
“As I told Mayor Adams a couple weeks ago I answer to God first and the North Carolina Treasurer second. If it’s not OK with them it’s not OK with me. You shouldn’t sell your soul for a job. It’s just not worth it in the long run. I appreciate the time that the Town has given me to make the many changes that resulted in lowering water bills and tax rates for the first time. In addition to only clean Audits during my four plus years with the Town.”
Webster was hired for the $22-per-hour job in 2018 after running her own accounting business. She was hired by two of the three aldermen who fired her on July 14.
Conflict
It was no secret that Webster and Beasley have been at odds since earlier this year when Beasley was named interim director of the Robbinsville Tourism Authority, a part-time position that pays $17.50 per hour.
Beasley complained that Webster was not processing her payment paperwork, neither the time cards Beasley first submitted nor the invoices she submitted at Webster’s insistence.
Webster responded when contacted by The Graham Star.
“The Special Meeting was called after I sent this email – which explains that me and the Mayor were not comfortable signing these checks,” Webster said. “Debbie Beasley’s hours doubled after the July 6th Board meeting.”
In the email Webster referred to, she said:
“Robbinsville Tourism Authority (has) four check signers on file for their checking account (Debbie Beasley, Shaun Adams, Sonya Webster, Teresa Garland — resigned so not able to sign). Each check requires two signatures. It is my recommendation that RTA add at least two more check signers at their next meeting. The Mayor and the Finance Director are not comfortable signing the attached invoices. Two RTA Board members have approved these invoices so they are ready for payment, but all Municipality employees and Elected Officials have the right to refuse to sign checks that they are uncomfortable signing. Debbie Beasley can be one of the signers but it is my recommendations to avoid an issue of conflict of interest to assign two more check signers. Please let me know if you have any questions concerning this matter. Thank you.”
Webster said she has “a list of issues” concerning Robbinsville Tourism Authority finances that she will be sending to the town auditor.
She did not go into details.