Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:01:37 GMT
As kids get out of school, they'll spend more time at the pool. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission 137 children younger than 15 drowned in a pool or spa from Memorial Day through LaborMore >>
As kids get out of school, they'll spend more time at the pool. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission 137 children younger than 15 drowned in a pool or spa from Memorial Day through LaborMore >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:59:11 GMT
Health leaders gathered Tuesday at Chehaw Park to educate pediatricians about the concerns many parents have about getting children vaccinated. The theme of the Building Bridges conference was "from hesitationMore >>
Health leaders gathered Tuesday at Chehaw Park to educate pediatricians about the concerns many parents have about getting children vaccinated. The theme of the Building Bridges conference was "from hesitationMore >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:52:54 GMT
The search is on in Americus for two men who robbed a convenience store. Just before 10 o'clock Monday night two masked men rushed into the Sojo on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Police say one hadMore >>
A clerk suffered minor injuries when two masked men, one armed with a knife, rob an Americus convenience store. More >>
Albany - On January sixth, Helen Lockette, an 18 year city employee was asked to turn in the keys to her city issued vehicle, as were other employees. Now, she's filed a lawsuit against the city. Her attorney, Ralph Scoccimaro says, "This is really a lot more complex than just about a car."
In the lawsuit, Lockette outlines several complaints against interim city manager Lem Edwards, and her boss Shirley Smith. "Mrs. Lockette's complaint is not really about Mrs. Lockette. It's about all employees who would be treated this way," says Scoccimaro. He says the city violates employees first amendment rights by prohibiting them from freely expressing views on matters of public concern.
Scoccimaro says, "Many city employees are being abused in this way. They are being muzzled and that's what they intended to do with her." Helen Lockette filed a grievance against Edwards claiming he intimidated and threatened her when she questioned him about taking away the city vehicle. She also says Edwards told her to stop planning a party for former city manager Janice Allen-Jackson and was formally reprimanded when she spoke to the media about that grievance.
Scoccimaro says, "Basically the reprimand was in response to Mrs. Lockette's grievance as well as her willingness to talk to the media and I think that runs afoul of everyone's first amendment liberties. This case is really for the other city employees." Why? Because the person she filed the grievance against is the same person to whom she had to appeal her reprimand. Scocciamaro says that's unfair and violates due process rights. He says, "Hopefully this will have a positive impact on the way employees are treated in the future." A future Lockette hopes to spend as an employee with the city.
Interim City Manager Lem Edwards deferred our calls to city attorney Nathan Davis who refused to comment on the case.
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