Former Demopolis clerk sues over firing
By Johnny Kampis
Staff Writer
November 30, 2004
(From the Tuscaloosa News)
Former Demopolis City Clerk Vickie Taylor is suing the mayor and City Council, claiming that they unfairly terminated her last month.
Taylor’s attorney, Gregg Smith of Birmingham, filed a lawsuit seeking unspecified damages in U.S. District Court in Mobile on Monday.
“The City Council certainly had the authority not to re-elect her to the position," he said. “However, the way they did it violated her civil rights. We believe they acted outside the scope of their responsibility and based on personal feelings."
Public Safety Director Jeff Manuel and another police officer escorted Taylor from Demopolis City Hall on the morning of Oct. 7, the day after the new city administration took office.
Taylor, 45, was placed on administrative leave, but Paula Rich was appointed interim clerk shortly afterward, and the city is now seeking a permanent clerk.
Taylor says in the suit she received a notice in the mail about a week later that said she would be receiving her “final check." She claims no city official gave her a reason why she was fired.
Reached at her home Monday, Taylor declined to comment.
The lawsuit states that when Mayor Cecil Williamson was a candidate for the office, she repeatedly told Taylor that Taylor would be re-appointed city clerk -- if Williamson won election -- after Taylor heard a rumor in September that she might lose her job.
Taylor also says in the complaint that on Oct. 6, the day of the inauguration of the mayor and council, that Williamson reassured Taylor she would be re-appointed. The next day, Taylor, a city employee for 19 years and clerk since 1996, was escorted out of City Hall.
Williamson declined to comment on the suit and referred questions to City Attorney Rick Manley. A receptionist said he was out of the office Monday.
Previously, Smith had submitted a claim to the city, a precursor to a lawsuit.
At the last council meeting, Manley read a prepared statement that stated the mayor and council rejected the claim.
Taylor’s complaint includes 11 counts related to her termination, including the emotional distress and harm she said was inflicted on her by the manner in which she was fired. She was given no notice and did not receive a hearing, the complaint says.
Named as defendants in the suit are Williamson and council members Jack Cooley, Woody Collins, Charles E. Jones, Melvin Yelverton and Thomas Moore, both in their official and individual capacities.
Taylor seeks lost wages and benefits, future wages and benefits, compensatory and punitive damages and litigation costs. No amount is specified. She earned about $45,000 a year as city clerk.
“We’re not asking for a finite amount," Smith said. “We’ll let the jury figure that out."
Reach Johnny Kampis at
johnny.kampis@tuscaloosanews.com or at 722-0206.
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/p...411300352/1007
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