While Police Chief John Crone is under investigation for his Cops for Kids program, the Town of Mooresville is being sued for Crone’s alleged retaliation against a former police officer who had previously filed a sexual-harassment complaint against a co-worker.
An investigation by an independent government agency – the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – found that the evidence it collected supports former police officer Kimberly Nitzu's accusation of retaliation and does not support Crone’s defense.
Nitzu – who was a Mooresville police officer from February 2000 to October 2002 – contacted town officials in December 2006 and February 2008 in an effort to resolve the matter. The EEOC unsuccessfully attempted in late 2007 to help Nitzu and the town resolve the dispute without the need to go to court. Nitzu’s own efforts were also unsuccessful.
Now, Nitzu has filed a lawsuit against the Town of Mooresville in Statesville’s Superior Court. The suit was filed on July 18 – 10 days after Crone was suspended with pay pending the results of various investigations into the way he handled his Cops for Kids organization.
Charlotte attorney Jenny Sharpe is representing Nitzu. Sharpe was also the attorney for fired Town of Mooresville department heads Richard McMillan and Wilce Martin.
Although the lawsuit was filed last month, the events leading up to it stretched over a period of years.
Nitzu, while serving as a Mooresville police officer from 2000-2002, filed an internal complaint of sexual harassment against a fellow officer. The Town of Mooresville Police Department “investigated and verified” the complaint and disciplined – but did not fire – the offending officer, according to the lawsuit.
Shortly thereafter, Nitzu resigned from the Mooresville Police Department and took a job with Nationwide Insurance.
In September 2006, she reapplied to the Mooresville Police Department and received on Sept. 28 a “conditional offer of employment,” with a starting salary of $33,948.
Around Oct. 13, a recruiting officer advised Nitzu – through her husband, a former Mooresville police officer and now a detective with the Iredell County sheriff’s department – that “it would be safe” for her to resign from Nationwide, “as (Nitzu’s) employment with the (Town of Mooresville Police Department) seemed certain,” the lawsuit reads.
Nitzu resigned from Nationwide, which paid her a salary of $40,000, the lawsuit adds.
But on Nov. 7, Crone notified Nitzu that her conditional offer of employment had been withdrawn “on the basis of her background and psychological evaluations.” Nitzu maintains, however, that to her knowledge “she does not suffer from any medical or psychological condition that might impair her ability to perform the essential functions of a police officer or which impair any major life activity,” the lawsuit reads.
Further, by the time that the Town of Mooresville – by and through Crone – offered Nitzu a conditional offer of employment, the police department had completed its background check of Nitzu and had previously advised her that “no problems existed as to her references, general education, experience, or overall qualifications for the position in question,” the lawsuit adds.
Nitzu contends “that she was refused employment by the (Town of Mooresville Police Department) in retaliation for her previous sexual harassment complaint” against a fellow officer “and because of her participation in a sexual harassment investigation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
“Alternatively, and/or in addition to this claim,” the lawsuit continues, Nitzu alleges that the Town of Mooresville Police Department “unlawfully perceived her as a person with a disability as that term is defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and refused her employment as a police officer on that basis.”
Before filing her complaint with the EEOC, Nitzu contacted then-Town Manager Jamie Justice in December 2006, attempting to resolve the situation outside of court. In an e-mail to Justice, Nitzu wrote: “I respectfully request more details as to why I was not hired (by) the Mooresville Police Department and the applied adjudication processes … I have not yet contracted an attorney as I feel that we can come to a satisfactory resolution of this situation. I am no longer seeking employment with the Mooresville Police Department but do believe that a more detailed rationale for employment denial is reasonable.”
When her attempts to communicate with Justice apparently failed, Nitzu detailed her complaints against the Mooresville Police Department in a charge of discrimination to the Charlotte office of the EEOC on Dec. 28, 2006. About nine months later – on Oct. 1, 2007 – the EEOC determined “in part, that reasonable cause existed to believe that (the Town of Mooresville Police Department) had refused (Nitzu) employment in retaliation for having complained” about being sexually harassed by a fellow officer. The EEOC determination added, “Evidence obtained during the investigation supports (Nitzu’s) allegation and does not support (the town’s) defense.”
“On April 21, 2008,” the lawsuit states, “the EEOC and the U.S. Department of Justice issued to (Nitzu) its Notice of Right to Sue.”
Two months earlier, in February of this year, Nitzu e-mailed Interim Town Manager Erskine Smith, Mayor Bill Thunberg and town commissioners. Though Crone had told Nitzu that her conditional offer of employment was withdrawn because of her psychological evaluation, “he refused to allow a review of this document,” Nitzu said in the e-mail, adding: “I have had to include this damaging opinion on every application that I have completed while searching for another position in other police departments.
“It made it extremely difficult for me to find gainful employment in a discipline that I truly love and enjoy,” she wrote. “Retaliation by Chief Crone, as found by the EEOC, has adversely effected my credit, employment with other agencies and will continue to effect my law enforcement career.
“I have grown very tired of pursuing a fair and just resolution regarding this matter, and feel that it is time to involve others, including the Citizens of Mooresville,” Nitzu concluded.
Nitzu’s lawsuit against the Town of Mooresville states that as a result of the town’s action, she has suffered and continues to suffer from monetary losses, emotional distress, and loss of professional reputation.
Nitzu is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $15,000.
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135 comments:
Da chickens be coming home to roost.
Well, I wonder if this will be considered good enough proof to inidcate Crone's lack of leadership of the PD. Next they're going to say, "We have to wait until a verdict is handed down."
You have to ask yourself why would someone in their "right mind" want to go back to a place where she was sexually harassed? Just a question, dont jump all over me.
Will somebody please stop the bleeding? Commissioners, the ball is in your court.
Because the person who did the harrassing had been fired...
You also have to wonder if she just has sour grapes because she failed the Psychological. It happens. Looks like Ms. Gatton is just looking for another reason to try and make the PD look bad. "Jouranlism" and I use the term loosely at its finest.
Yeah, cause Ms. Gatton is the one who filed the lawsuit, right?? Get real.
Jamie is not making the PD look bad. Lately with Robbins she has helped the PD with their new image.
Just showing us the Crone way of doing things.
It's news and its' relevant. 'Nuff said.
Would there be a lawsuit if she failed the psycological? Think not...
wonder how long the ToM is going to keep paying out for Crone's screw ups
YOu can not fail a pysch test. They are used as a crutch to not hire people
hey 4:06pm what exactly is "Jouranlism"?
Yellow Fruit Loop
Not to mention that the EEOC substantiated the former cop's claims and said there was no evidence to support Crone's defense.
Can't wait to see how you explain away that detail. I guess the EEOC is also part of the conspiracy, right?
There are no "sour grapes" in this issue. There was NO FAILURE of any psycological test by Nitzu. This was all patented BS by persons in the MPD. Fact: Others were hired with failing psych scores after Nitzu was denied employment by Crone on a trumped up excuse. Nitzu has had a very hard time finding gainful employment following this incident and has suffered a great deal of embarrassment. Twice an attempt was made by Nitzu for a reconciliation with the MPD with not even a returned phone call. Consider the personnel turnover and legal wrangling that currently involves the MPD and the (in)famous Cronites. I'm amazed at the lack of concern many citizens are displaying. This is serious business and needs to be finished.
What was the person who harassed her fired for?
Please tell me it wasn't for stealing a coke.
This just gets more twisted by the minute.
Hey jaimie, when is anyone going to pressure them to release the findings about the golf course?
and, August 6th, 4:01
maybe, Kim has hope that she will have a new boss if she's rehired.
Personally though, I wouldn't have resigned until I actually filled out paperwork from TOM, tax info, etc.
It sounds like a good attorney needs to get a class action suit going for all these trumped up firings. We need to get off our butts and call on our lawmakers in Raleigh to overturn the right-to-work legislation . N.C. is one of the few states where they don't have to give you a reason to fire you and employers use that for the wrong reasons all the time, especially concerning medical problems.
did the attorney she hired get the 2 engineers rehired or not?
Oh, the news just keeps getting better and better on former chief of police. Yep, I'm sure everybody in the community is just rubbing their hands together, waiting for him to return to his position with open arms. What more could we possibly ask for??
Erskine Smith and the entire town board are looking more and more daft by the day.
What is most disturbing to me about this entire article are these words:
"In February of this year, Nitzu e-mailed Interim Town Manager Erskine Smith, Mayor Bill Thunberg and town commissioners."
So, you mean to tell me that all of these men knew IN FEBRUARY that we have a runaway police chief and THEY DID NOTHING????
I never, ever thought I would say this, because there are several commissioners I truly like, but here it is: They have all got to go. Not a single one of these people came out to the public to alert us that there may be problems with the police chief being a power abuser. Not one.
And knowing this powerabuser retaliated against a woman who was sexually abused, they continue to keep him on the payrolls paid for by my tax dollars. Shame on every single one of them.
I felt sick to my stomach when I read this latest article. This is what happens when a community shuts women out of its political process. A woman on the board would not have brushed this under the rug. I just feel like there is nobody at the helm.
This is a continuation of the "Count Up Vigil" of the number of days which pass from the day Cops For Kids scandal broke (7/4/08) to the day that Police Chief Crone and Interim Town Manager Erskine Smith are both suspended, terminated or resign.
The Police Chief was suspended (with pay) on Tuesday, 7/8/08. The community clearly continues to be relieved and deeply grateful to whatever forces brought that timely suspension about. However, serious questions continue to mount with regard to Mr. Smith's decision to continue paying Mr. Crone a salary.
Interim Town Manager Erskine Smith, Mr. Crone’s supervisor, remains in his position and continues to operate still. Therefore I shall continue this Vigil until he, too, vacates any post he holds as a public official in Mooresville due to his role in this matter as well as other matters that have been brought to light.
The town board has placed Finance Director Maia Setzer in charge of oversight of the CFK process (including but not limited to any investigations) which indicates that they, too, lack confidence and trust in the Interim Town Manager. Despite this lack of confidence, Mr. Smith remains in his position, a position to which the Finance Director reports.
The information I specifically refer to is:
1) documented misrepresentations made by Mr. Smith with regard to the nonprofit corporation known as Cops For Kids
2) Mr. Smith's direct recommendation to the town board to include the nonprofit corporation known as Cops For Kids into the town's general budget
3) Mr. Smith's failure to perform due diligence in his capacity as Interim Town Manager by properly researching Cops For Kids prior to submitting his recommendation to the town board
4) Mr. Smith's involvement in a questionable commission in the amount of $237,151.50 as outlined in the Gatton Report blog entry dated 4/18/08 and titled “Friends don’t let friends gouge Mooresville taxpayers”, the contents of which have never been publicly disputed by Mr. Smith
5) Mr. Smith’s failure or refusal to change Mr. Crone’s status to “unpaid” suspension despite the surfacing of various contradictory statements made by Mr. Crone in the media since his suspension
6) Mr. Smith’s failure or refusal to fire Mr. Crone despite his assumed knowledge of the damning evidence presented in a Gatton Report article dated July 22, 2008
7) Mr. Smith’s failure or refusal to insure that a complete financial audit is conducted and released of Cops For Kids records, despite the mayor’s assurance that this process had begun on July 8, 2008
8) Mr. Smith’s use of double standards when enforcing employment policies, as evidenced by his statements in the August 2008 “Town Voice”
This is Day No. 33.
Oh MY GOD........the citizens of Mooresville are being totally bamboozled....Let's grow up....admit your mistakes and try to repair some damage done here. Either that or all resign.........
“When evil men plot, good men must plan.” MLK
Thank you, Ms. Nitzu, for standing up for yourself and all the women in the business community. How many times has this sort of harrassment happened to many women and no one spoke up. Your record proves that you are asset to the Mooresville Community.
Kim you go girl. I worked with you and I know what and outstanding officer you are. I am very proud of you.
Kim did a great job at MPD and would have done just fine if rehired. Kim will tell you that she had no problem with MPD, only with Crone. Please, when commenting on Crone, don't refer to him as the MPD.
I totally agree with 5:57. I am one of the few still holding out hope that the Big Four (Houston, Herring, Adkins & Carney) will come through for this community though. They still got 'til the end of the month to do the right thing - get rid of Erskine Smith because he's under their control until then, and then get somebody in there who'll get rid of Crone. If they don't, I'm on board to get rid of every last one of them. We've done it before, and by gosh we can do it again. This can be real easy, or it can get real hard.
Unless the Town of Mooresville does the right thing by Ms. Nitzu and this lawsuit goes to trial let us not forget who the real victim here is.
The ToM, like other local governments, have insurance for claims like Nitzu's. With the EEOC ruling in her favor, the insurance company will likely settle prior to court. No one should blame Nitzu for having to resort to this action, if only someone would have treated her fairly this wouldn't have happened.
Don't hold your breath 7:11. Unless I missed too many math classes, those four make up a majority of the votes on the commission. And they've done exactly nothing about the problems.
As citizens, we must refuse to accept unacceptable behavior from any public official, elected or otherwise. It is unacceptable that Police Chief John Crone was allowed, without any apparent repercussions, to continue to operate as chief of police if there was even a possibility that he had employed retaliation tactics against an employee. The fact that the employee was a woman who had been sexually harassed under Mr. Crone's watch adds insult to injury. We must look not only at Mr. Crone's unacceptable behavior, but also at those who are responsible for failing to discipline him.
Jaime, you left out Phil Blocker, he was one of the CRONIES that decided Kim not be re-hired, He wrote her a letter requarding the test. Seems he had a personal vendeta as well. ( like another officer you have written about) Just who does run that place???
8:44 you got a great point. If the Big Four really are the "good guys", then they have the majority. If they have the majority, then why has NOTHING happened?! I'll tell you why. Cause it's all an act, just like all the so-called "investigations". Just something to keep us happy until they can figure a way out for Crone and Smith.
Go Jaime...your blog has reached 100,000 hits!!
God Bless you Nitzu and Good Luck. It is about time someone stands up against Crone and the Town Board.
WOMAN POWER! Women like Kimberly Nitzu are helping all of us take our town back! I can't even imagine how much perseverance and guts it must have taken to keep fighting the system like she had to. Crone and ANYBODY who's backed him need to be tarred and feathered and forced to do a Walk of Shame down maintstreet. That includes Frank Rader, Erskine Smith, and the 20 or so old white men who signed that disgusting letter telling us how INNOCENT Crone is. What were their names again? I don't ever want to forget.
100,000 hits Jaime! Wooooooooooooo!!! These are people who seek your blog out. Not like the measly 1,500 or so that Rader forces his stupid empty propaganda piece to.
Yeah, girl. If YOU are "irrelevant", then I wanna be "irrelevant" too when I grow up!
I just have to wonder what's in the works of crookedness right now that we'll find out about next year. Why were the findings from the golf course never released? It's public record so why doesn't anyone demand the facts?They are trying to sweep it under the rug like Kim's ordeal.
I prya Mark 4:22 over the town government right now and ask God to expose any and all wrongdoing with the Town of Mooresville. Thanks to God for His help in this.
Let me try to understand something. John Crone's crimes include the following:
1. Locking up an autistic kid without evidence.
2. Stealing money from a charity for poor children like a reverse Robin Hood.
3. Retaliating against an employee just because she filed a sexual harassment complaint that he didn't feel was right.
Now here is the hard part. How is he still chief of police who is on a vacation? Can somebody please explain that? It is just too hard for me to comprehend.
Good job Jaime. Keep up the honest journalism.
100,000 hits in 5 months? We ain't no blog, we're a VOTING BLOC. And we're going to vote AGAINST anybody who supports or tolerates the corrupt.
10:40 P.M. Hallelujah and praise God. "For there is nothing hid, except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light." We are only as sick as our secrets. Let all the secrets be revealed so that we, all the children of this community, can be healed.
And 2 more points for you sheep to ponder.
1. All of you try to say that there are so many of you and everybody wants change. Well you had 25 people at a so called protest and during that time from 3:30 to 8:30 this blog had 1 post. 1 damn post!!!
2. At least 8 and maybe 10 of the people at the so called protest cant even vote!!!!!!!
There was also another female that was fired from there after accusing Crone himself of similar harrassment. She was sent to Jackie Moore and later decided not to push the issue. Then she made a mistake and was fired. That was during Crone's first year at Mooresville. It's not like he just started having problems. The problem has been there all along.
If the Psych test is the problem, then why not let her see it. I know they score you on several diff things on a scale from 1 to 5 and most of the time you get a 2, 3 or 4. Very few 1's and 5's
Why would Crone refuse to let Nitzu see her psych results? We all know the answer to that.
August 7, 2008 12:03 AM sounds like you did not get to go to vegas "so sad"
What's REALLY sad is that we live in a town where a police chief drops the hammer on people HE decides are crooks but he thinks he's above the law......and people still find it within their dirty corrupt shriveled up little hearts to support him.SHame on them.
"well said" i think the money ran out for them and they have to stay at home. if they get him back in thay can go to vegas free
They aint gettin him back.Crone's got a one way ticket out of Mo-Town.And for all I care, the Cronies can pack up and follow him out.
Crone's a sinking ship. The good thing is a bunch of other people got on that ship with him and they're now going to sink right alongside him. That's what can happen when somebody gets on that slippery slope. My mother always taught me to be careful who I hang out with.
4:13 is quoted as posting "YOu can not fail a pysch test. They are used as a crutch to not hire people"; who would have posted such a ridiculous statement? It would have to be someone who has never been in a position of hiring someone, or working with a demented fellow employee. Under this statement Jeffrey Dahmer would have fit right in with the MPD.
To August 7 at 12:03 am:
"And 2 more points for you sheep to ponder.
1. All of you try to say that there are so many of you and everybody wants change. Well you had 25 people at a so called protest and during that time from 3:30 to 8:30 this blog had 1 post. 1 damn post!!!"
My response: I guess people who are WORKING a REAL job and with FAMILIES to raise have their priorities in order. As for your underestimate of 25 people at a protest - these people have courage and the intestinal fortitude to stand up for a cause, especially in the grueling heat. Change IS coming in NOVEMBER my friend.
"2. At least 8 and maybe 10 of the people at the so called protest cant even vote!!!!!!!"
My response: Maybe these youngsters cannot vote, but their PARENTS can. Young people talk. People like you do not listen. Open your eyes, see the number of hits on the blog overall and you have some serious interest in cleaning up Mooresville. Math lesson anyone? We sheep are "baa-aaa-aaa-aaad" to the bone.
Sexual harassment continues over to the guy running the FD and town officials look the other way.
I think it to be only fair if MPD (Cronie's) puts the phycologial test to be the deciding factor to be re-hirered I don't think he would mind taking one. Oh!!!! There is one better test Mr. Cronies a lie detector.
The Yankee
August 7, 2008 2:49 AM - Talk about someone showing how dumb they really are. Learn a little skill called reading comprehension and then come back to play.
“It made it extremely difficult for me to find gainful employment in a discipline that I truly love and enjoy,” she wrote. “Retaliation by Chief Crone, as found by the EEOC, has adversely effected my credit, employment with other agencies and will continue to effect my law enforcement career.
“I have grown very tired of pursuing a fair and just resolution regarding this matter, and feel that it is time to involve others, including the Citizens of Mooresville,” Nitzu concluded.
Several people have talked about the missing golf course SBI report. I agree that we need to demand that report right alongside the CFK report. CFK survived off of a golf tournament yearly, the golf course was under investigation while that was happening. We must know what happened with that report.
Someone may want to ask about domestic violence calls to the Nitzu residence. Or the fact that Mr. Nitzu left the police department under excessive force circumstances. There is always more to the story, other than simply failing a psych test.
You may want to back that comment up with facts!! Show us a call history to the Nitzu house for domestic violence. Show us evidence that Mr Nitzu was fired. Those are serious accusations and could lead to a defamation of character suit.
And by the way, Nitzu did not fail the psych test. Crone lied and stated that she did. Know the WHOLE story before comment on it.
I am trying to be civil about this entire matter but when you accuse my husband or myself of domestic violence then it is a whole new game. If you want to prove what you stated with facts or documentation then please go ahead. My husband is a Detective Sgt with the Iredell County Sheriffs Department and I am currently a Huntersville Police Officer. There has never been, or ever will be, a history of domestic violence in our home.
Not only that but even if what the 10:32 poster is true Crone lied about the reason he didn't hire her. So either we have a police chief that the EEOC said violated federal laws or we have a police chief who lies about the reason he didn't hire somebody. The finger is still pointing to only one person.
Kim was/is a kick ass officer. Cool as they come.
That said, the sorry excuse of an officer/"man" that this all started with has been long gone and probably should have never been hired to begin with. Any employer risk a lot with this clown.
Kim should have been dealt with with much more respect and taken seriously. The chief probably should have been more prompt in his actions.
I'm probably wrong and will be told so, but I think the whole thing caught Crone off gaurd and it embarrassed him, too. It's not too often that sexual harrassment occurs at the pd. If it's happening now, I would REALLY concerned as it would bring up a lot of uh, "lavender" questions.
Mooresville/Iredell people, while in Newton, Crone helped cover up/make disappear a report from ICSD about his old boss in Newton, Burchins, making obscene phone calls from Newton city hall to a woman in Iredell. Dig a little, someone must know about this. While not directly relevant to MPD matters, it would help show a pattern of behavior. If you want more background information, check TwinCitiesForum.info.
It's Atkins.
Kim, I hope you'll consider coming home when the leadership change is permenant. I'd be proud to have a woman like you protecting us.
Jaime, Good job of putting the nail in the chiefs coffin! He is on the fast track out of town. I bet it's a new world at the MPD.
There are still a few bad eggs there, look into the recent past of our high school officer, he has a very bad past from Iredell county(yet Crone hired him)I don't think parents would want him around their teenagers. Also Phil Blocker, he's been a parasite too long hanging onto the coat tails of the upper managment.
Yes, Jamie, let's work for anarchy!
August 7, 2008 12:16 PM -----------
Is that you again Chicken Little?
Come one, get real, next you'll be saying weapons of mass destruction...
I have a "dumb" question.... why would any idiot bring up "domestic violence" calls to their home anyway? What on earth does that have to do with the fact that she was being harassed?
Came across this statment is it "our Crone"
There were few complaints from other people who featured prominently in the book and received advance copies. Chief Crone, who helped solve the case, said he was dismayed that the book suggested that the police may have "bungled" the collection of evidence at the crime scene, a claim made by Mrs. Von Stein. "To this day, I am not aware that evidence was bungled," he said, but added cheerfully, "I guess that is what writers do to juice up their books." He also pointed out that he did not, as the book stated, keep a bottle of Maalox on his desk.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE5DF163AF932A35753C1A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
yes, that's him.
I saw "bungled" and figured as much :)
I was wondering if you had any plans for seeking public office when all this was said and done, Larry? EVERYONE is really behind you and are pulling for you.
Whaddaya' say?
Your the best!
Larry...Thank You for standing behind every comment you make on here by posting your name. That takes courage which no one on the board seems to have nor the negative people on this blog.
Teryl, quit acting all "holier than thou". You post on here under anonymous all the time.
Right! How do you think the ones that are negative get off on calling us negative? We are positve all the time. We haven't call any names or attacked anyone personally! They have a lot of nerve.
Some of the people who post anonymously were at your meeting and marched with you. I'd be careful about name-calling, Teryl. You are about to alienate a good number of people. If you "out" someone againest their will, you're no better than the Cronies.
Don't get so cocky, this ain't over with yet.
5:00pm...I was referring to the people on here who are attacking others on this blog, Rev Green, Mrs. Nitzu, Jaime, etc... That's not what this is about. It's about getting back our town.
August 7, 2008 10:32 AM
This is a friendly warning to you and others who can't control their urge to slander private citizens on this blog.
Public officials are fair game according to the law, but private citizens are off limits. Whether you think that's fair or not means nothing in the eyes of the law.
A public official has a choice. They can step down and become a private citizen again and enjoy the same protection under the law. A private citizen has no such choice. Therefore, the defamation, libel and slander laws grant a private citizen much greater protection.
If anyone on this blog writes anything untrue or unsubstantiated about a private citizen they will be held liable. Even repeating something you have heard which may be untrue and unsubstantiated leaves you vulnerable to a lawsuit, which can in turn cost you your assets to the very private citizen(s) whom you choose to slander.
Just a friendly warning.
I just heard on TV the cops busted in the mayors house. He had some dope or something shipped to him. Was that the MPD or SBI or who?
JOHN CRONE HAS RESIGNED AS POLICE CHIEF...This is a fact and just heard it. How wonderful!!!
Thank you 5:09....that was exactly my point!!
Robbins for Chief!!!
FOR THE THIRD TIME!
Sorry to shout but is andybody listening???
Why haven't the results of the golf course audit come out? Could that be why Rader is so cocky(other than ignorant bliss)?
Could The head of the SBI, another "Cronie" by John's own account be surpressing this report under the guise of a personnel issue? How can they surpress this information under the public information act? Is there indeed a connection between the report not seeing the light of day and the mobey raised in these golf tournaments? Has the SBI released this information and TOM is surpressing it on their end. Did they know we had a serious problem long before reporters followed the paper trail?
If they will hold up gathering information like they did in a recent election, barring Jaimie from collecting it until AFTER the election, then why not now? "Something stinks", again, to borrow your previous header Jaimie.
My money says that report will blow this current issue wide open.
I am a first time visitor here. I will be back. Thank You Jamie for your time and effort to make citizens aware of facts as you uncover them.
I could not help but chuckle at some of the negative comments or some people purposely trying to play "devil's advocate"
I have the pleasure of knowing and having worked with both Nitzu's. Chris and Kim are very dear friends and professionally I would answer any type call with either. Friendships aside, personal opinion aside, the facts are simple: A government agency without any friends and/or favors owed did an independent investigation pertaining to her not being aloud to start a job that she was told she had. Crone as indicated by this agency could not satisfactorily explain why she should not have been aloud to work again. The town manager nor Crone responded to Kim even after being notified they were in the wrong. Facts are Facts !!!!
In response to the question of did the water department employees get their job back. No they did not. They each received a big check from the Town of Mooresville for wrongful termination. The case was settled out of court. Imagine that !!
To those of us new to this blog, let me suggest you read 2 earlier entries in the archives to bolster your resolve about fighting corruption.
The first is from Monday, March 3,2008, entitled"The Gatton Report:an introduction."
This outlines why the CFOG was originally formed. Now several months later, many others have joined although not under that particular group.Our new neighbors are in shock over the issues surfacing in our little berg.
The second one is from Wed. ,May 14, 2008, entitled "From Blog to Bloc:The Report hits 10,000".
As of Wed. August 7, 2008, the report hit 100,000.The second entry listed here details how Jaimie faced her fears and found her voice. I think the story will be useful to those of us being called the "25" or "sheep".
Someone actually filled out an application to be on an appointed committee today. There was a march on city hall for the first time I can remember in my lifetime. People are having the scales peeled off their eyes and the light of the truth is finally coming forward. This is a civil rights movement, folks. We may not be in Alabama, the capitol or any other famous venue of demonstrations, but we are in a fight. Read these items and meditate on those words for a while. There is a warrior in every one of us.Don't allow anything to keep your sights from being firmly fixed on the goal.I go off the track very, very badly this week, but that's behind me now.
We cannot quit now. Demand accountability.
Cliff Homesley for Chief!!!
NO, NO, NO!!!
FARIBA!!!!!!
from 5:32 anonymous
Money being raised-sorry
Can someone confirm-did Crone actuall resign?
Yes, he resigned.....
OMG, CRONE RESIGNED!!! IT'S ON THE EVENING NEWS.
I have to wonder if Crone would have resigned if Ms. Nitzu had not filed a law suit. This law suit is against The Town of Mooresville apparently. How much pressure has the Board put on Crone. Why, however, did they not respond to Ms. Nitzu before this went so far? They probably thought the situation would go away. It takes a lot of guts to take the action she has been forced to take and she should be commended! Thank you for your efforts in trying to make Mooresville a better place for all of us to live. I hope to see Crone fully investigated for all his actions - I believe if Ms. Nitzu had not have taken her course of action, the MPB would have proceeded as usual with all the problems it seems to have. We need to forget about Crone and his family and remember what he has done to Ms. Nitzu and her family. They apparently have been the ones hurt by his and other officials actions. Thank you, Ms. Nitzu and best of luck.
Regarding the SBI investigation into the golf course, the SBI referred me to Garry Frank, our district attorney, for information pertaining to the status and results of that particular investigation. I'll be happy to let you know when he responds and what he says.
Sorry, Cliff or Fariba could be the sheriff, but not a police chief or police officer. A sheriff is not required to have law enforcement training as police officers are required.
Mark 4:22
This is just the start of what is going to surface. God's word does not come back void.
AUGUST 7TH, 10:32 am
I can back up every word I said and will be willing to make a sworn affidavit before a judge. Be very careful how you threaten. I am not an individual who backs down lightly. I know all about abusive individuals, whether they use words or physical violence. I have great resolve and purpose of heart.
You don't want to anger me with threats because I know who you are and I will make sure you get the justice YOU deserve. There will be no rock on earth you can hide under if you pursue this line of threats, and that is a promise.
August 7th, 5:09
See the previous post by windwalker. This was written especially for you although the wrong date was originally entered.
Consider THIS a friendly warning.
I act not threaten and I don't act in haste. When that lone rider carrying those scales comes for you, you want be going back home.
Just a friendly little warning.
By the way, I'm a lamb. not a sheep.
Touch not my annointed, do my prophets no harm.
Remember that widow you slandered while she was in a hospital room fighting for her life? Remember the false accusations you made againest her?
I'm sorry for you ,John. She was a prophet.
I'm sensing that Tic Toc might be here in the house. I challenge all of those Crone lovers to come out and start dissing tic toc now. Looks like tic toc was right all along. So, who's the real felon?
Right about what? He is still, and always will be, a mentally unstable felon.
Right about what. Duh? Crone resigns ! Give it up. Sign your name so we know who you are, another of the good old structure who perpetrates the BS or buys the BS from the perpetrators. But you just want to beat up on people like tic toc who maybe have simply had enough of an extremely hypoctritical society where people who grow their own marijuana are "felons" and police chiefs who steal are supported by Mayors, Raders, Smiths and "community leaders". So, yeah, think out of the box every once in a while. Even if the guy is a felon, does that discredit his opinion on this subject matter? Nelson Mandela spent 20 years in prison, but now apartheid is over.
So now we have a pot head defending a felon, wow this group has it all.
CNN national poll last week, 63% of americans now favor legalizing pot....when is the last time you saw a headline about a pothead killing anyone while driving? i am sure it happens, but drunk drivers do it hourly...last week on brawley...if that's the felony, growing and smoking, all personal use, no selling, then .....booooooo, wow, scary
So somebody who objects to marijuana harvesting for personal use as a felony is automatically characterized as a pothead? These are the kind of generalizations that allow the same national and local power structure to continue to exist to the general detriment of society. Maybe the poster simply views it as the personal business of the grower. Much different from the public business of a police chief using his position to retaliate against a woman who had brought a sexual harrassment charge or using a charity like his own piggy bank or taking the evidence money that could have come from innocent people and was likely seized by force of law and putting it in his bank account. Yeah, I see where you're coming from. Time for some humility, fellow.
Hahaha....the Fruit Loop 25 is full of felons and potheads.
Another case where the Erskine guy did not do his job. The lady's letter back in February trying to get it settled probably sat in a pile on his desk until July when the lawsuit was filed. Unbelievable that this guy hasn't been fired yet. I hear he has an awful track record since he has been in management the last few years. Surely the board is going to fire him before the new manager comes in.
Be advised, whoever posted the comment at August 7, 2008 10:11 PM. I am assuming your comments refer to the people who participated in the protest march on Monday evening. If so, you need to be apprised that I was one of the marchers, which means my identity is public. And since I am neither a felon, nor a drug user, your comments can constitute slander and libel against me, and can be interpreted as an attempt to damage my reputation based on a falsehood. The statute of limitations on slander is one full year from the day you made your comments here.
They'll settle her case. Hopefully they will wait until Crone, Smith, and others have to put some sworn testimony on the record.
Folks this is ridiculous. Let’s quit this squabbling. If this CFK scam was in plain sight for every one to see I wonder if there are more things like it going on with in the Mooresville government. Why was the internal auditor really fired a few years ago?
Great question about the internal auditor. She had an excellent interview in the Tribune after she was fired (for no reason whatsoever, except because she was actually auditing, God forbid) in which she told it like it was. Oh, the list goes on and on. Maybe Jaime can do a little historical piece so some of you newer folks can look at disbelief at the events dating back to around 01 or 02.
August 7, 2008 10:44 PM - SHUT UP!!!! You have no idea what you are talking about.
who the devil is tic toc?
11:42 I'm sure all of the bloggers would love to hear your defense of Erskine Smith. Bring it on. Please enlighten us. And we won't be shutting up anytime soon. Unless, of course, the proper actions are taken. Then maybe I will lay quiet awhile.
I always assumed the auditor got too close to the truth by auditing something she wasn't told to audit. what was the name again? anybody remember?
I always assumed the auditor got too close to the truth by auditing something she wasn't told to audit. what was the name again? anybody remember?
If Erskine has 30 years of service in he can also retire with a nice pension and move along to less demanding,less public work.
Hey 10:11! Haven't you heard? Crone is out my boy . Who's the Fruit Loop now?
Guess that .01% can really raise some H*** when they want to.You better go-WWF is on.
Yeah 10:11 you are now a very rare breed: the last of the lapdogs who will even anonymously abuse the heroes who made this thing happen. You ought to be looking those marchers up and personally thanking each one of them for marching to town hall and demanding justice and equality under the law. It's time for the apologies to start from all of you who have been slamming these freedom fighters for the last month. Show what you are really made of--well, of course, you have already shown that.
11;53, her name was Wendy Ellis, and the corrupt former town manager, Rick McLean, fired her without cause. They then hired Deborah Hocket as the "internal auditor". The problem is that a year or so ago, and very secretly, they changed her position to just an accountant. So, guess what? We're back to Mooresville not having an internal auditor. How very convenient. Once again, the stench of Erskine Smith is behind that saavy little move.
Where do all of you get on the kick that 30 years of Erskine is enough? You need to check he has only been with the town about 20-22 years. No where near 30 years. Before the town he was with the Chamber of Commerce another place that needs to be checked and their going on accounted for.
Where's Mr. Bill? When was the last time you heard a word from our mayor? Quotes on here and in the paper from Rader, Carney, Smith. . .everybody but not a word from the mayor. Bill, you worked so hard to get your hands on the wheel of the ship. Now when times get tough. when the storms comes, you abandon the helmn and the crew and run off and hide. You can't do that and be the Captain too. Which way is it going to be? Personally, I think maybe we got the wrong guy at the wheel?
"Mayor" Thunberg is a joke. I was in the audience Monday night when the protesters were there, and his head was hung the entire time. He is a mouse, not a leader. He threw money at his campaign, got the seat, but his feet are dangling off of the chair. You'd be better off if a fifth grader was your mayor at this point.
You are correct 7:27 am. Erskine Smith was hired by the town on Oct. 12, 1987.
I guess we need to change it to "21 years of Erskine Smith is long enough". Damn, that is a long time and with him as the so called assistant town manager since around 2000 we have seen one corrupt or questionable situation after another. We'll see if the board steps up to the plate in the next few weeks and eliminates this position. We have competent department heads (well, I mean now we do!). Why do we need an incompetent (or worse) assistant when we have a qualified town manager coming in. It's simple math, get rid of a needless $105,000 salary. Well, not just needless, one that actually causes damage to the community.
I second that.
And so let's have a vote: All in favor of firing Smith say "aye". I count four ayes (Atkins, Herring, Houston and Carney). All in favor of keeping Erskine so he can filter info to the next town manager and continue this incomprehensible path of destruction, say "aye". I count two "ayes", Abraham and Rader with a strong boost by Thunberg. Sorry, not enough to save Erskine's job. See ya !!!
What’s the story regarding the Golf Course?
Sounds like the town of Mooresville needs to come up to the 20th century way of life. And stop playing that good old boy game. Where the women stay pregnant and in the kitchen. And, if sexual harassment had happened at a fortune 500 companies they would be dismissed immediately.
Here's some math for you. Divide 92.5 million dollars by 15,300.
That comes to $6045.75 . The amount spent on each of the 15,300 households the MI-Connection services.That's your tax dollars people.
Yep, interesting. And it's also interesting that some of the people who got off their rears and protested on the Crone thing were some of the same people who went in front of the town board a year ago and demanded that the town not buy the cable system. Some guy wrote a letter to the paper today wondering why the protestors weren't involved last year, but I've got news for him, several of them were. And they were derided for it then by people like Thunberg and Rader who had already decided to do the deal. Hell, they were probably derided by the guy who wrote the letter today because I sure don't remember seeing him stand up and speak against the deal last year. Oh, how the bandwagon can get loaded up at times. But that's okay.
The guy you're referring to is local electrician Jack Murdock.
He used to work at Burlington before the mill closed, nows runs his own business, Murdock electric.Married to daughter of the late Mooresville Ice Cream Co. founder, Clyde Millsaps.
ok folks, ther are seats open on the MI-Connection advisory board.somebody call Jack and tell him to get involved, not blame us when we tried to stop it.
I worked for Kim and Chris (her husband) at the Police Dept. Both were OUTSTANDING officers and looked after with coworkers on and off duty. There was MUCH DRAMA that happened behind those doors that got over looked.I am glad that she came forth with this information. I was SHOCKED when I read this!! I hate that happened to you girl!
My Step Dad was the DARE officer that got fired over PETTY crap (see other Gatton story for info). It just goes to show you that what comes around goes around. keep your head up guys! Hope you are doing great!!!
Karma's a bitch ain't it? Except in this case, Crone DESERVES what's coming to him. This poor woman in the article, the Dare officer, and others we'll never know about who didn't deserve Crone's power abusing can rest easy now.
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