Robbins Board Divided in Accepting Manager's Resignation
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Robbins Town Manager George Hayfield’s resignation was accepted in a contentiously split decision Friday night at a special meeting of the Town Board.
He had been given the ultimatum by new Mayor Lonnie English to “resign or be fired” Jan. 13, the day after the board’s regular monthly meeting. English informed Hayfield that it was clear during a closed session that a majority of board members wanted to dismiss him.
Under the circumstances, Hayfield resigned effective Jan. 13 on condition of receiving two months of severance pay. He cleared his personal belongings from Town Hall that day. He was present for the meeting Friday but did not speak.
The board voted 3-2 to accept Hayfield’s resignation and approve the severance pay. Terri Holt made the motion and was joined by Claire Barron and Kevin Stewart to approve it over strong objections from Joey Boswell and Rocky Davis.
Former Mayor Theron Bell called it a sad day for Robbins. Other residents in attendance at the meeting cheered and applauded the two commissioners who opposed the decision.
Holt, Barron and Stewart gave no reasons for wanting to get rid of Hayfield during the meeting, but English did have a written statement.
“In the last week, we had words twisted in meaning and torn from context,” English said. “You know this has become mere tools for ego building. But it is for sure I was elected by the people of Robbins Nov. 9, 2011, and my goal is to serve the people honestly and to the best of my ability until the next election in November 2015 or unless the good Lord takes me home.”
The Town Hall was crowded for the meeting. Members of the audience included new Carthage Mayor Lee McGraw. Doug Gill, of Southern Pines, the town attorney, attended as well.
After calling the meeting to order, English asked if there was any motion on Hayfield’s conditional resignation. Holt moved it be accepted and the severance pay granted.
Local businessman Joe White asked if he could speak, but English told him he could not. Only commissioners could discuss the motion on the floor.
Boswell looked across to Hayfield where he sat in a far corner of the room next to former Town Commissioner Mark Garner.
“I appreciate everything you’ve done for the town,” Boswell said. “I want you to know that I’ll always admire you.”
Many in the audience applauded when he finished. Then Davis — who is public works director of Carthage — spoke up.
“I’d like to say the same thing, George,” Davis said. “You did a pretty good job. You were doing what you were asked to do. I am not sure some of the actions of this board were even morally or ethically correct. For a little bit, I would walk away from this board. But I am afraid what they might do.”
Silence and a stillness filled the room then. Finally, after a moment, Stewart spoke.
“The town attorney was with us (referring to the Jan. 12 closed session), and I don’t think we were doing anything improper,” Stewart said. “We thought it in the best interest of George, and best to make the best out of a bad situation. George, I wish you the best. I do not have a personal vendetta against you, and … As I say, I wish you the best.”
With no further discussion, English called for the vote on accepting Hayfield’s resignation. After it was approved, English then called for a motion to appoint Police Chief Jeff Sheffield as interim manager.
After making that motion, Boswell asked Sheffield if taking on these additional duties would put too much strain on his law-enforcement duties.
“I am not going to lie to you,” Sheffield said. “It is going to be tough. But, it is my hometown. I grew up here, was raised here. I love this town. Whatever I can do to help this town, I’ll do it. I hope it’s not a long, drawn-out process. I am still trying to get a full time officer hired, and I am having to work shifts — just like today — but I will do my best.”
Boswell said he would help Sheffield any way he could.
“The only thing, just remember I am a law-enforcement officer,” Sheffield said. “I’ll leave it at that.”
The board agreed to raise Sheffield’s salary to that budgeted for the town manager, which effectively means an increase of $250 a month to do both jobs. That will save the town of Robbins $3,500 a month while a search for a permanent replacement for Hayfield is under way.
His appointment was approved on that basis after English checked with Gill to be sure it was proper to discuss salaries in open session. The meeting was adjourned at that point.
After the meeting, an angry White called the action of the board “stupid.”
“I am going to tell you right now, I am going to be at every meeting, and I am going to hold you to everything, and if there is one thing wrong … that will be it!” White told Barron, who made no response. “Now that’s the way it’s going to be. If you all can’t run this board and work with this town and tell the people what’s going on — instead of just firing somebody out — I just don’t understand a board like this. This is about stupid. That’s just the way I feel about it, and the rest of the people in town feel the same way.”
Later that night, in a telephone interview, Stewart again said he had nothing personal against Hayfield as he had told him during the meeting. At-tempts to reach him the week before had been directed to an incorrect number, but Stewart said he isn’t hiding his reasons for wanting Hayfield out.
“I wished him well,” Stewart said. “I’ll be glad to talk to any citizen of Robbins. I based my decision on the manager’s performance over time.”
Stewart is new to the board, but he said he had attended every meeting from the time he filed to run.
“There were too many complaints from citizens, too much conflict at planning board meetings,” he said. “Everything they came up with, he (Hayfield) would say, ‘You can’t do that.’ The board was ready to dissolve.”
Contact John Chappell at jfchappell@gmail.com.
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Comments
tarheelborn 1 year, 4 months ago
I think enough said about Mr. Hayfield. He seems very content with his demands from the Town...It's time to move on. Nothing will change in this arena, until a new town manager is hired.
difflook 1 year, 4 months ago
Thats true, best all can do is to pray for the Town and the Board.
bubbasmith 1 year, 4 months ago
Robbins can move forward now.
SH59 1 year, 4 months ago
"Former Mayor Theron Bell called it a sad day for Robbins" Someone needs to tell Ms Bell that she needs to be supportive of the new Mayor, she doesn't need to create divisiveness in the community any more.
Satch2929 1 year, 4 months ago
How is it the Pilot still sees this as "news?" Please move on!
hometown24 1 year, 4 months ago
I think that it's funny that Davis, one of Haybale's supporters, said, " you did a pretty good job". HA!!, that should make old George feel "pretty good"!! And yes Mr. Davis, it would be a great idea for you "to step away" from this board! As for Theron Bell saying it's a sad day for Robbins....BULL!! She should have said that when George decided to fire the former finance manager, but she didn't, because she also was a large supporter of George. Oh well, enough for now, like Satch9292 says, let's move on!!
mcguy1 1 year, 4 months ago
Hometown24, sounds like your Vicky Stroker or you and Vicky Stroker got something going on. obviously if the commissioners had a problem with it they would have done something about George back then. I think George did a good job with his decision, Stroker is happy at the old folks home. As for Mr. Davis he is one of the better commissioners on the board
mcguy 1 year, 4 months ago
Strider. Her name is Strider.
I was time that the town moved on. I can't speak for HOW the board did this. The bottom line is that the manger was ineffective, and we need a strong town leader.
SoPinesNo1 1 year, 4 months ago
Moore County should follow the Robbins' Town Board lead, and send Mr. McSwain packing along with Mr. Hayfield. It would be impossible for Mr. Hayfield to have been as inept as Mr. McSwain.
difflook 1 year, 4 months ago
irrevelant whether the board had a problem or not, at the time he was the one in charge, I am SURE of one on there whoo knew it!!! But she wanted her gone too! since the CAPABLE Finance officer called him out on a LIE about $$$$!
mcguy1 1 year, 4 months ago
I know what her name is. Its also Hayfield and not Haybale, for all you smarties that didn't catch on. The finance officer that is there now is doing an exceptional job, running circles around ol Stroker.
difflook 1 year, 3 months ago
Good on those circles! Sure she s a great one. Report from Robbins ppls though Ms Williams,-Strider, life long Robbins resident from prominent Robbins family Didn't wait for Robbins' position to tackle it. During her first two years there it was estmate She made changes to loans, debts, bonds, etc to save Robbins and its citizens at Least $150,000. ! Also when the inside of city hall needed painting ?? No labor spent there She bought the paint and did it herself. But although she was brought up to tell the truth And not to be part of a lie, she stood up for truth and what was right! Cost her a job, but she Did it anyway. Go ahead talk about her, some know her and the truth , can't convince us Otherwise! May Robbins move forward!
josephew 1 year, 3 months ago
Robbins want move forward with the Gang of 3 trying to run everything? These 3 dont know how to run a Town when they dont know what goes on in Robbins day by day.They havent considered how much it will cost to hire a experanced Town Manager?What about the Grants George was working on? These 3 people have made a fool of our new mayor? Where was his leadership during this fisco?
GASB 1 year, 3 months ago
Yes the people have spoken and apparently they did not know what they were speaking in favor of. Does Robbins need a Manager to be a social butterfly or someone who is going to be more concerned with the progress and improvement of the Town as a whole? It sounds like the majority of the Board is more concerned with their own personal agendas instead of what is best for the Town. I hope the voters are paying close attention. Mr. Hayfield you will be missed! Despite the actions of the majority of the Board, many in Robbins and the surrounding area saw the time and effort you have put into the revitalization of the Town.
If I understand correctly there is only one new commissioner; therefore, the majority of the Board (that has a vote) should have been aware of the time sensitive issues that the manager was working on. Before fulfilling their own personal agendas, they should been better prepared to fill the vacancy and ensure the security and needs of the Town were met. Grants are not something that can be prepared in one’s spare time (of which not many people have). The Board should have ensured that someone was available to step up and devote the same amount of time that the manager was providing not only to the grants but to all of his other responsibilities as well. As for the comment about the Town “Trying to survive on grant money has brought the town to the state it's in today” is ridiculous! The town is where it is today for many reason; many of which were out of their control like the economy and industrial outsourcing. What many may not realized many of the improvement in the Town were the results of Grant opportunities, some of which have helped provide jobs. Utilizing grant funds to better the Town is one of the most promising things that the Town has done.
I find it humorous, yet sad that one might think the main responsibility of the Interim Manager would be to lend his signature to authorize payments on invoices. Thankfully the integrity of Chief Sheffield is much higher than that and he will do all he can to keep the operations of the Town moving smoothly.
Wow, it’s hard to believe that someone would post that the previous finance officer was comingling her own personal funds with the towns. Boy that is a BIG NO NO!!! Just for those that are not aware, two signatures are required on all checks issued by the Town of Robbins; therefore, Mr. Hayfield could not have issued a check on his own and it’s the responsibility of the Finance Officer to make certain that the “Town funds” are available for disbursement prior to issuing a check.
Bravo to the writer of “Underhanded Action by Robbins Board”!!!!
GASB 1 year, 3 months ago
As for the commissioners that were not in favor of Mr. Hayfield leaving, please hold strong. Hopefully the voters are listening and will work to remove those commissioners that care more about their own personal agenda than the welfare of the Town as a whole. Maybe Theron Bell will choose to run again in 2 years where she will not only be able to represent the Town but have a true vote again.