LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Suspended City of La Follette employee Jimmy Marlow and his attorney Ameesh Kherani believe the veteran heavy equipment operator is being unfairly treated. On Monday afternoon, Kherani sent a 26-page supplemental response to the city.

At the city’s workshop in October, a line item of termination of public works employee Marlow was in the administration section of the agenda.  However, the topic was not discussed at the workshop and was placed on the agenda for a vote at today’s regular monthly meeting scheduled for 5:30pm at City Hall.

The city claims in an employee disciplinary report dated Oct. 11, 2021, that Marlow falsely reported his work time on his time card. The employee disciplinary report signed by Casey Boshears, public works director, and Stan Foust, city administrator/human resources director, is a suspension notice to Marlow. Marlow, a nearly 15 year employee, has been suspended without pay since report was issued.

Kherani alleges the suspension is in “blatant violation of the City of La Follette’s personnel policy.”

The city’s personnel policy indicates that employees who are not performing at the expected level are to be given time to improve when it’s appropriate. In some cases, “severe initial disciplinary action” maybe warranted. Overall, the city has four avenues of action: oral reprimand, written reprimand, suspension and dismissal.

Marlow “has not been reprimanded until the present proceeding, has never received an oral reprimand, written reprimand or any other adversarial proceedings,” his attorney is arguing. Marlow has received excellent work evaluations as well, the letter said.

Marlow is asking for the proceedings to be dismissed and he be reinstated to current position with full pay. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/09/2021-6AM)

Here is the agenda for this afternoon’s City of La Follette regular monthly council meeting

CITY OF LAFOLLETTE

Council Meeting

Tuesday Nov. 9, 5:30 pm

  1. Meeting called to order by Mayor
  2. Prayer & Pledge
  3. Roll call by Clerk
  4. Approval of Meeting Minutes from October 2021  
  5. Reports from Boards, Committees and Departments
  6. Comments from the Citizens
  7. Announcements

 ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS

  1. Resolution 2021-17- Authorizing the City of LaFollette to participate in the PEP Risk Management Pool Property Conservation Matching Grant Program.

ADMINISTRATION

  1. Approval of surplus property for auction.  
  2. Termination of Public Works employee Jimmy Marlow.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

  1. Approval of bid $37,215.00 for pickup truck for LaFollette Fire Department.
  2. Approval of bid $76,054.80 for heart monitors on medic units for LaFollette Fire Department.

 ADJOURNMENT

BEER BOARD MEETING

  *No permits to date    

ADJOURNMENT

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