The Personnel Committee met Tuesday, February 6th along with others that afternoon. This committee is chaired by Nathan Pilgreen. Before the meeting could even start a member of the public, George Cothran, stood and questioned item #5 of the agenda, which concerned Tommy Durrett, Public Works Director. “Is the purpose of this meeting to do away with the position or the man? Talk is they want him gone, I don’t want to believe this. We aren’t here for our personal opinions, we are here to do what’s best for the parish. Honestly we need the equipment to do that.” During the meeting item #5 brought about a motion to terminate Tommy Durrett, the motion was seconded and the motion carried. Juror A.J. Ford stated, “Why take a man’s job, he has been doing the best he can do. Mr. Tommy has done a tremendous job.”
At 6:00 pm the regular called meeting began to follow through with the decisions made during committee meetings. The Road Committee discussed going ahead with the completion of repairs on Mt. Patrick Church Road, continuing with the Priority List for 2024, Continuing with the Maintenance List from 2022, and discussion about Meeks Landing.
When Item #20 of the regular meeting come up, a motion was put forward to terminate Public Works Director Tommy Durrett. Some of the jurors asked why this was being put before them to decide on. Juror Jeremy Hobbs asked, “What has he done so bad, just tell me. The workers love him to death and get along with him. The stuff he is getting done in just a short period of time. He is human, we all make mistakes. I just don’t understand where this is coming from, give the man a chance.” President Glenn Hutto commented “From my understanding unsatisfactory performance. We do not need to discuss more on this in here.” Hutto did state his mind changed after something happened Friday, February 2nd. Hutto called for a roll call vote – YES to keep or NO not keep – Dist. 1 Yes, Dist. 2 – No, Dist. 3 No, Dist. 4 – No, Dist. 5 – No, Dist. 6 – No, Dist. 7 – Yes, Dist. 8 – Yes and Dist. 9 – Yes. The vote carried to terminate 5-4. Durrett did speak thanking the jurors for the opportunity to serve Union Parish and stated he would be back next month to address the jurors officially. The jurors who voted to terminate did all stand by their reasons for the decisions, promising it was thought through.
During a special called committee meeting on Thursday, February 8th the personnel committee had to make a decision to put someone as an Interim Road Supervisor, until they could place advertisement for the position officially. The position was filled by Lane Rugg for a number of years, he retired back in the fall of 2023. Applications will be taken for this position and discussed at a further day and time. Alan Ates will fill the position as Interim / Acting Road Supervisor until a decision is finalized. Before the meeting could adjourn, a tragedy happened, one of the members of the audience passed away during the meeting. Due to the nature of the health crisis, there existed no sensible way to proceed with the meeting. The committee adjourned after the visitor was taken away via ambulance.
