Pikeville protests clerk's suspension - Wayne-Wilson News Leader, Fremont, NC

6 December 2007 — As two new commissioners were sworn into service on the Pikeville Town Board Monday night, a crowd of over 30 Pikeville citizens, as well as a few non-citizens, sat anxiously in the audience. But many of them were not there for the swearing in.

Most of the crowd came to the meeting seeking information about the suspension of town clerk Kathie Fields.

Bessie Smith was the first person to state the concerns many in the audience brought into the meeting.

“I think, no matter what has happened, it was done in the most disgusting, sickening way,” she said. “To try and destroy her (Mrs. Fields’) name before anything was proven is the most hurtful, disgusting thing.”

Mayor Herb Sieger told Mrs. Smith that the board was just as upset as she was to find out how the situation had been handled. She was notified on November 20 that she was suspended for conduct unbecoming a public officer or employee, with full pay until an investigation is completed.

The investigation began over the Thanksgiving holiday, and is conducted by the SBI with assistance from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. The investigation involves looking into town records and financial statements.

“When will Kathie be back?” asked Elizabeth Flemming. “Tomorrow is not soon enough.”

Mayor Sieger said that, in consideration of the management of the town, Mrs. Flemming was correct, but from a legal standpoint, she wasn’t. He explained that the investigation has tied the town’s hands a bit regarding when Mrs. Fields can return to her job.

Commissioner Dennis Lewis then spoke to the audience.

“Nobody out there is any madder than we are about this,” he said. “When she was taking chemo and throwing her guts up, she was still up here helping this town. She deserves better than that.”

However, he added that allegations had been made of a similar nature last July, and nothing came of it. But since the allegations arose again, he feels it is in Mrs. Fields’ best interest to proceed with the investigation.

“What I’m after is exoneration and finality,” he said. “Once we prove that there was no wrongdoing, we can get her back and get back to being the community we are.”

Thigie Thigpen expressed concern that, if cleared, Mrs. Fields might not want to return.
“If she were my wife, I wouldn’t let her come back, the way she’s been treated,” he said.

Mayor Sieger noted that the investigation has been a hardship for many in town. He said he and several other commissioners had sacrificed time with their families over Thanksgiving in order to cooperate with the investigation.

“If she stole a nickel or misappropriated anything, whatever, let her go to jail,” he said. “But I don’t believe that she did.”

After several members of the crowd began making personal attacks on Town Administrator Richard Lock, who initiated the investigation but declined multiple opportunities to comment at the meeting, the mayor informed citizens that Mr. Lock most likely had been cautioned by SBI officials not to comment on the situation.

Commissioner Lyman Galloway also cautioned people not to jump to conclusions, because no one, not even the board, knew exactly what the allegations are.

Commissioner Vance Greeson commented that Mr. Lock, as well as Mrs. Fields, has a right to due process of the law.

“We’ve got to go through a process to prove Kathie didn’t do anything, and we cannot sit here and crucify Mr. Lock.”

The town went into closed session after the regular meeting to further discuss matters relating to the situation. After returning to open session, the board made several motions.
First, Mr. Lewis moved that Mrs. Fields suspension be lifted and that she be put on administrative leave with pay. The board unanimously approved.

The board also approved Mr. Lewis’ next motion to give Mr. Lock until Wednesday to respond in writing to several questions the board had for him. The board will then hold a special session on Friday at 5:00 to discuss the response.

The board also approved a motion stating that it is the supervising entity of the police department until further notice.

Mr. Galloway ended the meeting with a final motion to require Mr. Lock report to the personnel officer, which is the mayor, when dealing with personnel matters on more than a day-to-day basis. The motion was approved with a three to two vote; Mr. Greeson and Edith McClenny voted against.

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Issue of 6 December 2007

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