KNYSNA NEWS - Since the resignation of municipal manager Grant Easton last Wednesday, March 15, while he was still suspended, statements have been flying between the municipality and Easton – since their versions of the terms on which he parted are conflicting.
When the Knysna-Plett Herald asked for confirmation of Easton's resignation the following press release was received from the Knysna municipality and spokesperson, deputy mayor Peter Myers.
It read (verbatim): "Easton was charged with misconduct in relation to several serious irregularities which occurred during his tenure.
“A disciplinary hearing was convened, and the municipality called several witnesses to testify in the case against Easton.
"In the opinion of the municipality, the evidence against Easton was overwhelming. However, Easton unexpectedly tendered his resignation effective, April 30.
"The municipality accepted the resignation, which brought an end to the employment relationship and the purpose of the disciplinary hearing was mooted.
“Easton is legally entitled to receive all benefits which accrued to him prior to his resignation, which benefits include past accumulated leave days – and an old outstanding bonus dating back to the 2014/15 budget year."
In response to a question asked by the Knysna-Plett Herald about the financial situation regarding Easton's resignation, the press release read: "The total cost of proceedings is yet to be finally calculated. The municipality has a constitutional imperative to investigate misconduct and to discipline staff, and the cost could not be avoided.
"We can assure the public that no settlement was entered into and Easton was not paid out for the rest of the term of his contract. He will also not receive any bonus for the 2015/16 or the 2016/17 budget year.”
Following this press release, which was put online saying that Easton had not yet responded, Easton hit back saying what was said in the press release was"grossly irregular and defamatory".
In the exclusive reaction sent to the Knysna-Plett Herald, Easton said, “As I am still employed by the Knysna municipality until April 30 I find the fact that a press release has been issued inferring improper conduct on my part to be grossly irregular and defamatory.”
Easton said he could no longer remain silent while his reputation was “trashed”.
“My case was never presented and no finding has been made of any impropriety on my part."
He said a letter has been sent to the municipality’s attorneys and in his opinion politicians need to be held accountable for their actions. "That they may not act with total disregard of the law and the precept of audi alteram partem. They have just, with complete disregard for due process, imputed that I am guilty when the process was terminated and no finding was made.”
“This appears to be a case of individuals pursuing their own agenda with complete disregard for the rights of others," Easton continued. "I can state with complete honesty that I deny that I have knowingly ever committed any irregularities and I have not been found to have committed any. I am of the firm opinion that had the evidence against me been overwhelming my resignation would certainly not have been accepted as it was conditional and these conditions were accepted and an agreement was reached.
“I deem it to be despicable that councillors would act in this fashion in an attempt to justify the vast expense that council incurred in pursuing this 'investigation' and hearing against me. I made no secret of it that when the new council came in and they clearly did not want to work with me, that I would entertain an offer essentially equivalent to what they have just agreed to. I would have then walked away with no cost to the ratepayer. Council insisted on both suspending me and pursuing the investigation while I remained on full pay.”
“As my health and family life were being severely impacted by the stress of the hearing and my finances were being decimated by the legal expenses of the team, I made this decision. I do not have the advantage of council, as was pointed out to me by a senior councillor, that it has access to the coffers of the ratepayers and they will stop at nothing to ensure that I never worked again if I refused to accept an offer that was nowhere near what I finally decided to call it quits on [accept].
“The press release has now been widely disseminated and I am therefore furnishing this statement in an attempt to set the record straight. It is in my opinion high time that politicians be held accountable for their actions.
Easton concluded by saying, “The statement is clearly an ill-advised attempt by the politicians to justify their actions and I cannot afford to remain silent while my reputation is trashed unjustifiably.”
A comment from Easton's legal representative was received at the time of going to press, which reads, "Communication was received from municipal lawyers and at this point no further action will be taken."
After Easton's reaction was put online the following press release was received from Myers:
"In response to recent comments by Grant Easton in your publication [online], the Knysna municipal council wish to respond as follows:
"1. The municipality made no offer to Mr Easton as he alleges. Mr Easton resigned just before he had to commence with the leading of evidence in the forum of the disciplinary hearing.
"2. He tendered his resignation subject to him receiving his outstanding leave pay and assessed 2014/2015 performance bonus, benefits that he is entitled to by operation of law.
"3. In terms of the collective agreement and local government practice, an employee is entitled to resign any time before a verdict on the guilt or otherwise of an employee is made, which automatically terminates the disciplinary proceedings.
"4. It was not open to the municipality to continue with the disciplinary proceedings once the resignation was tendered.
"5. The press release by the municipality was only made after fallacious allegations concerning the payment of the balance of his contract were sent to the municipality for comment, by the Knysna-Plett Herald.
"6. Mr Easton had an opportunity to defend himself against the charges at the disciplinary hearing, but elected to forego such opportunity and instead resigned after hearing the evidence against him."
Click here for previous articles:
- Municipal Council responds to Easton comments
- "I will not see my reputation be trashed"
- Suspended municipal manager quites
ARTICLE: ELAINE KING, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD EDITOR
