News-Record.com

It didn't help Best's situation when he sought employment elsewhere.

Prior to that occurrence I believe only Yow and Arnold were the more vocal opponents of Best.

Anytime an employee expresses dissatisfaction with a position as Best did by seeking another job, you can predict that there's gonna be a change in the position sooner or later.

Of course, you might say what about our education admin Dr. Grier's attempt to go to Charlotte. The difference is the County has a capable person in Best's assistant, McNeill, to fall back on if Best leaves, or is canned. In Grier's case, there doesn't appear to be anyone in house capable of taking his place and who on the outside wants to deal with the challenges our counties educational system faces in case he leaves.

McNeill might leave also for Forsyth Cty, and in light of Best's recent signals some on the Board feels it's necessary to make a move now to keep McNeill who's a known quantity.

Mr. Johnson, In today’s paper and now in your blog the statement " first Black county manager” is disclosed. I once made a statement "your people" and you rightly called me on it by asking "aren't they your people too?" So why are you making a point of this "first Black" thing? After all, isn't he my people too? And what in the world has race to do with it anyhow. The man is obviously not happy with his situation since he went looking for another job so the commissioners are just getting a jump on the situation before they lose a good replacement. There is no Black or White involved here since many officials in our city and county are Black. This is another case of seeing racism where it simply doesn't exist. Shame on you for persisting in this attitude. For a very intelligent man you are on this subject so obtuse.

I was merely stating an obvious fact. Whether there are any racial overtones involved in this case, I don't know. The reality that all of those who want Best oustered are white and most of those who want to retain him are black could be coincidence.
It would help to have a better idea of why Best is on the hot seat, so we wouldn't have to guess.

Simple, he's on the hot seat as a result of expressing his desire to leave by seeking employment elsewhere. In some of the Board's mind Mr. Best for all intents and purposes already has his sights set elsewhere.

Keep in mind also that this apparently is a bipartisan effort on the Board's part and isn't mirroring party lines like most decisions occur with that bunch.

Why wait for the inevitable of Mr. Best resigning and in the interim lose McNeill who might just be off to Forsyth or beyond. Sounds to me like some on the Board are looking out for the county's as well as our interests.

So, expressing interest in another job is grounds for dismissal?

So, expressing interest in another job is grounds for dismissal?

It is in the political world be it local, state or Fed. Been there done that.

Allen,

Yes, communicating to your employer that you are seeking employment elsewhere will probably get you replaced.

But reportedly McNeill is a finalist for the Forsyth County manager's job. Does that mean he should be fired, too?

Allen, your logic only works if Guilford County can also get rid of Terry Grier, since he was recently looking for a job.

I can't speak from personal experience though, the last two times I tried leaving my employer I got pretty significant bump-ups in pay and I've been working my two week notice with my current employer for 7 years now at double the pay.

The best part of the only evening has been watching Mr. Alston and his puppet Mr. Davis whine and complain. Well that and a ticked off Simkins PAC.

"I was merely stating an obvious fact."

If the fact is obvious to everyone, why the need to state it, other than to reveal your own biases.

I disagree. Even if it wasn't the reason Best was fired, it would be naive to believe that race wasn't a major factor in this episode.

Please, Allen, please!
Don't go down the road of thinking that everything that happens to a black person is the result of race. When you throw down the race card on every issue you begin to look less biased and more racist.
I think you're a bigger man than that.

Blacks can perform jobs just as poorly as whites. What's the excuse when a white man is fired? Look at David Wray.

Allen,

Just admit it. You have fallen into the same old excuse that has done more to supress the advancement of people of color than anything else .... The racist white man.

Look at your own posts Allen. First you state "Whether there were racial overtones, I don't know". A couple of posts later your REAL opinion is revealed. You state "it would be naïve to believe race wasn't a major factor in this episode."

Race is an excuse. As soon as you stop using it, true advancement has a chance. Until then advancement will continue to be limited. Albeit a self impopsed limitation!

If Mr Beacoats was promoted and Grier fired after he sought employment elsewhere, would race have been discussed? NO WAY!