james younger Archive

7

Like Younger before him, Lott claims ‘racism’

Regarding a comment under my recent “Exposed” post about whether Albany City Manager Alfred Lott already knew or is related to former Police Chief James Younger …

I don’t think so.

I finally asked Lott about it today, and he said “no,” and I believe him. He said a “Lott” more, and — like Younger before him — even played a race card. Instead of defending or denying our reporting on the criminalization of city hall under his reign, he suggests that we target black men when we are writing about public officials-gone-bad. See our e-mail exchange in the March 18 edition of The Journal!

Last year, Younger suggested that City Commissioner Morris Gurr and other detractors were so-motivated because they are racist.

3

Exposed: Former Albany Police Chief James Younger, et al

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE!

Here’s a recent e-mail exchange that I had with an Albany police officer who truly cares about his or her community. What’s different than this just being an anonymous letter is that I have multipe PD sources telling me face to face (not anonymously, but under the condition of anonymity) that it’s all true. What’s also different — and reaches the threshhold of being newsworthy — is that this is a public record; it was sent to Mayor Willie Adams and the city commissioners. Note that Adams and his colleagues, who are ultimately responsibile for this taxpayer-financed behavior, has done nothing about its problem employee.

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Subject: Albany Police Department Infor
From: Dont Need to Know
Date: Tue, Feb 17, 2009 12:56 am

WARNING THIS EMAIL IS LONG AND FULL OF VERY VITAL INFORMATION! PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT IN ITS ENTIRETY!

I recently ran across the article about the APD officer and the restraining order on the WFXL website. Upon opening it up, I was truly shocked! A restraining order for a police officer. Well I do not think the complete story has been told. I am sure the Albany Police Department is stating that an active investigation is being conducted; therefore, they cannot give any information…WELL

Ms.. Phyllis Banks was in a relationship with a married Mr.. Richard Williams. Mr. Williams was once approached by the then Chief of Police James Younger, J.D., as he likes to have it written, to stay away from Ms. Banks. Well that part of the story by Fox was correct, however, they left out the part about Ms. Banks is dating (and was dating while he was employed with the Albany Police Department) Chief James Younger!

Now I don’t have the full details about how that night went, but it is being reported that Richard Williams was called by Ms. Banks to come see her, however, prior to Richard’s arrival James Younger had “popped” up. Because they were trying to keep confusion down, James Younger advised Ms. Banks to handle that! Well I guess she did! She called the police.

Now do not get me wrong if a woman says she does not want you then that’s fine! However, to ridicule a male because he is being given mixed signals just is not right! Now throughout the entire time Chief Younger was at the police department, he was eagered to fire or even suspend an officer for anything dealing with sexual conduct towards someone else, when in fact he was doing it himself!

It was even often stated by Ms. Banks to other “male” officers…Chief Younger does not like anyone in my office. Now why in the world would Chief Younger be upset about an officer being in the Public Relations Manager’s of the Albany Police Department office?

AND…it is mighty funny that Ms. Banks sends out an “Press Release” on everyone else’s problems and mishaps at the police department, but did any of you receive this one? I am sure not! Based on Miranda’s VERY SHORT article on the website, this information came from DCP.

Now I am sure that members of the police department appreciate not being blasted in the news yet again; however, sometimes the FULL story needs to be aired so that the citizens of Albany realize that everything has TWO even sometimes THREE sides to a story! (1-suspect 2-victim and sometimes 3-truth) This time it might not have been all wrong by Officer Williams!

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Oh now let us talk about some more juicy stuff the department has going on!

In Internal Affairs (Professional Standards) there are two investigators investigating other officers of “unethical” activities…..HOWEVER, in the short times that both have been there, they too have been investigated!

Now don’t get me wrong, God changes everyone, and everyone deserves a second chance, BUT do you think it is a good idea for him or her to investigate other fellow officers when in fact things have gone wrong in their lives?

Cpl. Monica Williams: She was under investigation about a “love triangle” with a now-under investigation and married Cpl. D. Stokes and her then live-in boyfriend Cpl. B. Covington. It was to a point where, Cpl. Covington had to be moved from off the streets from the two of them and eventually left the department. (However, he is yet back!) It is now said that Cpl. Williams is in a heated relationship with Sgt. Michael Cunningham!

Sgt. Duwayne Higginbotham: Now this is truly a funny character. Sgt. Higginbotham left the police department years ago to only return (gone for over 2 years) in 2006 as a Patrol Officer. While still on probation (less than a year of his rehire), then Ptl. Higginbotham was under investigation for “use of force” pulling his duty weapon out on someone. Ptl. Higginbotham was training a female officer, whom too was under investigation for the same offense. Ptl. Higginbotham was transferred, while still under investigation, to the training department to train other officers, while the female officer was required to remain in Support Services while the investigation took place. Ptl. Higginbotham was originally given a 10-day suspension; however, it was reduced to 5, not because he was right in what he did, but because he had vast knowledge that was helpful for the department per Chief Younger. You ask what happened to the female police officer, she was pressured into quitting because they were going to suspend her based on what she was being trained by Ptl. Higginbotham to do. She now works for Lee County ‘s Sheriff’s department. Ptl. Higginbotham then approximately less than or right at a year of employment (which was against the then written SOP) around May 2007 was allowed to go through the Corporal Promotion Assessment. After realizing that he made a mistake, Chief Younger then disseminated addendum to the policy stating persons with prior police experience and one year at the department could apply! That was to ensure that Ptl. Higginbotham could participate in the Corporal Assessment. Ptl. Higginbotham was then promoted to Cpl. Higginbotham. In May 2008, again right a year later, Cpl. Higginbotham was able to go the Sergeant’s Assessment and then was promoted to Sergeant again!

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Promotions

Sgt. Graham Stacey: Sgt. Graham Stacey was promoted to Sergeant around early 2007. While still on his one year-probation, Chief Younger DEMOTED Sgt. Stacey due to his non-abilities to perform as a Sergeant. Not less than 6 months of his DEMOTION, Chief Younger allowed then Cpl. Graham Stacey to go through the Sergeant Assessment in 2008 and RE-PROMOTED him! Why you asked, because he was able to pass a PT test! That is right! Chief James Younger promoted 8-officers based mainly on whether or not they could pass a non-documented, not in the Albany Police Department’s Standard Operating Procedures manual, none certified instructed or tested, PT Test!

To top it all off, there were a few officers that DID pass the PT test and passed the assessment; however, were looked over because Chief Younger stated, “he was not aware that the officers had passed the PT”! One, Sgt. Dale Henry was even promoted after not passing all the attempts performed with the group; however, weeks later passed during a private PT testing with Acting Lt. Bryan LaVoie.

Several officers, some with over 5 years of experience with the Albany Police Department, went through the Sergeant’s Assessment and PER CHIEF YOUNGER, finished in the top 3-5% of the applicants; however, because they were unable to pass a PT test, they were not promoted. Nevertheless, he saw it fit to promote an officer whom he demoted for not working in Sergeant capacity and LACK of skills! How many Sergeants are on the streets running behind a criminal??????? NOT MANY!

When the Sergeant’s Assessment was in progress, the applicants were advised they would receive a written evaluation of their results from the assessment. On Friday, December 19, 2008 starting around 0800 hours, Chief Younger had scheduled the Corporals that had gone through the Sergeant’s assessment to his office. Chief Younger sat at the head of his conference room table, held up a piece of paper and told the officers how they did. When asked if they would receive that information in the form of a written letter, they were given no response! Of those that had not passed the PT test and were told they finished the assessment in the top 3-5% of the applicants, were told the ONLY reason they were not promoted was because of the PT test!?!

Once the Chief was gone, those Corporals asked for a copy or a list of those left on the list for promotion to Sergeant, the Administrative Office (Chief’s Office) stated they were unaware of such a list! Therefore, those officers that so-called passed the assessment are not even on a list for possible promotion in the future.

A Sergeant should be promoted based on his/her abilities to do the job, not whether or not they can run a mile in a particular amount of time, does a sit-up or a push up! Who would you rather on your scene and working or assisting on your case, a Sergeant who can run a mile, do sit-ups and push ups and can’t make a sound decision on their own, or a decision making Sergeant with years of experience and cares about ensuring your case is conducted in a legal and respectful manner?! You be the judge!
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PT Test

Speaking of PT Test, has anyone investigated within the police department, how many officers have been injured while trying to pass the what was called “REQUIRED TO GET OFF PROBATION, REQUIRED TO GET PROMOTED, REQUIRED TO TRANSFER, REQUIRED TO GET HIRED” PT test???? Well you have one young lady, (her name I will keep under wraps, but I am sure if you do some digging you will find out easily) dang near DIED! This young lady, I can’t call her an officer because she never had the opportunity to make it to the academy, was pushed and pushed, even after telling Officer Greg Elder, Officer Bryan LaVoie, and Chief Younger during a “Chief’s challenge” that she didn’t feel good, PAST OUT! She was taken to the hospital where she was later told, approximately 5 days later, that her body just SHUT DOWN!!!!! Now even after about 1year or so, she still is not right! This young lady was once told she would be let go because her doctors told her would not be a 100%, therefore, could not operate as a police officer! Now how nasty is that! Moreover, was stated by Greg Elder was that “they broke another one down”!

Sgt. Edward Heath, whom has been with the department for over 20 years, was required to go and do the PT test. During which he too was pushed. Sgt. Heath was focused on passing or else, damaged his knee to the point he had to have surgery! He too will not be a 100% again.

Some officers were even threaten of being FIRED if they didn’t pass!

Now do not get me wrong, we are in the days and times where everyone needs to be healthy, but I think this department is pushing it!

Some officers are even stuck in their current ranks forever because they have “medical conditions” that eliminates them from doing such activities as a lot of running or sit-ups or even push-ups! Therefore, if they cannot take the PT they cannot be promoted! Whereas some get fake medical excuses so they don’t have to take it! Not every position within the police department requires running, sit-ups or push-ups! Some will never be promoted because they just cannot make it within the time frame the department “so-call” requires! Not that the officers are not trying. Some are even improving every 30 days they are required to take it until they pass. If I am not mistaken, everyone has an area where they are strong and an area where they are weaker in! Remember no one is perfect! Some officers are not good runners or not good at doing sit-ups or not good at push-ups! Nevertheless, do running, push-ups and sit-ups really make a good police? What about the 50% of the department that had never been required to take such a test before now are they not good officers? Answer this would you rather have an officer that can pass the PT test but can’t make a decision or write a good incident report or would you rather have an officer that can make decisions, write reports, that are trying to live a more healthy lifestyle?!

Oh and if it is good for the Patrolmen, Corporals, and Sergeants then why were the Lieutenants, Captains, and higher not required to do it? They too are police officers as all of those below them are! They too place their lives in danger as those below them do! Is it because their jobs do not require them to be in the forefront? Well neither does an investigator, or a forensic officer or an officer in Support Service or Internal Affairs…That test was set up to hurt more than to help!

None of the officers were asked or even told to go see a doctor or sent to one to check their capabilities prior to taking such a test nor were EMTs on site when the PT tests were given.. The department sends two rude, disrespectful, bashing officers (Acting Lt. Bryan LaVoie and Sgt. Greg Elder) out to give a PT test that may affect your career as an officer and have not attempted to train anyone. For those two to get out there and tell you “I want to see you throw up”! or “I ain’t gonna count that you can do that all day it wont count!” WOW, that is encouraging!

Half of the department has been with the APD well over 5 years. It does not take one year to get weight on (or out of shape) nor will it take one to get it off! The Albany Police Department has hurt many officers more than they have helped!

Can you say the police department and the City of Albany are setting themselves up for a hefty lawsuit! CHACHING!
$$$$ SHOW ME THE MONEY! $$$$$$$

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Commanders! Well here is something else that the police department has yet hurt themselves.

The positions of Commanders (which were never placed on an internal employment posting) were appointed to three newly promoted Lieutenants; however, was never opened up to any of the other Lieutenants. The commander position was not even in the SOP’s organizational chart.

Commander Kendra Wilson, (who was promoted to Lieutenant in 2007, never completed her Lt. probationary period, never completed a PT test to get off of probation and never ran a district prior to her appointment; was promoted to Commander within approximately 6 months!

Commander Darin Abner, whom has been reported of having domestic violence issues with once lover Cpl. Iesha Mullins in Lee County and his wife Catina Abner where the police were called to Mullins house because Catina Abner was at Mullins’ house harassing her about Darin, was promoted to Lieutenant in 2007 and it was alleged he too never passed his PT test and never ran a district; was promoted to Commander!

The problem is none of the “seasoned” Lieutenants, whom had ran the districts within the Albany Police Department and had been in the Lieutenant rank well over a year, were given the opportunity to even apply or at least put their names in the basket to be picked! Oh did I tell you that the position of a Commander is said to be HIGHER in rank than a Captain!

On top of that, Chief Younger placed several Sergeants in “Acting Lieutenants” positions when he still had two left on the promotable Lieutenants list. This list consisted of Sergeants whom had already gone through the Lieutenants assessment and passed and were deemed promotable. Per the Albany Police Department’s SOP, the list is active until ALL have been promoted or removed! However, two remain.. More than two Sergeants were appointed to Acting Lieutenant positions and they had not gone through the Lieutenants assessment yet…WHY?

What’s wrong with that picture?!

Can you say the police department and the City of Albany are setting themselves up for a hefty lawsuit! CHACHING!
$$$$ SHOW ME THE MONEY! $$$$$$$

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Now whom should we point fingers at?

Well at first, we could have pointed them at Chief Younger, but because he had the attitude that I am the Chief and I can do whatever I want, he has yet been released!

We now can look at City Manager, Alfred Lott! Why you ask? Because he allowed this activity to go on! He allowed Younger to do what he wanted to do while he sat back and secured his contract for a couple more years and then what did Lott do once his job was secured…………he BOOTED Younger right out the door! That did not seem fishy to anyone???!!!

OK! Now we can look onto the City Mayor and Commissioners if they do not require that the incidents that have been provided are not investigated and really corrected!

The moral in the Albany Police Department is down because the officers that really do the work are NEVER rightfully recognized, rewarded and/or promoted, as they should be….based on their knowledge, skills, and ability to perform! Whereas some officers, kiss butts, get in to the “right” group and are slide right into promotions! Some people in the police department are taking on duties that would be easily appreciated and rewarded in other agencies; however, because they love their work, enjoy being useful to the department, and try to be dedicated to the Albany Police Department just continue to work even without a simply THANKS or YOU ARE DOING A GOOD JOB! That is why the moral is down, that is why officers are leaving left and right! It has nothing to do with pay, nor benefits, or anything else to that matter. Officers are being treated like they are not appreciated by senior persons whom really don’t have a clue as what they are “suppose” to be doing, yet because they have this rank or that rank they feel the younger offices have to bow down to them! It has often been said to officers by those of higher ranks (Lt. and above) “I run this, this is my unit, my department, my section, or my division and if you don’t like it I can get you out of here!”

What kind of mess is that to tell an officer who works for you?

Take a moment and look at what is being done, officers are getting trained through POST, becoming certified, work a while and then leave all on the expense of the City of Albany and the Albany Police Department! Long time veterans leave without even being able to retire just ready to leave and go somewhere they can be appreciated! Knowledge and Experience just gone out the window! You have civilian workers leaving and not even training anyone prior to departure. Department left without a clue! Why?! Because they are not being appreciated! Check those with all of the experience, training, knowledge of almost every division within the department, skills to do over and beyond their “assigned” duties, who and where are they? They are under paid, low-ranked persons AT THE BOTTOM! Why because they do not kiss butts or because the older more ranked officers are scared that the younger officers will out shine them so they talk bad about then and continue to hold them down!

Ask a captain to run a report and turn it in to you…..it will get done at the expense of either his secretary or a highly skilled and experienced “lower ranked” officer that he “delegates” his work to. Upon your request for it, who turns it in and gets the glory, the Captain! Ask him about what is in the report and he will probably look at you crazy because he has no clue!

Check for yourself!

I hope and pray that the news reporters do your research, print this information for the citizens to see how the officers of the Albany Police Department are really being treated! The City Commissioners, the City Mayor, and the City Manager I pray you take this email FOR REAL! You have been provided some VITAL information that had not been previously given to you! However, as a citizen of this city and a member of the law enforcement career, I felt as though you really needed to hear the truth and hear it now! What you do with it is on you!

Please don’t let the fact that this is being sent anonymously lead you to feel the information is not correct or that I am a disgruntle employee, because it is quite the opposite! I wanted you to hear the truth without being scrutinized, isolated and even “BLACK BALLED” by those of the Albany Police Department! And before you can get it out; there is nothing that you all can do to protect that from happening! So please take the information you have been given and do your own research that way you can see for yourself! No one is just going to get on TV and tell you all of this or come face to face in fear of what will happen to them or their jobs!

As I close my extremely long letter, I first say thanks for taking the time out to read it all and then secondly in the words of Sam Cooke:

It has been a long time coming for APD, and a change has got to come!

Sincerely,
Change 2009


Here’s my reply

Subject: RE: Albany Police Department Infor
From: ajournal@thealbanyjournal.com
Date: Tue, February 17, 2009 7:07 pm
To: “Dont Need to Know”
Cc: squawkbox@albanyherald.com, dstill@walb.com, len.kiese@walb.com,mcrissinger@wfxl.com, alott@dougherty.ga.us, wadams@albany.ga.us,jhoward@albany.ga.us, mgurr@albany.ga.us, roger.marietta@gmail.com,tpostell@albany.ga.us, letters@albanyherald.com

Thanks very much for writing. I am aware of most of this information to be fact, but because the police chief and city manager are so adept at breaking the law and tenets of good government and not documenting goings-on at city hall, I’ve elected not to report on it.

As you know, the City Commission knows what and who they have running things, but thus far has opted not to do the right thing and fix the problems. So, we’re kind of stuck, aren’t we?

Please continue to care enough to keep in touch about what’s going on there — and do make sure you me know when there’s documentation of the shenanigans. Remember, unlike what the current city manager says, there’s no such thing as a “mole” at city hall. That’s because what happens at city hall is the people’s business.

And thanks very, very much for your service.

Kevin Hogencamp


COMMENTS

10 Responses to “Exposed: Former Albany Police Chief James Younger, et al”

  1. Anonymous says:

    Ask Proctor about his association with Audrey Smith at TPD

  2. Anonymous says:

    it seems that a lot of this is true and some is miss informeed. I have known Sgt. Henry for some time and seen with my own eyes how hard he worked to pass the PT test to get promoted. Yes he did meet with Lt. Lavoie dn several other officers on a saturday , but what was not mentioned was he returned on that monday and passed it again infront of about 30 of his co workers INCLUDING A CHIEF, THAT DID NOT PASS IT!!! I agree that its time for a a changeand hopefully John Proctor will not fall in hte click or get lured in to the same old sutt as the past!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Why is it that the City Commissioners, the Mayor, and the “Military Man” himself Alfred Lott not addressed this issue. It is funny that they can fired Janice Allen-Jackson for the problems that Bobby Johnson did. So is it that Lott has inmunity or something? As a citizen, I feel I deserve to have officers and city officials who have my best interest in mind, not officers who can slide through processes like snakes. I surely thank you Mr. Hogencamp for exposing these people. At least someone is trying to keep us in formed of what is truely going on. As for the scared officer that provided you the information, thanks to you too! You’re right we the citizens of Albany had the right to know!

  4. Anonymous says:

    If the seeds one sows as a sworn leader are dishonesty and oppression, you will reap a very bitter harvest in the end. It’s fun just to sit back and watch them fall one by one like dominos.

  5. The Albany Journal says:

    Amen. I know this only scrapes the surface. Again, I know a lot more than I’ve reported online and in the Albany Journal. If you know of any specific documents that I can ask for at city hall that will help expose the wrongdoing that you are having to unfairly endure as a public employee, please let me know. My e-mail is ajournal@thealbanyjournal.com. Meanwhile, please encourage folks to subscribe and advertise in the Journal. P.S. I understand that Johnnie Graham and Pete Donaldson are doing some pretty good legal work on behalf of city employees. Thanks! Kevin

  6. Anonymous says:

    Wow!! You think that’s alot!!! You don’t know the half!!!! But these people don’t get disciplined, they get promoted!! The good officers like myself are persecuted and our lives are destroyed. If some of us good ex-Albany Police Officers could find attorneys with enough guts to represent us we would all own Albany!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  7. Anonymous says:

    Ms. Banks knew she was wrong messing with an one of her co-workers, and then the chief, baby you knew you was only asking for trouble. Who aired out your laundry….

  8. Anonymous says:

    So the lesson we learned is the police chief can have an affair with a subordinate & he gets $40,000 of DOCO taxpayers money to leave. Wow!!! Isn’t Younger married? Also, weren’t Lott & Younger friends before they came to the Good Life City? This absolutely stinks!!!!

  9. Anonymous says:

    Play with fire you will get burnt. Wait that’s the fire department. lol

    Kevin,
    Tell the truth because you know that is the right thing to do. Great Job. They need to understand we reap what we sew.. Bad and Good

  10. Anonymous says:

    Now we are talking. Scandals exposed by The Albany Journal. We want more! We want more!

2

Adams, Lott: Truancy OK

On Monday, I nearly called the police on three 13-or-so-year-olds who were walking near downtown Albany on North Madison Street about noontime.

I decided not to waste my time. You see, I figured that since our police chief didn’t answer a citizen’s inquiry about two central Albany sexual assaults, much less follow up on other concerns about our community’s well-being, he certainly wouldn’t want to hear from me about something so innocuous as kids skipping school.

And boy, oh boy, was I right.

As it turns out, we don’t know exactly where Chief James Younger stands on the importance of keeping kids off the street during school. What we do know, incredibly, is this: Younger’s boss and even our city’s mayor think that enforcing truancy laws either is not a priority or not worth our police officers’ time. So, why in the world should Younger feel included to actually do his job and enforce the law?

This week’s fine newspaper and television reporting of our top city officials’ perspective on truancy produced the biggest “Wow!” moment for me since learning that some gangsters firebombed the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit.

Compliments of The Albany Herald and WALB-TV, here are some sound bites from a truancy discussion prompted by City Commissioner Jon Howard.

City Manager Alfred Lott: “Without a problem being well-defined by school officials, I’m concerned about violating the civil liberties of individuals. I’m reticent to stop people on the street simply because of their appearance, people who may be 16 to 19 or even adults, simply because they look young. These people do have a right to be on the streets.”

Lott: “Before we step into that murky water, we need to have a problem clearly defined by school officials.”

Lott: “My intent is to establish a dialogue with Dr. Whatley or her designate in the school system about these concerns. We certainly would be on less shaky ground given some direction by school officials.”

Mayor Willie Adams: “I agree with you in concept, but my question is what do we do about it? If we can identify the problem, it is up to us to help come up with a solution. “My concern is that if we overextend the police department in this one area, it’s going to take away from their duties in other areas.”

Lott: “What is the magnitude of the problem here in Albany-Dougherty County in the opinion of the school system, and what can we do to help out. I think it’s important to solicit support from all law enforcement agencies.”

Tuesday’s City Commission truancy discussion may be the most symbolic of the ever-increasing anecdotal “the-inmates-are-running-the-asylum” evidence to have surfaced to date at city hall – particularly under the auspices of public safety.

Indeed, the concession that truancy isn’t on Younger’s radar is the latest of many cases in Albany of our local government’s leadership telling our police officers that some laws are worthy of enforcing, while others are not. (Lott deliberately decided not to have city inspectors write tickets for violating the city’s smoking-in-restaurants law, while Younger’s officers have turned their heads on litterers and red-light runners.)

Student nonattendance is a problem that extends deep into the community – not just within the school. Absenteeism is detrimental to students’ achievement, promotion, graduation, self-esteem and employment potential. When kids don’t attend school, they are much, much more apt than their peers to victimize us. I would have thought, and hoped, that our top leaders realized that, already.

City Commissioner Bob Langstaff does. He pointed out to Younger, Lott, Adams and anyone else who’d listen Tuesday that the Los Angeles County Office of Education identifies truancy as the most powerful predictor of delinquency. And when Van Nuys , Calif. , officials conducted a three-week sweep for truants on the streets, shoplifting arrests dropped by 60 percent, he noted.

Greg Edwards, the chief assistant Dougherty district attorney, said Wednesday that truancy laws are mightily important to enforce. Indeed, his boss, District Attorney Ken Hodges, initiated an anti-truancy program in 1998 that specifically addresses the state law requiring mandatory school attendance for children 6 to 16. The program is administered through a student attendance review board that meets every two months and consists of school system and district attorney’s office personnel.

“The review board’s approach addresses both prevention and intervention, holding parents and students accountable for excessive school absences,” Edwards said. “Education, of course, is a major component to preventing criminal activity.”

Meanwhile, for the district attorney’s office to prosecute truants, it’s up to the police to make the arrests, Edwards said, noting that school system police have no jurisdiction off school grounds.

“Without a doubt, communities benefit from enforcing truancy laws,” Edwards said. “When young people are out and about during school hours, that leads to gang involvement, and it leads to petty crimes and not-so-petty crimes.

“Plus, there’s the intimidation factor for senior citizens. When they see young people unsupervised, they get scared, and we don’t want these people out there intimidating people … As for the problem of enforcement, the law allows the police to grab these people. That’s how we can get them.”

Added Hodges: “If they are not in school, they are usually out up to no good.”

Edwards said that in addition to police enforcing truancy laws, devoting more public resources to the Dougherty County Juvenile Court is needed.

Do you remember truancy officers? Well, we still have them — we call them “police.”

It’s their job to arrest truant youths and bring them to their parents or to the school they are supposed to attend.

For recidivists, it’s the police officers’ job to present evidence to the district attorney that children and/or their parents need to be prosecuted.

Except, as we learned this week, in Albany.

Skipping School: What the Law Says
Violating school attendance law is prosecutable under Georgia law and an Albany city ordinance; children and their parents can be jailed and fined.

State law requires any person who has control or charge of a child between the ages of six and sixteen to enroll and send that child to school, including public, private and home schooling.

A child is responsible to attend school and is subject to adjudication in Dougherty County Juvenile Court as an unruly child for violation of this statute. If a parent, guardian or other person who has control or charge of the child causes the child’s absence, then that person, and not the child, is in violation of this statute. Such a violation is a misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to $100 fine and 30 days in jail for each violation. The law specifies that each day’s absence constitutes a separate offense.

Following is Albany ’s truancy law:

“It shall be unlawful for any minor between the age of four (4) years and eighteen (18) years to loiter, wander, stroll, or play in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement, eating places, vacant lots, or any place unsupervised by an adult having the lawful authority to be at such places between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on any school day; provided, however, that the provision of this section shall not apply in the following incidents:

When a minor is accompanied by his/her parent, guardian, or other adult person twenty-one (21) years of age or older having the lawful care and custody of the minor;

When the minor is upon an emergency errand directed by his/her parent, guardian, or other adult person 21 years of age or older having the lawful care and custody of the minor;

When the minor is returning directly home from lawful employment that makes it necessary to be in the above referenced places during the prescribed period of time;

When the minor is in a motor vehicle with parental consent for normal travel with interstate and intrastate travel through the City of Albany being excepted in all cases from this section;

When the minor is enrolled in a valid home study program as authorized by O.C.G. A. section 20-2-690;

When the minor has completed all course study requirements for high school graduation;

When the minor is married in accordance with applicable law;

When the minor has written proof from school authorities that he/she is excused from school attendance at that particular time; or

When the minor is participating in an approved school or study activity which requires the minor to be off school property.

No parent or legal guardian of a minor between the ages of 4 and 18 shall negligently allow a minor to violate subsection above.

Upon conviction of negligently allowing a minor to violate subsection above, a person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished in accordance with sections 1-17 and 1-18 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Albany, Georgia. Each violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense. It shall be an affirmative defense if the parent or legal guardian has initiated the jurisdiction of the juvenile court against the minor prior to the time that the minor was found in violation of subsection above. Any minor who violates subsection above is subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

A police officer shall transport any minor found in violation of subsection above to a designated school district facility. A minor transported to the school district facility will be released to the custody of the school officials or to the custody of his/her parent or legal guardian.

If a minor is suspended or expelled from school, that minor’s parent or legal guardian, for the duration of the suspension or expulsion, shall:

Personally supervise the minor or arrange for a responsible adult 21 years of age or older to supervise the minor at the times that the minor would have been required to be in attendance at school had he/she not been expelled or suspended; and

Prohibit the minor from being in any public place at the times the minor would have been required to be in attendance at school had he/she not been suspended or expelled unless:

The minor is accompanied by his/her parent or legal guardian or a responsible adult, 21 years of age or older, selected by the parent or legal guardian to supervise the minor; or

The minor is employed pursuant to an age or schooling certificate during the actual working hours or traveling directly to or from the job site.

Upon conviction of a violation of subsection above, a person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable in accordance with sections 1-17 and 1-18 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Albany, Georgia. Each violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.

Any minor who violates subsection above is subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

It shall be an affirmative defense if the parent or legal guardian has initiated the jurisdiction of the juvenile court against the minor prior to the time that he/she violated subsection above.

1

Lott: Police Incompetence a Problem

Albany’s city manager says the department’s middle management is poor and scolds his top cop for bad decisions, lax communication, and being uncompromising — but gives him a raise, anyway

Albany Police Chief James Younger’s annual performance appraisal is a fittingly paradox, error-laden and incomplete document in which City Manager Alfred Lott cites the chief’s poor decisions and communication, and incompetent supervisors, yet raves about Younger’s management.

Lott rated Younger as a “contributor” in 2007 rather than the “top performer” label Younger received for his 2006 work. Yet, the appraisal and Younger’s personnel file make no mention of some of the chief’s greatest 2007 failures and misfeasance, including the city’s burgeoning murder rate and the chief lying about activating his Special Weapons and Tactics team during a standoff with an armed man who ultimately killed himself.

And, violating city policy he implemented, Lott did not assign 2008 goals for Younger. Still, Younger still received a handsome pay raise that increased the chief’s base pay to $89,000 and his salary and benefits package to more than $135,000.

“Chief Younger has performed acceptably; however, there is room for improvements in the areas of decision making, cooperation and team work,” Lott wrote in Younger’s appraisal. “Specifically, Chief Younger needs to find a way to improve relations with Dougherty County Police, Sheriff and the DA’s office.

“Moreover, he must sustain the exceptional relations with the Dougherty County School System, Airport Police, and Albany State University Police. Additionally, Chief Younger’s establishment and use of a tactical unit to manage hot spots in the city was an excellent decision and proved to be very effective. Finally, Chief Younger must speed up the process of providing middle management within the department.”

Lott added: “Chief Younger generally accomplished all assigned goals. Moreover, theses (sic) successes are evident by the overall admirable performance of APD’s investigations and patrol divisions in 2007. Chief Younger must set and accomplish goals that improve the professionalism of the department, particularly middle management, and help eradicate incompetence.”

Lott says that that Younger’s officers need to prepare criminal cases more effectively, and the city manager said that Albany ’s new police officers aren’t properly trained on citizen service, which the city manager says is an increasing source of complaints.
Younger strongly responded to some of to Lott’s condemnation, particularly the city manager’s assessment that Younger’s mismanagement of the SWAT team created a “crisis” resulting in “a wholesale desertion” of the SWAT team. Younger also blamed one of Lott’s criticisms on a television journalist, saying a reporter reneged on an agreement not to ask the chief questions during a press conference.

Also, Younger noted that Lott erred in the appraisal by saying that more than half the SWAT team resigned when, in fact, five of 12 team members quit.

The appraisal does not cover any of Younger’s 2008 performance, including the chief’s mishandling of an investigation into three police supervisors discussing answers during an exam. Younger should have had the matter investigated independently, rather than by subordinates and peers of the probe’s targets. Also, Younger tainted the investigation by telling a television during the probe that he had no problem with officers discussing test answers with one another. Still, after receiving public criticism for being compliant to cheating, Younger came down hard on the three supervisors – suspending two of them and accepting the resignation of the third.

A former Virginia assistant police chief, Younger was hired in February 2006; and until the Dec. 27 appraisal, his employment file was spiffy clean. Indeed, Lott’s assessment of Younger’s customer relations and media relations failures is paradoxical, at best: Overall, Younger was given high marks for media relations while Lott himself often doesn’t answer reporters’ questions or provide public information upon request.

From Lott’s harshest criticism to his strongest compliments of the police chief, following are excerpts of Lott’s appraisal of Younger, and some of Younger’s direct responses.

Teamwork and Cooperation
“Chief Younger sometimes lacked willingness to work harmoniously with others and he was often uncompromising. This was particularly true with regard to the SWAT crisis in the summer of 2007. This incident involved the resignation of more than the majority of the APD SWAT team that was dependent, in large part, upon county police, drug unit and sheriff participation. Considering the unrest and dissatisfaction of the multi-jurisdictional membership, Chief Younger should have demonstrated more teamwork and cooperation to prevent wholesale desertions from the APD SWAT Team. These dramatic and excessively public desertions could have been and should have been prevented by Chief Younger in his capacity as APD chief of police. It should be noted that Chief Younger has been cooperative in the complete reorganization of SWAT from APD to a joint City/County/Drug Unit SWAT Team.”

Younger replied: “Five members of the team resigned but the majority of the SWAT team members did not. The seven who remained have indicated that they were not aware of the concerns that caused certain members to quit.”

Decision Making
“On at least four occasions during this rating period, Chief Younger failed to make necessary decisions to fulfill job requirements or make decisions hastily. The decisions were: the decision not to compromise with other agencies leading up the SWAT resignations, the decision to select Capt. Mack Green (an otherwise outstanding patrol commander) as interim SWAT commander without necessary qualifications, the decision to conduct a press conference on the SWAT resignations without answering media questions, and allowing the APD Drug Unit assignment deficit to remain at five for an extended period of time. It should be noted that all tangible negative effects of these decisions have been corrected by Chief Younger.”

Younger replied: “The SWAT resignations had nothing to do with a refusal to compromise with other agencies; there were no concerns or compromise suggestions communicated to me at all. It was unanticipated that three members of the SWAT team would all leave resignation letters to the same day at the police desk without any attempt to meet and discuss their concerns. One of the letters mentioned health issues as a reason for resigning and the others stated that they were concerned about the direction in which the team was headed There has never been any further explanation or clarification of their concern about the direction in which the team was headed; I can only assume that the ‘direction in which the team is headed’ was a code … The City of Albany metropolitan area now has the greatest SWAT capacity to handle emergencies that it has ever had due to my vision and facilitation of a comprehensive training program … I am not to be blamed for the unpredictable actions of the SWAT Team members who abruptly quit the team without communicating their ‘concerns’ … In response to a request for a ‘sound bite’, it was clearly explained that simply a statement would be given. Without that experience, I learned that in this particular media market, I should expect to answer some questions regardless of what was agreed.”

Customer/citizen service
Chief Younger’s customer relations are good. He and his subordinates were attentive, concerned, and polite. Moreover, he was able to diffuse difficult situations. He has been able to consistently resolve citizen complaints and concerns. Moreover, he and his subordinates have inspired and supported an exceptional Neighborhood Watch program throughout the city. Conversely, the city continues to receive complaints regarding poor customer service received from the new police officers. Chief Younger must develop a course of action to train new police officers and improve new officer performance.

Project management
Chief Younger clearly understands project objectives and guidelines. Demonstrates a strong ability in designing and implementing project plans, communicating with participants and management, and delivering a high-quality final product.”

Functional management
Chief Younger’s management output and effectiveness is acceptable. Room for growth and increased contribution does exist, but overall effectiveness is within prescribed standards. Moreover, there is room for improvement in the area of criminal case preparation prior to handling a case over to the DA. On the other hand, he and his department have consistently met or exceeded expectations in the areas of recruitment and retention.”

Management study implementation
APD has become more efficient and effective n the areas of investigations and patrol over the past year by implementing recommendations from the study.

City strategic plan
Chief Younger and his subordinates used external instructors to train the entire department on interpersonal communications and human relations.

Organizational development
Working with Human Resources Management, Chief Younger conducted an exceptional search to fill two deputy chief positions.

Technical competence
He exceeds degree, certification and training requirements. Moreover, he understands his role within the organization and how performance of assigned duties impacts the city’s success. He has experienced some successes in passing on his technical competence on to his subordinated (sic) and must strive to do more of the same.

0

Younger: Running Red Lights OK

As long as there isn’t an accident, Albany police don’t cite traffic signal violators. Indeed, hiding the truth about the city’s failure to follow traffic laws is so important to the city’s administration that it is withholding public records.

It’s a common scenario for all drivers:

The traffic light turns yellow just as you reach an intersection. In a split second, you must decide whether to stop and keep going.

That’s the moment of truth – particularly in Albany , because we have a police chief who selectively enforces laws, just as his boss only follows certain rules.

That’s right; in Albany, under Chief James Younger, there apparently is zero chance of getting a ticket for running a red light; that is, unless you case an accident.

How did we suspect this phenomenon to be true? Heck, we live here; we know that in Albany , if we drive through the yellow light, there’s a decent likelihood that one, two or even three vehicles to trail right behind us – each of them clearly running the red light. And we know that if we hit the brakes to make sure we don’t run a red light, there’s a great chance of the motorist behind us having to slam the brakes to avoid a rear-end accident.

So, in Albany , folks deliberately run red lights with an uncanny frequency.

Last week, The Albany Journal asked Younger to:

Produce evidence that his officers write tickets for traffic signal violations
Provide the total number of tickets the Police Department wrote during 2005, 2006 and 2007 for traffic signal violations, and the number of tickets the Police Department wrote during that period for traffic signal violations when accidents weren’t involved.
Provide information and perspective on the Police Department’s enforcement of traffic signal violations.
Allow a reporter to inspect red-light violation tickets written during 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Younger and his boss, City Manager Alfred Lott, refused each of the Journal’s requests, the latter of which violates Georgia ’s open records laws, as municipal government records are subject to public inspection within three days of a request being submitted. Evidently, hiding the truth about the city’s failure to follow traffic laws is so important to the police chief and city manager that they withhold public records, which is a misdemeanor crime.

What is the consequence of Albany drivers knowing that there is zero chance of getting a red light ticket unless they cause an accident?

Plenty.

Not only is traveling through Albany intersections particularly exasperating due to lack of traffic-safety enforcement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in its publication, “Looking Beyond the Ticket: Traffic Law Enforcement and Beyond,” that proactive traffic enforcement makes roadways safer, reduces crime and improves the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”

Looking beyond the ticket also includes “approaching each traffic stop with objectivity and remaining alert for indicators of criminal activity,” the NHTSA says.

Once upon a time, Peoria , Ill. , was just like Albany . Police officials didn’t grasp the importance of traffic enforcement; like in Albany , they didn’t understand that writing citations isn’t something that should only be done by officers who are being punished. They didn’t understand that stopping people from running red lights does more than make the roads safer.

Indeed, when the Peoria police administration took a long, hard look in the mirror and decided to make traffic enforcement a priority, “something remarkable happened,” Canadian Driver, an online automobile magazine, reported.

Why? Because when officers pulled over motorists for traffic infractions like running red lights, they found weapons, drugs, suspended drivers and wanted criminals.

“In other words, the Peoria police discovered that policing the roads had the unexpected side effect of making the entire safety,” the magazine reported.

Peoria ’s strategy was similar to Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s famous “broken window” approach to law enforcement.

“Built on the belief that small problems lead to larger ones, the strategy focused police efforts not just on serious offences such as murder, assault and robbery, but also on traffic violations, including lesser misdemeanors such as jaywalking,” Canada Driver reported. “The result: In just five years, the city experienced a 44-percent decrease in overall crime, include a 60-percent drop in its murder rate.”

Adding to all of this, of course, is the reality that societal costs of collision are reduced by safer roads and fewer, less severe crashes. While an Ontario study (Traffic-Law Enforcement and Risk of Death from Motor-Vehicle Crashes) shows that for every 80,000 tickets issued, a death is prevented, it also shows that for every 13 tickets written, there’s $1,000 savings in health care costs, property damage and increased insurance collisions.

When it comes to traffic signal violations in Albany , however, Younger’s force can’t possibly look beyond the ticket because it doesn’t even bother to write tickets.

As the federal highway organization says, “Law enforcement executives and officers, elected officials, highway safety advocates, and civic leaders need to understand the relationship between traffic enforcement, crime, and public safety.”

I think they’re talking to us, Albany ; enforcing traffic laws indeed is a very big deal.

We must look beyond the ticket; our citizens’ and visitors’ safety – on and off the road – is at stake.

0

Cheaters Win! Cheaters Win!

With an investigation under way, Albany ’s police chief proclaims that he doesn’t have a problem with some of his top brass exchanging information during an exam. It’s time for someone to step in again, and overturn the chief’s latest injudicious decision.

His boss shuns policy and, sometimes, the law.

Two of his boss’s bosses reward campaign donors with votes and, sometimes, taxpayers’ money.

And he has demonstrated that he sometimes doesn’t give a flip about domestic abuse and sexual assault victims. He even let a police officer get away with losing her gun and lying about it.

So, why in the world would Albany Police Chief James Younger care if some of his top cops talk to each other during an exam?

When the news broke that the Albany Police Department was conducting an internal investigation because three highly ranked officers were videotaped talking during an exam, did anyone really think that there was any chance anyone get in trouble?

I can imagine the conversation:

Younger: “Son, I’m suspending you because you cheated during the test.”

Police Lieutenant: “But sir, you lied about calling the SWAT team out to a hostage situation, and got away with it. I figured that talking during a test wouldn’t even hit your radar. And then there was Shunell Borders. Remember her?”

Younger: “No.”

Police Lieutenant: “She’s the officer who lied and said someone who stole her gun from her car in the police department parking deck. You gave her a reprimand.”

Younger: “Oh. Carry on, then.”

Let’s start at the beginning: Why in the world would this matter be investigated internally? How can police officers who work alongside – and sometimes for – other police officers be expected to objectively carrying out an investigation to determine whether three lieutenants and captains cheated on a test? Why in heaven’s name would they be asked to do such a thing? That has no semblance of reason – much less fairness to the investigating officers.

It gets even more gross: Younger refused to be interviewed about the internal investigation and instead shamelessly required his spokesperson to do the dirty deed. “He does take this very seriously” spokeswoman Phyllis Banks told WALB-TV. “Our chief, our leader, is about integrity. So he will look into this matter based on his philosophy of integrity.”

Having your spokesperson on TV discussing your integrity breaks the core principles of media relations practices; it was beyond unfair — it was disgusting — to put Ms. Banks in that position.

Then, with the so-called investigation well under way, Younger did get on TV: To, of all things, proclaim that he doesn’t have a problem with some of his top brass talking to each other during an exam.

My goodness. How do you think the investigators – who work for Younger – will rule in their investigation?

I can imagine the conversation:

City Manager Alfred Lott: Son, I’m reprimanding you for your moronic handling of the investigation into allegations of cheating during an exam.

Younger: But sir, you and the mayor lied about the community not having a gang task force – when we had two? Heck, I was even on the task force, but I had your back. You got away with it without a blemish on your record. Remember?”

Lott: “Oh. Yeah. Carry on, then.”

You see, Albany city government’s state of leadership is such that no one can possibly be held accountable for misdeeds because abominable actions are allowed to persist without repercussions. And sometimes, as in the case of Lott’s so-called investigation of the community’s disadvantaged business office director, chicanery is even mandated.

Finally, but certainly not least, there’s this: Younger says that sharing information during the Jan. 18 written exam on arrest procedures was perfectly fine because “there would have been no benefit to anybody trying to use somebody else’s information.”

“This was not a promotional exam,” he told WALB. “It had no impact on anyone’s performance appraisal or anything like that, so there’s no benefit to that.”

Case closed.

So, why was there an investigation in the first place? Why aren’t those investigators out solving real crimes?

Was it because the cheating allegation got leaked, and an internal investigation was ordered from above?

That’s what happened when Younger reprimanded Ms. Borders for losing her gun – and then saying it was stolen from her police car. Her story changed only after a superior reminded her about the video cameras spying over the Law Enforcement Center parking lot. Even then, Ms. Borders was fired only and only because of public pressure that resulted from the news media revealing Younger’s shenanigans.

Intervention from above also reversed Younger’s refusal to allow other agencies to participate in the joint Special Weapons and Tactics Team he headed. Younger was stripped of his authority and the team was put under a multi-jurisdictional agency only after City Commissioner Morris Gurr intervened, saying “enough is enough.” But Younger got the last word: He has managed to waste taxpayers’ money by maintaining his own SWAT team, anyway.

If there’s one thing that Younger has learned in two years as a police chief, it’s that cheaters can indeed win.

In Albany city government, anyway.

1

Albany Crime Back Up Under Lott, Younger

New report includes 2007 data; city officials decline comment

Albany residents were more likely to be the victims of serious crimes in 2006 than in 2005, but our community is far from becoming another Detroit, America’s newly crowned “most dangerous” city, according to a new report.

The bad news is that Albany’s homicide rate in 2007, which is much worse than 2006, wasn’t contemplated in the study.

Albany was the third most dangerous metropolitan-area city among seven in Georgia, and the 104th most dangerous city among 378 in the United States in 2005, according to CQ Press, a Washington, D.C., independent research publishing company.

Crime statistics for 2007 – in which 11 homicides have occurred, compared to eight during all of 2006 – were not included in the study.

The Albany Journal sought comment and information on the crime rankings Tuesday from Police Chief James Younger and his boss, City Manager Alfred Lott, but didn’t get a response.

Formerly published by Morgan Quitno Press, “City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America” is in its 14th edition. The 2006 rankings were for activities that primarily occurred during the administration of former Interim Police Chief Bob Boren, who ran the police department for all of 2005; and former Interim City Manager Lemuel Edwards, the Albany Water, Gas & Light Commission general manager who ran city hall for nearly nine months of 2005.

The new ranking is all based almost entirely on the performance of the Police Department under Younger, who was hired in February 2006. Lott was hired in September 2005.

A division of Congressional Quarterly, CQ Press compiles books with statistics of crime rates, health care, education, and other categories, ranking United States’ cities and states. The statistics are used for various purposes by government agencies, researchers and media outlets. Most cities with at least 75,000 are included in the crime rakings; however, Augusta, Ga., is not included because it did not provide crime data to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to CQ Press. Final 2006 statistics, released by the FBI in September, were used to determine the rankings.

The United States’ most dangerous city, according to CQ Press, is Detroit, and the safest is Mission Viejo, Calif. Atlanta is listed as Georgia’s most dangerous city, followed by Macon, Albany, Savannah, Columbus, Athens and Roswell.

The CQ Press rankings are based on a city’s rate for six basic crime categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft. More information on the ranking is available at www. cqpress.com.

0

Headhunter Cost: $59K and Rising

Police Chief James Younger is the only director recruited from out of town to still be on the job

An executive headhunter has reaped a massive reward – more than $59,000 – since helping Alfred Lott land a job with the City of Albany, public records show.

Since he seems to be permanently on the payroll, let’s hope that Bob Slavin of Norcross does a better job of hunting out-of-towners than he has so far; his first two prizes were short-timer finance chief Robert Jones and besieged police chief James Younger.

Indeed, following Jones’ mysterious departure, the only thing we taxpayers have to show for Slavin’s abilities to recruit nationwide – and our $59,000 — is Younger.

Public records show that since he was hired in September 2005 as city manager, Lott – who was recruited by Slavin — has since paid Slavin:

$12,145 to recruit and help hire Jones, of Atlanta, to serve as the city’s finance director. Jones lasted four months on the $75,000-a-year job in Albany, and was paid a severance when he left without notice. Lott refuses to answer questions about the hiring and Jones’ abrupt dismissal, but he concedes that Jones was a poor hire. Jones has been replaced by an internal candidate, Kris Newtown.
$7,745 to recruit and help hire Younger, of Virginia, to serve as the city’s police chief. Among other deficiencies, Younger has refused to cooperate with his law enforcement peers; many police department initiatives have deteriorated under his direction; and Younger was caught in an embarrassing fib when he told reporters that he summoned the SWAT team to a hostage emergency, but actually didn’t make the call, according to public records.
$13,433 to recruit and help hire a human resources manager. Local candidate James Coston was selected over a nationwide field.
$11,018 to recruit and help hire an assistant city manager. Internal candidate Wes Smith was selected over a nationwide field.
$15,332 to recruit and help hire Don Buie of Baltimore, Md., as downtown manager. Although Lott hired Slavin, Buie will work for the Albany-Dougherty Inner City Authority; he begins Nov. 17.

Slavin also identified John Mazzola, who was hired from Florida to manage the Albany Civic Center. Except for recommending Mazzola to Lott, Slavin did not recruit or help hire the Civic Center director, and was not paid for his consultation.

Slavin was hired by the city commission to recruit and hire a city manager. Under Lott’s predecessor, Janice Allen Jackson, a headhunter was never hired by the city, except to help find a replacement for Ms. Jackson.

The money taxpayers spend on Slavin’s services is a waste; the city has professional staff who are trained and otherwise more than able to find job candidates.

Lott responded to The Albany Journal’s request for information about payments to Slavin by seeking to find a way around providing the information.

The Journal requested of Lott: “Please list the tasks performed by Bob Slavin and the amount of money paid for each task – or (provide access to the records) that provides this information.” Lott responded to the request by e-mailing the assistant city attorney, Kathy Strang, with this query: “I don’t think the law requires us to manufacture lists that are not in existence? Correct?”

However, Lott ultimately decided to comply with the law and provide the requested information.

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