Tyrone N. Butts
APE Reporter
Fulton finally settles suit by 8 librarians
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atl.../08library.html
A racial discrimination suit in Fulton County's library system finally has been settled, costing county taxpayers $18 million.
The 4-year-old case has been resolved by county commissioners dropping all appeals in exchange for the plaintiffs agreeing to take payment over three years.
The librarians sued in 2000 after seven of them, who are white, said they were demoted and moved to outlying branches a
d one African-American employee was punished for speaking up against the transfers.
"Under the circumstances, this was the best we could do," said Karen Handel, County Commission chairwoman
.
Efforts to reach the plaintiffs were unsuccessful Wednesday evening.
Breaking the award up was critical
because a single $18 million payment represents more than the county spends each year on functions like planning and zoning, parks and recreation or family and children services. The library department's entire budget for 2003 was only $29 million.
Breaking the award up was critical to Fulton because a single $18 million payment represents more than the county spends each year on functions like planning and zoning, parks and recreation or family and children services.
The library department's entire budget for 2003 was only $29 million.
Commissioner Robb Pitts said he was glad to have the matter finally settled. He said he felt there was
no way the county could win an appeal.
"This is painful from the point of view of what it will cost the taxpayers," Pitts said.
The decision to offer the settlement came in Dece
mber as the
County Commission considered a 2004 budget that needed more than $70 million from property tax hikes to balance.
The first payment al
ready has been made. The second will come later this year, followed by one in 2005.
County officials unsuccessfully appealed the judgment. The payment offer came after the county's only avenue left was the U.S. Supreme Court. The county's lawyers advised commissioners there was little chance the nation's highest court would take the case.
At the time of the allegations, county chief librarian Mary Kaye Hooker said the transfers resulted from a systemwide reorganization.
But public comments made by board members damaged the defendants' case, especially a recorded public remark by board member William McClure, that &quo
t;there are too many old white women" in management positions at the downtown library.
McClure, who was board chairman then and is still a member, said the board needed "to get rid
of them."
<
br>*****************
That ain't all folks! Look at the rest of page one news from APElanta!
Nurse fired, social worker quits after death of Henry girl
nhttp://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cla...4/08joella.html
No criminal trespass charges coming against DeKalb CEO
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/dek...04/07jones.html
Juvenile judge may face neglect charges
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atl.../08hickson.html<
br>
YELLING at kids can cross line if personal
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/010...
/08yelling.html
PAGE TWO NEWS
Mental disability report finds disparity in schools
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/010...08edreport.html
So much TNB so little time to post it.
T.N.B.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atl.../08library.html
A racial discrimination suit in Fulton County's library system finally has been settled, costing county taxpayers $18 million.
The 4-year-old case has been resolved by county commissioners dropping all appeals in exchange for the plaintiffs agreeing to take payment over three years.
The librarians sued in 2000 after seven of them, who are white, said they were demoted and moved to outlying branches a
d one African-American employee was punished for speaking up against the transfers.
"Under the circumstances, this was the best we could do," said Karen Handel, County Commission chairwoman
.
Efforts to reach the plaintiffs were unsuccessful Wednesday evening.
Breaking the award up was critical
because a single $18 million payment represents more than the county spends each year on functions like planning and zoning, parks and recreation or family and children services. The library department's entire budget for 2003 was only $29 million.
Breaking the award up was critical to Fulton because a single $18 million payment represents more than the county spends each year on functions like planning and zoning, parks and recreation or family and children services.
The library department's entire budget for 2003 was only $29 million.
Commissioner Robb Pitts said he was glad to have the matter finally settled. He said he felt there was
no way the county could win an appeal.
"This is painful from the point of view of what it will cost the taxpayers," Pitts said.
The decision to offer the settlement came in Dece
mber as the
County Commission considered a 2004 budget that needed more than $70 million from property tax hikes to balance.
The first payment al
ready has been made. The second will come later this year, followed by one in 2005.
County officials unsuccessfully appealed the judgment. The payment offer came after the county's only avenue left was the U.S. Supreme Court. The county's lawyers advised commissioners there was little chance the nation's highest court would take the case.
At the time of the allegations, county chief librarian Mary Kaye Hooker said the transfers resulted from a systemwide reorganization.
But public comments made by board members damaged the defendants' case, especially a recorded public remark by board member William McClure, that &quo
t;there are too many old white women" in management positions at the downtown library.
McClure, who was board chairman then and is still a member, said the board needed "to get rid
of them."
<
br>*****************
That ain't all folks! Look at the rest of page one news from APElanta!
Nurse fired, social worker quits after death of Henry girl
nhttp://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cla...4/08joella.html
No criminal trespass charges coming against DeKalb CEO
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/dek...04/07jones.html
Juvenile judge may face neglect charges
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atl.../08hickson.html<
br>
YELLING at kids can cross line if personal
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/010...
/08yelling.html
PAGE TWO NEWS
Mental disability report finds disparity in schools
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/010...08edreport.html
So much TNB so little time to post it.
T.N.B.