05/18/2005: "BREAKING NEWS SHAW FIRED"

Shaw Supporters Wait For BOCC To Discuss Shaw
County staff is shocked, supporters are dismayed, Commissioner Miller is "excited about the new opportunities to have a fresh start in the department." In an extraordinarily long executive session that lasted from 10:30 a.m to just before 4 p.m., the BOCC met to discuss the continued employment of Deputy Director Shaw. While it may be awhile until the public knows why the Board acted against one of the most popular directors the department has had, it is clear that the decision was not an easy one, given how long the meeting lasted.

When word went out that there was to be an executive session that involved Shaw, a solid cross section of the public showed up as a sign of support for the Director. When the Commissioners filed into the commissioner's room to begin the session, by asking everyone to leave (including Shaw), as is required by law for an executive session, they seemed surprised by the showing of the supporters; and who the supporters were.

The supporters included strong and active environmentalists, developers, retired Public Works employees, attorneys, members of staff, and others. Many of the group spent the whole day waiting in the hallways, speculating on what was going on, and why.

As to why, it was not lost on the group that on the same day the new Director from Public Works took office, at least two complaints had been made to the Director that Public Works was having barges unloaded at Lafarge Beach, and according to Island Concrete, the necessary permits had not been obtained.
Public Works and Island Concrete have for sometime wanted to use Lafarge to beach barges and unload and store gravel, but according to a ruling by Shaw, this was found to be in violation of county regulations, and therefore not allowed.

Toward the end of the day, Town Attorney Don Eaton wandered by and asked why everyone was standing in the hall, and when told why, expressed amazement and concern, stating "they (the BOCC) would not do that! She is the best thing that has happened to that department…I was just leaving, but I'm staying to see what the Board does and show my support." When the BOCC voted against Shaw, Eaton left shaking his head.

It is anticipated that Shaw may not go gently into the night, that the same conviction that allowed her to say "No" to Public Works projects, will stand her well if she decides to go after the Board for wrongful termination. After the meeting, Shaw said she had no warning this was coming, that there had been no complains filed against her, no suggestions that she need to change anything in the department.