By Stephen Kindland
Staff writer
ORANGE PARK -- Accusations of misconduct by the town’s Public Works director contained in an anonymous letter has led to the shocking and immediate dismissal of Town Manager John Bowles, whose brother resigned under fire as town manager of Green Cove Springs three months ago.
Town Council members voted 4-1 on Wednesday, July 28 to fire Bowles from the position he has held for 21 years. The action came during a special meeting in which Bowles was expecting to present his “vision” of the town’s future and help council members develop a 5-year business plan required by the town charter.
Instead, Councilman Steve Howard presented a chronology of events concerning complaints lodged against Public Works Director Bill White and the subsequent way in which Bowles has handled – and hasn’t handled -- accusations that White initiated “intimidating and uncomfortable” conversations with two town employees during the past year.
The council voted unanimously to name Town Clerk Sarah Campbell as acting town manager, and recommended that she place White on administrative leave with pay. Campbell did so immediately following Wednesday’s meeting, saying she plans to meet with White before the end of the week to discuss his future.
White, a town employee for 18 years, already has turned in paperwork stating his intention to retire in September. He said he didn’t want to comment on the developments until after he speaks to an attorney, but told council members “I’m sorry that Mr. Bowles was relieved” of his duties.
“There’s a lot of allegations that I don’t know where they’re coming from,” he told the council.
The two incidents Howard referred to were described in an anonymous letter Howard received in April. He said he has asked the two employees – Fire Marshal Danny Yeager and Finance director Connie Wolfe – whether the accusations were true.
Yeager was not at Wednesday’s meeting, but Wolfe confirmed after the meeting that White has intimidated her on the job.
White told council members on Wednesday that he was “out of line” with the fire marshal, and that he and Yeager shook hands after an incident in which Howard says White used “profane and abusive language” over the way firefighters inspected fire hydrants.
Howard also brought up an accusation made against White 10 years ago, when a town employee accused White of inappropriately touching her. The case did not go to court, but it was unclear whether formal charges were made or if the woman settled any claims out of court.
“People don’t complain without a reason,” Howard said.
He also said Wolfe informed him that White intimidated her on “numerous occasions,” and that he was disappointed that Bowles did not put an immediate halt to White’s behavior after White’s actions were brought to the town manager’s attention.
Bowles told the council he discussed the accusations with White, and that he advised his Public Works director that if such behavior continued he would recommend counseling “or some other action.”
Bowles also said he heard “scuttlebutt” about White inappropriately touching an employee, but neither he nor the town ever received a sworn statement from the alleged victim.
Mayor Bob Standifer, who made the motion for Bowles’ dismissal, called White’s alleged behavior “dehumanizing.” He said that Bowles’ failure to take corrective action on “whatever was said or done … touches on malfeasance.”
“The news we just received is absolutely inexcusable,” Standifer said. “It’s very painful for me to come to this point. I’ve lost all confidence … in the town manager. I move we terminate Mr. Bowles as manager of Orange Park.”
Councilman Pete Morgan immediately seconded the motion, and without fanfare, the council ended the career of a town manager who often has expressed pride in Orange Park’s state-of-the-art wastewater treatment system, which he spent years piecing together.
Councilman Jim Renninger said he voted against Bowles’ dismissal for one basic reason.
“I don’t feel there was due process,” he said. “I was presented with no evidence whatsoever.
“Now the trust, faith and confidence of the rest of the [town] employees is in question,” Renninger said. “If all you have to do is say something about somebody, I think it’s going to reverberate with the rest of the employees.”
Several residents at Wednesday’s meeting said they were dismayed that Bowles, seen as a personable, customer-friendly man who has served the town well for more than two decades, lost his job. But they also commended the council for taking action they believed needed to be taken.
“I’m disappointed that you were forced to make this decision, but I’m glad you made it,” said Barbara Davis, a longtime friend of Bowles who for many years worked with him as a volunteer on various town boards and committees.
Bowles remained present – and gracious -- throughout the ordeal, even offering to help the interim town manager with unfinished business.
“I’m shocked and dismayed,” he said. “I came here to present a vision for the town of Orange Park.
“Certainly I leave with no malice,” Bowles added. “I will continue to do anything I can to help Sarah. I have no secrets; there are certainly no hard feelings on my part.”
Orange Park is the second Clay County municipality to lose its town manger in the past three months. Bowles’ brother, Don, resigned from his post in Green Cove Springs amid allegations that he interfered with city elections. His resignation is effective Dec. 31.
