NEWS ALERT: O'Bryan Fired; Wood and Smith Promoted

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Administrator
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Tuesday, December 4. 2012
Comments (11)
The Calhoun County Commission voted 3-1 this afternoon to terminate Sonny O'Bryan, the former county administrator, grants coordinator and emergency management director.

Last Thursday night, the BCC voted 3-2 to change O'Bryan's title from county administrator to public works director, while also retaining him as emergency management director and grants coordinator. The motion, made by Darrell McDougald, also included cutting O'Bryan back to 31 hours per week and setting his pay at $50,000 for his part-time work.

During this afternoon's regular session, Lee Shelton made the motion to terminate O'Bryan. Assistant County Administrator Joe Wood, who had been hired in 2009 with the understanding O'Bryan was retiring in 2010, along with Assistant Emergency Management Director Angie Smith, were both reportedly being prepared to assume O'Bryan's roles upon his retirement. However, O'Bryan retired for only 30 days and returned to work at full pay with no apparent plan on when he would resume his retirement. O'Bryan reportedly declined the request to complete training Wood and Smith within a 90-day period. He did not attend today's meeting.

Commissioners Lee Lee Brown and Thomas Flowers voted with Shelton. Commissioner McDougald voted against the motion. Commissioner Truman Grant was absent.

During commissioner time at the end of the meeting, McDougald read a resignation letter from O'Bryan. It was reportedly rejected based on the fact he had already been terminated.

Wood and Smith have been promoted to take over O'Bryan's former posts.



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#1 Why ??? on 12/04/12 at 10:28 PM [Reply]
Why did Mr. McDougald withhold the resignation letter? What would be his purpose? At the start of Commissioner time Chairman Flowers first asked Mr. McDougald if he had anything to bring up and he deferred to the other commissioners letting them go first. Why did he not bring up the fact he had in hand a letter of resignation from Mr. O'Bryan at the time Mr. Shelton made his motion. None of this would have been neccessary. One can only wonder if Mr. McDougald would have presented the letter if Mr. Shelton's motion had failed. Since he did this I can only applaud the other commissioners on their action. He could explain his motive at the next meeting.
#1.1 WHY??? on 12/10/12 at 10:30 PM [Reply]
According to Mr. Obryan's channel 7 interview he made it apparent that Mr. McDougald takes orders from him (Mr. Obryan) instead of Mr. Obryan working under the board. Nothing new here as the majority of voters has known this for several years. Commissioner McDougald held the resignation letter per Mr. Obryan's direct order and admitted so. Leaves one to wonder what other direct orders the board may have been taking when approving projects and change ordr requests?
#2 Andrea Hagler McCrary on 12/05/12 at 12:26 AM [Reply]
What a horrible impulsive decision by the rookie county commissioners based on a handful of grudge holders. I am so ashamed that an upstanding man of ethics who worked so hard for this county was let go because of this handful of people. I feel very sorry that the county commissioners did not take the time to intelligently look at what was best for our county before making such a rash decision. Mr. O'Bryan brought millions in grants to our county and worked ethically to make sure the services were delivered.
#2.1 Native on 12/06/12 at 12:43 PM [Reply]
It appears to be more than just a "handful" of citizens that support this decision. Based on the comments here and social media sights - the majority ruled! If it weren't for the "noise-makers" no one would be heard. Times change and people change with them. Sonny should should sit back and enjoy his retirement. He should be able to afford a very pleasant one.
#2.2 Kathy S. Johnson on 12/14/12 at 01:51 PM [Reply]
I think Ms. McCrary needs to elaborate and give details on her perceived "grudge" and tell us more about the "handful," to which she continues to address.
#3 Concerned Citizen on 12/05/12 at 09:08 AM [Reply]
So glad this is resolve! now we can get on with it!
#3.1 Andrea Hagler McCrary on 12/05/12 at 11:52 AM [Reply]
Yes, let's do move on to a handful and their foolish agenda representing the entire county
#3.1.1 Rhonda Sharpe on 12/06/12 at 08:52 PM [Reply]
There is nothing foolish in eliminating a 50,000 annual position that is not needed - Calhoun County essentially had 3 employees on the payroll performing the job of 2 positions. Plus benefits and expenses. The 3 commissioners who made this decision were voting FOR the best interest of the County, a task for which they were elected to perform. I am proud to see these "rookie" commissioners apply common sense and "do the math" in making decisions for Calhoun County business. Perhaps they will continue on this path and make progress for the economic advancement for ALL citizens of Calhoun County.
#3.2 Anonymous on 12/05/12 at 06:08 PM [Reply]
Calhoun County will survive without Sonny.
#4 Calhoun County Voter on 12/05/12 at 06:18 PM [Reply]
It's sad when a man that makes $81,000 a year and then gets 20,000 extra a year for "Fuel" by using his own Truck instead of a County vehicle to do his job and then retires for 30 days to come back making the same as he was when he left is WRONG !!!!! I think he should have started back as a normal person would have. If Mr. O'Bryan was a man and i take your words "high moral and ethical values " throw the man who he has been training for over 2 years to take over his job under the bus at the last Commissioners Meeting by saying "You can lead a mule to water,but you can't make him drink" and "The man (Mr. Wood) i having been trying to train for over 2 years is UN-trainable is NOT a man with those values. Mr. O'Bryan has got Calhoun County alot of Grant money, but he also WASTED alot of Calhoun County's money in the process. He can alway run as a County Commissioner in the future.


I think the (3) County Commissioners that voted have alot of Support from the Citizens of Calhoun County.
#5 Derek on 12/06/12 at 03:59 PM [Reply]
Is it not illegal to be imployed for more than one county job at a time. has corruption foud it's way to calhoun county. or is it ok for one man to hold three jobs as long as he is only paid one ck. he should not only be terminated if it is illegal he should be forced to repay the money he has earned from the time he was given the multiple titling. He is not the only person with a B S in busineiss administration maybe it is the reason for the law so others can work to.
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