Mayor James Fouts
In some ways the city of Warren has become a local version of Big Time Wrestling with Mayor James Fouts often smack in the middle of the made-for-tv drama mixed with a little absurdity.
Now, the Human Resources Director Phil Easter is asking for people at city hall to act with some civility.
“Based on the statements of the parties, and the information provided to me, I cannot determine that the fault, if any, lies with one party or the other,” Easter wrote in a letter, according to a report in the Macomb Daily. “By copying this letter to all parties, I will remind them of the value and importance of civility and decorum in everyday workplace interaction.”
The letter is the result of a major blowout Mayor Fouts had with city Treasurer Carolyn Kurkowski Moceri, who says she feared for her safety.
The letter was written after Moceri’s formally complained last week that she felt bullied during a Feb. 21 “nose to nose” argument with Fouts and that he should receive counseling for anger management, Norb Franz of the Macomb Daily wrote. Fouts was concerned about statements Moceri made to the Macomb Daily about a vulgar remark Fouts made about her during a phone conversation that was secretly recorded.
“It is clear that every work place meeting should be conducted with a minimum level of professional respect and decorum. Both you and the mayor, and every other employee of the city are entitled to a work place, that meets that standard,” Easter wrote in a letter last Friday to Moceri, the day after the treasurer filed the complaint.
“Unfortunately, passionate discussions sometimes get heated on both sides. In addition, the normal stresses and strains of our everyday jobs can sometimes get the best of us,” he said.
“I know that the mayor believes strongly that employees and elected officials should be present in their office from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. every day, and that he feels you do not live up to that standard. You believe that as an elected official, you have the right to establish your own working hours,” Easter reported. -- Allan Lengel
