- April 25, 2024
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The head of Flagler County Emergency Services has announced his intention to fire Emergency Management Planner Jennifer Stagg, whose position in the division was a critical one during the response to Hurricane Matthew.
A notice of intent to terminate letter from Public Safety Emergency Manager Stephen Garten states that Stagg's actions during the storm created a distraction that put others at risk.
But Kevin Guthrie, the county's former public safety emergency manager, in a public post on Facebook called the news of Stagg’s proposed firing “the most shocking news I have heard in probably 27 years of public safety.”
Stagg has been a county employee for six years.
The notice charges her with repeated absenteeism and lateness; insubordination; improper conduct; making false, vicious or malicious statements concerning another employee or supervisor; and conduct unbecoming a public employee.
“Her blatant contempt and disregard to decisions made by her superiors during October 6th-October 14th, put the entire mission of life, safety and health of the Incident Management Team and the EOC at risk do (sic) to unneeded distractions during a most pivotal time in the Emergency Management of Flagler County,” the notice states.
The letter enumerates more than two dozen alleged cases of lateness or absenteeism and says that Stagg's statements Oct. 6-14 led her supervisor to feel "not only verbally abused, but also dishonored." It does not explain what Stagg had allegedly said.
Guthrie, who was Stagg's former manager and also worked with her previously in Jacksonville, wrote that he was imploring anyone who had Stagg do something to ensure their safety during the storm to show up for her pre-disciplinary hearing, which began Oct. 31 and was scheduled to continue through Nov. 3.
“I know the men and women of the BOCC feel like they can’t say anything for fear of losing their job," Guthrie wrote. “I care about my employees, even former ones... and this is the best thing I can do right now. Please don’t lay down; Flagler Rise Up."
Sally Sherman, the deputy county administrator, is overseeing Stagg's pre-disciplinary hearing.
