Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 26, 1991 TAG: 9102260317
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS and KIM SUNDERLAND NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
But one thing's for sure, there were a lot of people who weren't happy about it.
"We were really impressed with his qualifications," said Chris Bach, shelter manager for the Montgomery County Humane Society.
"We can't understand this decision and we want better explanations. This leaves our relationship [with the county dog pound] up in the air."
"Our relationship's always been up in the air," said another shelter volunteer who came with about a dozen others on Smoot's behalf.
Students from Virginia Tech's veterinary school also came to support Smoot, voicing their concern over practices at the pound. The students said Smoot was trying to change all that.
On advice of County Attorney Roy Thorpe, officials could say nothing about the termination.
Smoot was named the county's chief dog warden in January to replace Muriel Graham, who retired last year after 22 years.
During 16 years in the Air Force, Smoot trained dogs for the defense of air bases and later worked at a Roanoke kennel. He was living in Vinton at the time he was hired, but since has moved to Floyd County.
Smoot had been asked to resign Thursday by Assistant County Administrator Pam McCune. He said he agreed at first because he felt pressured, but after thinking it over withdrew his resignation on Friday.
Smoot said he was completely surprised after being called to the courthouse Thursday and asked to resign. He said he was told either to quit or go before the Board of Supervisors on Monday night and be fired.
"I signed [the resignation] last Thursday, but I felt like they were holding a gun to my head," Smoot said.
Smoot said the main reasons he was told he was being asked to resign were that he had allowed a dog to be adopted before it had been at the pound the required five days, and that he had had allowed a dog at the pound to be vaccinated by a private veterinarian.
The vaccination did not cost the county any money, but was paid for by Kim O'Dell, a resident who had indicated she might want to adopt the dog, Smoot said.
Smoot said he feels that someone has been watching him, looking for things to report to his supervisors. And if what he had done was so bad, he asked, why didn't his bosses just fire him on the spot.
Smoot took his case to the Board of Supervisors meeting Monday night to no avail. After an almost two-hour executive session - which included discussion of Smoot's job, according to one supervisor - the board voted to terminate his employment.
"It was a personnel decision made by the county administrator and supported by the county supervisors," said Supervisor Ann Hess. "I can't say why."
After the supervisors' decision, Smoot stood outside their chambers and broke into tears.
"They don't realize what this job means to me," he said. "I'm an advocate for these animals. What I did does not justify termination. And this is not over by a long shot."
Also Monday night, the supervisors tabled a special appropriation of nearly $17,000 to pay accumulated sick leave and annual leave days earned by Graham and not taken during his years on the job. Many of the days were earned before the county put a limit on how many could be cashed in; Graham was grandfathered in.
The supervisors will meet again tonight for a budget work session at 6 p.m.
by CNB