DISCIPLINE

Tompkins said, “while some people may hold it against me,” or his choice of using a word, “I don’t see it in the Constitution where certain words, you are not allowed to say it.”

“Unfortunately, I am not a pastor!” he maintained. “I am not the most perfect individual in the world! Unfortunately, sometimes it comes out.”

The mayor disputed, however the characterization that there was any “episode,” before repeating he didn’t want to talk about the matter because “I don’t want to trample on her rights.”

Tompkins, when asked by this reporter if Pittman was being outright terminated (there have been some conflicting reports that her position is simply being eliminated), he responded, “This may put some people at ease – I can’t say any names, but under Civil Service, let me put it to you this way: if you are a director under Civil Service, and you held a lower position, you cannot be fired, but you can be demoted. You can be demoted, but you cannot be fired.”

“I don’t want to name any names, or anything,” the mayor added. “But I am just saying that under Civil Service … you can’t be fired, but you can definitely be demoted.”

Tompkins went on to say, “if such an action were to happen, I have a feeling that this is what Monday’s special council meeting is about.” When asked if personnel decisions in the township rest with him or rather the township business administrator, the mayor contended, “ultimately they rest with me because it is (a) strong-mayor” form of government. However, he confirmed a director of any department has 20 days to petition the council to consider revoking the administration actions and it takes threefourths vote I think it is, and with our council, you need four of the five (members).”

Tompkins, a Republican-elected mayor, has battled it out on numerous occasions with council, under slim Democratic control, 3-2, since commencing his term Jan. 1. At times, the