Newspaper Page Text
www.starnewsgaonline.com ^tarTNews November 12, 2023 Page 9
GENDER/RETALIATION DISCRIMINATION
from front page
plaint states: “Because of District 5
Commissioner Ernest Reynolds’ and other
male Commissioners’discriminatory and
retaliatory treatment of me, the Carroll County
Board of Commissioners has subjected me to
(1) discrimination and (2) a hostile work envi
ronment based on my gender (female), (3)
retaliation, and (4) a retaliatory hostile work
environment, all in violation of Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
Hulsey’s complaint lists 59 incidents, Dost’s
complaint lists 44, although most of the com
plaint details/incidents overlap.
Overall, the complaints claim that “District 5
Commissioner Ernest (“Ernie”) Reynolds has a
problem with women, specifically women in
positions of power”.
Both Hulsey and Dost,
under oath, go into great
detail in their extensive
complaints.
Both Hulsy and Dost’s
EEOC Complaints state
that “CCBC [Carroll
County Board of
Commissioners] has
done nothing to prevent
or correct the gender dis
crimination and retalia
tion to which Mr. Reynolds and other men at
CCBC have subjected us.”
Each complaint has the same verbatim state
ment: “Since I spoke up about the gender dis
parities, Mr. Reynolds and other
Commissioners and employees have retaliato-
rily ostracized me, isolated me, and cast me
out. I believe that Mr. Reynolds wants to get
rid of me and have my employment
terminated.”
#10 on Hulsey’s complaint states that she
“privately advised Mr.
Reynolds that it looked
like he was targeting the
women in the Chairman’s
office, that people had
been saying that he was
picking on women, and
that he should be more
mindful. He did not
respond.” Also, #13 states
that at a “June 13 CCBC
meeting, Mr. Reynolds publicly called out the
fact that I, along with Solid Waste Director
Jacqueline Dost (female) and another woman,
received an additional raise above that received
by all county employees” and #14, “He stated
that it wasn’t fair, that we took away money
from the other 600-plus county employees,
that it was a ‘waste,’
Hulsey
Each complaint has the same
verbatim statement: “Since I spoke
up about the gender disparities, Mr.
Reynolds and other Commissioners
and employees have retaliatorily
ostracized me, isolated me, and
cast me out. I believe that Mr.
Reynolds wants to get rid of me and
have my employment terminated.”
and that he did not
understand why we
received higher
raises.”
#9 on Dost’s com
plaint states that
“(Reynolds] called
the raises “inequity in
salary increases” and
“favoritism,” which
he blamed on the
(female) Chairman.
He indicated that we were given money that
was not earned.” And Dost’s #10 states, “He
then made similar comments at CCBC meet
ings, in the local newspaper, and on the
Community Voice on the WLBB radio sta
tion.” And #11, “However, he did not say any
thing about the three male department heads
who also received higher raises.”
Hulsey’s #36: “In August 2023, Mr.
Reynolds praised a male colleague and his
department at a public meeting for all of their
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hard work on a project.”
and “37. Even though I
was the head coordinator
for the project, I received
no recognition or
acknowledgment from Mr.
Reynolds. ..”
Hulsey’s #42: “On July
6, 2023, I made a pro
tected complaint of dis
crimination via email to Dost
several officials including
Chairman Michelle Morgan, HR Director
Anne Lee, County Attorney Avery Jackson,
and Mr. Reynolds.” and #43 “In my complaint
I specifically reported Mr. Reynolds’ biased
comments regarding raises in which he called
out only the female employees that were given
raises, and not the
male employees.”
Dost’s #25.
“When E-911
Director Felicia
Rowland (female)
requested one
vehicle for her
department, Mr.
Reynolds conde
scendingly ques
tioned her despite
that funds for the
vehicle were
available.” #26.
In contrast, Community Development Director
Ben Skipper (male) faced no resistance when
he requested a vehicle for his department.”
Hulsey’s #51: “County Attorney Avery
Jackson told me that District 3 Commissioner
Tommy Lee stated that I was not to be in the
same meetings he was in, or he would not
come to them. This has made my job difficult
and hindered my performance of my job
duties, as my projects require me to meet with
the district commissioners.”
Hulsey’s #52: “Previously, one commis
sioner and I spoke almost daily and worked
closely together to share information about
current projects with the public. Now, how
ever, he has abandoned me as a friend and col
league and only includes me in necessary busi
ness matters.”
Dost’s #22: “I have been afraid to ask for
needed equipment for my department because
I fear being interrogated and unfairly scruti
nized by him because I am a woman trying to
do my job.”
Hulsey’s #54: “Previously, I often had
lunches and dinners with County
Commissioners and employees, but they have
stopped inviting me. I often attended ‘Catfish
Friday’ at Jones BBQ, but it
is now attended only by
men.”
Hulsey’s #26: ’’Because
of Mr. Reynolds’ false and
biased narrative, we have
been ostracized, glared at,
and whispered about by the
other county employees,
who now believe we are the
only employees that
received higher raises.”
Dost’s #39: “Since I spoke
up about the gender dispari
ties, my colleagues have
retaliatorily ostracized me, isolated me, and
cast me out.”
Ashley Hulsey has been Carroll County’s
Communications Director for the CCBC for
the past three years.
Jacqueline Dost was hired as Carroll
County’s Department of Solid Waste manager
July 2021, then became Solid Waste director in
2022.
Hulsey’s #54: “Previously, I often
had lunches and dinners with
County Commissioners and
employees, but they have stopped
inviting me. I often attended ‘Catfish
Friday’ at Jones BBQ, but it is now
attended only by men.” Dost’s #39:
“Since I spoke up about the gender
disparities, my colleagues have
retaliatorily ostracizedme, isolated
me, and cast me out.”
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