To the citizens of Jasper County Georgia, as your Emergency Medical Services Director, I’m compelled to share the chronological events that have taken place since the hiring of the county manager, Greg Wood.

Many of you may be wondering why I am outlining the events leading up to this news release as it pertains to the current county manager. While serving as the EMS Director, in my personnel opinion, Greg Wood has violated the EEOC Harassment policy as well as created a Hostile work environment.

Currently, I do not feel that I can serve the citizens of Jasper County as the EMS Director due to the actions of Greg Wood and his spouse Lory Wood. The Board of Commissioners as well as the county attorney, Jim Alexander, is well aware of the circumstances that have led up to the writing of this letter to the Monticello News.

When Greg Wood and I first met, I was extremely impressed to say the least. His knowledge and years of service in the military was admirable. He would tell me of duty assignments and how he served abroad and commanded a medical service corps of 1200 plus personnel. This was great news for EMS because he would have a fundamental understanding of the emergency medical needs of the community.

Dennis Recker approved the 1st Responder Course and the Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate certification class to be taught at the Senior Citizen Center prior to his departure. Greg Wood made a request that Chief Slocumb and I permit the enrollment of his daughter and his spouse Lory Wood into the EMT-Intermediate certification course. There were 4 openings available and no tuition requirement for the EMT-I course; therefore, Chief Slocumb and I did not see any issues with allowing his wife and daughter to participate in the program.

The first evening of the Emergency Medical Technician class, Greg Wood was introduced to the students as the county manager. His first interaction with the class began with a very inappropriate joke in reference to how EMS personnel should safely resuscitate a patient with HIV/AIDS. A total of 26 students can attest that his actions and gesture was despicable to say the least.

I could not believe the lackadaisical/candor in which this joke/comment was made. Greg Wood did not like the fact that I expressed my discontent with his actions the following day. However, he expressed his apologies and stated that he would not make such a careless mistake in the future. From that day forward, our relationship as County Manager and EMS Director would never be the same.

As the program progressed, Greg’s wife and daughter were required to complete clinical hours in order to graduate the EMT-I course. They began riding as EMT students at station 1 and station 3. It was apparent early on that Lory Wood was sharing information with Greg on the day-to-day operations of Fire and EMS.

How was I able to come to this conclusion? Well, I was summonsed to the County Manager’s office anywhere from 2-3 times weekly. I was constantly defending my actions on the day-to-day operations of EMS. Greg would tell me that Lory did not see me on any trauma incidents or at any medical calls. I told Greg Wood that I was sick and tired of constantly defending myself against the statements and assumptions made by his wife. He stated to me, “If Mama Bear has a problem then Papa Bear has a problem as well.” He went on to say that Lory is well educated and that she had worked for multi million dollar companies in the past. Therefore, if she expressed or identified an issue, then there must be a problem.

Many of the Jasper County Volunteers as well as EMS personnel can vouch that Lory Wood constantly precipitated issues that were in the Fire and EMS service. She circumvented the Chain-of-Command and undermined individuals in positions of authority.

In addition to the issues with Lory constantly feeding information to Greg, Chief Slocumb and I were accused of corrupting his daughter. I explained to Greg Wood that the EMT-I course encompassed many adult topics due to the very nature associated with emergency situations. He said that his daughter had been home schooled and had never heard such adult language in her life. He was very upset with me and the tension continued to build over time.

Greg called me to his office the one day after his daughter had completed a shift with one of our most senior Paramedics. Greg told me that I was to terminate this Paramedic immediately because this employee had poked a patient in the eyeball. Furthermore, that he was going to press assault and battery charges on said employee.

The following evening of EMT school, Lory Wood told me that this Paramedic was going to be fired and that was that. Greg asked if this employee was employed anywhere else. I said yes. He is employed at a very large Fire Department. Greg Wood wanted the contact information for his superiors to have him terminated at his fulltime job as well. Greg expressed to me his intent to get this individual terminated at his other job as well.

I pulled the patient care report and completed an investigation on the allegations ASAP.

The investigation revealed the Paramedic was performing a neurological exam on the patient in an attempt to ascertain if the patient was suffering from an intracranial bleed or a cerebrovascular accident. (Stroke)

This Paramedic had to meet with Greg Wood face to face in his office and bring the curriculum from the Mosby Paramedic Text book in order to clear his actions. The EMT on the call with the Paramedic who was under scrutiny was present at the meeting as well to explain his actions and participation in the emergency situation.

Greg told the EMT and Paramedic, when my daughter comes home crying and upset, I immediately jumped the gun. The medic understood and explained to Greg that he has a daughter as well and understood his concerns. Greg apologized for his actions and untimely judgment of the situation.

Lory continued to express her unhappiness with the decision that had been made in reference to the Eyeball incident. She said that the Paramedic should be fired never the less. Lory’s behavior became such that the Fire Chief and I tried to avoid any confrontations at all cost.

Greg was constantly second guessing the decisions that were being made for Fire as well as EMS to satisfy Lory’s complaints. She was constantly making suggestions to Chief Slocumb as well as myself. She would become angry and upset when we did not implement her suggestions.

The EMT class had been invited to a Region 5 EMS & Awards Banquet. I was nominated for EMS Director of the year. Unfortunately, I took 2nd place in the voting process. The Program Director of Region 5 gave Jasper County Fire & EMS some cup holders, key chains and safety glasses for our participation in the banquet.

Chief Slocumb dispersed these items amongst EMS and Fire personnel. Lory Wood was very upset that she had not received any of the items. The Chief was explaining to Lory that the items were dispersed to individuals on a first come basis. She called Chief Slocumb a thief and liar in front of the entire EMT class. The Chief and I were shocked and in disbelief, but neither of us dare to challenge her or we would suffer the repercussions of Greg Wood.

Shortly after graduation of the EMT class, I advised all 3rd rides to cease because their training was complete. Greg called me to his office and asked me why Lory and Ashley would not be allowed to ride the ambulance. I explained that they were no longer EMT students and therefore they would fall into a 1st Responder status which means they are to respond to emergency calls in their zone unless requested or summonsed otherwise.

They continued to ride the ambulances at station 1 and station 3. They asked Chief Slocumb what uniforms were they allowed to wear. Chief advised them to wear the Jasper County Volunteer uniform.

Lory purchased Duty Uniform shirts for her and Ashley that were identical to the paid EMS staff. The general public would not be able to discern between 1st responder/Fire/EMS.

They were told that they were not allowed to wear these uniforms due to the liability associated with paid EMTs and volunteer EMTs. Greg was advised of the issue and the problem was never corrected.

I turned 41 on July 21st of 2011. I was given a surprise birthday party by the EMTs of the course at the local eating establishment. The following Monday, Greg Wood called me to come to his office and he was angry that Lory had participated in the surprise birthday party that was given to me. He made snide remarks that aren’t appropriate to be written in the Monticello News or this Blog.

I expressed my apologies to him in an attempt to diffuse the situation as he walked out of the courthouse mumbling under his breath.

The following months became very challenging to say the least. Lory and or Ashley would spend countless hours at station 1 and station 3 which kept me in the county managers office more and more.

Greg began asking me weekly to resign my position or he would ask when I was going to leave for greener pastures. He expressed to me that he was under pressure from his wife to implement changes at the Fire and EMS level to satisfy her concerns.

It was becoming extremely stressful trying to please Greg and Lory as well as meeting the needs of my EMS personnel.

There are many volunteers, employees and EMS personnel who would gladly validate my story thus far.

Many of the EMT students who graduated the class submitted applications for part time employment. I was happy to have the opportunity to employee these individuals, which would decrease our overtime cost annually by adding support to our part time staff.

As the EMS Director, I hired some EMT’s at $9.00 to $9.50 an hour. Greg Wood knew that these employees were being hired in at rates higher than some current employees. It made sense to pay this rate rather than pay overtime.

As these new employees began to work shifts, some of the EMS personnel who had been at Jasper EMS for years discovered that they were earning a lesser wage. One of these employees called me to voice his discontent. I told him that I did not control wage or salary increase. This individual contacted Greg by phone and voiced his concerns.

Greg called me and accused me of letting him get blindsided. He also sent me this same statement in an email. I explained to him that this particular employee wanted to speak with someone above my pay grade; therefore, I forward him up the chain of command.

This individual contacted a particular commissioner shortly after he got off the phone with the county manager. This commissioner called Greg wanting to know what was going on with EMS.

I was called to the courthouse once again for a conference. Greg was upset that this commissioner had challenged his position as the county manager.

This issue ended up making the Monticello News despite Greg’s efforts to head it off at the pass.

Eventually, the Board of Commissioners addressed the hiring of employees and how the entire process had been circumvented. Current pay and veteran employees who were earning less than newer employees, was also discussed.

Greg stated that I had been counseled and reprimanded due to my actions as a department head.

Commissioner Patrick asked Greg Wood if the reprimand was in my file. Greg Wood answered, yes. Mary Patrick wanted to see the reprimand in my file, but it was never produced. This all took place on November 8, 2011.

Unfortunately, I was not present at the BOC meeting on 11-08-2011. I had NO previous knowledge of what took place in the meeting. The next morning I received a phone call from Greg Wood and I could tell something was wrong by the tone of his voice. He said, “Its not looking good for me or you.” I asked Greg what he meant by his previous statement. “Mary Patrick is going to fire one of us. She isn’t going to stop until either you or myself is terminated due to the hiring of the new employees.”

I asked if he was sure of her intentions or maybe he misread some verbal queues or something. Greg kept saying over and over of how either he was going to get fired or I would be terminated for this incident.

I asked Greg if it would save his job if I resigned. He said yes, that would give Mary Patrick some since of satisfaction. I told Greg that I would be coming to the courthouse within the hour to resign my position. He expressed his gratitude many times before hanging up the phone.

While stopping to eat breakfast at Dairy Queen, I got a call from person and the number was blocked. This person would not tell me their name, but told me how Greg Wood had served me up on a platter in the executive session as well as the BOC meeting.

Greg had placed all the blame on me and claimed complete immunity.

I was very upset and angry that Greg had lied to the BOC about me being counseled and that a reprimand had been placed into my file. It was completely untrue. Never, not even once has Greg placed anything into my file that was positive or negative.

My feelings were extremely mixed, especially after I watched the YouTube video where Greg Wood blatantly lied to the BOC in an open session. Not only was the BOC present to hear these lies, the general public was also deceived and misled.

I have never been reprimanded in my entire professional career. I served as a Combat Medic with the USMC overseas. I have always been ethical and honest.

If I screw something up, I take full responsibility for my shortcomings. I am not perfect to say the least. You don’t have to believe me, ask my peers and they will tell you that I will be the first to say I was wrong and ask for forgiveness so that we can move forward.

However, I am not going to be lied about, smeared and or painted in a different light to satisfy someone who refuses to be held accountable for his or her actions.

I arrived at the courthouse on 11-09-2011 approximately 1 hour after the phone call from Greg Wood. He was waiting for me in the parking lot. He had a written reprimand in his hands for me to sign and a letter of resignation for me to sign as well. He tried to give me the papers and he began to thank me for resigning and saving his job.

As I walked past Greg, he said aren’t you here to see me?

I told Greg that I knew what he had did and how he had misled and lied to the BOC the night before. I told him that we would talk later that day after I got the full story.

I went into the courthouse to talk with employees who were at the BOC meeting. Everyone confirmed that Greg Wood had lied to the BOC about me being counseled or reprimanded. I left the courthouse in complete disbelief wondering what I needed to do next.

I didn’t have to think long because Greg came calling once again saying we needed to talk ASAP. I contacted Lori Smith and asked her to schedule a meeting between Greg and myself. I requested that Chief Slocumb, Sharon Robinson and Lori Smith be present for the meeting.

As the meeting began, Greg Wood attempted to down play the BOC meeting saying it was all formality and politics. I told him that he should resign from his job as county manager.

You lied to the taxpayers of Jasper County as well as the Board of Commissioners. He kept saying he was wrong and began apologizing. Saying that he had violated my trust and was going to have to work extremely hard to win my respect.

I told Greg that he was going to clear my name and tell the BOC as well as Jim Alexander and the citizens of Jasper County about the lie that was told pertaining to the hiring incident.

He said he would make it right in the eyes of the public as well as tell the BOC that he had been untruthful.

I left Greg’s office extremely upset and frustrated to say the least. I was beginning to reflect on all the incidents that had taken place up until this point. The amount of stress and scrutiny that I had been exposed to was totally unnecessary.

My feelings were that Greg would make it right with the BOC due to the fact that he had been caught on video misleading them as well as the general public.

Wrong!

He got worse. He started sending me emails. I have included the emails in chronological order to help exhibit his provoking behavior.

1st EMAIL

Re: I will take the heat – ‘att.net Mail’

On Nov 9, 2011, at 11:22, “Greg Wood” <gwood@jaspercountyga.org> wrote:

Jeff – We could not have a rational conversation yesterday, but let me give you the missing

Piece to the puzzle that should have been put together back on October 17th.

As a department head I feel you have the intelligence and experience to not need a formal reprimand to correct an action. That is why I didn’t do a formal counseling on the pay issue. However, there was an assumption on your part that I had information I did not have. The status change sheet does not have pay information on it and therefore, I was indeed not aware of the pay rate you were providing the new medics. If I had taken a more formal approach with you we could have worked it out at that time and I will keep that in mind for future issues.

Further, for me the issue has never been the pay because the whole department is underpaid, and I do need to stand up and say that.

But that is also why we need better communication, not less.

Our relationship is damaged and obviously will never be the same, but the mark of a professional is being to work with people whether they like them or not. We are going to fix the status change forms so I do have all the hiring information and alleviate that problem.

But, ultimately you can delegate authority but not responsibility, therefore ultimate responsibility is mine.

You acted in good faith in what you felt was the best interest of the Department and if you need me to come tell your folks that, I will, but I will also make sure that issue is resolved before the Commission in public, not because you demanded it, but because it is the right thing to do.

Greg Wood

County Manager Jasper County, GA 126 W. Green St., Suite 18 Monticello, GA 31064 Ph: (706) 468-4900 Fax: (706) 468-4942

He has yet to admit that he lied about me and he sure hasn’t stood up in any BOC meeting and given me a public apology.

My Response to his email:

I hope that we can move forward and do what is right for the citizens as well as regain respect and trust for one another…

My goal is to serve the citizens of Jasper County and deliver the highest quality of care and service…

Sincerely, Jeff Bratcher

Sent from my iPhone

2nd EMAIL

The wound On Nov 11, 2011, at 15:20, “Greg Wood” <gwood@jaspercountyga.org> wrote:

Jeff – I don’t know how you process things, but I dwell on them, analyze them and try and make them better if I can. I will keep running the meeting we had the other afternoon over and over to get the full meaning of what happened and how I can prevent it from happening in the future.

One thing that has become apparent to me is that you do not just have a scar from your youth, but it seems it is still a very tender and open wound.

That will certainly impact the way I deal with you in the future. The fact is your reputation is such at one reprimand (and if you listen to the tape it was “ counseling, reprimand, whatever you want to call it” which was very dismissive language in my book, but now I understand not in yours) will not have any impact on it.

Heck, in other jobs, I have written reprimands on myself and handed them to the chairman to sign. I need to find a way to help you feel more secure with yourself, but even if I give you all the encouragement in the book, I understand it will mean nothing until I stand up and clear this up in public.

Thanks,

Greg Wood

County Manager Jasper County, GA 126 W. Green St., Suite 18 Monticello, GA 31064 Ph: (706) 468-4900 Fax: (706) 468-4942

After this email, I contacted an attorney for advisement. The attorney says Greg Wood was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act due to the language that was used in reference to my childhood. Greg Wood knew that I had been abused as a child and used this email to provoke me.

I was so upset that I didn’t even have a clue as how I should respond to this email. I just kept hoping things would calm down so that we could get things back to normal.

My reply: Interesting…

Sent from my iPhone

Things were beginning to return to the norm so I thought. Right?

Wrong!

Here’s the next email from Greg Wood.

3rd EMAIL

Re: Moving Forward On Nov 15, 2011, at 8:37, “Greg Wood” <gwood@jaspercountyga.org> wrote:

Jeff – This is the last of my dissertations, but this point needs to be addressed. On several occasions you have cited how bad the department was when you came.

Yes, it was and you have done great things. But, it is like the situation of Obama blaming Bush for his problems. That needs to be put behind and focus on the future.

This is now Jeff Bratcher’s legacy.

You have the power within you to move beyond success onto significance. Success is fleeting and goes with you to your grave or even sooner. Significance is when you change lives and leave a legacy. You have already begun that with the EMT-I class you did in the County. Long after you have retired or moved on, there will be the Brian’s and Ashley’s that remember you as the one who started them down that path.

Then there are things like what Sir Nicholas Winton did in WW2 getting the children out of German-occupied Czechoslovakia. That is significance and that can never be taken away. You have a much greater opportunity to do that than any other department head has.

Too, remember when you are bashing the old department, you are also bashing Ed Westbrook. He is a good man and you have had a taste of what he struggled with and you only have EMS and Fire, with a strong Chief in Jarret.

He was under even more political pressure and was under the same financial constraints that hang like a millstone about your neck as you try to move forward.

That is my perspective anyway.

Greg Wood

County Manager Jasper County, GA 126 W. Green St., Suite 18 Monticello, GA 31064 Ph: (706) 468-4900 Fax: (706) 468-4942

My Response:

Please stop-putting words in my mouth…

I have never bashed Ed Westbrook and I do not need you to tell me he is a good man. I know he is a good man because I know him personally…

Keep your lectures and your point of view to yourself. I have mentors who are extremely successful in life as well as in business and those are the individuals I take advice from on a daily basis….

Sent from my iPhone

If Greg Wood knew his facts, he would have known that Ed Westbrook was not in charge of EMS. Jasper County EMS had 2 interim Directors. I wasn’t bashing EMS either Mr. Wood. I used statistical data to assess the state of the current EMS system at the time of my employment as the EMS Director.

I completed a Rural EMS system analysis that was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This process identified an overall score of (Poor).

That’s why I implemented the 14 Components of a Successful Rural EMS System. The professionals had already developed the Blue Print for our success. The EMTs and Paramedics followed the plan. That’s why EMS has progressed thus far.

At this point, I couldn’t take it anymore. I requested a meeting with the BOC and Jim Alexander. The meeting was set and Greg had been notified.

Notified by the county attorney. He had to know this was becoming very serious.

Did he stop?

He took things to another level!

Never the less, Greg Wood just wouldn’t quit. He began to try to destroy my reputation and me once again.

Greg contacted a former EMS employee who had been asked to resign a few months prior. He sent emails as well as text messages telling this individual to tell anyone who would listen in Jasper County that I was inadequate as an EMS Director.

Greg told this employee that an investigation was going to take place soon and this would be a prime opportunity to get me terminated. Greg asked this former employee for his in this matter.

A captain for Jasper EMS reported the incident to Chief Jarret Slocumb immediately.

This captain works with the previous employee at another Fire Department prior to his Jasper County assignment.

The Jasper County EMS Captain was troubled and upset that he witnessed this former employee actively communicating with Greg Wood.

Chief Slocumb informed me of the possible situation. At first I didn’t believe it was true, until I was shown the pictures and the screen shots from the EMS captain’s phone. Greg Wood was sharing proprietary information with this previous employee in an attempt to smear my reputation.

I called Lori Smith about the emails that Greg continued to send and how this situation was accelerating out of control. She notified Jim Alexander and the date of the meeting was expedited.

Jim Alexander, Charles Hill, Greg Wood, Lori Smith and I met in the courthouse. Greg Wood admitted to the Chairman and the county attorney that he had contacted the former Jasper County EMS employee in reference to myself.

He admitted that he was untruthful to the BOC and the citizens in relation to me receiving a reprimand or counseling.

He was asked about the 3 emails that he sent prior to the incident and his intent. Interestingly enough, he didn’t have an answer.

I was asked about my feelings in reference to the entire situation leading up to this meeting. I told Charles, Jim and Lori that all I wanted was to be left alone to perform my duties without any outside interference from Greg or Lory Wood.

Attorney Jim Alexander and Charles Hill assured me that I would not have any further communication or dealings with Greg Wood. I was placed under the supervision of the Assistant County Manager Lori Smith.

I passed Greg Wood in the hall as I was leaving the meeting and he was crying and upset expressing feelings of regret. I told Greg that somewhere down the road we might be able to be cordial with one another. He said he hoped that would be the case.

Remember this fact… Jim Alexander and Charles Hill had told Greg that Lori Smith was my supervisor.

This was told to him back in November of 2011.

Did he listen? NO!!!

Did he follow the advice from the county attorney Jim Alexander? NO!!!

Did he listen to his boss, Chairmen Charles Hill? NO!!!

Fast-forward 3 months ahead!!!

Greg as well as Lory Wood are back at it once again. Not only is he at it again, he has county employees involved. He had county employee, Will Brown, to drive him by station 1 to check up on my attendance.

Greg Wood did not recognize my vehicle at Fire station 1. He was searching for my SUV that was being driven by my wife. I had driven my F-150 to work that particular day.

Now, remember that Greg had been told to stay away from EMS all together due to his previous conduct and actions.

Greg Wood is checking up on me once again, even though he was told to leave me alone by his superiors.

After he returned to the courthouse, he confronted Lori Smith about my work attendance so on and so forth. To the point that he wanted me reprimanded or terminated from Jasper County EMS.

All of this took place in the early part of the morning. Later on that same day the assistant county manager received an email from a concerned Jasper County 1st Responder. I am not at liberty to say what was contained in this email, but I can tell you that we were able to determine from whence it came.

The person who sent this email left an attachment when she clicked the send button.

Care to guess who it was?

Lory Wood, Concerned Jasper County 1st Responder, detailing the shortcomings of EMS Director Jeff Bratcher.

What is evermore astonishing? Greg Wood admitted that it was his wife who sent the email. He confirmed the email was authentic and was sent by his wife Lory Wood.

Explanation Mr. Wood???

He tells his superiors that he can’t control his wife and he isn’t responsible for her actions. He goes on to say that he told her not to send the email.

Really, Mr. Wood?

Are you serious? Lory would have not known anything if you had obeyed your superiors as you were directed to in the previous infraction.

Answer this for me Mr. Wood?

How does your wife Lory Wood know everything that takes place behind closed doors as it relates to the well being of Jasper County?

I’ll assume you tell her.

Right???

Ok. I am right.

Now, you claim that you cannot control Lory and she is acting alone without any input or influence from yourself.

Are you serious?

You confronted Lori Smith the same morning that the email was sent anonymously. Oh, you forgot about that attachment or did wife Lory forget about the document?

Either way, you can’t say you are innocent Mr. Wood.

Thank God that someone called me anonymously once again and gave me the details behind the scene. The BOC with the county attorney Jim Alexander had a special called meeting this past week.

Were you allowed to attend this meeting Mr. Wood???

I didn’t think they would allow you to be present when the BOC were trying to decide on whether to keep you as the County Manager. They decided to keep you once again even though you lied to Commissioner Mary Patrick and the rest of the BOC in reference to my counseling-reprimand. You were told to leave me alone so that I could perform my duties with any outside interference from your or your wife.

Did you listen to good sound advice from your superiors? NO!!!

The vote went 3-2 to keep Greg Wood as the county manager despite his actions to destroy the EMS System and me as the EMS Director.

You knew that you were on shaky ground Mr. Wood.

Never the less, I received a harassing phone call on the behalf of you and your spouse. Saying, that you guys were going to destroy me at the core. All this still continues after the BOC spared you your job despite your unprofessional behavior.

I came to the courthouse to speak with Sharon Robinson to help me file EEOC Harassment and Hostile work environment complaint against you. This is the day after the BOC had the called meeting due to your actions and the actions of your spouse Lory Wood.

I sat in the desk outside Sharon’s office because she had a visitor. You turned around from your computer and asked if I was there to speak with you and I said no. You got up from your desk and walked to your door and asked me if everything was okay. I said yes and that I came to see Sharon Robinson. You came out of your office leaned over into my personal space while smiling and asked, are you sure something isn’t wrong???

You actions provoked me and I confronted you about your conduct and how you and your wife had been seeking my destruction. You started screaming, “it’s all rumors and it’s my wife’s fault. She got me fired from my last job and this to is her fault. I can’t control Lory,” you continued to exclaim.

Greg, you claim that Lory is the reason for all your shortcomings and why all this has happened. I don’t buy it!!! You shared information with her, which she used to tarnish my reputation. Your hands are dirty as well.

Lori Smith and Sharon Robinson asked me to come into Lori’s office to and to calm down after you and I had the argument in the hallway. Jim Alexander was notified right then and there by Lori Smith.

I explained to Jim that I had been compliant with the November 2011 agreement and that Greg had violated orders that were set forth by the Chairmen of the Board, Charles Hill. I explained that the Harassment and Hostile  work environment created by Greg Wood and his wife needed to be addressed immediately.

I asked to be placed on administrative leave until Greg Wood and his wife Lory Wood’s actions could be addressed. Jim permitted me to take a leave of absence until the situation could be resolved.

I was given a signed document that indicates that I was to have a meeting with the County Attorney, Chairmen of the Board of Commissioners as well as the Assistant County Manager.

Lori Smith had a meeting that same afternoon with the county attorney and a couple of the commissioners. No one informed me of the action or results that the BOC took to prevent further action or misconduct.

The following morning, Greg Wood was back as the county manager doing business as usual. I contacted Lori Smith and told her that I would not return to work until Greg Wood was no longer employed by the Jasper County BOC.

I was very close to resigning my position until I secured legal counsel. I have been advised against returning to work due to the Harassment and Hostile work environment that has been created by the county manager Greg Wood.

As for the EEOC, it takes an average of 182 days for a complaint to be resolved. I couldn’t wait that long because I would be destroyed by then.

Jeff Bratcher