Brandon Twp – Diana Reckwald says she has been the Deputy Treasurer of Brandon Township for almost 13 years and has never had a bad employee review.
On Friday, Nov. 21, however, Reckwald was terminated from her position at the township.
‘She wasn’t fired,? said Township Treasurer Linda Owen. ‘I terminated her appointment.?
Two days later, Owen swore-in Linda Cotton as the new Deputy Treasurer of Brandon Township.
While little is known about the new deputy, at press time, Reckwald said she knows why Owen terminated her employment, stating it was not because of a bad job performance.
Reckwald says she was discharged because she recently told Owen she was going to run against her for the township treasurer spot in the 2004 elections.
‘I’ve been there for 13 years and have never been reprimanded, and have had excellent evaluations,? Reckwald said.
‘I’ve been working outside the home since I was 10-years old and never had a bad evaluation.?
‘I know what responsibility is and tend to take my job seriously.?
‘I loved my job, I love what I did and did it with common sense,? she said.
While Owen would not comment on what prompted the termination, she did say the action was within state guidelines to discharge the appointed deputy.
‘There was a reason why she was terminated and I’m not going there,? said Owen.
Verbal discussions with her employee occurred prior to terminating Reckwald, added Owen.
‘I didn’t want to do it but a deputy is supposed to be 100-percent behind you and your office.?
‘The person is an ‘at will? employee and they know when they hire in that if they are not behind you, he or she will lose their job.?
According to Michigan legislation, a treasurer’s appointed deputy shall serve at the pleasure of the treasurer. The deputy, in case of the treasurers absence will possess the powers and perform the duties of the treasurer, except to vote. The deputy is paid as the township board determines at the approval of the treasurer and will perform additional duties as agreed upon between the board and the treasurer.
In a termination letter to Reckwald, Owen explained she no longer felt confident she could trust or have a sense of honesty from her employee and hoped the township board would understand her position in firing Reckwald.
Although Reckwald was an appointed deputy, she fell under the financial umbrella of the township. Should Reckwald choose to apply for unemployment, according to Township Clerk Jeannie McCreery, she is entitled to receive it from the township, which could potentially cost the tax payers an estimated $9, 412 over 26 weeks.
Township Supervisor Ron Lapp said as the personnel director he was not aware of any previous disciplinary documentations toward Reckwald and was sorry to see her leave the township.
‘Diana was a very respectful, effective member of the Brandon Township management team and I’m sorry to see her go,? Lapp said.
By state law the treasurer must have a deputy and Owen said she will appoint one within the next few days, possibly on a part time basis.
Having been a township resident since 1974, Reckwald says Brandon Township is her home, she loves and respects the community in which she raised her children.
While she states the next year is going to be a tough one, Reckwald said she still plans to run for township treasurer.