The Shadow
WARM SPRINGS – Former Bath County Administrator Claire Collins has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Bath County Board of Supervisors regarding the recent interview process for the tourism director’s position.
Collins, one of 66 applicants for the position, filed her FOIA request in a Wednesday letter to supervisors. Her 12 requests outlined in the three-page letter deal with the interview process conducted by a committee that was chosen to oversee the selection of the tourism director.
“In retrospect, when members of the community advised me that a member of the board who also was on the committee to make a recommendation of hiring to the board in an open public setting commented that the would make sure that I would not be considered due to him having a grudge against me for something that occurred in the past and that the county administrator did not want to consider me for fear that I wanted her job, I should have been in communication with you,” Collins stated in the letter.
“This was such a disappointment to me in that the board member who I respect and thought was a Christian would and should know how to forgive and forget,” she said. “Also, to know that a professional local government manager would fear another female professional who definitely does not want or desire her job was quite a surprise to me as all I want to do is help the community.”
Collins said that only four of the five hiring committee members were present for her interview.
“While I was interviewed by the committee, only four members of the committee were present and questions were asked by two of the committee members while the other two showed no interest and seemed uninterested,” she said. “In fact, the Chamber of Commerce representative, Mr. (John) Young did not participate as he politely and diplomatically excused himself.
“Frankly, I was disappointed to not have the entire committee present and to not be asked questions by all committee members present,” she said. “I now wonder how many other candidates this happened to and how inconsistent the interview process might have been impacting not only me but other candidates being considered.”
During Tuesday night’s supervisors meeting, the board voted 3-1 to accept the recommendations of the hiring committee. Supervisors defeated a substitute motion by Chairman Stuart Hall, who proposed the hiring of Collins.
“I strongly believe that the process was flawed through the lack of a consistent approach being taken by the committee along with the preconceived desires of some of the committee members to do all in their power to not hire me,” Collins said in her letter.
She added, “I understand why the board voted to back the committee as they were a committee representing the board and the county. I truly respect the board for their actions, I just know that the three board members that did not participate in the committee would not have allowed nor tolerated an inconsistent approach and would have made every effort to have insured equitable treatment of all candidates with committee representation and participation the same throughout the process.”
Collins, a 19-year resident of Bath County, is the county administrator in Rockbridge County. She has also served as the Covington city manager.
“Since I will not be assuming the position, I would like the board to know that I wish the county nothing but success and stand ready to volunteer and assist the county as needed,” Collins said.
MaryAnn “Maggie” Anderson was named Bath County tourism director Friday by the Bath County Board of Supervisors.
