WASHINGTON CO. E911 DIRECTOR RELEASES STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION
Washington County’s Emergency 911 (E911) Director Robyn Hood has released a statement providing more information in the wake of the recent news that she and Operations Manager Shannon Selden will be resigning at the start of November.
speaks during a commissioners court meeting on
May 2, 2023.
In her statement, Hood said last week’s special county commissioners meeting that was called to discuss personnel claims involving the E911 Department came as “a surprise”. She said she asked around but could not learn what the reason for the meeting was, so she and Selden prepared documentation to address any scenarios that may come up.
Hood said she cannot go into specifics of what was brought up during the meeting, but she exited feeling that “false allegations” were being presented against her and Selden, and that she believed a “witch hunt” was about to occur. In addition, she stated she felt that she “no longer had the support and backing of certain members of the Commissioners Court” and that if she stayed, she would risk placing herself “in a hostile work environment.”
Hood said these four reasons are what contributed to her tendering her resignation after the meeting, effective November 1st.
Hood also stated that every formal disciplinary action taken against any member of her staff “was properly documented and with legal support as well as the acknowledgement and approval of the Director of Human Resources.”
Hood, who has been the E911 Director since February 2022, said she has served “with an unblemished record” and plans to remain in the community. She added that she will “remain open-minded about helping anyway I can with my skill sets on a contractual or volunteer basis.”
As a result of last week’s meeting, commissioners decided to proceed with an investigation of the accusations and claims made in the E911 Department. Commissioner Kirk Hanath previously told KWHI that it will either be the county’s Human Resources Department or the Texas Association of Counties’ HR Department leading the investigation. Hanath also said that the court will review options for hiring an interim official to oversee E911 operations after the departure of Hood and Selden.
Another commissioners court executive session has been called for this Friday at 2 p.m. at the Washington County Courthouse. The session will be for commissioners to consult with an attorney. Any possible action will occur in open session.
Below is the full statement provided by Hood:
Just because someone has a great resume on paper does not always guarantee they will do a good jjob elsewhere. Please don’t criticize if you don’t really have facts firsthand and are sure you know the situation. Thank you.
After the resignations of so many county employees this year (remember the walk-out), the public wants answers.
Elected officials have not offered any comments to reassure the community that they are capable and concerned about our well-being.
Okay people, you are not orivy to what really happened here. If those two ladies did nothing wrong, then it looks shady they quit. I worked for many years where I was questioned regularly on what I did and why I did it I didn’t like it, but I defended myself nicely and moved on. These ladies quit outright like a temper tantrum. Do not speak against the commissioner’s court unless you can prove what you say with facts, not opinions. Watch what you say! You are not showing common sense! Public jobs are hard. Don’t be so harsh and if you criticize and “think” you can do a better job, well by all means, run for a public office. I speak from experience, it can be a very thankless job so settle down.
Why are you so critical? You sound pretty critical yourself maybe you should put your actual name behind your comments,
Hard to defend yourself if you’re not allowed into the meeting hear what your accused of or to defend your actions. sounds like the typical WC dont like them boot them, Aso if that is the case I’d send them looking for a new puppet if that’s what they want.
her resume is very impressive i recently heard her give a presentation on the internal workings of her dept she will get hired by another 911 somewhere and be successful, good luck to you Robyn!
We will probably never get substantive comment from the commissioners’ court. Still, it sounds like someone with a hook into the court had their feelings hurt, which led to a commissioner(s) overaction without proper verification and vetting. According to the articles printed in the Brenham Banner Press, this Emergency 911 Director made significant improvements in the center’s operations. It’s sad to see them run her off. If emergency response times begin to degrade, be certain to thank the commissioners.
She made great changes indeed but got complacent and manipulated by a person that completely destroyed any meaningful changes that were made by her. Essentially running that entire agency into the ground.
Sounds like she came here to work and didn’t play the Brenham politic games, kudos to her
Maybe this will show some of the community that the commissioners we have running the place are very shady. Run off the good ones so no one sees what really goes on behind those doors. Make promises to the people and not stand up to them. Just saying.
Had nothing to do with the commissioners court. They became a factor afterwards.
time for the spectator to get involved
Robyn and Shannon have really made a positive difference for E911. Sad to see them going. But little does the public know about hostile work environments in many of the offices that don’t bow to Kirk’s way of thinking. If you are EMS or fairgrounds, excuse me Expo, then you have it made. They need to get rid of the whole court and start over. It’s Kirk’s way or no way. He tends to stay all the court.
Agreed! I wish her all the best, she deserves better.