The complaint involved a dispute over Lawson's compensation during her time as the city's interim city clerk from March of 2004 to September of 2004.
While Ypsilanti did not admit any wrongdoing, it wound up approving $6,213 in back salary, and another $720 in mobile phone compensation to Lawson.
On Tuesday, Lawson declined to comment on the complaint, citing a confidentiality clause in the settlement.
Holecheck also confirmed that the city was unaware Lawson was out on medical leave from her job in Sedona when she was offered the Mesquite position.
"Because of Title Seven, there are some things you can't ask," Holecheck said.
Lawson confirmed that she will be out until Sept. 2.
If approved for the Mesquite job, she would take over the office on Oct. 12.
But first, she has to be confirmed by the Mesquite City Council.
According to Mesquite city code, the city clerk is technically appointed by the mayor.
However, the appointment must receive the approval of the city council.
The item is on the city council agenda for Tuesday, Aug. 25.
On Tuesday Lawson confirmed that, while she hasn't notified her current employer yet, she is planning to start her new Mesquite job in mid October.
"I'm looking forward to coming to Mesquite," Lawson said.
Until then, current interim city clerk Sheree Goessman will continue to handle the city clerk's duties before returning to her position as deputy clerk.
Commentary
Posted Date: 08/20/2009
For more info on the civil lawsuit read:
http://www.ypsilanticourier.com/stories/102606/loc_20061026002.shtml By: Keep Sheree
Posted Date: 08/20/2009 This selection generates more questions then it does answers. I wonder if the ''QUEEN'' is trying to fill city hall with people who are
''ULTRA LIBERAL'' like her??
Even if she has to go outside of town, county, and state, just to snub the LOCALS ?? More than once I wished someone like Bill was mayor..
At least they would have a heart.. By: Bob S.
Posted Date: 08/20/2009 Here's a person who with a history of a lawsuit against her former employer, is on a medical leave (which is probably the real reason why Sheree doesn't already have this title) who is not even a Nevada resident (so much for shop Mesquite) and has far less years of on-hands experience than our very own local interim candidate. Thanks Morris cause without you we would have NO ONE to tell us anything of whats going on in this town. It might look like we have more work to do when election time rolls around. By: George
Posted Date: 08/20/2009 I really doubt it, but let's hope the city council has the brains and balls to not approve this future lawsuit for the job. By: ARJ
Posted Date: 08/20/2009 The City will over pay for this job. We have a person doing a good job but we want to pay more for less. By: john jay
Posted Date: 08/21/2009 Holecheck is correct - Title 7 does limit what can be asked directly to the candidate.
However, Ms. Holecheck, have you and other key people in that "Clown College" at City Hall ever heard of background checks - you know, thorough ones.
The ist red flag here for me would have been WHY would the City Clerk for a town like Sedona, AZ cash that in for the same job in Mesquite?
2nd - I would have expected an honest and forthright candidate to have mentioned the lawsuit they filed against their employer during the City's interview(s) with her. You did interview her, didn't you? To learn of her current leave from her job and the past lawsuit at this point in the hiring process is truly unacceptable.
As someone here previously pointed out, this about to be hired individual is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
I hope the Council demonstrates the good sense to reject the offer of employment to this woman.
By the way, Holecheck, you previously indicated the 6 finalists for the position of City Clerk were all top shelf candidates - AND THIS WAS THE BEST OF THE 6?? Madam, go tell that story to someone else - I do NOT believe you!!!
Susan, have you known this woman - perhaps are friends with her? Could this be why she was offered the position?
Something isn't right here ladies and gentleman. By: Michael Brown
Posted Date: 08/21/2009 Former city clerk complains of discrimination
Lawson says city paid her unequal due to race
By Dan DuChene, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: October 19, 2006
Ypsilanti's former city clerk has filed a civil rights complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights against the city.
"I am African American, and believe I have been subjected to unequal wages by [the City of Ypsilanti] based on my race," Lawson said in her complaint.
Once again here is the race card being played. Lets get with the casinos and get some future bets going that there WILL be a lawsuit against the city by her in the future. I bet she is in the process of taking the city of Sedona to court. Anyone notice that the city of Sedona has a new mayor as of last year and a new city manager as of July this year. Maybe they got wind of her crap and shes getting out of town. Hopefully the city council will wise up and not vote her in, if they do, we can vote them and the mayor out! Lets all go place bets on a coming lawsuit. By: Alvin
Posted Date: 08/23/2009 How did the candidate get a contract to sign that was not approved by the City Council or Even Cheryl Hunt the City Attorney? ( NRS 266.395 Appointment of officers by mayor. The mayor, with the advice and consent of the city council, shall appoint all such officers as may be provided for by law or ordinance.) Did the City Council approve of the wages and contract without a public vote? Was the City Council illegally polled to get their consent by an elected official or City Staff? Any such polling activity is illegal under NRS 241.
AN ELECTED OFFICIAL OR MEMBER OF STAFF SENT A CONTRACT WITHOUT CONSENT OF COUNCIL …A LAW WAS BROKEN. IF THE CONSENT OF CITY COUNCIL WAS POLLED (SOMEONE ASKED THEM HOW THEY WOULD VOTE OR FELT) A LAW WAS BROKEN.
Can we as residents take another WE KNOW WE DID WRONG BUT WE’LL DO BETTER NEXT TIME EXCUSE? Tell the Council to vote no against this illegal contract. Although we have no proof that someone polled the Council prior to a vote, we need to send this person a very loud message that although we elected or hired them to represent us, they are not given the right to break the very laws they swore to uphold. If evidence is found that an elected member or member of staff polled the Council a charge must be filed
EMAIL THE COUNCIL NOW! dfairchild@mesquitenv.gov, dbennett@mesquitenv.gov, rence@mesquitenv.gov, kgustaveson@mesquitenv.gov, gwithhelder@mesquitenv.gov,
sholecheck@mesquitenv.gov,
By: We'll do better next time
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