Pubdate: Wed, 20 Nov 2002
Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL)
Contact  http://www.newscoast.com/sarasota.cfm
Address: 801 S. Tamiami Trail , Sarasota, FL 34236
Fax: (941) 957-5276
Copyright: 2002 Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Author: Michael A. Scarcella

EX-CITY WORKER GETS 2ND CHANCE

The Deputy City Clerk, Who Quit After A Drug Arrest, Is Back As A Temp.

PUNTA GORDA -- Former deputy city clerk Mary K. Kelly returned to City Hall 
on Tuesday as a temporary employee, working in the same office she left 
after her drug-related resignation early last month.

Kelly, a city employee since 1996, was arrested in July at her office on a 
cocaine possession charge. She avoided prosecution through a community 
service and rehabilitation arrangement, and quit her city job in October.

City Clerk Sue Foster said Kelly, 43, is a stellar employee whose clerical 
experience overshadows her drug offense.

"I couldn't ask for a better employee," Foster said. Kelly's performance 
reviews for the past two years show high marks in many areas, including 
management and productivity.

Kelly's drug offense is no longer relevant, Foster said, for future 
consideration "I think any policies she violated have already been 
addressed," Foster said. "She was suspended. She resigned her employment. 
At this point, she's considered how anybody on the street would be considered."

The city asks job applicants whether they've been convicted of a crime, but 
a conviction doesn't necessarily preclude employment.

The city has a zero-tolerance drug policy, so a first offense can lead to 
job termination.

Kelly indicated Tuesday that she would like to return to full-time work 
with the city.

"I've never been happier in a job than I am with this position," Kelly 
wrote last December in her performance review.

"Great job, great boss," she wrote a couple of years ago.

Kelly is filling in while another temporary employee is out of state for 
family reasons. Foster said she didn't know how long Kelly might be at the 
office. Foster's contract gives her the authority to hire whomever she 
pleases. She could rehire Kelly, but said nothing has been decided.

"I think it would be more cost-efficient to the city to bring her back than 
to hire someone off the street and go through the entire training process," 
Foster said. She said she called the city's temp agency Monday evening and 
asked for Kelly because of her familiarity with the office.

Gary Mundy, the human resources manager, said the city usually makes a 
blanket request to the temp agency, which then sends someone to work.
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