Council axes Traylor as finance officer
WESTMORLAND — The city council here fired Sally Traylor as finance officer during the closed session of a regular meeting here Wednesday night.
The termination will not affect Traylor’s other role as city clerk, which is an elected position.
City of Westmorland Attorney Mitchell Driskill clarified the state allows a city clerk to assume other roles for the city as needed.
Traylor served as the city’s finance officer for 15 years and was compensated separately for that role. Overall, she has worked for the city in various capacities for 32 years.
Driskill said he couldn’t give specific information as to the reason for Traylor’s termination, citing personnel issues.
He did confirm the board isn’t eliminating the position, and the board will determine how to proceed with the position at an upcoming regular council meeting.
At Wednesday’s meeting, council members Larry Ritchie, Xavier Mendez and Ana Beltran voted in favor of the termination while Mayor Mary Ann Smith abstained. Council member Henry Graham was absent.
Traylor’s attorney, Shiva Stein, of Donald R. Holben & Associates, also wouldn’t speak in detail on why her client was fired. Stein did say Traylor is exploring her legal options.
Both Stein and Driskill confirmed Stein was in the closed meeting conversation regarding Traylor’s position as finance officer, but neither could disclose what was discussed.
Stein was not in the room, however, when the board voted.
Traylor’s term as city clerk ends June 2020, at which point she can be challenged or re-elected.
Fallout between Traylor, city
While no official reason was given for the termination, Traylor and the city have recently had a falling out over the hiring of new Chief of Police Perry Monita.
Traylor has alleged two of the city council members improperly influenced the hiring process of Monita.
During a meeting in early September, Traylor called for the resignation of three of the council members — Beltran, Graham and Ritchie.
At that time, Traylor announced during the meeting she would initiate a recall effort for all three board members if they didn’t immediately step down.
During the meeting, both council members Graham and Ritchie vigorously denied Traylor’s allegations of having unfairly influenced Monita’s hiring.
Both pointed out that Monita’s hiring came at the recommendation of an interview committee comprised of county Undersheriff Fred Miramontes, El Centro Police Chief Eddie Madueno and former Brawley Police Chief Michael Crankshaw.
Traylor had alleged that Monita’s prior work experience failed to meet the minimum requirements for the chief’s position and that the only reason he had been given an interview was because of his previous employment under Graham at the Brawley Police Department.
Traylor’s concerns regarding how the council went about choosing Monita were echoed by Smith, who said the hiring process was not as transparent and inclusive as she would’ve hoped.
Both Traylor and Smith expressed respect for Monita, indicating that they have no personal problem with him, but solely were concerned about the hiring process.