New documents shed light on county firing of chief administrator

ABC-7 is learning more about the firing of Steve Norwood, the county’s first-ever chief administrator. Norwood was had the post for less than a year, but the county had been quiet up until now about his dismissal.

New documents initially obtained by Martn Paredes and the El Paso News blog show that Norwood was fired after a long series of communication with him about actually being present at his job. Starting in April, just a few months into Norwood’s time in the job, County Judge Veroncia Escobar expressed concern with Norwood’s perceived tardiness and absence from the job.

Escobar said she didn’t think she could avoid the subject any longer along with this in an email to Norwood on April 7: “I have grown very concerned about your attendance at work and the message it sends to your team.”

And in response, Norwood wrote:

“Yes Judge I understand and will deal with it. I spend a lot of hours working from home and taking care of organizational matters and have never been an 8 to 5 guy to my direct reports. We have a job to do, so lets do it. If we have to work on Saturday so be it, or if you would like to take an afternoon off each week to play golf…then so be it.

“Yes it has been a challenge personally and this past week did not help, especially when the ex tells you its my fault. Regardless that’s personal and work is work. I give you my word I will get this worked out.

“Thanks for your patience and understanding. We are building something very special here.”

Escobar responded in part:

“I’m not quite sure we’re on the same page. And for the sake, my sake, and the sake of the organization, it’s best that we be as clear with each other as possible. I’m not trying to tell you how to operate with your direct reports. My concern is your role — our direct report — as it relates to the commissioners court’s expectations.

“Frankly, there’s no time for golf right now. This position has not been in place for a few years; it’s been in place for for a few months. We do not have the luxury of resting on our laurels. We are setting up a brand new form of government and everyone is watching (as they should be). I used a tremendous amount of political capital explaining to the public why we need this position. And we need this position.

“You and I clearly need to talk.”

Norwood concluded this exchange with a quick email the same day:

“That’s fine. And I agree. I do think we are on the same page. Maybe just a little different approach to the task at hand or the general approach. I will take your lead.”

But documents show the concerns countinued to mount, eventually reaching a head and leading the county to consider removing Norwood.

In an email exchange on Sept. 24 about a conference he would be attending, Norwood wrote “I worked from home all yesterday. I am doing the job that needs to be done but obviously not to your standards, and for that I do apologize. But when it comes to results….I have achieved.”

Escobar responded, “You are completely missing the point. You and I have discussed this more than once. It could not have been more clear. And I brought it up again in executive session because you still refused to follow the directive. The point is not that you are working from home. The point is that you have been instructed to notify your bosses when you’re out. It’s pretty easy.

“You have a history of frequently missing work, and not notifying us is a way to ensure we are not aware. You wouldn’t tolerate that from one of your employees, nor should you. I don’t either. You’re trying to deflect and that, too, is not acceptable.”

Commissioners offered Norwood a chance to resign with severance prior to Oct. 5, but the documents show commissioners decided to move forward with his firing when he didn’t respond as promptly as they wanted. They voted to offer him nearly a $15,000 settlement offer this past Monday.

“We will be paying him one month of salary,” Escobar said Monday, “in exchange for his signing of a settlement agreement that essentially agrees to terminate the relationship completely with no lawsuit going into the future.”

The county wouldn’t comment on the issue or the documents Wednesday, with the a spokesman for the county attorney sending this statement: “It is the policy of the County Attorney’s Office not to comment on personnel issues or pending legal matters. The County will make the any final separation agreement available to the public upon receipt.”

Escobar said “We’re focused on finding (Norwood’s) replacement, and we wish him the best.”