Mandate Ended Career

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Dear Editor:

I am writing this letter in response to an article written by Carol Vaughn, dated, Jan. 28, concerning the transfer of Onancock’s wastewater treatment facility to Hampton Roads Sanitation District.

Town Manager Matt Spuck correctly pointed out that of the three town employees at the plant, two transferred over to HRSD and the third employee — me — retired. To add detail to the story or statement, I feel compelled to write this letter.

I was going to be one of the three transferring over. It was a done deal, with the help of Spuck negotiating on our behalf with various persons within HRSD. He did his part and I am grateful to him and the town for their efforts to see it through. Everything was set to go and I was looking forward to this new venture.

However, there were rumors of mandates being adhered to. Finally, after months of preparing for the transfer, a meeting was held with HRSD at the plant, and I was informed that I must be vaccinated for employment with HRSD. I and another employee declined and stated reasons for not getting vaccinated. It was an ultimatum: get the shot or walk.

The other employee left the job and had to find other employment, because he did not know when HRSD would take over. There was no grace period for us.

I decided to stay after much back and forth, until the takeover or my planned exit Jan. 23, after my two week “on call” shift ended. The plant needed my help until then and I felt I owed them and my supervisor the help as long as possible.

I would like to thank the town of Onancock and town manager for the many years of employment. It has been a journey, for sure.

HRSD should not be governed by politics and they lost some good people in their organization.

Dean Savannah,
Melfa

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