BALD HEAD ISLAND, NC (WWAY) -- Bald Head Island residents say one man is tearing apart their small community. Last week the island's public safety chief resigned, which was the tipping point for residents to call for an investigation into their village manager, who they say is at the center of all their problems.
The quiet community of Bald Head Island is considered a paradise to many, but to its small population of residents, the resignation of their Public Safety Chief Jerome "Chip" Munna was a wake up call.
“To just rip him out of this community has just ripped the heart out of this community,” says Jane Oakley, a Bald Head Island homeowner. “We are upset about this.”
After 14 years of service and an internal investigation, Chief Munna resigned. Now Bald Head Island residents say it's all because of the village manager, Calvin Peck.
“It’s like an onion,” says Oakley. “If you peel back the layers of an onion to get to the truth, Calvin’s in the middle of it, in my opinion.”
For more than five years, Peck has served as village manager, and residents say there are numerous issues surrounding him. The most recent, and some say last straw, was Chief Munna's departure.
“That’s when we became politically active,” says Jane Johnson, another BHI resident.
Residents have organized a petition to investigate Peck and the many documented complaints from employees and homeowners, including issues like creating a hostile work environment and forcing employees to resign.
“I would like to see Calvin Peck gone and Chip returned to this island,” Oakley says.
In April, Peck received the "Outstanding Manager" award by the Cape Fear Council of Governments.
Residents plan to present the petition to village council during their September 21 meeting. We reached out to Peck, but he has not returned our request for comment.
manager of the year clarification
It is my understanding the "manager of the year award" had absolutely nothing to do with his management of BHI. First of all, He was picked from a zone of about 3 counties, not the entire state. It was given to him for speaking at a college by a organazation HE IS A MEMBER OF! He could have just as easily went to a trophy store and had it printed himself. This is another biased way for false recognition to make him look like he is a valuable asset to a government. HA! This award means almost as much as a scratch and sniff certificate printed on a home computer to give your 6 year old for eating all his peas at dinner. More of the manager's smokescreen to cover up his worthlessness. Yuck!
mamager of the year
Thank you for the details. You are spot on about the false recognition, valuable asset part. A lot of us would like to shove that award back at them. In the orgainzation's defense, I am sure they did not know what Peck is capable of.
Just one more sack of dirt on BHI!
Peck was run off from Carolina Beach and that is well documented. They were ecstatic to get rid of the crumb. A short stint on Caswell Beach as an interim town administrator proved he was too much ego for them also. So then he finds BHI or better put, "some powers" on BHI find him. It takes a special type of tight ship to cover up the murder of a police officer and still move forward as if nothing wrong ever happened. It takes money and yes men to keep that kind of ship afloat. That is what Peck is and he will do anything to keep this dark ship afloat. And he has no problem destroying anyone that stands in his way. BTW, that is why this heavy handed gunman was hired. So clean cut Chip would not play the dirty game and therefore displayed professional ethics and character. It cost him his job! The powers and Peck will continue to do as they please when and how they please unless the citizens, this time, get together and stick together. Question is citizens, do you have the stomach to do so?
SHAME
It's a shame it took the resignation of such a qualified Chief to prompt the residents and council to finally take action. The Village has lost many dedicated employees who worked on the island and actually CARED about it because of this manager. This manager is a bully and needs to be removed, he needed to be removed 4 and a half years ago...but no one listened then, glad to see you are now, just hate that Chip and his family have to suffer because of it.
Shame
The council has not taken action and supported Peck ignoring residents complaints I wrote a formal letter of complaint over two years ago. This isn't just about bad treatment of his employees. Some of the residents who have to pay his salary have suffered his mistreatment. Council did not even respond that they had even received my letter much less act on it except to ignore it. I would like to know if the women at Carolina Beach were bullied or worse.
yes i liked my job very much
yes i liked my job very much and my family is sufferig to i have no insurance anymore and still no job
Yes I liked my job very much
Dear I like my job.
First I am very sorry for you and your family. I have been in your shoes with the insurance situation and it is no place to be. Does your " yes " refer to the last line of my response to Shame? If you or anyone else from Carolina Beach or elswhere for that matter have been bullied, threatened etc by Calvin Peck we want to hear your story. I have asked Marissa Jasek of WWAY3 to be our connection. Contact her with your contact information and she will pass it on to me. There is strengh in numbers.
Bald Head
You're all a bunch of overpaId in whatever it is you
do, look at the real issue.... Easley ran your island
to the ground. Think about the police officer that
shot herself in the back of the head.. Takes real talent doesnt it? To shoot your ownself like
that? Your town is a joke. You should all just stay in Raleigh
or up north, wherever y'all are from. Ron Hewitt should've squealed
when he had the chance. Face it , you paid an assload of money to
live in a county where the the hired help on your godforsaken Island spend more money on drugs than you.
Welcone to Paradise. Brings real meaning to the
phrase I-40 west use it, doesnt it? Kook.
Who is Easley? The Davida
Who is Easley? The Davida Jones case is not a part of this story so why do you persist to rant?
Who and why
Easley refers to our former governor, dear. He owns a home on the island. It is Davina, not Davida, btw. Her murder was ruled a suicide by local and state officials who wanted to please BHI homeowners while allowing business (drug) as usual. I believe this writer is trying to say, as others do, that things have not really changed much on the island in terms of open government and genuine care about the residents and tourists. That's why Davina is still important and always will be.
Chip munna
I have personally known Chip for over 5 years. I can not imagine what this town manager has against Chip. Chip is a very hard working man. I believe that if Chip saw procedures that were against the law or not ethically correct, he would stand up and fight for the injustices to be corrected. Chip really cares about the island. I have seen him leave family functions to go and check on things on the island. He has given his best to this community, it is time the citizens stand up for him, and show the politicians ( town manager ), that he can have his life ruined just as he has tried to ruin Chip's life. I live near a town that also had a power hungry town manager in charge. His reign ended when the new board was voted in, and he saw the writing on the wall. Why would you take the word of a man that has caused chaos at other towns, over a man that has given over a decade of his life to protect the well being of citizens on a barrier island? Maybe the town manager can hire a less qualified person with a lower salary, so he can show how he has saved the island money, so he may receive more perks. Good luck with a town manager full of hot air giving you CPR, if you should need it. Good luck to Chip Munna and his family, wherever his career may lead him, that area will be lucky to have him.
Amen. We know the same Chip!
Amen. We know the same Chip!
BHI Residents
Thank you residents of Bald Head Island. As I said in a previous comment, you would not take this lying down. Chief Munna WAS FORCED to resign. I applaud you and pray your efforts are successful.
On another note, I notice nobody uses their name when posting a negative comment about Chief Munna? Why are you afraid to use your name? Mainly, people who have worked for him saying he has a do as I say approach. Isn't that the job of a boss? He has never been one not to get his hands dirty right along with his employees. And using swear words to describe him only confirms your ignorance. Chief Munna is a VERY intelligent man who possibly has a low tolerance for stupidity. Possibly this is why you had an issue with him?
Well
COMMON SENSE tells you not to post your real name on a message board where some nut job can get it, in case you make them irate, knows who you are and can now find out where you live....its best to remain anonymous on the web...just food for thought!
BHI ,VILLAGE IDIOT
VILLAGE IDIOTS LOSE ANOTHER FIRE CHIEF AND WANT TO SUPPORT HIM. HE WAS FIRE CHIEF BROWNS BACKER AND SUPPORTER WHEN ALMOST ALL OF THE PARAMEDICS QUIT THE ISLAND FIRE EMS DEPARTMENT,REMEMBER? THAT WAS AFTER CHIEF BROWN ORDERED THE CRIME SCENE OF A POLICE OFFICER SHOT ON THE ISLAND WASHED DOWN WITH FIRE TRUCKS DESTROYING THE CRIME SCENE. HE WAS UNDER ORDERS NOT TO DO THAT AND TORE DOWN THE CRIME SCENE TAPE AND DID IT ANYWAY!! ALMOST EVERY DOCUMENTED HOUSE FIRE ON BHI HAS BURNED TO THE GROUND! WAKE UP!! THE SO CALLED VOLUNTEER EMS/FIRE SERVICES IS A WEEKLY SOCIAL GROUP MADE UP OF ELDERLY GOSSIPERS.
PECK?
Isn't this the same guy who made such a mess of Carolina Beach working as a Town Manager? You would think they would have known better..serves them right!
Calvin
Yes, this is the same Calvin Peck. Unfortunately, the Council went through an employment agency who should be sued for malpractice and not releasing needed information. I do fault our Council for not doing due diligence.
Would love to hear from Carolina folks who have lived in CalvinWorld.
Calvin Peck
Yes, same guy. Unfortunately the citizens of the community do not have input on hiring. Certainly Mr. Peck's history should have been more thoroughly investigated.
they knew
LOL they knew, we all knew and we all held our breaths.
I worked at BHI in the 90s
I worked at BHI in the 90s and a hostile working environment has prevailed for many years. It is nothing new.
kind of like
kind of Like working at the Wilmington board of realtors and listing service as an employee of the ceo huh...hostile hostile hostile, micromanage micromanage micromanage...Narcissism, Narcissism, Narcissism, workaholic workaholic workaholic.. treat employees like crap and send em packin.. Now THAT'S the AMERICAN WAY!
The Wall
Amen Sista! You got that right! Working for the board is like being imprisoned, I meant employeed behind "The Wall!
apology
As a citizen of the village of Bald Head Island, I apologize for not speaking out sooner. The resignation of our admired Chief Munna was my final straw. We now have a petition of a Vote of No Confidence in Calvin Peck and hopefully can resolve the negative work environment he has created for village employees. Not sure whether you were a village employee or just worked on the island, which were you?
village
village
calvin peck
what about the employee that got hurt on the job and was fired because he was on workers comp ?
I'd have to question that one
any employer which fired any employee as a direct result of filing a workers compensation claim would be in deep doo doo from at least 2 agencies.
The Industrial Commission, which oversees all disputed or confrontational workers compensation claims, would be on the employer in a flash.
If the employee were on workplace related disability leave, the Insurance Carrier would have a case manager working to ensure the injured employee returns to work as quickly as possible, even if only on light duties. The Insurance Carrier would take immediate and direct action should they learn the employee was terminated without just cause.
The Department of Labor would be all over the employer with sanctions and court orders after a thorough investigation.
Having said all of that, the employer might have grounds to terminate, once the employee is released to return to work. As an example, the employee was drinking beer at lunch, which is likely against employee workplace rules, and is injured as a result of his impaired condition. That's one example where an employee could be terminated. But, the termination would not be for filing a workers compensation claim. The termination would be for alcohol consumption while working.
There are other facts likely which have not been revealed due to employee privacy rights.
workmen's comp
Let me know the details and we will add it to our petition. We are asking the Council to investigate 23 Plus items about Calvin's management skills. Many of them deal with employees. This investigation would be done under subpoena power so any evidence you bring could not be used against you. If you would like to testify, please contact Mayor Andy Sayre or Mayor Pro Temp, John Fisher. They are both listed in the phone book. Mayor Sayre is currently in Europe.
THATS A JOKE
Contact Mayor Sayre or the council..HAHAHAHAHAHAHA they were informed of Calvin's mistreatment's of staff in the past and they turned around and patted him on the back. What a joke!
That's A Joke
Trust me. I know the feeling. Read my response to shame. Peck has bullied some of the female residents on this island as well. Instead a commnication director was hired. Another salery to pay
Well
If your on workers comp, cannot return to work OR they cannot find work for you to do...then you CAN be terminated.