PARZIVAND LAW FIRM QUOTED IN CONROE COURIER ARTICLE
Source : http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/
Author : Catherine Dominguez
A Facebook post made by Precinct 3 County Commissioner James Noack has left several young women wondering why an elected official would go to such lengths to degrade women during a hotly contested political season.
While the post appeared on Noack’s personal Facebook page early Wednesday morning, it took the post little time to circulate through social media circles.
The post stated “The fake tea party, created to aide the failing Doyal/Riley campaigns is having an unintended consequence. Because they have hired workers to pass out their ballot, Twin Peaks is understaffed!!! Expect longer waits.....”
Noack is publicly supporting Montgomery County Director of Infrastructure Mark Bosma in his runoff race for county judge against Precinct 2 Commissioner Craig Doyal, and Rob Harmon who is facing Charlie Riley in the runoff election to replace Doyal as commissioner.
Election day is Tuesday.
“I may say things out of passion about this election that should not be said,” Noack said. “I have learned my lesson and I understand me being a commissioner and a person are the same thing.”While the post has since been deleted from Facebook, for many, the damage already was done.
Samantha Humphrey, Emily McKinney and Miranda Stubbs have all been contracted to work the polls as part of the Texas Conservative Tea Party Coalition group.
McKinney, Stubbs and Humphrey all said they were surprised and offended by the post.
“It’s very insulting,” said McKinney, who is a marketing major at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. “To have someone go after girls who are working to put themselves through school as well, it’s very offensive and sexist as well.”
As for Humphrey, who is a student in the Lone Star College System and runs her own online women’s fashion site, the post was offensive but said it has sparked her political fire.“It has made me want to get involved more,” she said. “It gives me more cause to fight for.”
Stubbs, who is studying mass communications at SHSU, said she was surprised by the comment because she, Humphrey and McKinney were all dressed conservatively to work the polls.Officials with Twin Peaks did not respond before press time.
“It’s a pretty big accusation to make,” said Duane Ham, chairman of the TCTPC. “I think it goes right to the character of the man. Personally, I can’t believe an elected official would act and talk that way.
“He specifically pointed these young women out. These are young women getting involved in the process, and that is what we need more of. We need more young people and they shouldn’t be insulted for it.”
Noack said the post was not intended to offend anyone.
“My post is political satire — nothing more,” he said.
The post comes on the heels of a complaint filed against Noack by a former employee that claims Noack discriminated against her, claims Noack denies.
The complaint was filed with the EEOC April 10 against Montgomery County. It claims the discrimination started soon after Noack was sworn into office Jan. 1, 2013.
According to the complaint filed by Terrilynn Macarthur, she was terminated June 23, 2013, as manager of the Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center without warning after she was written up for the first time in June 2013.
Hessam Parzivand, a Houston-based attorney representing Macarthur, said the evidence points convincingly to systemic discrimination.
“After only scratching the surface of Commissioner Noack’s time in office,” he said, “allegations of discrimination and intimidation involving seven different women employed by Noack have emerged.”
County Attorney J D Lambright said the county denies all the allegations of discrimination.
“The county did not discriminate against these employees,” Lambright said. “And we intend to vigorously defend the county against all such allegations.”