County Commissioners appeared on Almanac North to discuss the current situation. Commissioners Nelson and Forsman defended their positions and portrayed the situation as a union activity.
Commissioner O'Neil spoke truthfully and gave hope for progress in formulating a code of ethics that all would abide by.
They gave a phone number for public comment.
Almanac North 728-0070
Call and tell them what you think of the County Commissioners
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2 comments:
I cannot believe that I live in a day and age when men who believe they have a little power because of their elected position will take advantage of others who they percieve to be inferior. I liken this to what others have called "a good old boys" club. There are many professional, intelligent and respectful people in St Louis County(men and women, in Duluth and on the Iron Range) who feel that the actions of these "men" are absurd and sad. I hope that the code of ethics does what it is supposed to but I am afraid that these so-called officials are fundamentally flawed and cannot be fixed by a code of conduct. It makes me sad to see that our local government has been hindered by the actions of these few people.
What is most frightening to me is that the same commissioners use their same bullying tactics on the professional staff of the county.
Intimidation can be used to get department heads to bow to requests or to carry out policies that the professional staff do not concur with. Harassment and intimidation can create a situation where someone working for the county can know that if they refuse to cooperate they can loose their job. There is absolutely NO doubt that the commissioners can cause people to be hired or fired. The department heads all work at the pleasure of the board. The citizens of the county pay for the professional skills of those working for the County. We pay for accounting, legal, road work, social work, nursing home administration, land management, forestry and a host of other highly specialized services. We MUST be assured that while the commissioners guide policy, they do not impede or otherwise intimidate those providing professional services. One intimidating individual could skew major county decision making.
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