As we consider the various departments throughout our fair county, the office of Voter Registrar sticks out like a sore thumb. Although there are some who think this is a “nothing” job, this is not the case. We have been spoiled by the quiet effeciency of Linda Hollenbeck, who operated that office for a very long time. If the job is done correctly, you don’t think about it unless you move or change party affiliation. As noted in a previous post, after the recent election, there should be at least a couple of changes.
It is understood that Voter Registrar department head, Gary Wilder has an ongoing suit against the County. If memory serves, the suit is based on discriminatory hiring practices. Although Mr. Wilder was subsequently hired, he has continued the suit. Why he persists and whether or not the suit has merit is another issue. The fact that he did sue and apparently continues the action, probably does not put him high on the list of “At Will” employees to retain. Additionally, although they don’t ned to, look for the incoming commissioners to find every single significant error to bolster their position of replacement. There have been some.
Several have suggested that the Deputy Registrar would be the likely replacement. Apparently the Deputy has received the training necessary to assume the roll of her boss. If this is the case, it will be one more problem solved for the county. Although there is still that lawsuit out there.
If the Deputy Registrar does assume the position, that still leaves a vacancy. It will be interesting to see who will fill it, almost as interesting as Mr. Wilder’s reaction. In the end, Susquehanna County needs to move on…. Your thoughts?
Stunning how the Blog Writer has missed the mark this time! The real decision is NOT who will replace Wilder, or his assistant were she to replace him; NO, the real decision is whether the two new commissioners will be savvy enough to settle Wilder’s lawsuit against the County and save the County’s taxpayers a boatload of money. For anyone who is a regular reader of county newspapers, Wilder’s original lawsuit was - and remains - all about the Veteran’s Preference Statute (and the County’s refusal to follow the law). Since then, Commissioners Loomis and Warren have only managed to further expose the County to liability by their antics in breaking the Sunshine Law (illegal executive meeting) to retaliate against Wilder, and their punitive and illegal extension of probation for a further 6 months even though the County’s Personnel Manual only allows for a further 90 days. Is it any wonder Wilder refuses to drop his lawsuit! The new Commissioners would be wise to settle his lawsuit and cut their losses! The County (read: taxpayers) are going to lose in the end anyway.
While it is completely agreed that the continuing suit against Susquehanna County for the actions of the Commissioners is very important, I did say it was another issue. I should have said it should be the subject of another post.
If anyone wants to discuss the ill-advised actions (or were they advised at all) of the sitting commissioners regarding not following the Personnel Manual, ignoring the Veteran’s Preference Statute and more as a new post, please respond here.
My first question would be “Did they act on advice of counsel or on their own?”. It seems unlikely they did, favoring shooting from the hip. If they did have the benefit of counsel, wouldn’t that put him (Raymond Davis) at risk of a trip to the Disciplinary Board?
Regarding the Sunshine Law, if a personnel matter is being discussed, isn’t that outside the scope of Sunshine? It has always been my understanding that only the results of the meeting are made public, rather than the sausage from which they are made.
In full agreement with you Smart Gurl. The potentially (read most probable) mis-deeds of the Commissioners will cost the Taxpayers of this county money. Thanks a lot. The taxpayers always suffer for the actions of politicians. This will be one more example.
Finally, going back to the original post, it is important as to who the Voter Registrar is - maybe the next one will chosen more carefully and not screw up so much.