Hurt feelings

The Oconee Enterprise, in its continued coverage of the proposed restructuring of the local government, picked up on the frustration of Oconee County Commission Jim Luke.

Luke, at the close of a recent meeting where Oconee County Chairman Melvin Davis had defended his communication abilities, vented at length about how the latter was mistaken. As an example used his defense, Luke pointed to the hiring of Emil Beshara as Oconee County's Director of Public Works. Luke said he learned of the hiring after Davis had made his decision and offered the job.

To which I say ... so?

Why would Luke know?

The ordinance spelling out the responsibilities for the local government grant Davis the power to make those hirings and firings. If Davis, an elected official, is awarded the power to take such action, then why should Luke or the rest of the commission get special treatment in terms of notification?

Let's contrast this with Athens-Clarke County where the county manager does the hiring and firing for the various departmental head positions. While Alan Reddish isn't elected as Davis is, he is legally granted the authority to make those employment decisions.

Earlier this year, Pam Reidy was named Director of Leisure Services after a job search and interview process, all conducted by Reddish who then offered her the job. The Athens-Clarke County Commission, however, had no say in this matter, and the body learned of her hiring when Reddish introduced her to the group at a meeting.

This process, of course, makes sense. It doesn't rely on micromanagement. It doesn't slow down the process for the sake of bureaucracy.

The more and more I sift through this, and more examples I hear of Davis's communication problems, the more it seems like it's nothing more than hurt feelings on the part of some commissioners.

Whether it's from a random staff member leaving town on county business or the commission learning of the hiring of a department head, those items are being communicated in the way that is totally appropriate for a growing county of this size and in accordance with the existing ordinance. There is absolutely no need for the commission to have advance awareness of every employee being in town or not, and there is no justification for them to gain a non-legislated role in the hiring and firing of county staff.

This proposed ordinance only adds to the chaos in an attempt to give what Kate McDaniel dubbed 'the group of four' an unreasonable allocation of oversight authority that will only slow down the ability of the government to do its job.