Punishing our elected officials

Democrat Linn County Auditor, Joel Miller has come under scrutiny recently over the firing of Deputy Commissioner of Elections, Sue Wold last week. Wold has served in the office for 31 years. However, as a political appointee, she serves at the pleasure of the auditor.

Miller said that the firing was necessary in order to bring in someone with a different skill set to provide better accountability in both county purchasing and elections.

Honestly, I don't have an opinion on the firing. Today I heard Miller on WMT Radio's Andy Peterson Show. He said that elected officials were reluctant to take this sort of action because they might find themselves punished by being 'on the hot seat' in the radio studio or on the front page of the Gazette. He mentioned having fired people in the private sector without being subject to public scrutiny.

When I heard that I had to focus on keeping the car on the road. Did Miller really say that? Peterson caught it too — punishment? Since when did public scrutiny of elected officials become a form of punishment?

Let me say this clearly:

Dear Mr. Miller,

You,and any other elected official who consider public scrutiny a form of punishment, need to remember that you work for us. We have every right to question and scrutinize your actions. If you consider this punishment, may I suggest that you find a different form of employment.

Sincerely,
HawkeyGOP

Comments

[Joel Miller]

Dear Mr. Chung:

I manage the most transparent government office in Linn County and likely the most transparent in the State of Iowa. You are welcome to question and scrutinize my actions at any time as you are doing now.

If you believe that having a reorganization decision published on the front page of The Gazette and discussed on WMT Radio is a reward, then you and I should expect to see many more stories in the near term. Correct?

In general, elected officials are not rewarded for making changes, which is why government changes very little over time.

Regards,

Joel D. Miller
Linn County Auditor
319-892-5333

[HawkeyeGOP]

Mr. Miller,

Thanks for commenting in your own name. You said:

"In general, elected officials are not rewarded for making changes, which is why government changes very little over time."

I agree! It takes fortitude to fight the inevitable inertia of any bureaucratic body. I thought you acquitted yourself well on WMT in explaining why you made the changes you did. In fact with the limited information I have — I find myself in support.

I agree that having your actions featured on the front page of the Gazette or on the radio is not a 'reward'. But it is not a 'punishment' either. Rather it is a part of the job.

Thank you for the civil discourse.

Sincerely,
HawkeyeGOP