Hutchinson Leader - County Politics - Comments

I think a lot of young folks

JaneDoe_22 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:27:06 -0500

I think a lot of young folks would like the opportunity to serve as a county commissioner. However, because of the time commitment, I think most folks would not be in a position to serve as such. Unless you are retired, I think most employers would frown on your leaving your job to attend commissioner meetings and any other committee meetings that you would be involved in. So unless you are self-employed or retired, more than likely you won't get the "younger blood" that is badly needed in government today. So I guess we can look forward to much of the same for the next few years!!

Bayerl is always trying to

just1opinion — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:17:13 -0500

Bayerl is always trying to play the David vs Goliath thing with Glencoe and Hutch. He needs to get over it and address real issues instead of the issues he is facing in his own head.

Knutson was not removed from

Jeff Brewer — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:30:15 -0500

Knutson was not removed from the County Board Chair because the other Commissioners stand with him. This clearly shows there are FOUR commissioners working together. Hopefully someday soon, Bayerl will be able to put aside his personal differences and work with the other four. Bayerl's actions are not professional and do not represent the County well.

Before anyone makes assumptions or jumps to conclusions, talk with some employees, talk with some area professionals who have dealt with the county, see if they stand behind the decision to remove Crary. I found the overwhelming response is "YES!".

I do not know Ms. Crary nor

JaneDoe_22 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:57:00 -0500

I do not know Ms. Crary nor do I know anythinig about low Courthouse employee morale (perhaps increased wages might improve that problem). However, I do know that this will cost McLeod County taxpayers a few bucks - I believe Ms. Crary according to her contract is entitled to six months of her salary plus one year of health and life insurance benefits. So, if she did something really, really bad I don't think she would be entitled to these benefits. I think (and I am only guessing just reading between the lines) some of our commissioners probably had an "ego" problem and didn't want Ms. Crary stepping on their turf. I wish them all good luck in the coming weeks!

Canthelpbutlaugh is correct.

Jeff Brewer — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:46:00 -0500

Canthelpbutlaugh is correct. There was a reason she was let go. I asked a few employees how they feel. Their response was similar with the basic message that the employees are so much happier. Why are they happy? Just ask them. They will tell you. If you think it is because of tax money, you are just beginning to scratch the surface. Again, Canthelpbutlaugh is correct to give the county board the benefit of the doubt. They made a good decision based on the information I have been shared.

Before anyone jumps to such

Canthelpbutlaugh — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:35:57 -0500

Before anyone jumps to such hasty conclusions and gets everyone whipped up when they think their taxes are going to be raised because of this, I believe the story states that as a part of her contract, agreed to by both the county and Mrs. Crary, that she can be "let go" for any reason. Obviously there was some reason she was let go. Maybe it was for a reason that will save the county some tax money in the future, who knows, but before I jump to conclusions and call this a disaster, I am going to give them (the county board) the benefit of the doubt.

She can try to sue but there

Skyzacken — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:30:04 -0500

She can try to sue but there is not even a case, it stated above, according to her contract "agreement" she can be terminated or resign at any time for any reason.

This looks like a lawsuit

JaneDoe_22 — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:38:09 -0500

This looks like a lawsuit for McLeod County. Good luck county residents, looks like our taxes will be going up again to pay for this fiasco (another nice mess they've gotten us into!!).

Interesting ~ very

Sue Mortenson — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 06:10:19 -0500

Interesting ~ very interesting. I'm wondering what REALLY happened. Nan has been here for how many years? The meeting took place where? Hmmmm! Thank you, Nan, for all you have accomplished in spite of our County Board.

The article stated these

justme — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:02:13 -0500

The article stated these changes were necessary to become compliant with state regulations. So that wouldn't be good enough for you? You need to hear that if it isn't fixed an inmate could run a sheet through the opening and make a noose? Again, you can explain the changes needed in detail w/out suggesting how inmates can take advantage of the problems needing to be fixed.

I think people would be up

hutchindaughter — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:52:56 -0500

I think people would be up in arms about having to pay for smaller vents without knowing why smaller vents were needed. It would seem silly to get new vents if the old vents were working well. I would question the other items on the list as well if I didn't have a proper explanation as to why these changes were needed.
If these changes weren't explained in detail, this thread would be filled with posts about how the county is wasting money on things that work just fine already.

Not sure when I said it was

justme — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:05:26 -0500

Not sure when I said it was a guidebook for assault/homicide/suicide and I didn't say you shouldn't report it. In my opinion responsible journalism would be reporting these problems needing upgrading w/out providing specific examples on what a person could do to take advantage of those problems.

If Hutchinson Leader

Aura_Lee — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:13:27 -0500

If Hutchinson Leader wouldn't have reported on what the county was spending the money on, they would have been accused of not getting all the facts.

There are plenty of ways for someone to hurt people. I hardly believe this article was a guidebook to assault/homicide/suicide.

Justme, the information you

Jorge Sosa — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 07:43:38 -0500

Justme, the information you refer to is public. It was discussed in public meetings and detailed in a letter from the Department of Corrections which was released to the press.

I believe if the McLeod County Sheriff's Office or the jail staff believed an inmate or potential inmate might be sitting there reading the newspaper and getting all kinds of bad ideas, they would not have given copies of this information to the press.

The Leader provides this information because $1.5 million is a lot of taxpayer money and our readers might want to know if it's being well spent. Some might argue that merely reporting that the county is spending $1.5 million on unspecified "stuff" would be irresponsible.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)

How incredibly responsible

justme — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:44:25 -0500

How incredibly responsible of this Leader staff writer (not to mention the editor that let it go through) to put specific examples for a possible future inmate to endanger him or her self, other inmates and possibly jail staff. Can't imagine what you all were thinking. And this is the SECOND time you've printed it. Good grief!