A simpler solution

Here's a solution: Close the doors.

Jay County Commissioners agreed to spend $875 Monday for a system that will shut off the heat in the bay at the Portland Jay Emergency Medical Service base when the bay doors are left open by employees - an occurrence that is apparently happening all too often.

Instead of taking the common sense route and finding a way to encourage the employees to do the right thing and remember to close the doors, the commissioners agreed to spend taxpayer money in hopes of making the problem go away quietly.

Commissioners Milo Miller Jr., Faron Parr and Jim Zimmerman generally score high marks for frugality, but on this issue, they flunked.

JEMS director Teresa Foster-Geesaman has discussed the issue with commissioners previously, reportedly telling them that employees have ignored instructions to keep the door closed.

A little persuasion, like the threat of a $50 paycheck deduction for all employees on any shift in which the doors are found to be left open for more than a minute or two, might get their attention.

Occasionally, in the stress of an emergency response, an employee might forget to push the button to close the bay doors in times when the building is being heated or cooled.

But we believe the persistent "forgetfulness" of employees is more a symptom of poor leadership than poor memory, and it's time for county officials to improve those leadership skills. - M.S.[[In-content Ad]]