February 7, 2020 at 8:14 p.m.
Suspension created clear inequity
Editorial
Well, that seems more than a little unfair.
Last week, Jay County Commissioners met in a special session in which they suspended highway superintendent Donnie Corn for two weeks without pay.
The suspension stems from a September incident in which Jay County Commissioner Chad Aker, with Corn’s help, used county equipment to move stone for personal use. Such use of equipment is against county policy.
To us, it seems wrong that Corn should be suspended but that Aker should face no further consequences.
Yes, Aker made financial restitution for the stone, use of equipment and Corn’s time. But that’s simply payment for the materials and service he received. It’s not punishment in any way.
Based on last year’s employee compensation report, two weeks unpaid will cost Corn somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,850.
Meanwhile, Aker loses nothing.
So, how do we fix this glaring inequity?
One possibility would be for Aker to voluntarily forfeit a portion of his $19,300 annual commissioner salary. The amount should be, at minimum, equal to the wages Corn will lose. After all, the actions Corn was suspended for came on orders from Aker, who, as a commissioner, is his boss.
Perhaps the amount should match what the county had to pay to have the consulting firm investigate the issue.
Aker has said the incident was a mistake, that he didn’t know his actions ran counter to the rules.
We take him at his word.
He said we all make mistakes and learn from them.
He’s right about that as well.
But mistakes also have consequences.
Corn’s mistake did. So far, Aker’s has not.
It’s time to fix that, and it shouldn’t take any further investigations, personnel committee meetings or prepared statements.
Aker should voluntarily, though belatedly, fall on his sword. He should tell his fellow commissioners Monday he’ll be forfeiting a portion of his salary.
We live in a world where life often isn’t fair.
But we should try to make it as fair as we can.
In this situation, there is still the opportunity to do so. — R.C.
Last week, Jay County Commissioners met in a special session in which they suspended highway superintendent Donnie Corn for two weeks without pay.
The suspension stems from a September incident in which Jay County Commissioner Chad Aker, with Corn’s help, used county equipment to move stone for personal use. Such use of equipment is against county policy.
To us, it seems wrong that Corn should be suspended but that Aker should face no further consequences.
Yes, Aker made financial restitution for the stone, use of equipment and Corn’s time. But that’s simply payment for the materials and service he received. It’s not punishment in any way.
Based on last year’s employee compensation report, two weeks unpaid will cost Corn somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,850.
Meanwhile, Aker loses nothing.
So, how do we fix this glaring inequity?
One possibility would be for Aker to voluntarily forfeit a portion of his $19,300 annual commissioner salary. The amount should be, at minimum, equal to the wages Corn will lose. After all, the actions Corn was suspended for came on orders from Aker, who, as a commissioner, is his boss.
Perhaps the amount should match what the county had to pay to have the consulting firm investigate the issue.
Aker has said the incident was a mistake, that he didn’t know his actions ran counter to the rules.
We take him at his word.
He said we all make mistakes and learn from them.
He’s right about that as well.
But mistakes also have consequences.
Corn’s mistake did. So far, Aker’s has not.
It’s time to fix that, and it shouldn’t take any further investigations, personnel committee meetings or prepared statements.
Aker should voluntarily, though belatedly, fall on his sword. He should tell his fellow commissioners Monday he’ll be forfeiting a portion of his salary.
We live in a world where life often isn’t fair.
But we should try to make it as fair as we can.
In this situation, there is still the opportunity to do so. — R.C.
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