February 18, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.
Aker alleges editorial was personal
Letters to the Editor
To the editor:
As Paul Harvey would have said, “And now, the rest of the story.”
The article Jack Ronald wrote on Feb. 1, gives a very one-sided view of the story.
If you read the paper you only received half of the story, even though everything was disclosed in our public meeting, it was not fully reported in the article. Yes, I did use a county truck to haul stone, but what you were not told was that I paid for the stone before it left the quarry and that as soon as I discovered it was against policy, I immediately reported what had happened to the commissioner president and insisted on paying for the time and usage of the truck, without being directed to do so.
There was no ill intent or attempt to cover anything up. I was not aware it was against county policy as I had previously worked at the highway department for five years prior to being elected. In that time, it was permitted for employees to use equipment under the understanding that it was returned in the same condition it was borrowed. I have admitted I made a mistake and I am still learning the ins and outs of the job.
I can’t help but feel the reason I’m being criticized is because I did my job and voiced the concerns and objections for the taxpayers who opposed the purchase of the Hood Building, which houses The Commercial Review and The Graphic Printing Company. After I expressed my concern for the sale I was told by Jack Ronald that my objection was taken personally. As your commissioner, I put taxpayer dollars first, not personal feelings.
As a refresher to taxpayers, The Commercial Review/Graphic Printing Co., is owned by a corporation with Jack Ronald being a shareholder. The proposed purchase agreement, if the building was purchased would include:
1. Payment of $300,000 for the building
2. Newspaper and printing company would operate rent free and pay taxes, utilities and building maintenance
3. It was being perceived as a “buyout by the public,” in short definition, Jay County taxpayers
Is this good use of taxpayer dollars?
On a personal note, I take great exception to Ray Cooney’s “fall on his sword” comment. This is reckless and below a newspaper editor.
As your commissioner, I am a voice for all Jay County taxpayers. I know there will be disagreements, but my door is always open to talk about county issues.
Please remember that my job is to make this county, our county, a better place for all to live.
Chad Aker
Jay County Commissioner
As Paul Harvey would have said, “And now, the rest of the story.”
The article Jack Ronald wrote on Feb. 1, gives a very one-sided view of the story.
If you read the paper you only received half of the story, even though everything was disclosed in our public meeting, it was not fully reported in the article. Yes, I did use a county truck to haul stone, but what you were not told was that I paid for the stone before it left the quarry and that as soon as I discovered it was against policy, I immediately reported what had happened to the commissioner president and insisted on paying for the time and usage of the truck, without being directed to do so.
There was no ill intent or attempt to cover anything up. I was not aware it was against county policy as I had previously worked at the highway department for five years prior to being elected. In that time, it was permitted for employees to use equipment under the understanding that it was returned in the same condition it was borrowed. I have admitted I made a mistake and I am still learning the ins and outs of the job.
I can’t help but feel the reason I’m being criticized is because I did my job and voiced the concerns and objections for the taxpayers who opposed the purchase of the Hood Building, which houses The Commercial Review and The Graphic Printing Company. After I expressed my concern for the sale I was told by Jack Ronald that my objection was taken personally. As your commissioner, I put taxpayer dollars first, not personal feelings.
As a refresher to taxpayers, The Commercial Review/Graphic Printing Co., is owned by a corporation with Jack Ronald being a shareholder. The proposed purchase agreement, if the building was purchased would include:
1. Payment of $300,000 for the building
2. Newspaper and printing company would operate rent free and pay taxes, utilities and building maintenance
3. It was being perceived as a “buyout by the public,” in short definition, Jay County taxpayers
Is this good use of taxpayer dollars?
On a personal note, I take great exception to Ray Cooney’s “fall on his sword” comment. This is reckless and below a newspaper editor.
As your commissioner, I am a voice for all Jay County taxpayers. I know there will be disagreements, but my door is always open to talk about county issues.
Please remember that my job is to make this county, our county, a better place for all to live.
Chad Aker
Jay County Commissioner
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