To the editor:
One of the encouraging signs in local politics is the progress made by the bipartisan Leelanau County Commission over the past year and a half. We finally have a septic inspection ordinance (like most counties in Michigan), and a Commission seriously interested in solving our problems: affordable housing, attracting and supporting young families, protecting our fragile environment, and transparency and cooperation in government.
So the headline in last week’s paper — Lautner Makes FOIA Request — was discouraging, to say the least. The County Board has been dealing with the rash decision to re-organize the County’s financial work for two years. There is now a logical plan to finally survey the staff — our most valued resource — and get their input into how to fix this situation, which was created by the old, NOT-bipartisan Commission. County staffers should get to speak freely; they have the expertise to address problems and update processes.
Demanding to see the confidential preliminary records of this work is a shameful move to keep employees fearful of reprisal. It is unprofessional — every member of the Commission should be supporting this work whole-heartedly.
Nancy Flanagan Cedar
