To the editor:
I think we can all agree that when employers ensure a positive work culture for their employees, everyone benefits — both employees and those they serve. So, when a number of culture-related complaints from Leelanau County employees surfaced last year, I was glad to see our Board of Commissioners act — convening a three-commissioner personnel committee, chaired by Commissioner Kama Ross, to examine the county’s work environment.
The chairperson conducted informal interviews with county workers, whose collective responses — publicly shared, albeit without attribution — echoed concerns raised in the earlier complaints. To broaden the number of workers providing data, the Board then contracted with an outside firm to implement a formal employeewide survey. The results confi rmed the need to improve the work environment for county employees. The Board is now exploring solutions and identifying related responsibilities both for the Board and for the county’s professional staff.
Recently, some letters have revealed dissatisfaction with the process, particularly blaming Kama Ross for, as one writer put it, “stepping into this heavy handed role.” These critics are either unaware of, or choosing to ignore, the fact that the decision to examine this important employment issue was made by our elected Board. As someone who is grateful for this effort, I’d like to suggest that we all take a breath and allow the Commissioners to move forward with the job we voted them to do — which is to lead on issues of concern to the county and its residents.
Sue Miller Lake Leelanau
