I've been a little remiss in my local coverage as of late. There is a story that I have been meaning to shed some light on and just haven't had much opportunity to do so. No better time than the present since it appears that we are about to get some "news" on the subject anyway...Derek Conklin is the Butler County Administrator and his wife is an Assistant Director of Jobs and Family Services. There are allegations that Derek has exerted some influence on the pay raises that has his wife has enjoyed. There are also whispers that the Conklins' buyout plan, which had previously been approved by the Commission, is also a little suspect.
If all of these stories are nothing more than a good man and his wife doing the business of the county and accepting the benefits of a meritocracy, then so be it. But if there are some shenanigans afoot, then let it be known that this blog stands firmly against it.
Cox Newspapers' intrepid reporter Josh Sweigart has posted the salary history of Karen Conklin here. There do appear to be a few raises there that are about twice the increase in standard of living, but what we don't know is if those raises were merit based.
Speaking of Josh, here is how he set up the "Politics of Patronage" bit over at his blog:
In a position piece decrying the $3.8 million early retirement incentive program recently offered to Butler County employees, Commissioner Donald Dixon made an interesting reference.The Breaking News that Josh is now reporting over at his blog is that both of the Conklins have resigned:
Dixon: “(The retirement incentive) makes a bet that somehow the politics of patronage that has long dominated hiring practices in Butler County government will somehow change.”
“We did not find any evidence of criminal wrongdoing,” said county Personnel Director Douglas Duckett, though he said his investigation was cut short by the couple’s resignation.I was chatting it up with a local politico this weekend who agreed with me that this was the most likely outcome. No surprise that this is what has transpired today...
He also said it was limited to whether commissioners approved all of Karen Conklin’s pay raises, not whether Derek Conklin used his position to help her secure those raises.
All of this has been prologue for me to bring up something that I feel really strongly about and that is the importance of our local officials being competent as well as free of corruption. The problem, as I see it, with the Conklins is that we had a situation where it could be alleged that nepotism and/or favoritism was in play. That never goes well, but it is especially bad news in a county that is in the process of ridding itself of various shadowy figures. They sure weren't the first to leave office and I don't think that the Conklins will be the last to go.
I applaud Commission newcomer Don Dixon for keeping this story in the spotlight. Sunlight is the only disinfectant for these kinds of stories...
