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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > September > 08 > Entry
‘The year that Butler Countians’ eyes were opened’?
I don’t normally post links to editorials because I try very hard to not let my opinions creep into my coverage of local news. But I’m curious what you think about this editorial in our newspaper Sunday because it touches a lot on what I’ve been writing about lately.
The gist:
As we have shown in story after story this year, our current form of county government needs fixing; 2008 may well be remembered as the year that Butler Countians’ eyes were opened wide to the patronage, salary irregularities, favoritism and inefficiencies that plague our local government.
The editorial focused on a package of stories I recently wrote on the appraisers hired by Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones to do property appraisals and how much they contribute to the sheriff’s political campaign.
What our editorial board says (it is important to stress that I do not write the editorials and often have no idea what our op-ed staff’s view on any issue is):
Sheriff Jones has the opportunity to distinguish himself from that crowd and to show the rest of the state how it ought to be done: advertise and bid out the jobs. Jones considers himself an unconventional politician and prides himself on his independence and the clout he has amassed in his 3½ years in office. We challenge him to demonstrate that independence by ending a practice that appears to be more of the political patronage that plagues our county.
It also touched on a proposal to overhaul county government that has been tried in other parts of the state and proposed here.
I was wondering what you think. Do you agree with the editorial, or think it’s off-base?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County
Comments
By Andrew
September 8, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
First everyone seems to forget that Rick Jones is a politician. Politicians worry only about two things; getting re-elected and building their own kingdom. Anyone who thinks Rick Jones the politician is going to just give up this cash cow for his campaign is nuts. He loves to brag about his campaign war chest and these appraisers the biggest donors to it.
By navy vet
September 8, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
This last year’s new’s, has been bombshell after bombshell. I find myself reminiscing about the day’s of,tar and feathering. Robin piper, Robin piper were art thou.