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Fireworks erupt
at Wednesday’s Commissioners Session
Rhoades loses temper on Wednesday, apologizes
The Lucas Whistleblower complaint is not going away. In today’s lead
story, Bob Rhoades addresses the issue. On Tuesday, Melody Lucas tells,
in her own words, the circumstances, timeline and specific events
leading up to the settlement.
Last week, Darke County citizen Ms. Karyl Parks attended both Monday’s
and Wednesday’s sessions. On Monday, Parks began with a prepared
statement noting stories in The Advocate and County Online (County News
Online), wherein she believed as well there were still many unanswered
questions.
She noted, among other things, that there was evidence that former EMA
Director June Mong might have been guilty of felonies. She questioned
why no charges were filed and Mong subsequently paid unemployment with
taxpayer funds. She also questioned the hiring of someone (Rick Lee)
who did not have an EMA background, over two potentially more qualified
individuals, if not because they were “whistleblowers.”
Darke County Commissioner Mike Rhoades said Parks was incorrect. Parks
then asked him to correct the errors.
“I am not going to defend myself, or Diane,” Rhoades said, noting that
the board was looking for experience in leadership, something he said
the other candidates did not have.
Commissioner Diane Delaplane added that the Board had done its research
and had made the right decision. Rhoades said he did not vote for Lee,
but the majority (two of the three) did.
Note that at one point Parks suggested that a possible merger with
Mercer County was reported on “Darke Online.” It was not County News
Online, although CNO can’t speak for any other online source.
On Wednesday, the fireworks began.
Parks started by noting that you (Commissioners) were nice guys but she
kept getting stonewalled when trying to discover the facts because
“everyone was afraid of losing their jobs.”
She said she believed there was corruption in government from the top
on down, that she couldn’t do anything about the top but hoped she
could make a change; that the “Commissioners who are covering up, which
I feel and last week I feel I got the run-a-round.”
Rhoades: “You know what, before I get completely lit up, your
completely wrong because you have no idea, I have no idea what she said
to that lady and I’m not getting nailed for something, because what I
said behind closed doors was confidential between the three (3)
Commissioners, that is not dishonestly and is not corruption.
Whatever the H--- she said, I don’t know. All I know is that the
Lawyer told us to settle what we had to. I don’t know what she
repeated, what got misconstrued, but I’m not taken the d--- rap for
this anymore, I’m tired of it. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Rhoades later apologized for losing his temper.
The Commissioners, primarily through Rhoades but also with comments
from Delaplane and Commissioner Mike Stegall, made their positions
clear. Stegall has noted that although he was not involved, he agrees
with the actions of the prior Board. Read the full stories from the
Commissioners Public Meeting notes.
Read Bob Rhoades' comments. On Tuesday, read Melody Lucas’ position.
Then you decide.
For the Commissioners Meeting, March 19, click here
For the Commissioners Meeting, March 21, click here
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