Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve Christine Schauer as Senior Services manager after split vote and partisan concerns
Summary
The board approved hiring Christine Schauer as Senior Services Manager effective Oct. 17, 2005, after discussion about perceived partisan ties raised by Commissioner Bolger; the motion passed 4–3 with one commissioner citing concerns about political perception.
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners voted 4–3 on Oct. 6 to approve the hiring of Christine Schauer as Senior Services Manager effective Oct. 17, 2005, following a contested discussion about perceived political ties.
Commissioner Bolger said he had “great concern” about the appointment and read an excerpt from an email he said was sent by Schauer during a prior millage campaign that questioned his participation. He characterized Schauer’s past campaign activity and relationship to local Democratic leadership as creating a perception problem for a department that serves seniors countywide and said he could not reconcile those concerns with the appointment. In part of his reading, Bolger quoted the email: “You are Mike Nofs campaign chair, that is a very significant relationship...I’ve had the opportunity to have an ‘up close and personal’ view of politics and am attempting to avoid the potential political controversy your involvement on this project may ignite. This could be a distraction from the real issue at hand.”
Senior Millage Allocation Committee Chairman Solis responded that he appreciates Commissioner Bolger’s concerns but that the committee had thoroughly vetted candidates and was comfortable that partisanship would not be an issue. Chairman Miller said he also worked with Schauer on prior campaigns and recommended the board accept the committee’s recommendation.
The roll call vote approved the hiring with Commissioners Todd, Miller, Segal and Solis voting yes and Commissioners Bolger, Moore and Strowbridge voting no. After the vote Commissioner Bolger said he would work with Ms. Schauer and hoped to be proven wrong.
Why it matters: the manager will oversee county senior services and will also be involved with millage renewal activities; commissioners debated whether appointment could be perceived as partisan even if the candidate is technically qualified.
Next steps: Ms. Schauer’s hire is effective Oct. 17, 2005; the board and staff will proceed with onboarding and program responsibilities under the new manager.
