Columbia Mayor Reed Houston
By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher
The Columbia Board of Aldermen on Monday voted to take oversight of the landfill and sanitation departments away from one department head and give those responsibilities to another city employee.
Oversight of the landfill and sanitation department was the responsibility of Street Superintendent Rusty Rowell, but the Board voted to put those departments under the direction of Cemetery, Parks and Recreation Director Earl Turnage.
The departments were passed over to Turnage to equalize the number of employees that Rowell and Turnage oversee, Mayor Reed Houston said. Prior to the switch, Rowell was supervising about 30 employees and Turnage 11. Turnage will gain nine employees under the new system, making them have about 20 employees each.
Rowell and Turnage each make the same salary at $32,240. Turnage told the Board of Aldermen that he does not have a problem taking on the additional departments, saying, “I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”
However, Turnage said he thinks Rowell has a “problem” with the change. Rowell declined comment to the Marion County Informer. Turnage said Rowell does not understand why the change is taking place.
Due to personal reasons, Rowell has difficulty attending certain seminars that are necessary to be certified, Mayor Houston added.
In other business, the aldermen denied a request to waive Expo Center fees for the Marion County School District, which wants to use the facility for an August event. The city already has a policy in place that states fees will be waived by 50 percent for government agencies wishing to use the facility. The aldermen decided to stick with the policy and offer the School District half off from the regular fee.
In other business, the aldermen voted to send Municipal Court Clerk Pearlie Magee to a mandatory Mississippi Municipal Court Clerks seminar in Choctaw. The state will reimburse the expenses of the seminar, according to City Clerk Donna McKenzie.
The Board went into executive session to discuss hiring and firing in the Police Department, hiring in the Fire Department and an employee issue on the 911 Board.
WELL HERE WE GO AGAIN, ROWELL HAS NOT BEEN CERTIFIED ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR. THEN WHY HAS HE NOT BEEN TERMINATED? IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY THE DISPATCHER GOT FIRED BECAUSE HE DIDN’T HAVE A GED. NOT GIVEN A CHANCE. WHAT IS THE DIFFERIENCE? OH, I CAN TELL YOU THE DIFFERENCE ON THIS ONE. RUSTY IS JUST NOT QUALIFIED TO DO TOO MANY OF THE JOBS AND EARL, WHO IS VERY HUMBLE AND WORKS LIKE A TROJAN, GETS THE MOST WORK THROWN AT HIM. ITS NOT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU SUPERVISE ITS THE AMOUNT OF WORK DONE.
My husband, Rusty is qualified! He has sent the Marion County Informer a copy of the certification in question. Maybe that will put an end to people assuming things from a blanketed statement made by the mayor. He hasn’t been fired because he preforms the job, is certified to do the job, is educated in fields that help him perform the job, etc.. Whether Earl is the best worker in Columbia or not has nothing to do with my husbands capabilities. It just goes to show that some people are willing to attack someone else (my husband) to advance their friends or self…and some people, like my husband and I, aren’t!
How many jobs have you seem him perform with the City? This has nothing to do with his charter, just if he can perform his duties and I know for a fact there has been some that he absolutely couldn’t do.
“Due to personal reasons, Rowell has difficulty attending certain seminars that are necessary to be certified, Mayor Houston added.”
Well if Rowell is not qualified to hold the positions or refuses to become qualified, then why does he HAVE a position in any form of supervision in the 1st place? If Rowell is the Street Superintendent, then what is his reason for the horrible street conditions? Is he also the Superintendent in charge of the men which mow along city streets and refuse to pick up the trash before mowing which leaves an even bigger mess along our city streets?
I believe a dispatcher was relieved of his position due to not having PROPER certificaton (GED). Therefore, if Rowell does NOT have proper certification, WHY DOES HE HAVE A JOB? Fair is fair in my opinion.
If I did not have or attempt to have proper certification, I would be unemployed just as anyone else would be! SO, why are special accommodations being made for him? Must be a case of another favor owed!
I guess you know the adage about assumption-? Did the mayor say that Rusty was not certified? No, he didn’t. Has anyone here bothered to contact city hall to find out if Rowell is certified? I did, and he is! AS for the streets, I think that Rowell has done an excellent job. I would go even further to compliment his performance, as for the first time in my fifty years of living in Columbia…I actually see the mosquito sprayer more than once a century!I just ate at the Huddle House today, and saw the city tractor mowing overgrown areas. It is so easy for Columbians to sit back and complain about all that isnt done, while we fail to recognize what is done:)
ok correct me if im wrong, mr turnage is now over 5 departments and rowell is over just 1 and they have the same salary? If rowell has a problem getting certified in a dept. doesn’t that put him in the same category as the dispatcher that was fired? oh make that 6 for mr turnage cause his men also take care of the RECYCLE building!!!
I believe the article above stated that giving Turnage these duties would “equalize” the number of men overseen by Turnage and Rowell.The article also stated that Turnage wanted this and said he thought Rowell did not want it done.In this case, your beef should be with the one making the decision and not Rowell.If Rowell is already certified in all required areas(as stated in his comment) why should he waste taxpayer dollars to attend a seminar for certification which he already holds. Seems we should thank Rowell instead of being critical. Further, I do not understand why Turnage’s first official act is to state what HE thinks Rowell thinks instead of stating his own beliefs or what he(Turnage) intends to do with his new duties.Personally, I don’t think it proper for the Mayor to allow his employee, Turnage to state to media what he THINKS someone else THINKS.
Now that’s a comment worth putting on paper!
For your information Turnage did not talk to the media.the board asked him the question not the media.so again people talking about stuff they know nothing about
Looks like rowell doesn’t have aproblem getting certified. Why should the city pay to send him to get a certification tht he already has?According to what is said by mayor, the change is to make the number of workers overseen by turnage and rowell equal.Why weep for turnage?He says he doesn’t think rowell wanted the change. Turnage is not quoted as saying he himself doesn’t like it.Although, it is not clear why turnage is speaking out of turn about a fellow employee or why city want to make not just correct inferences about rowell’s qualifications.
@ chrome
Okay, I will correct you.
First of all, I did not ask to have these responsibilities changed. I have never complained about being over said departments. The board and mayor made this decision based on the number of employees, not the number of departments….so that is a matter for you to take up with them.
Second of all, I am currently certified in all required aspects of each of the departments that I am (was) over. The “personal reasons” that I could not attend ONE seminar on ONE occasion was because my handicapped daughter had a 104 fever and was taken by ambulance to MGH, after having a seizure. However, the seminar was for a certification that I was already currently certified in.
SOUNDS LIKE YOU MAY NOT BE A HAPPY CAMPER.
Well either Mr. Rowell OR the Mayor is not being honest about certifications but the truth could be proven beyond a doubt. Mr. Rowell could show Josh Mitchell proof of certification for the position in question. Anytime a person becomes certified in anything there are records to prove the person met the requirements. Mr. Rowell prove that you have the certification you claim. If you do NOT have a copy of the certification, the records can be easily accessed through whatever organization certified you. I am positive there are records somewhere or someplace that show beyond a shadow of a doubt that YOU attended a seminar/class and met all requirements.
Would you not think that the proof is already in the mayor’s hands?Rowell must prove to the mayorthat he has certifications or you would be reading about his leaving for not having them.Heaven knows, this administration appears to be handy with the guilotine.In my opinion, the inferences made in this article are clearly done with bad intent-and should be corrected by those who put forth the info, not rowell.City employees would probably receive flack for talking to press and further stirring in such a mess-even though Turnage will probably receive no reprimand for stating what he thinks another city employee thinks-not knows for a certaintity. Since Rowellnow has no real forum in which to defend himself,perhaps that was the intent of the skewed information.As for using a child’s disability as a wild card,ONE instance of going with your child to the ER does not a wild card make.Most good parents would go with their(5 yr old) child(disabled or not) to the ER.
@ 2 Cents
My husband has sent the Marion County Informer his certification. Your last statement is totally unmerited. My husband is not using our handicapped child for sympathy. He was simply explaining why he did not attend the seminar (that by the way he was already certified for)….just as he would if he had broke his leg, had a car wreck, or any other reason that would cause someone to have difficulty attending. “Personal reasons” could mean anything, and he thought that the public deserved to know that our daughter was sick, and a certification seminar for something he was already certified in. Take that as you will:)
WTH are you talking about chrome??????? Turnage says that Rowell is the very one that had a problem with the change. That hardly sounds like Rowell is trying to put off his work on Turnage. It sounds more like the city is trying to push Rowell out of his job.
Now for my comment- I dont know Rowell, but I have worked offshore with his father in law. So, I know a little about the Rowell family. I really hope that the mayor is not citing ‘personal reasons’ meaning Rowell’s handicapped child. Anyway, the mayor better look at the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities subsection that protects parents of children with disabilities before making such an idiotic statement. Rowell family keep your chins up!
To the reader, it seems like city administration and Turnage are trying to give someone a black eye that is not deservng of one.Why try to leave a false impression with the public?
To ’salt of the earth’…. Thank you for putting it in a nutshell for us, and very well said. “Due to personal reasons, Rowell has difficulty attending certain seminars that are necessary to be certified, Mayor Houston added.” This statement by the mayor is totally uncalled for and out of context. What was he trying to do?
you could not find a better hard working man than Earl Turnage. He would give you his shirt off his back if u needed it, and why they both worrying about it if they both getting the same salary. He didnt ask for the job the mayor and the board gave it to him.
First of all Mr. Turnage didn’t speak to the press. The board asked him about the situation and he just answered their questions honestly because he is an honest man. He wanted things to be worked out with Rowell before the decision was made but Rowell refuses to try to work things out amicably. People need to look into the facts of a situation before they start judging others. Mr.Turnage gives himself unselfishly to the work of running the departments he is over. It’s time to take a look at the good he has done for the city and not judging some misconstrude comments someone else “said” that he made.
Earl is a man of god. He wud not hurt nobody. He didnt have nutn to do wit it. He wud do anything to help anybody in any way. He has to work jus like anybody else and they gave him that position and he had to take it. and he has to work all the time.
I just don’t understand why all the negative comments toward Earl Turnage. He is not the one who made this decision. He has to do what the mayor and alderman tell him because they are his boss. The mayor and aldermen had reason to take this position and give it to Turnage. Mr. Turnage must be doing a great job to have six departments under his supervision. Why don’t everyone take that in to consideration before wanting to make such remarks. If Rowell would have been doing his job to the satisfaction of the mayor and aldermen this would not have taking place.
“Due to personal reasons, Rowell has difficulty attending certain seminars that are necessary to be certified, Mayor Houston added.”
Makes a thinking person wonder just what was the underlying purpose of this comment. The “city” track record of past hits and misses proves their was one, no doubt.
I meant to say “there” not “their”
I also meant to add: this is just another slight-of-hand trick.
Dirty politics as usual – tweaking underlings into performing more work place degradation… par for the course
“whos in charge ” took the words out of my mouth good for you!!!and on to my opinion,,, All you people that are putting down on mr. turnage should be ashamed of yourself, we are talking about a man who when mr rowells wife had her last baby helped him out in a time of need(i believe you no what im talking about mr rowell) he is a fine christian man and helps his fellow man and he is not after ANYBODys job he is just doing his by doing what the mayor and the board ask him to do because mr rowell stated himself that he couldnt handle it all so all of you on the outside looking in need to quite throwing stones!!!
I think everyone is aware that Earl is just doing what the mayor and board says to do. Still, he had no business trying to speak for Rusty Rowell. He dont know what Rowell thinks, and even if he did>>> he should let Rusty Rowell speak for himself. You are just as bad repeating hearsay about what Rowell said. I think that dude can speak for himself. Asides, your comment isnt even logical. Why would Rowell say he cant handle the job then supposedly be mad or feel wronged when they take some of his duties and give to Earl. Earl is a good guy, but the people on here are trying to make him a saint and Rusty some loon. Sorry, but I got good sense and can see that overzealous ppl at Earls church have come out in droves to try to make Rowell look like a bad guy. In reality, neither of these guys are bad. IMHO Earl just does not have the knowledge, education, experience, and so on, to run these departments. That doesnt make Earl a bad guy, it just makes the board stupid. For example, Rowell is a mechanic Earl isnt. How is Earl going to tell the city mechanic what he needs to be doing when Earl dont know squat about mechanics. Mowing the park is a long way from maintenance and repair of millions of dollars worth of city equipment- just saying!
I AM WILLING TO GIVE EARL A CHANCE AND JUST SEE WHAT HE CAN DO. I WOULD BE WILLING TO BET THAT HE WIL DO AN EXCELLENT JOB.
Christians don’t feel the need to advertise what they do for people.They do it without ever saying a word about it. Assuming you are telling the truth and the Turnage family helped the Rowell family in some way, why would the Turnage family brag to others or (in case you are Earl) brag about it here? Tacky! Also, where did Rowell say he couldnt handle it. He said in his statement that this wasnt his idea?
That is sooooooo tacky: (or Rowell)
You have some nerve calling a person tacky! The only thing you are right about is that TRUE Christians do NOT brag about helping others NOR due they condemn others about their faith. Judge NOT lest ye be judged! Mr. Turnage did NOT say that he helped the Rowell family on this site! Someone else made that comment! SO, either you are associated with Rowell OR you are him!
People, such as you, are trying your absolute best to destroy a man’s name and image in the community and you are wrong! You must be a very insecure person that does not feel secure in your on faith!
If Rowell did his JOB, then guess what??? Maybe we would NOT be having this discussion!
Would someone please comment on why in the world the city cannot make an exception to waive the fees when the local schools officials request to use the Expo Center, or as a minimum, waive the fees twice per calendar year per school. Must the dollar always be the driver for everything?
Amen, Swiss. Sounds like a good cause for the teabaggers to involve themselves since they go absolutely nutty over tax matters!
@ swiss I completely agree. You would think they would allow the local schools to use the facility without fee without having to give it a second thought. But of course it is always about the dollar. Who cares that that money could be used it many other areas for the school.
From an outsiders point of view it seems as supervisor Turnage is the bad guy in the current job situation.In a previous board meeting,the board of aldermen and mayor appointed Turnage to take over sanatation and landfill deparments.Many people feel that the street supervisor Rusty Rowell has been cheated in the process. However what people fail to realize, is the jobs were not given to Turnage out of spite,but to equal the number of men that each supervisor has. Rowell in the past has hired an exessive amount of men to the street crew that has little to no task at all.When Rowell is told to do something he wants to do it on his on time schedule and this defiance causes conflict that Turnage has to go back and solve rather than Rowell fixing his on problem. So don’t be so quick to judge before you know the facts. AMEN
LMAO- you sound like a fired insider. I work for the city too. . You are either a turnip or dont know Earl Turnage. The mayor and such can say that Earl was given Mr. Rustys jobs because of even’n up the men but in reality they dont like Mr. Rusty cause he aint a yes man. His defiance should be praised on here cause he wont do things like pave private property, cover up when equipment is stolen, and waste our money going to classes he already got a certification in. The list could go on and on. Excessive amount of men psssssss Im laughing again. You aint no insider. You dont know what you talking about. Rusty dont just hire people we got to be approved by the board and you need to look around. Mr. Rusty got us cleaning out ditches, mowing, weedeating, cleaning up the city, patching pot holes, etc.. all day long. I did not get along with Mr. Rusty at first. He wants things done right and how he wants them done. I realized that he just wants to do a good job and get everything done to make this city look good. I gotta respect that.
WOW!
Well, this one comment rings like truth to me more than any of the others I have read. I have known Mr. Rowell a long time, and as this commenter indicates, he would be a man who would rather do his job with integrity and honesty than to go along with shady or questionable activities. If he is standing up for what is “right” rather than “going along,” I’d be willing to bet that’s pretty much the problem in a nut-shell. Folks usually try to get rid of the ones who don’t conform to what the big guys want. We do NOT need hard-working men of integrity booted out. They’re not easy to come by. However, since integrity has not been a quality that has been held in very high esteem within the City government of Columbia, Mr. Rowell may be given the boot, even though he is clearly more qualified. I pray not. It would be a terrible injustice for that to happen.
I was referring to the comment by: a real city worker telling it like it is.
I think Swiss Miss hit the nail on the head!Ulterior motives abound from the city.
To Say What:How do you know Mr Rowell doesn’t want to work things out? Have you talked to him?Another case, as with Turnage where someone wants to tell others what someone else thinks without knowing.
Since there is all the hoopla about Rowell’s certification(which we see does exist)WHERE IS TURNAGE”S CERTIFICATION FOR THE JOB HE IS ABOUT TO ASSUME? I propose he does not have said certification.
Great question, Durango. Is Mr. Turnage certified? If not, then we should question the Mayor’s motives here.
What is going on with the city of Columbia? It seems that everything is in such a mess. First of all why even ask him to attend a seminar for a certification he already has. Furthermore for Mr Turnage to even comment on how Mr Rowell felt was very unprofessional. It really angers me to see anyone comment as if it is an excuse to choose to be with your sick child instead of at work. It is not an excuse it is the duty of any caring parent and I’m sure he was trying to clarify the mayors statement so that there was no confusion as to what his personal reasons were. Having said all this what’s fair is fair let’s see if everyone else has there required certifications. You included Mr Turnage. So hurry up and go get them!
As an outsider looking in, it makes me wonder about he mayor’s motives. Mr Rowell evidently has proper certification, and if that is so, the mayor would have known it all along…And I wonder too about Mr Turnage’s ability to read minds. It smells funny and looks to me like the mayor is the one who’s stirring the pot.
My name is Lisa Turnage. I am the wife of Supervisor Earl Turnage. I can no long sit back and watch the unwarranted attacks on him. My husband has declined to comment on this matter in hopes that is would die down and everyone can just move ahead with the job at hand. His only concern is that the jobs in the city get done and get done right; regardless of who is doing the job. He holds no hard feelings against Rusty or any others in this unfortunage situation, in fact it is his hope that they can work together to make Columbia a great place to live for everyone. He did not make any “comments” regarding Rusty or what he was thinking. He simply answered a question presented to him by the board and his words were taken out of context. We need to let them work it out between themselves and pray that everything works out for the best for all parties involved. God Bless You All.
Lisa,
The paper printed: “However, Turnage said he thinks Rowell has a “problem” with the change. Rowell declined comment to the Marion County Informer. Turnage said Rowell does not understand why the change is taking place.”
I am just curious how that was taken out of context and in what context it would possibly be okay for your husband to speak as to what Rowell thought about the situation? Are you accusing the publisher of this paper of false statements or skewing your husbands words? Rowell was made to look as though he was an unaware idiot by your husbands statement. Then, he was made to look like he was un-certified by the mayors’ statement. So, yeah, I think he has every right to defend himself. And, if you are saying your husband was taken out of context than please provide us with some proof- as Rusty did about his certification.
“let them work it out.” Oh really., do you mean “them” that caused this incidence? I don’t think “them” are that capable.
lol how did the mechanic job get in the picture, you dont need a certificate to sit on a bench under a fan and tell workers to take their trucks to another mechanic shop!!!! bottom line is the board needed somebody they could count on to do the job and they put him in charge!!!!
Has anyone stop to think that the person writing this article took what was actually said and reworded it to get this stink started. You do know that is what reporters do.No one is trying to make a Earl a saint, he was asked a question and answered it honestly. What he actually said was not what was printing in this article.Anybody else would answer a question asked by their boss. I do know that Earl would not say or do anything to hurt anyone. And as for the person talking about his overzeolus church people it was wrong for you to get his church involved. By the way I dont attend his church.And for what I have read nobody has tried to make Rowell out to be the bad guy everyone is dogging Earl for answering a question asked by the mayor and aldermen. And again ask someone what was actually said before starting something. One other thing why wasnt Rusty there to answer for himself this was a board meeting that they are required to attend.
Dear who’s in charge:
The Informer did no reword any statement as you have suggested.
Josh Mitchell
Informer Publisher
answer a question?did tunage speak to u are the board.people think he talked to u .so let them know it was the board that asked him the question and not you
Earl addressed the board.
Josh Mitchell
Informer Publisher
you cannot alter the fact that mr. turnage made a biased statement in regards to mr rowell. no matter how hard you try, you cannot alter this FACT! And, he wasn’t the only one with loose lips.
The best thing is for the informer to close its websight and quit stirring crap in marion county and turning friends against each other.
hey penny,
you MISSED the point: the city stirs the crap AND dishes it out unmercifully, while the “boys in the house” look on.
LOVE the informer! Covers many topics and stories around town you would never read about in the Columbian Progress.
Would someone please comment on why there are hidden, ulterior motives still in the workplace nowadays? Especially after all the Sensitivity, Leadership and Personnel training that SUPERVISORS receive? If someone is in a top leadership position, such as mayor, and has NOT had certification in all of these categories, OMG!
The “next step” will come when the city will innocently say, “oh, now we must hire 1 additional supervisor because the workload is unbalanced.” Could it be the “new hire” will be from “out-of-town?”
I think SwissMiss has a pretty good picture of things-except that it won’t be an EXTRA supervisor hired.No.Probably just a set-up to replace a supervisor and hire a buddy.Wonder if the one let go will be a fellow preacher?I bet I know the answer to that.Seems to me that if there is a God above(and I know there is)there will be penalties for ruining innocent people’s and children’s lives.
yes, puff, you do know the answer
I was not at the board meeting so I really dont know all of the problem. I will ask when did Mr. Turnage learn how to read minds. Is there a special school you go to? I dont know why the board did this or the mayor or whoever. All I know is, if it aint broke,it dont need fixing. I have been around both Rusty and Earl and have seen them both at work. The mosquito truck does come by more often now and my mothers grave is still in repair. We have to go out there and bring in dirt to fix it. The other day we went out there and it looked like the city’s trucks went all through the different graves. I dont know the reason for this, but I will have to ask Earl. As far as the sick child goes, I know that Rusty and Ashley have an adorable handicapped daughter with special needs. I dont care it your child is handicapped or not, if my child had 104 temp I would take off work to be with that child come rain or shine. This shows me that they are caring parents. Lets all move on with this decision and see how the cookie crumbles. As for Josh Mitchell, I believe he is doing asn excellent job with what he has to work with. I hate if that the Marion County Informer is for sell. Thanks for listening and lets move Columbia upward, not backward.
Maybe the b.o.a needs to slow down and do a little research before they replace someone.Please following this link to see what I’M referring TO.http://www.deq.state.ms.us/newweb/MDEQRegulations.nsf/259144e4c2c8c7d986256b9900677952/9388a99a130bb44886257021006e05b2?OpenDocument
I think Mr. Turnage and Mr. Rowells are grown men, and i think they both are good men. So why dont everybody let them and the board and the mayor work it out and stop all this comment this stuff to hurt both of them.
It is sickening how many people are coming on here BASHING Earl Turnage and HIS faith! NONE of you would know true Christianity if it slapped you in your SANCTIMONIOUS faces! You seem to want to act as if YOU know what a TRUE Christian does or does not do, but obviously you have been sitting at home on Sunday mornings missing the message!
There is ENORMOUS difference from discussing a person work ethics and person PERSONAL relationship with GOD! If, however, any of you wanna be Christians have direct red-line to God where you are capable of finding out the down-low on who is OR who is NOT true Christians, please let the rest of us know! I will be over ASAP to make sure I am on the TRUE Christian list!
It seems to me that someone needs to take there own advise because the same could be said of you. It seems that you are trying you best to bash Mr. Rowell. You previously asked him to show Mr. Mitchell proof of his certification and when he did you seem to be more defensive. He show his certification and that should be the end.
I NEVER questioned Rowell’s faith in God nor did I STATE he was NOT a Christian! But, I am stating the obvious which is: CERTIFICATIONS do NOT last a life time! Why don’t YOU follow the link provided on the comments section under the article showing the little picture of his certificate? If the words are NOT too big for you to understand, please see if you can grasp that a 1 DAY MISSED opportunity is NOT all that is required for recertification! IF your man Rowell has NOT attended multiple training sessions, guess what?….he does NOT have enough CEUs or now probably time to earn CEUs to qualify for recertification! Wonder what or who would be to blame for other missed opportunites to attend training sessions?
Poor Mr Turnage must have huge black circles under his eyes from never sleeping at night since his life revolves around plotting against another!!
Neither is ” my man”. You are obviously a very angery person whom I will be saying a prayer for tonight. You know nothing of my education to know if words are to big for me and believe me my education could be the very one you would beg for in certain needs. Your words do don’t seem to be that of a Christian. And was it not you that said “none of you would know true Christianity”. Where did I state you said anything about Mr Rowells faith? I told you you should take your own advise!
I think Rowell said that there was only one class he missed. SO, how do YOU know there are other missed opportunites? A) I looked at the link and he could need anywhere from 8 to 40 hours B) We dont know how many hours he already has. C) Despite A and B, it really doesn’t matter until 2012, when/if he fails to meet the requirements- then we have something to complain about. complaining about something two years away makes you look like you are trying really really hard just to find some reason to give Rusty a blackeye. I dont see any comments saying that Earl was plotting against Rusty?
If a person does his job and is certified which Rusty is People should be happy and not squabble about things like this be happy you have a good person to do the job.
This mess just gets deeper. What everyone needs to be thinking about is the next election and who will be running for mayor and alderman and get ready to clean house because the ones that are there have not done anything but create conflict and strife among city employees and the citizens of Marion County. It is our obligation as voting citizens to fix this mess.