County’s little soap opera

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August 23, 2010

The Cullman Times The Cullman Times Mon Aug 23, 2010, 11:02 AM CDT

CULLMAN — Tact and decorum were missing from the Cullman County Commission meeting last week when a discussion ensued concerning the job performance of Safety Director Gordon Dunagan.

Incredibly, Associate Commissioner Wayne Willingham opened the discussion by declaring that Dunagan is the subject of personnel issues and that he should be fired. Plain and simple: fire Dunagan from county employment.

With 20 or more people in attendance at the meeting, this unnecessary public discussion concerning Dunagan was probably embarrassing, if not infuriating, for the safety director. Beyond emotion, the situation was inappropriate for an employee, public or private, to endure.

No one bothered to move that the issue be reconvened in executive session, where sensitive matters of character and performance can be discussed. Instead, commissioners engaged in a lively debate about Dunagan.

Willingham wants to fire Dunagan. Associated Commissioner Doug Williams is not sure. Commission Chairman James Graves doesn’t want Dunagan fired, and noted that he sometimes relies on the safety director to make contact with employees on his behalf.

So, is this man guilty of all types of personnel infractions? Or is he just someone to kick around in Cullman County’s hostile political arena?

Based on where these discussions have been going, and for second time in public, commissioners should consider getting advice from the county attorney, or maybe a few of the other lawyers hovering around Cullman County in relation to the water board lawsuit.

The irony in this matter is tantamount to absurdity. How can commissioners pick ruthlessly at Dunagan in public, but obviously avoid the public in creating a new water board? As for the public, what’s really more important: Dunagan’s work record or how the money is spent?

If Dunagan’s work record needs to be addressed, commissioners should handle the matter appropriately. Otherwise, this little soap opera should be dropped.

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