Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinions of The Reporter, its publisher or its staff. You can submit your own Letter to the Editor by email to News@ReadTheReporter.com.
Dear Editor,
Fellow taxpayers, as chief deputy treasurer I have been assaulted with false allegations for nearly a year, as have the Treasurer herself and other Hamilton County officials. I wish to address some of those issues with you.
Regarding the most recent allegation against the Hamilton County Treasurer – cronyism – let’s first define what that even means. The Oxford Dictionary defines cronyism as “the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications.”
Clerks in the Treasurer’s office are not appointed, nor do they hold positions of authority. Neither is it uncommon for private and public entities to hire qualified people based on recommendations from trusted sources, including current employees, friends and business associates. Otherwise, employment applications wouldn’t ask for references. This is common knowledge to all, except, evidently, for the IndyStar and its so-called experts.
Fired former employee Susan Byer was recommended by another county department as was current employee Dana Moore; fired former employee Julie Ward was recommended by her friend Susan Byer; current employee Charisse Beck was recommended by her friend who is my sister. My own reference, some 30 years ago, came from my sister-in-law, whose mother-in-law was the Treasurer at the time.
As for who my campaign committee treasurer is – a big issue, apparently, to the IndyStar and no one else – since my first campaign in 2004, I have been fortunate to have an employee from the Treasurer’s office serve in that capacity, including Wilma Ross and current employees Dana Moore and Emily Pearson, who will be a great asset should I run for Treasurer in 2020.
The IndyStar reported that my mother’s tax payments were filed late in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2016, but weren’t posted late. What they didn’t report is that a receipt count of over 30,000 in the spring of 2011 alone had payments that were filed late but not posted late. Apparently, the IndyStar forgot that mailed payments postmarked by the due date are acceptable with government payments. Ever hear of Tax Day, April 15?
My mother’s payments are the basis for Byer’s ridiculous whistleblower claim. My mom has never made a late tax payment in the first place or ever asked the staff in the Treasurer’s office or myself to take her payment after the due date as on time to prevent a penalty. State law requires tax payments to be either post-marked or in the office on or before the statutory deadline. My mother’s property tax payments were always on-time according to these state requirements.
Former employees Susan Byer and Julie Ward claim they were unjustly fired, while current employee Pam Watson says she was wrongly reprimanded. Here, for example, are some of Byer’s disciplinary actions, previously released to the IndyStar by other Hamilton County representatives, so you can judge for yourselves:
July 2017 – Suspension without pay:
- Distracting the attention of others, shouting, demonstrating/causing a disruption in the workplace.
- Disobeying a reasonable order of a supervisor to perform assigned work or to comply with written or verbal instructions.
September 2017 – Opportunity for Improvement:
- Unauthorized overtime
October 2017- Written Reprimand:
- Causing a disruption in the workplace.
February 2018 – Written Reprimand:
- Disobeying a reasonable order of a supervisor to perform assigned work or to comply with or verbal instructions. Improper use of a personal cell phone.
March 2018 – Termination of Employment:
- Failure to perform duties or fulfill job requirements as assigned or in a satisfactory manner.
- Disobeying a reasonable order of a supervisor to perform assigned work or to comply with written or verbal instructions.
- Unlawful or negligent handling of public monies.
- Falsifying or destroying any County records.
- Theft or dishonesty while on County property or while on County time.
The IndyStar, as I already mentioned, has the complete list for Byer, Ward and Watson.
Now, I hear that those who are trying to ruin the integrity and outstanding reputation of the Treasurer’s office and have attacked my own mother with false allegations are trying to attack other members of my family. Not only is that shameful, but it also shows desperation.
Rest assured, fellow taxpayers, I remain undaunted and won’t let bullying tactics deter me from doing my job to hold employees accountable, regardless of how many times they cry retaliation.
Kim Good
Cicero
So at the least these two women who trade the top job do a bad job of listening to friends and family in making hiring decisions, or training these great recommendations to understand postmarked date. And Kim, come on, unless your household is paying more in taxes than your government salary, you are a tax eater and not a “fellow taxpayer”. I trust Tim Stoesz that he understands the basics of this.
Considering that 3 of the current employees have at least 15 years with the office, not including Kim(30years) and Jen (25 years) recommendations worked out pretty good. The two that were fired had 13 years and at least 5. Again, not a bad run. The employees understand the due date, though the I can’t say the same thing about the IndyStar.
It is ridiculous that Eric Morris considers government employees as tax eaters. However, on that premise, Treasurers are unique in that they actually do contribute more than they take. It’s called interest on investments, and it’s worth millions.
Bryan, it’s not ridiculous but some of the most brilliant minds for centuries have discussed this concept. Next time you see Terry Anker, he can explain. He’s on the Board of the group that wrote this:
https://oll.libertyfund.org/pages/lm-class
So why did these long-time “good” employees suddenly go all “Breaking Bad”?
And I’d say it’s Kaitlin Lange and her editor, not the full Indy Star, that’s digging. To me it’s interesting that she has taken this story (probably human element), because I’ve given her ones of clear government shenanigans and she has written on them.
Brilliant you say? Teachers, police, firemen, road crews, and many more are on the government payroll. Good luck, Eric, getting support for your ridiculous philosophy from any of them. I suppose property taxes should collect and disperse all by themselves. I guarantee that Terry won’t tell me that Kim is a “taker”’nor feel the need to insult me by explaining anything to me.
Who said the “good” employees suddenly went bad? And why does it matter? Also, it may be easier for you to believe my wife’s accusers, but that reflects your laziness. Kim started working for the Treasurer right out of high school, worked her way through the ranks, became Treasurer herself, and now serves on the board of three Republican committees as well as Chief Deputy. Not bad for a girl from the Noblesville’s poor southside. But, you go ahead and disparage her. You have that right as a citizen.