For more information on both sides of this issue, please see the Thursday edition ( May 20) of the Dearborn County Register.
Shane McHenry response to alleged violations of the Hatch Act by G. Michael Witte
Last night at the Dearborn County Commissioners meeting, I was shocked when the County Attorney Michael Witte alleged that I violated the Federal Hatch Act. As an employee of the county, I find it concerning that an attorney that represents the county chose to allege wrongdoings of county employees at a public meeting without notice to the employees. Unfortunately, this was the first time that I had heard of the alleged violation. I later found out that County Attorney Witte, never even contacted my employer, whom I answer to, the Dearborn County Sheriff. I can assure all my supporters that I am not in violation of the Hatch Act. My salary is not paid by any federal funds, I do not supervise anyone whose salary is paid by federal funds and I am not the administrator of any federal grants. Again, I am not in violation of the Hatch Act and I want the citizens to know that I am not stepping down and plan to continue forward as the Republican Nominee for County Commissioner District 3. I attempted to politely address this issue with County Attorney Witte after the meeting when I asked him if I could have a minute. Witte rudely replied, “I don’t have anything to say to you.” Obviously this is concerning when I need to ask the county attorney a question and he refuses to speak with me. I can’t help but feel that County Attorney Witte is holding a personal grudge against me which has caused him to use such poor judgment. This situation was handled poorly by a man who was hired to represent the County but clearly has another agenda. I ran for political office to restore integrity to county government and that is what I intend to do by removing the negativity used by some that are more concerned about themselves than the people they represent. On Election Day, the people of this County spoke loud and clear that they are not happy with the current administration. This is due in large part to the fact that the current leadership clearly has forgotten who they are there to serve. Last night, was a clear demonstration why we need new leadership. As your Commissioner, I will never forget that I am there to serve the people of this County.
Sincerely,
Shane McHenry
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35 comments:
The "law is the law" unless it affects those who feel they are somehow above it.
If the Hatch Act applies here, it is time for someone to do the right thing and and make a choice based upon integrity and not simply upon some supposed political privilege.
Or, they can just bitch about "politics as usual" as the "lawless" usually do.
What "law" will the Shane permit his next arrest suspect to claim he is somehow exempt from?
1. The law is the law. Great. But the Hatch Act was a law last month (in fact, for over half a century) as well as after the primary. Why didn't Witte raise this issue earlier? Did he just wake up the day after the election (when his pal Thompson got trounced) and suddenly realize there might be a problem?
2. If Witte was aware of this possible issue and declined to raise it until it was convenient for him and his pals, then he was acting out of petulance and payback, not out of concern for the county.
3. Word on the street is that there was talk of "something big" coming up at the commission meeting. Who knew and when did they know it? And yet:
4. McHenry says Witte's grandstanding at the commission meeting was the first he had heard about it. He also claims that Witte never advised the Sheriff (McHenry's boss) that there was a possible violation of the Hatch Act. If what McHenry says is true, then isn't it obvious what Witte's motivation was?
If Witte wanted to do the right thing for the right reasons, and if he was really concerned the potential financial fallout for Dearborn County, he could have saved the county even more money raising the issue sooner. Perhaps an earlier ruling on this may have headed off an election that may not be valid.
Timing is everything. And guess what. Witte is in serious need of new watch.
If he brought it up before the election, it would have been considered dirty politics. This issue came to light at the Commish meeting and after McHenry won the primary. This issue is not just about McHenry, it seems others are named for possible violation as well.
Witte was preparing an ordinance on grants to keep the county out of trouble on contracts. How many local people worry about the Hatch Act? Very few. Only those whose careers are built on grants would be paying attention to this.
And SHOULD be paying attention to this.
McHenry's boss(es) are the sheriff and the prosecutor. Their depts. have positions funded by grants. In fact the national FOP has a website that outlines the Hatch rules for their members.
But to check out anyone's pay- go see the auditor. Want to bet what Pickens would have done with this? He was pretty outspoken on this subject.
Looks like the McHenry's bosses dropped the ball on this.
Witte should have spent more time researching law that provides development interests with anything they so desire, no matter the costs to the citizen/taxpayers.
That is exactly what past county attorneys did.
The very same "past" county attorneys that supported McHenry this election cycle.
McHenry says he is here for the people. No, is there for the Pro-develop groups who want to turn Dearborn County into an urban area.
They want industry to take over our farmland. Subdivision every where and over crowded schools.The unaware citizens of Dearborn County voted this guy in. People need to look deeper.
"Mark Hall said...
McHenry says he is here for the people. No, is there for the Pro-develop groups who want to turn Dearborn County into an urban area.
They want industry to take over our farmland. Subdivision every where and over crowded schools.The unaware citizens of Dearborn County voted this guy in. People need to look deeper."
If McHenry wants to keep his "day job," the local development owned GOP leadership better act fast to replace him or support their hand-picked development owned democrat come November.
Put an "I VOTED FOR THOMPSON" bumper sticker on every DCEDI member's car and watch how many times they are pulled over by our local constabulary for minor traffic violations.
seems odd that both alleged violators have been hired by Negangard with grant money.
seems odd that grant money was used to rescue messmore after he was let go as county administrator.
seems odd that mchenry talked about the opportunity presenting itself for him to run for commissioner.
any ideas who presented that opportunity?
law is law if witte knew this then he works for the commissioners and people then why wasnt it stoped before mchenry won why wasnt it stoped then?
This sounds like it became an issue for Witte, as the county attorney, after McHenry won the primary. It was not Witte's place to advise McHenry as a personal attorney prior to the election. McHenry should have seeked his own personal attorney for answers prior to the election. Now, he can point the finger at someone else and not accept responsibility.
durrr...But Witte is advisor to the County, and he should have told the Sheriff if he believed the department would be affected by McHenry's candidacy. No one here said Witte should have advised McHenry personally.
Witte would have had a lot more credibility if the timing had been different.
I understand what you are saying. It's easier to point the blame on someone else. It's seen in the news everyday. It doesn't matter the topic. It's always easier to point the finger and blame someone else. I understand your thinking, I just don't agree.
Why would the attorney FIRST report to the Sheriff and the Prosecutor (who IS an attorney)? The attorney works for the COMMISSIONERS.
All this deflection about how and when and who is lame.
Just fix the problem.
The rest is just arrogant posturing and trying to get the blame passed around. IMHO
So should the county attorney "vet" every possible candidate for his or her qualifications for office while they are running?
Sometimes folks are fools.
Those legal and development "king makers" that ran McHenry are the fools today.
"political? said...
Why would the attorney FIRST report to the Sheriff and the Prosecutor (who IS an attorney)?"
Negangard is the "Peter Principle" in practice X three.
"ergo, Detective McHenry is NOT in violation of the Hatch Act."
"Ergo" you can keep stomping your feet and clenching your blanket when McHenry and others are found in violation of the Hatch Act.
Remember, you all were telling us all that it was the "law" that DCRSD could send out forced sewer hook up letters wherever some politically connected developer wanted to build a subdivision or strip mall.
Dear "I Said:" You ask: "So should the county attorney 'vet' every possible candidate for his or her qualifications for office while they are running? Sometimes folks are fools. Those legal and development "king makers" that ran McHenry are the fools today."
Perhaps you should look in the mirror. The real fool will be staring right back.
In Witte's own words: "In late 2009or early 2010 Mr. Messmore was elected to the Dearborn County Council through a special election."
That was MONTHS AGO. So why didn't Witte raise the issue when Messmore became a Council member?
No "vetting" there, "I Said." It would have been after his election. A long time ago.
If Witte had pointed it out then, we might not be having this discussion.
Witte is the county attorney for the commissioners.
Was Messmore elected a commissioner?
Who is the attorney associated with the county council?
Dumbass.
Anonymous said: "The federal grants that the Special Crimes Unit receives are not used to pay salaries, ergo, Detective McHenry is NOT in violation of the Hatch Act."
You need to read the Hatch Act- also he's working for SCU FUNDED by 3 grants. His paycheck may come out of Sheriff's dept- but the funding of his salary is not all county money.
"Anonymous said: "The federal grants that the Special Crimes Unit receives are not used to pay salaries, ergo, Detective McHenry is NOT in violation of the Hatch Act."
You need to read the Hatch Act- also he's working for SCU FUNDED by 3 grants. His paycheck may come out of Sheriff's dept- but the funding of his salary is not all county money."
How dare you!!!!
"Facts" are all about political smear campaigns.
Mustbekidding....pointing your finger doesn't make it any better. It will all work out like it is supposed to. I don't think McHenry will like giving up his detective job to support his family on $20,000 from the commish pay. And, Messmore's choice? a $10,000 county council position or a $50,000 woman's advocate position? Double dipping into the county isn't right and that is the reason there is a law against it. 3 words describe this scenario. Conflict of Interest.
HELLO, it doesn't matter that the sheriffs office prints Mchenry's checks. He works for the special crimes unit WHICH IS FUNDED By grants from the federal grants. HE wouldn't be getting his HIGHER end pay if he was just detective. The money for the unit is federal grant money, therefore it is a violation of the act. It is clear. You can dance in circles like Mchenry is doing and act like it isn't a violation but it is. CONFLICT of interest. This big corrupt family needs broken up. Kreinhop is related to Negangard, Mchenry thinks he is above the law, Negangard protects him. He should of been charged for leaving harrassing phone calls and HE WASN'T. Mchenry is trying to sugar coat this. SPECIAL CRIMES UNIT gets federal Money...therefore SHANE is in volation! doesn't matter who prints his checks...HE WORKS FOR THE UNIT that receives federal money. COME ON!
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2:30 AM, September 09, 2009
how can you determine the money received from federal grant money isn't the money used to pay his salary. it all goes into the special crimes unit. you are dancing around the law and what it was writen for! Witte is right, i called my friend who is an attorney and he said the same thing. it is cut and dry. Federal grant money backs the special crimes unit and without that money it wouldnt' exist and Mr Mchenry wouldn't be getting his larger paycheck...regardless of who writes it.
CBM - couldn't have said it better myself...
... and three more Mr. Anonymous' down with no bag limit in sight.
OBTW - folks, if you can't figure out how to fill in the pseudonym when posting a comment (easy as that may be), I will exempt posts that include a "signature" in the body of the text.
THOMSOM YOU LOST BE A MAN DEARBORN COUNTY DONT WANT YOU TO RUN THERE COUNTY ANYMORE .
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