There ought to be a better way
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
On those rare occasions in the American political landscape where an all-Democratic political body appoints a Republican to public service or where an all-Republican political body appoints a Democrat to public service, it sends a clear message about the character and integrity of the appointed person.
This past January, three Republican members of the Highland County Board of Commissioners appointed Sugar Tree Ridge area Democrat Sam Snyder to serve on the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The appointment drew some criticism within the Republican Party, as Mr. Snyder has been, in fact, a recent Democratic candidate for county commissioner. He may very well be a future candidate – perhaps even running against one of those who made the Board of DD appointment – and that is certainly within his constitutional rights.
Mr. Snyder has retired after many years of public service as an academic administrator, instructor and coach. His record of service remains untarnished.
In spite of being informed just prior to the Tuesday, June 28 Board of DD meeting at the Hills and Dales Training Center that he is now "ineligible" to serve – after six months on the board, Mr. Snyder's record remains untarnished.
Due to the absence of a state-required declaration of eligibility form in advance of his initial board meeting, Mr. Snyder was told he could not sit at the Board of DD Tuesday. He did, however, attend the meeting and asked for a moment of the board's time.
"I was not aware of this (declaration of eligibility) in January," Mr. Snyder said. After he learned of the requirement, he said he completed the form and submitted it to the school.
Mr. Snyder also wisely suggested that the board implement a formal policy for new members in order to avoid similar unfortunate situations in the future.
As Mr. Snyder finished addressing the board, its chairperson, Linda Allen, stated that she had not signed the declaration of eligibility requirement. Mrs. Allen asked newly appointed board member Karen Adams if she had signed it. Adams responded that she had, as instructed by Highland County Common Pleas Court Juvenile and Probate Division Judge Kevin Greer.
(The Ohio Revised Code, 5126.028, sets forth the criteria for the number and appointment of board members as follows: Each county board of developmental disabilities shall consist of seven members. The board of county commissioners of the county shall appoint five members and the senior probate judge of the county shall appoint two members.)
Mr. Snyder respectfully pointed out that a sitting judge probably knows more about the Ohio Revised Code than the county commissioners. Again, he meant no disrespect to the board of commissioners.
When a potential infraction such as this occurs, one would think there are appropriate courses of action – and, naturally, less appropriate actions.
While we've all heard that "ignorance of the law is no excuse," we've also learned that there's the letter of the law as well as the spirit of the law. Clearly, this ought to be a "correctable error" and Mr. Snyder's service to the board should continue. (Perhaps commissioners will simply re-appoint Mr. Snyder, with the declaration of eligibility signed, sealed and delivered.)
Highland County Commissioner Tom Horst, a Republican, stood by Mr. Snyder's appointment at the June 28 Board of DD meeting.
Mr. Horst said commissioners appointed Mr. Snyder in January because they felt he was the best person for the job. "I nominated Sam because I thought he would make an excellent board member," Mr. Horst said, "because of his years of experience in education and, in particular, special education."
Good points.
Lastly, another thing that is spelled out in the Ohio Revised Code is a Bill of Rights for developmentally disabled persons.
Set forth in ORC 5123.62 are rights which must be protected by the board.
The first of these rights is "(The) right to be treated at all times with courtesy and respect and with full recognition of dignity and individuality."
The same right to treat others with courtesy and respect ought to apply across the board – and administration.
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This past January, three Republican members of the Highland County Board of Commissioners appointed Sugar Tree Ridge area Democrat Sam Snyder to serve on the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The appointment drew some criticism within the Republican Party, as Mr. Snyder has been, in fact, a recent Democratic candidate for county commissioner. He may very well be a future candidate – perhaps even running against one of those who made the Board of DD appointment – and that is certainly within his constitutional rights.
Mr. Snyder has retired after many years of public service as an academic administrator, instructor and coach. His record of service remains untarnished.
In spite of being informed just prior to the Tuesday, June 28 Board of DD meeting at the Hills and Dales Training Center that he is now "ineligible" to serve – after six months on the board, Mr. Snyder's record remains untarnished.
Due to the absence of a state-required declaration of eligibility form in advance of his initial board meeting, Mr. Snyder was told he could not sit at the Board of DD Tuesday. He did, however, attend the meeting and asked for a moment of the board's time.
"I was not aware of this (declaration of eligibility) in January," Mr. Snyder said. After he learned of the requirement, he said he completed the form and submitted it to the school.
Mr. Snyder also wisely suggested that the board implement a formal policy for new members in order to avoid similar unfortunate situations in the future.
As Mr. Snyder finished addressing the board, its chairperson, Linda Allen, stated that she had not signed the declaration of eligibility requirement. Mrs. Allen asked newly appointed board member Karen Adams if she had signed it. Adams responded that she had, as instructed by Highland County Common Pleas Court Juvenile and Probate Division Judge Kevin Greer.
(The Ohio Revised Code, 5126.028, sets forth the criteria for the number and appointment of board members as follows: Each county board of developmental disabilities shall consist of seven members. The board of county commissioners of the county shall appoint five members and the senior probate judge of the county shall appoint two members.)
Mr. Snyder respectfully pointed out that a sitting judge probably knows more about the Ohio Revised Code than the county commissioners. Again, he meant no disrespect to the board of commissioners.
When a potential infraction such as this occurs, one would think there are appropriate courses of action – and, naturally, less appropriate actions.
While we've all heard that "ignorance of the law is no excuse," we've also learned that there's the letter of the law as well as the spirit of the law. Clearly, this ought to be a "correctable error" and Mr. Snyder's service to the board should continue. (Perhaps commissioners will simply re-appoint Mr. Snyder, with the declaration of eligibility signed, sealed and delivered.)
Highland County Commissioner Tom Horst, a Republican, stood by Mr. Snyder's appointment at the June 28 Board of DD meeting.
Mr. Horst said commissioners appointed Mr. Snyder in January because they felt he was the best person for the job. "I nominated Sam because I thought he would make an excellent board member," Mr. Horst said, "because of his years of experience in education and, in particular, special education."
Good points.
Lastly, another thing that is spelled out in the Ohio Revised Code is a Bill of Rights for developmentally disabled persons.
Set forth in ORC 5123.62 are rights which must be protected by the board.
The first of these rights is "(The) right to be treated at all times with courtesy and respect and with full recognition of dignity and individuality."
The same right to treat others with courtesy and respect ought to apply across the board – and administration.
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