Have open process

for attorney hire

It's now former Carver County Attorney and soon Judge Mike Fahey. The governor's office announced recently that Fahey would be appointed as a judge. Fahey gave his resignation to the Carver County Board May 1.

After resigning, he recommended that his deputy be appointed as his successor for the remaining 3-1/2 years of his term.

While the deputy may be well qualified for the position, there is a problem if the Carver County Board rushes to appoint a new county attorney before the public is formally notified of the vacancy and, more importantly, that the board is seeking a replacement.

Without that formal notification, other, just as qualified candidates will not have the opportunity to vie for the position.

At the May 1 meeting, the majority of the County Board said they would not be open to making the hiring/appointment process public.

This is surprising, especially since Carver County voters normally elect this position. Obviously, an open process is important and should be demanded by all taxpayers in Carver County.

According to the discussion during the May 1 meeting, Commissioners James Ische, Gayle Degler and Tim Lynch did not want to make the appointment of the new County Attorney an open process.

Only Commissioner Tom Workman spoke out, and Commissioner Randy Maluchnik agreed to an open and public process.

But the dissenting commissioners may change their minds, if enough concerned citizens call them. Please do.

Here's how to contact the commissioners:

Tim Lynch (952) 353-2598, tlynch@co.carver.mn.us; James Ische (952)466-5851, jische@co.carver.mn.us; Gayle Degler (952) 403-7047, gdegler@co.carver.mn.us; Randy Maluchnik (612) 964-5382, rmaluchnik@co.carver.mn.us; Tom Workman (952) 486-7771, tworkman@co.carver.mn.us. In addition to asking for a public process, make suggestions for additional candidates for county attorney.

Then, contact others you know to call their commissioners to help make this process for a new public servant an open process.

Amy Anderson

Waconia