Lisbon on the rocks
by M. Stewart
County Health Commissioner Bob Morehead had a rough time last week, but I’m sure his heart was warmed by Friday’s declaration of support from his staff. With all that inner-circle love, Morehead probably doesn’t care about the results of The Review online poll that currently shows 78.8 percent of participants in favor of his resignation.
In case you missed it, the county grand jury issued a secret indictment late last month charging Morehead with “theft in office, theft, and five counts of forgery for crimes allegedly committed between 1996 and 2004” (Morning Journal).
According to the MJ, health department employees issued a written statement last Friday: “We have come together at this difficult time to stand behind our health commissioner and ask you to acknowledge his hard work and dedication as a community and agency leader ... We know him to be a fair, honest and compassionate leader.” The article goes on to say that a public reading of the letter by health department nurse Jamie Elenz was followed with applause by department employees.
Although Morehead did admit to some spending transgressions in 2004, he remains innocent of the formal charges until proven guilty. Still, all this support given by Morehead’s board and employees during his “time of travail” seems a little suspicious. I suppose loyalty is nice, but the overt support suggests that these people are not offended by the charges, and they damn well should be. This is serious stuff, my friends—certainly not something that deserves applause.
Our county sheriff is up on drunk driving charges, the health commissioner has been accused of stealing and forgery, and unsolved murders continue to haunt the prosecutor’s office. The jury's still out, but Lisbon soon could be in a position to rival Wellsville’s reputation as the county’s most corrupt town.
Of course nobody would have known about Mr. Morehead’s alleged activities were it not for Vindicator reporter Norm Leigh, who in May 2004 wrote an exposé that prompted two state audits and the subsequent indictment of the health commissioner.
Our veteran journalists don't need advice, but for the younger folks, this kind of thing should inspire you to always look beyond the surface and always be suspicious. Yes, the bad guys, their supporters, and even the public will hate you for it, but so what? If you took the job to be loved, you're in the wrong business.
County Health Commissioner Bob Morehead had a rough time last week, but I’m sure his heart was warmed by Friday’s declaration of support from his staff. With all that inner-circle love, Morehead probably doesn’t care about the results of The Review online poll that currently shows 78.8 percent of participants in favor of his resignation.
In case you missed it, the county grand jury issued a secret indictment late last month charging Morehead with “theft in office, theft, and five counts of forgery for crimes allegedly committed between 1996 and 2004” (Morning Journal).
According to the MJ, health department employees issued a written statement last Friday: “We have come together at this difficult time to stand behind our health commissioner and ask you to acknowledge his hard work and dedication as a community and agency leader ... We know him to be a fair, honest and compassionate leader.” The article goes on to say that a public reading of the letter by health department nurse Jamie Elenz was followed with applause by department employees.
Although Morehead did admit to some spending transgressions in 2004, he remains innocent of the formal charges until proven guilty. Still, all this support given by Morehead’s board and employees during his “time of travail” seems a little suspicious. I suppose loyalty is nice, but the overt support suggests that these people are not offended by the charges, and they damn well should be. This is serious stuff, my friends—certainly not something that deserves applause.
Our county sheriff is up on drunk driving charges, the health commissioner has been accused of stealing and forgery, and unsolved murders continue to haunt the prosecutor’s office. The jury's still out, but Lisbon soon could be in a position to rival Wellsville’s reputation as the county’s most corrupt town.
Of course nobody would have known about Mr. Morehead’s alleged activities were it not for Vindicator reporter Norm Leigh, who in May 2004 wrote an exposé that prompted two state audits and the subsequent indictment of the health commissioner.
Our veteran journalists don't need advice, but for the younger folks, this kind of thing should inspire you to always look beyond the surface and always be suspicious. Yes, the bad guys, their supporters, and even the public will hate you for it, but so what? If you took the job to be loved, you're in the wrong business.
posted by M. | 7:34 AM
2 Comments:
Why is it OK to steal public monies. Stealing even one penny should never be tolerated from anyone, let alone a public employee. It is bad enough that these officials set up their own little kingdoms and rule them as lords, rather than obeying the laws they are supposed to use as guidelines. How fast they forget that the taxpayers are their bosses and they are there to serve us, not the other way around. The last time this guy was made to pay back money he should have been fired, this time he should be fired and do time.
That is not the first time that the Vindy uncovered wrongdoing in our county. The Review and Morning Journal should be embarressed that an out of town newspaper uncovered that story. Probably political motivation kept it hidden, after all it is LISBON.
I just wish they would merge so I don't have to buy both papers to get most of the story. What is in one today is in the other tomorrow, so if you want the news of the day you have to buy both.
If it is something bad south of the Mason-Dixon line it usually is front page material.
Pretty pathetic excuse for a newpaper.
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