Thoughts about the Commissioners proposed Whistleblower Policy.
January 24, 2013
I have several Thoughts about the Commissioners proposed Whistleblower Policy. To me this is another wrong headed policy that is unnecessary.
Paul Long
Lillington
Editorial
Paul Long
As reported in the other paper
Commissioners Discuss Whistleblower Policy
Harnett County officials introduced a new whistleblower policy Tuesday they hope will reduce the amount of possible fraud in the county.
The new policy, which will be voted on at a regular meeting of the board next week, is designed to prohibit dishonest acts and or fraudulent activity and to advise employees, administrators and elected officials of their responsibility to report suspected fraudulent activity.
The policy also states the county will not retaliate against a whistleblower.
“We need this policy so people can bring an issue to someone they trust,” Commissioner Gary House said.
First I would like to ask, why do we need a policy in addition to the current laws, policy and rules on the books? Our county has great employees that work hard, those are honest and know without a doubt not to lie, cheat or steal as they work hard every day for our taxpayers. Second if they open this door then who will the whistle blower go to with this information, surely it would not be left open for Gary House or Jim Burgin to collect and use as they see fit considering their history of false claims and accusations and the ongoing legal issues that involve House which may lead to Burgin as his name is being thrown around in the two cases in court. The system we have now has routed out the bad apples over the years and the claims of fraud and wrong doing has only been elevated since House and Burgin got elected yet none of them have been proven correct except the one involving House and a former employee.
I do not see any point in stirring more negatives by passing a resolution and allowing Gary House to be the lead when the Citizens and Taxpayers of Harnett County still have so many unanswered questions about Mr. House and his honesty. House talks about “trust”; he needs to earn some himself. Hardly anyone respects or trusts him now and to allow him and the others involved to use the resolution in an attempt to vindicate themselves or deflect the attention is wrong. At least the commissioners should wait until the air is clear and truth prevails until passing such a resolution. Passing this sends a message that the new board does not trust the employees and is not good for morale.
I will have to agree with Mr. Long on this, we have a federal, a state and now a local policy. As I stated in the meeting tuesday night this policy will open up a can of worms that could overwhelm our legal staff with false accusations. This policy is suppose to be for fraud but we all know every disgruntled, angry or vengeful employee now has a place to vent his or her problems. Now I’m not saying that some claims are not real and need investigating but i hope people use it for the right reasons. I agree that we have a great bunch of county employees. They have been loyal to this county even thru this mess that has been going on for to long. Mr House was adamant at the work session about having the word commissioners added to this policy work session. We are walking a very fine line here and as usual the decisions we make have a large impact on all county staff that have to deal with these decisions. I’ll let everyone make their on opinions!!
Mr. Miller I do not know you but have heard good things. I am proud of your position on this issue and other issues so far. We need folks like you to step up and take a lead in our county. The people are long overdue in need of this and the people want peaceful cooperative government. Today’s lifestyle does not afford time to keep up with every issue and they need to go to bed at night knowing that our clock is ticking and our government is operating well. thank you so much and if I can ever assist you let me know. We will get there it is just going to take time for the undertow to take the trash back out to sea.
Fact:
NC G.S. 126-17, prohibits Retaliation by State Departments and Agencies and Local Political Subdivisions
Coverage only applies State and Local government employees subject to the State Personnel Act.
Harnett County Employees are not subject to the State Personnel Act. (Except Health Department and a small number others)
NC G.S. 126-17 provides no protection to the majority of County Employees.
Fact:
North Carolina has its own state-specific whistleblower law, known as the North Carolina False Claims Act, which is codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. §1-605, et seq.
The North Carolina False Claims Act imposes liability on persons who knowingly present false or fraudulent claims to the State of North Carolina for payment.
The North Carolina whistleblower law only provides protection if State funds are involved.
The North Carolina whistleblower law does not provide protection to an Employee who reports fraud, theft, waste and or abuse of County funds or other criminal or unethical behavior that is not explicitly tied to State funding.
Fact:
The Federal Whistleblower Policy (False Claim Act or Lincoln Act) § 3729(a) et seq in general set forth liability for any person who knowingly submits a false claim to the government or causes another to submit a false claim to the government or knowingly makes a false record or statement to get a false claim paid by the government.
If Federal Funds are not involved no protection is available under the Federal Whistleblower Policy.
The Federal Whistleblower law does not provide protection to an Employee who reports fraud, theft, waste and or abuse of County funds or other criminal or unethical behavior that is not explicitly tied to Federal funding.
Fact:
The only policy that provides protection to County Employees who report scumbag, lowlife thieves who commit fraud, abuse, waste, theft and or receive kickbacks tied County Funding is the policy that was passed by the Harnett County Board of County Commissioners January 22, 2013.
Fact:
One should research and educate themselves with sufficient knowledge of a subject, before writing a News Article or Editorial. If not they will publish garbage out of ignorance.
A Common Sense thought for those who have none:
We should have no whistleblower policy, because someone might make a false report and tie up valuable time of County Employees.
We should have no laws, because someone might make a false report and tie up valuable time of Law Enforcement.
Signed, Staff Writer Reviewer Editor
The problem with your thinking the ones on the board who proposed this wrong headed policy, they first need to clean up their act. In the allegations made by the Public Utilities department some of the same people who are alleged to have cost the county over 2 million dollars are the same ones proposing for this new policy. This is like the fox guarding the hen house. WHY we do not have all those sorry good for nothing cheaters in working for county government. It seems to me that the lawsuit will point who is the sorry lying, cheating and falsehood declaring people are and they are members of the board of commissioners who violate laws even in public meetings. Their day is coming take my word for it.
JJ Sure seems like you have done your research on this subject. It is however funny the side you take at the end of your response. Its good to know the information you have given but your attitude towards other peoples ideas and responses tend to put a sour taste in the mouths of those that are reading these posts. You also have not left no name except staff writer, may we ask what paper, who you are directing your comments to and how about a summary of your feelings about where you stand?
Mr. Miller most likely JJ is someone supporting Gary House or him. Sorry I feel this way but Mr. House has a way of doing slimy things and not putting his name with it. Once he accused me of trying extort money from Good Hope after all I was doing was trying to help the helpless and spent a lot of my time in trying, Only in good faith, something he knows nothing about. You will get your fill. next thing they will be all around your district checking on you. THey do not know how to stand for principles and work for the good of the people and they sure do not know how do anything when a person has a difference of opinion other than personal attack. I worked at a high level in NC State government and that last thing someone wants to bad morale and employees running around making false claims which is what will eventually happen in Harnett County. Then it will take new leadership to restore trust in our government.
Perhaps the county commissioners should be careful about such a policy. It might come back to bite THEM!