Maybe it would be easier to just do a "Burr in my saddle" column rather than trying to wrap it all pretty and putting a bow on it, I'll just tell ya what's bugging me. 

Then I realize I probably have to define the term, "burr in my saddle," especially since most of us know nothing about horses and would have no idea how that works. The term "burr in my saddle" means something that is a "source or cause of intense and persistent annoyance or irritation."

This week it's a LOT of local government things.

So let's start with ethics. Apparently we need to define that as well.  Ethics: A set of principles of right conduct.

If you'll recall a few months ago, against the guidance of the county handbook, which was written and approved by our then county attorney David Thompson, and current supervisors, the men mentioned below,  were all part of appointing one of their own grandsons to head up a department. As per that appointment, the grandpa agreed that he would abstain from input on anything relating to his grandson. 

Five minutes into the supervisor's meeting on Tuesday, a Resolution to be printed in the newspaper for the "Destruction of Noxious Weeds," was presented to the board. By the newly appointed grandson.

Tracy Seeman and Gary Bierschenk moved to approve the publication of the resolution. At this point, Tracy Seeman asked Rick Primmer, "I assume you'll be abstaining?" "Sure," Primmer responded, "Which seems silly, but yes, because noxious weeds got nothing to do with him." (motion to his grandson who heads up the department that deals with, wait for it, noxious weeds...thus the reason the grandson presented the resolution...)

Then he voted for it and announced that he was going to sign it because it said, "Weeds and not Wes."

So much for that whole, "I will abstain from any action that affects my grandson's department."

Just to clarify, weeds and Wes ARE synonymous with each other.

Obviously, it needs to be said, well, okay, it doesn't NEED to be said, but the other two guys in the room SHOULD be stating the obvious, but aren't so I guess that's why I'm here. 

And I'm just five minutes into the meeting..I'll be back I'm sure. 

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DC April 19, 2023, 4:51 pm We look to our elected officials to be mature in conducting business for the taxpaying Benton County residents. It doesn’t help us to have confidence that petty personal issues won’t resurface and waste time and energy when there’s real issues to discuss. Be an example of professionalism please.
SG April 19, 2023, 5:01 pm Did you really think that we had ethics? All of the supervisors went along with this appointment. This is just one of the little things that's popping to the surface...
GS April 19, 2023, 5:46 pm Perhaps Gramps feels vindicated due to the veteran who was denied his legally earned rights so that junior could have a job has rescinded his suit against the county. Perhaps now that you have a new County Attorney perhaps he could apply ethics standards to the board if a citizen filed a complaint.
PK April 20, 2023, 10:08 am On the news this morning, certain politicians say that Hunter Biden is getting preferential treatment. Seems like this idiocy can even happen in little ol' Vinton, Iowa!