To the editor:
We should continue to be concerned about the so called “cultural survey” that was conducted at the end of 2023 by John Scholten, and then reported upon him in early 2024.
The “survey” has raised more questions than provided answers, but perhaps that was its intent.
What seems apparent, however, is that the survey was largely the initiative of Commissioner Kama Ross, who convinced her fellow members of the personnel committee (Commissioners O’Rourke & Allgaier) that such a survey was necessary.
She came to that conclusion arising out of “confidential information” which was “shared with Chairman Wessell in 2022.”
Commissioner Ross did not become a member of the Board of Commissioners until she was elected in November 2022.
She apparently continued to communicated with disgruntled employees, thereafter, accumulating 1,250 emails in the process.
Interestingly, the personnel committee had only been in existence or one month prior to endorsing and proposing “the survey” to the full board on Nov. 9, 2023. Commissioner Ross has been very busy on the issue.
She may think that the survey was helpful. It appears that the culture of the government center has become more divisive than ever.
Lawrence Bunchek Leland
