Update: County clerk resigns post; resident asks commission to reconsider their motives

By Charlene Sims

info@linncountyjournal.com

MOUND CITY – While rumors swirled around Linn County on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 14, that County Clerk Danielle Souza had reconsidered her departure, she told the Linn County Commission at its morning meeting she was resigning her post.

The Journal interviewed Souza about the rumors late Tuesday afternoon and asked her if she planned to stay in the post.

"Absolutely not," she said emphatically. She went on to explain that she had debated the decision and prayed over it. However, she added that she thought it was best for her family if she resigned the post.

At the commission meeting earlier in the day, Souza, who was appointed by the Linn County Republican Committee to replace retiring County Clerk David Lamb in February, read the following resignation statement:

“To the citizens of Linn County and to the Board of County Commissioners, please accept this as my formal notification that I am resigning from my position as the county clerk. My last day of employment will be Nov. 1.

“I’ve been deeply blessed by the opportunity to serve my colleagues and the county in this role, and I want to emphasize that, despite the deep lack of calendars, checklists, schedules for the role from the prior clerk, my work was executed with honesty, with the best of intentions and with accuracy the best that I could provide.

“Each day in the clerk’s office is a delicate dance, trying to balance relentless deadlines, mounting tasks. This is inherently challenging and is compounded by the persistent campaign of what is felt like harassment and destabilization directly attributed to a prior employee. This individual and her spouse continue to submit numerous KORA requests and while they are absolutely allowed it’s complicated and time consuming work turning my role into what feels like a crucible. Out of the 13 KORA requests that my office has received in nine months, seven of them have come from this disgruntled couple.

“I don’t see an end in sight for this behavior and that forces my departure. It’s an unsustainable situation. It’s severely impacted my wellbeing, it’s demanded this difficult transition for my health.

“To my coworkers and my staff, I sincerely apologize for the timing of my departure and please know that I agonized over this choice. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work alongside each of them, and their dedication and their hard work have made my time there truly rewarding.

“I’m committed to ensuring a smooth transition by remaining these few weeks. Thank you again for the opportunity I’ve had to hold this position. I wish the county and the clerk’s office and all my colleagues the very best in the future.”

The commission made no comment following Souza’s statement and didn’t seem surprised. Commissioner Alison Hamilton got out of her chair and hugged Souza.

After Souza’s statement, Centerville resident, Rogene McPherson, spoke during public comment. McPherson said she likes to attend commission meetings when she has a chance and keep a pulse on what’s going on in Linn County.

She said that keeping up on what’s going on in the county can be a full-time job in this county, but not because of its size.

McPherson continued, “Danielle’s resigning reminds me, how many openings do we have that are major leadership roles, right now? I think that tells you something about the health of this community. And why there’s a lot of people who do not want to work in Linn County that live in Linn County.”

“She just clearly said that it nothing to do with leadership,” interrupted Hamilton.

“You know usually when I do this,” McPherson said. “I like to, I don’t like to criticize, but if I am going to criticize I am also going to come back with a solution or with something good about the county.”

“I just don’t get why we have so much conflict,” she said. “And part of that is just government in and of itself. I realize that. But I encourage the three of you to sit down and talk about, you maybe have to do this in open forum. I’m not sure. 

“But the three of you sit down and just do some problem solving, what’s wrong? Everyone I talk to seems to have a problem with Linn County government. So my solution, this is not the solution, other than to suggest that you sit down and be honest with yourselves. 

“You know, why did you take this position? Is it because you want Linn County to be better, be successful? Or does have something to do with the power factor? Because I’ve been down that road with people. I was in education and I know there are many individuals who go into education, I shouldn’t say many, it’s just a handful. It has something to do with power. Please open up your own heart and say why did I take this? Am I really helping Linn County? 

“And the other thing that I would suggest is you have some kind of a training on mill levy. But explain mill levy and I probably have as good an idea as anybody does and I still don’t understand it. Why, and I don’t expect you to answer, I don’t want to answer, but why do our property taxes go up and then you try to keep the mill levy at a place?” 

“The one thing I will say because I want to say something good about at least one department.” McPherson continued. “Years ago, we were told that if you wanted to commit a crime, come to Linn County. Because this is the place that you can get away with it. I don’t think that’s the case anymore. I’ve got to speak highly of our sheriff’s department and anybody else that is associated with that.”