Thoughts from the goose

Country Notebook

By Rogene "Jeannie" McPherson, Journal columnist

What is good for the goose is good for the gander. This means if something is acceptable or justifiable for one person, it should be acceptable or justifiable for a second person in a similar situation.

Please help me understand why it was not acceptable for Jason Hightower and his wife to be in the same boardroom doing county business, but it is acceptable for Danielle Souza and her husband to be in the same boardroom doing county business. 

Mr. Johnson, you continually made your feelings clear that it was nepotism when the Hightowers’ worked in the county, leading to Jessica’s resignation.  How can you justify hiring the spouse of Danielle Souza without considering this action as nepotism.  I believe you referred to this as leading to pillow talk.  

Perhaps you remember my suggesting that hiring someone that is a part of the good ‘ole club is no better or worse than nepotism. I stand by my consideration that you favor the hiring of people who have similar thoughts or biases. I believe that would be a violation of equal employment. If you like, I can check with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at the Kansas City Field Office.

By the way, I am interested in being on the county’s mowing crew for the summer. I am older than the typical hiring age and have a disability, but I am capable of mowing with a riding lawn tractor mower at such sites as the courthouse. I realize my being hired is slim to none since I do not have a relative working for the county. But, as an older goose, I am willing to give it a try.

Rogene “Jeannie” McPherson, from the Centerville area, is a regular contributor to the Linn County Journal. Her latest book Posts from the Country, Adventures in Rural Living is available online at Amazon.com, Thriftbooks.com, and Barnesandnoble.com.