Reardon’s actions were mean-spirited

I could hardly believe what my eyes were seeing: “Reardon fires Human Services chief” on the front page of Section B in Wednesday’s Herald.

What kind of heartless, uncaring, inept, mean-spirited persons would fire a 20-plus year senior management employee of Snohomish County, seven days before Christmas?

Well, it looks like Aaron Reardon and Mark Soine are the reasoning-impaired individuals responsible for terminating Janelle Sgrignoli.

Apparently, there was no due process, no chance to improve, no chance to retire, all because “It’s the beginning of a new term, and the executive wants a fresh look and new ideas for the department,” according to Reardon spokesman Christopher Schwarzen.

For whatever reason, the individual’s job performance that had been exemplary now is no good.

I am a taxpayer in Snohomish County, and I strongly disapprove of draconian management philosophy and actions. Snohomish County employees and managers deserve better treatment.

Aaron Reardon and Mark Soine could have waited until after the first of the year to terminate an employee or manager, and only after speaking with the individual in person about it.

In short, I do believe that Mark Soine should resign, or face termination in January, and perhaps there should be a recall effort to unseat Aaron Reardon.

This unacceptable termination happened on Aaron Reardon’s watch, with his approval. Clearly his uncaring, reasoning-impaired actions are not good government. If he is this draconian and stupid with handling personnel matters, what else is he doing that is not up to par?

Gary Clark

Marysville