Why hire inclusion manager now?

Why is Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon hiring a community inclusion manager with a salary as high as $96,000 a year plus benefits? This comes after a recommendation for layoffs and an order for no merit increase for county employees. This manager will plan, develop and evaluate community outreach and assist in education for job opportunities within Snohomish County government. Reardon himself ordered a hiring freeze, but apparently this does not apply to his own office. And in light of the hiring freeze, what job opportunities will this manager educate people on?

The Human Services division has programs to assist our county’s residents in basic needs, drug abuse issues, mental health programs, and special programs for children, families, older adults and the disabled. Why cut back these needed services to create this new program? Besides the salary, where will the funding coming from in light of the county’s current and projected fiscal state?

Reardon was quoted as saying, “You are only as good as your word.” What do these mixed messages say about his word? Throwing taxpayer money here and there is reckless and not well thought out. It almost seems as if he gets a bug in his ear and runs with it, regardless of how it affects the taxpayers, the people needing services, and other county programs.

In Reardon’s position, he needs to carefully consider decisions since they impact not only his office, but every county citizen. He was entrusted by the taxpayers who elected him. He needs to learn to be more transparent and work with other members of government. Article after article show how “good his word is” with the constant in-fighting within his government. The Snohomish County Charter gives specific rights, responsibilities and directives to the council and to the executive. Perhaps Mr. Reardon should read it.

Michelle Mackey