Ognio prevails; Oddo calls it ethics issue; Maxwell, Rousseau go along; Brown vehemently objects to “tyranny”
A March 22 motion by Commissioner Randy Ognio that Fayette County commissioners not post county employee personnel file information on commission agendas or on a website was approved on a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Steve Brown was opposed.
Making the motion, Ognio added language saying that the motion would not limit any commissioner’s access to properly-redacted employee file information.
“Just because we can (publish employee personnel file information) doesn’t mean we should do it,” Ognio said.
Brown responded, saying he will continue with his First Amendment right to publish what he believes should be published, likening Ognio’s efforts to government tyranny.
Asked by Chairman Eric Maxwell if the motion prohibits people from accessing employee personnel records, County Attorney Dennis Davenport said it did not.
Brown said he agreed, but maintained that he is sticking with the First Amendment, adding that he is not opposed to having personnel records redacted.
Commissioner Chuck Oddo said he supported the motion, adding the it did not prevent anyone from accessing the information.
Commissioner Charles Rousseau said he would not post disciplinary actions or materials of that nature in the public domain.
“(Doing so) has a negative impact of morale, employee retention, on recruitment and on our overall image,” said Rousseau.
The vote on the motion was 4-1, with Brown opposed.
The issue stems from the recent previous, well-publicized controversy dealing with Brown’s posting of personnel records of some current and former employees of the county’s 911 center.
