Memo: 32 targeted due to political ties

[ridgerunner]

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s administration had targeted 32 state transportation workers for firing or transfer partly because of their political ties, according to an April 18 memo unsealed in court today.

The memo is the latest piece of evidence to emerge in the Attorney General’s investigation of whether the Fletcher administration used politics, not qualifications, to determine how to fill civil service jobs.

The list - marked “Confidential Draft Preliminary Personnel Actions’’
includes nine “completed actions” and 23 “pending actions.” Next to many names are notes about political ties.

>snip

One merit employee listed as a target for firing is Mike Duncan, the cabinet’s former deputy inspector general. Notes next to his name notes that he was employed by Fletcher’s 2003 gubernatorial opponent, Ben Chandler, in the Attorney General’s office for eight years, gave Chandler $2,000 and is a Democrat.

more:http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050627/NEWS01/50627003/1008

[ridgerunner]

1. 'Hit list' released, appears to target Democrats, holdovers

By MARK R. CHELLGREN
Associated Press Writer

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- The man whose delivery of documents to the attorney general's office started the investigation of Fletcher administration personnel practices was targeted for a transfer, according to a "hit list" unsealed by a court on Monday.

Doug Doerting, who was in the Transportation Cabinet's Office of Personnel Management, was the target of some complaints from constituents, "antagonistic, biased; perceived as unfair" and he was a Democrat, the list explained. Doerting should be transferred and likely would retire as a result, it went on.

Doerting, a state employee for nearly 30 years, did leave state government after he complained to the Personnel Board and took his evidence of improper political influence in personnel decisions to Attorney General Greg Stumbo.

>snip

Transportation Cabinet officials acknowledged the list was created by Dan Druen, the commissioner for administrative services and one of three officials under indictment for Merit System violations. Also indicted were acting Secretary Bill Nighbert and Deputy Secretary Jim Adams.

more:http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KY_POLITICAL_PERSONNEL_KYOL-?SITE=KYLOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-06-27-15-26-57

[jarab]

2. This is a large story ....

It'd be nice to get some/more national coverage of this constantly evolving melt-down of the Fletcher admin.

...O...

[ridgerunner]

4. Well, I reckon it might

pick up more steam in the national press as more details come out. And the way it's looking, Stumbo is just getting started.

[yellowdoggess]

5. We're almost Daily Show material

It amazes me how simliar Bu$h & Co is to Boy Gov and Kiddie Korp. Wish someone would capitalize on the story. Also I'd love to hear more/see proof the the "Buckwheat" file....don't condone the message nor sentiment, but supposedly while discussing the DOT lack of progress on Affirmative Action, one official emailed another "so I guess we have to hire a bunch of buckwheats?" Is this true? If so, there should be headlines. How nasty and small.

[Mythsaje]

3. Sounds like

the Repugs are starting to have more in common with the old Soviet Communist Party than they'd ever feel comfortable with.