A Challenge to the BIRHC Board
On July 18th almost a hundred people gathered in the Peaine Township
Hall to consider what might be done to bring about the reinstatement
of Susan Meis. Kirk McBride accepted the position of Moderator,
but only after twice informing Connie Wojan and asking her to
invite the BIRHC Board to attend.
At the onset Kirk stated that we should all acknowledge the primacy
of the BIRHC Board, and that this was to be a resolution, not
retribution. He encouraged those who spoke to focus on actionable
steps rather than simply vent their frustration. The meeting would
be recorded, and written notes would also be taken by Lois Williams.
Jeff Powers had agreed to transcribe the suggested steps and goals
on a flip chart at the front of the room.
Susan Meis followed by reading from a prepared statement. She
urged people not to focus on personalities or her situation, but
to try to keep in mind the larger issue of insuring quality health
care now and in the future through BIRHC. It was apparent that
she was surprised and honored by the degree of support that had
been expressed in the previous few days.
Some of the comments that followed were similar to those made
at the BIRHC meeting, but some new questions were raised as well.
Was the manager's position properly posted? Did she really have
this degree of power? Was there a conflict of interest in those
who recommended her? Is she a Townships employee? Should the Township
Boards have more responsibility for monitoring this situation?
Were Susan's EEOC rights violated? Should she seek legal redress
if they were?
On this topic it was asked if the BIRHC would have to pay, directly
or through insurance rate increases, if Susan sought legal redress
for certain comments that were felt to border on character assassination.
One attendee said we should temper the attacks and not let this
matter pit neighbor against neighbor, which brought a round of
applause.
Someone wondered what it would cost to find a replacement for
Susan. Someone else thought it was fishy that a possible replacement
is already looking for property.
Someone wanted to know how the BIRHC Board was tracking the Transition
Manager's success at accomplishing the stated goals.
And so it went for over two hours. Upon adjournment those who
had signed a passed sheet saying they were willing to work to
accomplish the actionable steps were asked to stay to put together
a concrete plan it was hoped would lead to the correcting of the
perceived wrongs.
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