THE COUNTY CONTROLLER IS UNDER PRESSURE

 

 

In our political system, checks and balances are the mechanisms which equitably distribute power. Checks and balances prevent any one institution or individual from exercising too much independent control.

For example, at the national level, unprecedented actions taken by the Trump administration have forced the Federal courts to issue judicial rulings to “check” unconstitutional executive orders. The Republican-controlled Congress has declined to exercise its constitutional mandate as a “balance” to the executive branch. Among other shortcomings, Congress has refused to challenge unqualified individuals who have now been appointed to critical cabinet posts or to take swift action to review Trump’s tariff policy.

The checks and balances articulated in the Pennsylvania Constitution and by statute are unique to our state and local governments. However, in Washington County similar to our ongoing national crisis, these important controls are now coming under pressure.

This commentary will focus on the Washington controller’s office that provides valuable checks and balances on our local financial system. We are in danger of losing protections that help provide Washington’s citizens with a transparent, accountable government.

As mandated by state statute, a county controller's office is “responsible for overseeing the county's financial affairs, ensuring taxpayer accountability, promoting fiscal efficiency and transparency, including maintaining financial records, auditing county operations, and reporting on the county's finances.” 

In Washington, the controller’s office has always been a proactive check on other county offices and elected officials, even when all of the elected officials are from the same political party. For example, in July of 2019, the controller was Michael Namie, a Democrat. Following an audit of the Clerk of Courts Office, Namie notified the Board of Commissioners that Democrat Frank Scandale had stolen almost $100 thousand in funds from the taxpayers. Moreover, while in office, Namie never hesitated to disclose negative audit findings and to propose solutions in the Row Offices, then controlled by Democrats.

Republican Heather Sheatler is now the acting controller. She was appointed to fill the position when criminal charges were brought against the elected controller, fellow Republican April Sloane who was forced to resign.  

Shealter has brought stability to the controller’s office. She has been employed in the office for 22 years. Shealter learned the nuances of running the controller’s operations from her former boss, Michael Namie.  Her decisions demonstrate that she understands the importance in placing taxpayers and office integrity before partisan politics.

Unfortunately, red flags have appeared that endanger the controller’s office from acting independently on financial matters. The Republican primary election to determine the next controller will take place on May 20. Shealter is running in the primary against other candidates supported by the local Republican party or by the Republican commissioners.

The current trouble began in late February when commissioners Sherman and Janis directed their chief of staff and the Human Relations Department to improperly take actions to regulate and supervise personnel matters within the controller’s office. These actions included the creation of a new position of deputy controller and a demand that Shealter undergo “a Performance Improvement Plan.” Both Shealter and her solicitor saw these actions as “an election year tactic aimed at delegitimizing her and her office while the county commissioners support another candidate.” Shealter’s solicitor sent a “cease and desist” letter threatening legal action if her independence continued to be threatened.

The second red flag is more troubling. Funding improprieties by the two Republican commissioners and their staff, in connection with the March 12 Real Estate Expo, have been exposed by the controller and the facts reported in detail by this newspaper. First, the keynote speaker’s fees ($30,000) and her accommodation expenses for the Expo (first class air, Pittsburgh hotel, chauffer services) were exposed as exorbitant. Second, money was taken from the Federal funds earmarked for blight mitigation to pay for the Expo. Third, the controller discovered that “an unauthorized bank account was opened for the Expo, taken outside the proper financial protocols designed to maintain accountability over public resources.” Shealter told the Observer Reporter that “to circumvent these rules is to avoid accountability, something I simply cannot allow.” Last week, the controller approved a plan to place the account in the Treasurer’s office, subject to her review.      

These disagreements between Sherman, Janis and their staff on the one hand and the independent controller on the other should not be taken lightly. The Republican commissioners clearly have an agenda to elect a Republican controller in the May primary who will support their interests rather than the taxpayers. After all, a knowledgeable independent financial watchdog stands in the way of a Republican administration that has a history of promoting secret deals and favoring politics over good governance.

Before the primary, Republican voters will have the opportunity to study the qualifications of the controller candidates and then, to vote for financial accountability on May 20.

On the issue of checks and balances, a special shout out goes to the hard-working reporters at the Observer Reporter. Over the past year Mike Jones has reported on numerous occurrences without fear or favor, including the one above. These stories have informed the public about questionable practices initiated by the Republican commissioners. My commentaries would not be possible without reading his timely reporting.

If Washington County were to become a local news desert, without a newspaper, much would be lost, including a valuable check on elected officials.