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HEALAN

Round 2 of clash between county, Horacek set for Friday

Posted by

Mike Buffington

in Winder Archives

Tuesday, June 23. 2009

Comments (8)

A personnel review board hearing is usually a low-level legal proceeding, but there was high drama at the county annex building last week when former county commissioner and lawyer Bill Healan spent eight hours taking on the county government in his legal defense of county CFO Beth Horacek.

A 10-year employee of Barrow County, Horacek, is attempting to restore her professional reputation by appealing a 40-hour suspension for allegedly havng been “untruthful” to the Barrow County Board of Commissioners last winter about the reason for a health insurance cost overrun in the current county budget.

The hearing before the Barrow County Personnel Review Board is slated to resume Friday at 9 a.m. in the BOC meeting room on the second floor of the county annex.

At issue in the case is whether Horacek was “untruthful” when she told the BOC at public meetings in January and February that county health insurance costs were over budget because of the increased number of employees or dependents joining the county plan after the budget was adopted – and did not initially disclose that a 7.64-percent premium hike of at least $250,000 had not been budgeted.

For the full story about last week's hearing, see the June 24 issue of the Barrow Journal.

Defined tags for this entry: Barrow County Board of Commissioners, News, Top Stories

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#1 C.M. Thornton, III on 06/23/09 at 03:20 PM [Reply]

First off, Horacek has outlived her usefulness at Barrow County. As the CFO she should be shouldering the brunt of the blame for the county's financial crisis. If she was the CFO of a business corporation that was in financial shambles, she would have long been replaced.

Secondly, Bill Healen is a conflict in this matter. He should not be allowed to represent her due to the fact that he was a commissioner himself when she claims she was told to omit the information in question.

#1.1 Anonymous on 06/24/09 at 10:23 AM [Reply]

I believe the only reason you don't want Mr.Healan on her side is for the simple fact that he will more than likely prove Danny wrong. I agree that she has worn out her welcome. The one you need to blame is the one that hired her. It is my understanding that she managed a "mom and pop tire store" before she came to work for the county.

#1.2 Anonymous on 06/24/09 at 06:00 PM [Reply]

I agree that she's worn out her welcome and I question her qualifications to begin with. What I disagree with is -- how the "punishment" was administered. Was it truly warranted? And since the county budget wasn't 100% funded - what difference does it make? Even if it had been included in the budget - it wouldn't have been funded! We are talking about what 7.4 - 7.64 percent.

This is just the board of buffoons wasting money under the farce of trying to save money.

#2 Anonymous on 06/24/09 at 06:21 AM [Reply]

Bring your popcorn. I'm sure round 2 will be as entertaining as round 1.

#3 anonymous on 06/24/09 at 08:37 AM [Reply]

What a waste of money and time. If Danny had just taken a slow and calculated approach to this issue it could have been managed much better. Unfortunately, Danny does not have the experience or skills to battle in the "real world" of personnel matters leaving him to use his emotions and instincts ...of which neither are very useful in this matter.

The solution is before you Danny. Find a compromise, eat a little crow, and close this topic out before you cost the county more money and bad public relations.

#3.1 Anonymous on 06/26/09 at 09:11 AM [Reply]

There are much worst problems with this county than Ms Horacek. We need to focus on finding revenue and look for who is the real blame for this problem. You need look no furthur than the HR Director who should have known the raises given out a few years back were out of line and not to just pad her and her cousins pockets!!!!

#3.1.1 anonymous on 06/26/09 at 02:17 PM [Reply]

While I agree the pay raises are a big part of the problem....your statement regarding the HR Director knowing better might be a stretch. My guess is the HR Director has never managed anything prior to this job bigger than a check book and did not have the fore sight to look beyond the immediate action to see the long term impact. IF she did ...then dumber than I thought....who would think those pay actions would not come back and haunt you later..... Just another fine example of the poor leadership this county operated under for several years.

#4 Buck on 07/09/09 at 11:37 PM [Reply]

Yearwood needs to be sent packing and the HR director needs to leave with him. Both are an absolute joke.....they have risen to the heights of their inabilities!! The show's over Yearwood, pack your sorry butt and leave!!

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