This letter was sent to local elected officials and newspapers: To all, As youll note from the Tampa Tribune on April 19, an interesting read, Mike Wells, our Pasco Property Appraiser, has hired his former stepdaughter to fill a position in his office. Aside from the legal question of whether that represents prohibited nepotism, the specific circumstances of the hire are even more offensive. His stepdaughter applied for a position as an appraiser, a position for which she was unqualified. She has no appraiser experience, no educational background in that field, nor the required certification. That was no barrier for Wells, though, as he hired her anyway at $46,000/year, the salary of an appraiser, as an appraisal clerk, where a salary of about $25,000 would be the norm. Oh, and by the way, NO one else was interviewed for the vacancy, nor was the job posted on public hiring boards so others, who may have actually been qualified, could apply. Wells has no problem with any of this, because ...We think shes going to do great. This is the same Mike Wells who, on TV and standing in his underwear at midday and midweek at home, admitted that he only goes into the office a few hours a day for a few days a week because I have such a great team in the office I dont really need to be there much. This is the same person who is paid about $140,000/year plus benefits to serve in that position. The average household in Pasco earns about $44,000/year, the average person about $24,000. I wonder why Mike Wells thinks he should earn $140,000 in his admittedly part time job, paid for by those citizens? This is the same Mike Wells who stood at the Pasco Republican Executive Committee meeting on April 17 and stated, I wouldnt have served all those years in public service if it hadnt been for the great retirement plan that is offered. I didnt think public service was supposed to be so lucrative, but apparently Wells has learned how to milk the cow without doing much work to earn the milk. The Florida Commission on Ethics is meeting on April 25 in Tallahassee to vote on whether Wells hiring of his former stepdaughter is ethical. I dont know if this meets a technical ethical standard, but I do know that public officials like Mike Wells are the reason the public has become disgusted with elected officials, and with government in general. Wells, thank God, isnt running for office again after this term. Other public officials should take note not to emulate Wells example, if they desire any respect at all from the citizenry. Grady Peeler Director Republican Liberty Caucus of Pasco County
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:37:44 +0000