Fair treatment for all

When both sides of an issue are able to agree, there is no issue. When they do not agree, each side tends to exercise its form of authority to bring about the desired result.

That's what is happening between Carroll Superior Court Judge Jeff Smith and the Carroll County Council.

Smith has hired a bailiff to fill in while his regular bailiff is on unpaid medical leave. He wants her to receive all the benefits and pay afforded his regular bailiff.

The county council wants all county-paid employees to be treated the same as outlined in the county personnel policy established by the county commissioners. Temporary or part-time employees are not entitled to full-time pay, benefits, and health care.

It's understandable that the judge would want a qualified person to fill the position until his full-time bailiff either returns to work or resigns, but sometimes a person who wants a job has to "play the game" so to speak.

For example, college graduates looking for a teaching position sometimes take a position as an aide to hopefully get noticed and offered a teaching job later. An aide is typically an hourly employee who does not receive benefits.

The person hired for bailiff should wait and see what happens with the job. If it becomes available later and she is offered it as a permanent position, then she would be entitled to the pay and benefits that position affords.

The issue is not whether the judge has the authority to mandate salary and benefits, but whether all county-paid employees should abide by the same set of rules.