Just tell us already

Photo illustration of the mysterious Norfolk Community Services Board employee, courtesy of oddsock.

If you're reading this, you've no doubt seen Harry Minium's startling story on today's Pilot front page.

Yep, it's just the latest chapter in the saga of municipal mismanagement in Norfolk. This is turning into a really long book, by the way. Can't wait to see how it ends.

This chapter features an employee of Norfolk's Community Service Board who hadn't shown up for work in about 12 years yet continued to draw a salary. The case is being investigated.

Shenanigans of this sort are the reason some of us are leary of these "independent" agencies that are funded with tax dollars yet not held directly accountable to elected officials - or taxpayers. In this case, the board gets its dough - a whopping $24 million - from city, state and federal sources. Yet the staff answers to a board, which is appointed by City Council. That's at least one layer of bureaucracy too many.

In a story brimming with outrages, here's the most outrageous: Executive Director Maureen Womack is refusing to release the name of the "employee" or that "worker's" salary.

Sigh.

Sorry, Ms. Womack. This is no longer a personnel matter. It's a doggone scandal. Tell us the name of this goldbricker and how much he or she was being paid to do nothing.

We'll find out sooner or later.

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