An Apology

As a citizen and taxpayer here in Dried Salmon County I want to be first to go public and say I’m sorry on behalf of those who have been hired and elected into office, who obviously are unable to apologize when they screw up.

This apology goes out to Don Schreiner and his lovely wife Marilyn who will be leaving our community next week to begin their unintended early retirement.

Don was the leader of the County Health and Human Services Department. Don worked quietly but he accomplished a lot during his career. He was the cornerstone and foundation under the Coastal Family Health Center, a clinic that was created to treat those who cannot afford healthcare.

Unfortunately, Don had two employees who screwed up. It is impossible to know what your employees are doing at all times, but this reflected poorly on him. But then the District Attorneys office decided to investigate Don; they found nothing. They investigated him again; placed him on administrative leave and still found nothing. He may have been investigated even a few more times yet nothing was ever found to link him to the screw up in the HHS department. Being investigated as often as Don was over this case virtually took away any chance of his leadership ever being respected again. Don saw this and decided to retire rather than keep his department running under a cloud.

I can see that once the DAs office locks on to you it’s like trying to knock a bulldog off a meat wagon. They don’t quit until they end your career, ruin your name and leave you in debt from legal fees. Yes, I know you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, but not here. It’s easier to say just enough to impeach your character and leak the story to the Daily Astorian. That’s how they get rid of you and save money while doing it. This, by the way, is not the only time this has happened here…

So Don and Marilyn, as a citizen I apologize to you and thank you for all you have done here in our community. I hope your retirement years are rich and full.