It appears Wabasha County has a problem with a county commissioner who doesn't know what her job description is.
There is a petition circulating to have Wabasha County Commissioner Debra Roschen removed, based on four alleged acts of malfeasance.
Malfeasance is defined in Minnesota Statutes (laws) as, "The willful commission of an unlawful act in the performance of a public officials duties which is outside the scope of authority of the public official and which infringes on the rights of any person or entity."
Briefly the allegations are: Commissioner Roschen directed the county administrator to terminate a County employee; made "inappropriate and potentially defamatory" comments about a county employee at a public meeting; made continuous and systematic attempts to circumvent requirements of the State Data Practice Act, Open Meeting law and Official Records Act; and threatened the County Sheriff with cutting his department's budget because he didn't comply with her wishes in giving testimony regarding State legislation.
Is Ms. Roschen incompetent, or does she willfully disregard the law? Neither situation is defensible. The petition should proceed, with an overwhelming number of signers, so Ms. Roschen can refute the allegations and citizens will have a lawful process to determine if malfeasance has occurred. Evidence is presented at a pubic hearing to prove or disprove allegations. If malfeasance is proven, Ms. Roschen should be recalled.
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Linda Squires
Plainview
