McBurnie is entitled to confront her accusers

North country senior citizens upset with the removal of an able advocate for their needs began looking into the reasons for the removal. The information uncovered was so disturbing that the facts surrounding the dismissal of Barbara McBurnie as director of Office for the Aging were brought to the attention of the St. Lawrence County Legislature on Nov. 2 in hopes of prodding them to take action to rectify what appears to be blatant political interference. Legislator Sallie Brothers said that Ms. McBurnie's removal was due to "reorganization" within the department.

County Administrator Karen St. Hilaire stated there was an employee complaint against Mrs. McBurnie and McBurnie and the employee discussed the complaint with either St. Hilaire or county legislators present. A legislator meeting regularly with the Office for the Aging Advisory Council advised the board the Advisory Council was behind the dismissal.

The truth appears to be that Mrs. McBurnie did not get an opportunity to meet with her accusers. She was not part of a reorganization. Her position as director was not discussed with the advisory council. Untruths should not be allowed to cause the dismissal of a St. Lawrence County department head or any other employee.

This may seem insignificant to some of you, but this goes far beyond Mrs. McBurnie. The individuals who have misled the voting public are the ones who should have their actions scrutinized. Mrs. McBurnie, who has held the director position for 13.5 years, should have an opportunity to meet with her accusers, as any one of us would want, and an opportunity to handle and settle the issue with the employee.

Mary Jane Barnes

Canton