GOOKIN: An inside view

I am one of the county employees insulted by Dan Gookin during the panel discussion on Oct. 25. I write the minutes of the county commissioners’ public meetings. I am a hard worker; I take pride in my work.

Mr. Gookin stated it “took five weeks to produce minutes for the county commissioners’ meetings.” Minutes of exceptionally complicated meetings needing to be extensively double-checked with other departments for accuracy might take five weeks. Draft minutes are usually completed within one to three days after a meeting. They go through a process of revision and approval before they are loaded on the website. Mr. Gookin’s clear implication was that we are slack in our duties. We are not.

Mr. Gookin has previously insulted other county employees. I find this an interesting tactic, since he would have to work with these people if elected. His constant referrals to us as “his (Mr. Brannon’s) people” makes his hostility plain.

I have worked for Mr. Brannon for more than a year and a half. I enjoy my position as deputy clerk because our workplace is a positive place to be. Mr. Brannon has surrounded himself with intelligent, competent people who care about serving the county.

I have reached an age where I do not fear to stand up for myself in public, despite consequences. I had not intended to take a public stance on the contest between Mr. Gookin and the incumbent clerk, Mr. Jim Brannon, but I will not tolerate his words.

CRISTINA M. GINORIO

Coeur d’Alene