St. Joseph County Board of Commissioner's announce independent review of officials Bill Schalliol and Shawn Klein
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The controversial Midwest Continental Divide Trail was tabled earlier this month, but the heated topic hasn't been put to rest just yet.
Comments online involving Derek Dieter, Bill Schalliol and the St. Joseph County Commissioners have been swirling, leading the County Commissioners to release a statement yesterday.
The statement sent out yesterday by the St. Joseph County Commissioners addresses the calls to fire Economic Development Director Bill Schalliol and Planning Director Shawn Klein. The statement says without verified factual evidence, these calls are not justifiable.
The concerns over Bill Schalliol and Shawn Klein appear to start with County Surveyor, Derek Deiter, posting his concerns on Facebook, claiming Schalliol gave Dieter information about County projects inconsistent with the public record. While the commissioner's statement doesn't mention these Facebook posts, the timing is notable.
One of the projects of concern is the Midwest Continental Divide Trail. People online sounding off with concerns about the environment, property value and what farmland will really be used for. Those concerns were voiced at a meeting in July.
Multiple Facebook posts from Dieter have given residents the floor to share their thoughts, opinions and questions about where taxpayer dollars are going and what they're funding.
Now, an independent counsel will look into Schalliol and Klien.
The statement released by the St. Joseph County Commissioners says in part "when concerns arise regarding the actions of appointed officials, we have a duty to ask questions, review the facts, and, if necessary, take appropriate action to restore confidence in the process. Accountability is not punitive; it is an essential part of good governance."
Bill Schalliol declined an interview today saying he and Shawn Klein won't be doing any interviews at this time but also says as of right now he does not have a lawyer and has not been advised to retain one.
The statement from the St. Joseph County Commissioners is below.
