Drug court graduate won’t be hired despite recommendations

By: Chelsea Good

A successful graduate of the Isabella County drug court will not receive a job at the Materials Recovery Facility.

The woman has two children and hoped to secure the $9.26 per hour position to provide for them, but four out of seven county commissioners voted last Tuesday not to hire her.

MRF Resource Recovery Director Amy Shindorf pleaded with commissioners to hire the woman, telling them how hard she is trying and how much she wants the position, but to no avail.

Commissioners Christine Alwood, Ron Roby, Frances Lichtman and Roger Trudell voted against hiring the woman, while George Green, John Haupt and Chairman David Ling voted to give her the position.

Commissioner Green also argued on the candidates behalf, asking his fellow commissioners how the woman was supposed to integrate back into society if she was not allowed to prove herself by working.

The woman was also recommended for the position by Isabella County Trial Judge William Rush, Court Administrator Lance Dexter, County Administrator Tim Dolehanty, and MRF Facility Manager Bruce Chapman.

Shindorf told commissioners the woman was a shining star, the most qualified candidate for the position, but Roger Trudell and Frances Lichtman had concerns regarding her felony drug related conviction.

The two could not get past the fact that the woman had a prior felony conviction although she has successfully completed drug court. Isabella County doesn't have a policy stating it won't hire those who have successfully completed drug court, which leaves the decision up to the commission.