In response to Mr. Walters’ comments about hiring practices for the Grant County planning director, please be assured that we have the best person in place for this position. I speak firsthand as the newly hired secretary of the planning department. I had many people ask me if I was interested in applying for the director position. Even though I have almost 30 years of combined real estate and appraisal experience, I felt that this position needed someone who knew Grant County really well and is well versed in land use codes and how they apply to the planning process. The most important thing to consider here is how we can best serve the taxpayers of this community, and the best way is to have someone like Hilary McNary, who can crank out the work, reduce my stress, while saving the county thousands of tax dollars by working reduced hours.

Although I understand where Mr. Walters is coming from, I feel that consideration should be given to the fact that we are actually putting back more money in the county budget by operating the way we do. Also, Mrs. McNary is a very innovative individual and our vision is to see this department provide the information and service that our customers and contractors desire in a quick and efficient manner.

We have many people who work and make money in this county who do not live here and without them we would be crippled as a community. A good example is that all our residential fee appraisers do not live in this county, but they perform a valuable service. Real estate would be at a standstill without them and even Mr. Walters would not be able to buy a home without these “outsiders.”

When it comes to jobs, I do not consider residency a crucial issue because that would be discriminatory; however, directly related experience should always set a precedence in the hiring process as it does everywhere else. I applaud the decision of Judge Reynolds in hiring Mrs. McNary and would expect no less from him. I speak as a Grant County taxpayer myself.

Athena Moline

Grant County Planning Secretary