Topic: Commissioner prove once again
started by: MADDOG
Posted by MADDOG on Nov. 16 2011,12:44 pm
I don't know Rose Olmsted other than knowing who she is. What I do know is that she was one of 11 workers with the Victims Crisis Center laid off last summer during the state shutdown and the only one not called back. I don't know if this lady was so entrenched in the system like Ahern or Meyer and the opportunity was there to remove her. Was there were differing opinions in her methods? Since her layoff and non-reemployment their have been numerous letter requesting answers from the county board for either her return or explanations for her dismissal. The letters all seem to note how educated and professional she was at her job.
QUOTE
In this day and age whenever we pick up our newspapers and see the crime, etc., going on, can you explain to me the reason your most experienced, hardest-working and most caring employee was “let go”?
I am speaking about Rose Olmsted, an employee for 38 years, who knew her department better than anyone there and could take over for any of her staff at a moment’s notice and did. She put in countless hours toward grants and any other monies to help her department and, hence, the victims she worked so tirelessly for. She has earned national recognition and awards for her excellence in her field. Whenever there was a disaster, she was there, be it Florida hurricanes or shootings at Cold Springs.
I am speaking about Rose Olmsted, an employee for 38 years, who knew her department better than anyone there and could take over for any of her staff at a moment’s notice and did. She put in countless hours toward grants and any other monies to help her department and, hence, the victims she worked so tirelessly for. She has earned national recognition and awards for her excellence in her field. Whenever there was a disaster, she was there, be it Florida hurricanes or shootings at Cold Springs.
QUOTE
Rose Olmsted who has devoted decades to these organizations was summarily fired after the state shutdown ended. Although I can only speak for myself I believe we volunteers have given up many, many hours of our own time to assist victims not only because we wanted to help these victims but because we felt the county supported our efforts.
QUOTE
While working with Rose Olmsted, I observed an intelligent, compassionate, capable, articulate and loving individual. Why was her time cut short? Why wasn’t she called back after the layoff in July?
I sense there is an underlying story waiting to be told as to why Rose Olmsted’s talents are no longer utilized by Freeborn County Human Services. Let’s hear the real story!
I sense there is an underlying story waiting to be told as to why Rose Olmsted’s talents are no longer utilized by Freeborn County Human Services. Let’s hear the real story!
< County won't answer public >
Has the county board now reverted back to days of old when they didn't give a rat's asp about answering to their constituents?
How about a statement to the public, Kluever? The voting public deserves to know.
Posted by Liberal on Nov. 16 2011,12:46 pm
They got rid of a department head that wasn't needed, what else do you want them to tell you?Do you think they should hire her back because her friends write letters to the editor?
Posted by MADDOG on Nov. 16 2011,12:57 pm
QUOTE
I don't know if this lady was so entrenched in the system like Ahern or Meyer and the opportunity was there to remove her.
Like I said, I'm asking.They seem to keep the mutt lady in the vitality center that isn't needed.
Posted by Liberal on Nov. 16 2011,1:14 pm
QUOTE
The letters all seem to note how educated and professional she was at her job.
Well if she's that good at her job she should have no problem finding a similar job.
Posted by Liberal on Nov. 16 2011,4:38 pm
Maybe the County board was sick of her asking to go everywhere anything happened. I thought she should have been gone after she requested to go to the Indian reservation where that school shooting happened. As far as I know the local county doesn't even do that considering it's an Indian reservation.It is odd that the Tribune doesn't do a story on it, but I'm guessing nobody wants to talk about employment issues with the media since everyone is so quick to file a lawsuit these days.
Posted by MADDOG on Nov. 16 2011,7:04 pm
QUOTE
I don't know if this lady was so entrenched in the system like Ahern or Meyer and the opportunity was there to remove her.
And this might have been the chance they had? 
Funny how they didn't have 'nads big enough to get rid of Ahern after her last stunt of hiring Cur.I'm sure the local county could only offer their assistance if requested by the tribal police.
Posted by hymiebravo on Nov. 17 2011,7:41 am
38 years? You should be able to retire, after about 25, working for Freeborn County shouldn't you? lol
Posted by MADDOG on Nov. 30 2011,11:02 am
I guess more to come on this one.QUOTE
The former supervisor of the Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center is alleging that she was terminated from her job as a result of retaliation or age and gender bias.
Rose Olmsted, 60, who had worked for Freeborn County for 38 years, sued the county of “discrimination and reprisal” Monday by filing charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
In her suit, Olmsted alleges that the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners and her manager, Department of Human Services Director Brian Buhmann, used the state government shutdown this past summer as a ruse to terminate her employment with the county.
Rose OlmstedShe also alleges that Buhmann did not value the contributions of strong women in the department and alleges he attempted in part to justify Olmsted’s dismissal based on her salary level and tenure, both of which were traceable to her age, according to her lawyer, Lawrence Schaefer of Minneapolis.
Olmsted, who supervised the Crime Victims Crisis Center, also oversaw the Domestic Abuse Prevention Program and spearheaded the Freeborn County Crisis Response Team. The Crisis Response Team is trained to support people who have been affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods, vehicle crashes and shootings, to name a few.
She was laid off during the shutdown in June but was ultimately terminated in October. She was the only non-union employee within the small department.
County officials have stated Olmsted’s position, which carried with it a salary of about $75,000 plus benefits, was cut as the county faces budget cuts in the coming year.
They said the services the crisis center provides were deemed not mandatory, suggesting it could be handled in the nonprofit realm, though they admitted it is likely other county programs would feel additional strain if the center’s programs were eliminated.
Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever said Tuesday afternoon he had not yet been notified of Olmsted’s suit against the county, but he and other officials were anticipating some action to come forward in December.
He declined to comment on the specific allegations without having seen any official documentation but noted that a lawyer through the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust will represent Freeborn County.
Schaefer, of the Schaefer Law Firm of Minneapolis, argued that if finances truly motivated county officials, Olmsted would have been more than willing to discuss a transition into retirement that would have involved reduced duties and pay.
“This would have ensured that the most needy citizens of the county continued to benefit from her tireless advocacy, experience and management of the volunteer workforce,” Schaefer said.
He said Buhmann had clear motivation to retaliate against Olmsted and often expressed disdain for the services Olmsted was in charge of.
In the spring of 2011, Olmsted was required to participate in a consultation about staff morale and Buhmann’s management practices conducted at the county’s expense. In the consultation, Olmsted reported concerns about Buhmann’s management and his disdain for her, her volunteers and the crisis services.
Schaefer said Buhmann found out about the complaints and from that point forward was “overtly hostile” to Olmsted. He alleged that the director used the state shutdown as a pretext to justify her termination.
Look to the Tribune online and in print for more information on this story as it becomes available.
Kluever said he has tentatively scheduled a Dec. 20 closed session with the Freeborn County commissioners to discuss the allegations.
< discrimination suit files against county >
Rose Olmsted, 60, who had worked for Freeborn County for 38 years, sued the county of “discrimination and reprisal” Monday by filing charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
In her suit, Olmsted alleges that the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners and her manager, Department of Human Services Director Brian Buhmann, used the state government shutdown this past summer as a ruse to terminate her employment with the county.
Rose OlmstedShe also alleges that Buhmann did not value the contributions of strong women in the department and alleges he attempted in part to justify Olmsted’s dismissal based on her salary level and tenure, both of which were traceable to her age, according to her lawyer, Lawrence Schaefer of Minneapolis.
Olmsted, who supervised the Crime Victims Crisis Center, also oversaw the Domestic Abuse Prevention Program and spearheaded the Freeborn County Crisis Response Team. The Crisis Response Team is trained to support people who have been affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods, vehicle crashes and shootings, to name a few.
She was laid off during the shutdown in June but was ultimately terminated in October. She was the only non-union employee within the small department.
County officials have stated Olmsted’s position, which carried with it a salary of about $75,000 plus benefits, was cut as the county faces budget cuts in the coming year.
They said the services the crisis center provides were deemed not mandatory, suggesting it could be handled in the nonprofit realm, though they admitted it is likely other county programs would feel additional strain if the center’s programs were eliminated.
Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever said Tuesday afternoon he had not yet been notified of Olmsted’s suit against the county, but he and other officials were anticipating some action to come forward in December.
He declined to comment on the specific allegations without having seen any official documentation but noted that a lawyer through the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust will represent Freeborn County.
Schaefer, of the Schaefer Law Firm of Minneapolis, argued that if finances truly motivated county officials, Olmsted would have been more than willing to discuss a transition into retirement that would have involved reduced duties and pay.
“This would have ensured that the most needy citizens of the county continued to benefit from her tireless advocacy, experience and management of the volunteer workforce,” Schaefer said.
He said Buhmann had clear motivation to retaliate against Olmsted and often expressed disdain for the services Olmsted was in charge of.
In the spring of 2011, Olmsted was required to participate in a consultation about staff morale and Buhmann’s management practices conducted at the county’s expense. In the consultation, Olmsted reported concerns about Buhmann’s management and his disdain for her, her volunteers and the crisis services.
Schaefer said Buhmann found out about the complaints and from that point forward was “overtly hostile” to Olmsted. He alleged that the director used the state shutdown as a pretext to justify her termination.
Look to the Tribune online and in print for more information on this story as it becomes available.
Kluever said he has tentatively scheduled a Dec. 20 closed session with the Freeborn County commissioners to discuss the allegations.
< discrimination suit files against county >
Posted by Botto 82 on Nov. 30 2011,11:37 am
QUOTE
She was the only non-union employee within the small department.
Oh. One of THOSE overachievers.
That explains everything.
Posted by MADDOG on Nov. 30 2011,12:15 pm
As in AFSCME protected their own. Or the county was afraid (as usual) to ruffle the feather of the union but could key in on one nonunion employee? The AFSCME is the second or third largest labor union in the country.
Posted by Stone-Magnon on Nov. 30 2011,1:29 pm
I don't know, but I do know this Kluever fellow is one ugly troglodyte. Dumb as a rock as well. Bottom of his class with no class.
Posted by Liberal on Nov. 30 2011,8:40 pm
She was a department head(non-union) and she was making $75K plus benefits to supervise a very small group that could be supervised by someone else in DHS. The commissioners saved us a bunch of money with just one job, I call that a good start.It seems to me that in all those decades of helping victims there doesn't seem to be an overwhelming number of letters supporting her.
Posted by Liberal on Nov. 30 2011,8:43 pm
QUOTE
I don't know, but I do know this Kluever fellow is one ugly troglodyte. Dumb as a rock as well. Bottom of his class with no class.
I like Kluever, he's done a great job especially when you compare him to the tax dodging douche bag we had before him.
Posted by Liberal on Nov. 30 2011,8:54 pm
QUOTE
Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever said Tuesday afternoon he had not yet been notified of Olmsted’s suit against the county, but he and other officials were anticipating some action to come forward in December.
He declined to comment on the specific allegations without having seen any official documentation but noted that a lawyer through the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust will represent Freeborn County.
It's hard to get the full story on this considering nobody wants to talk about employment issues because of privacy laws, and the fear of lawsuits.
Was this discussed at a County Commissioner meeting, or was it at the Department of Human Services board meeting that is held at the old armory after the County Commissioner meeting?
Posted by hymiebravo on Dec. 02 2011,8:22 am
What else can be cut/trimmed etc? Where is your campaign list Liberal?
It seems to me there was something else on there that could be handled by the so called "public sector"?
Posted by hymiebravo on Dec. 02 2011,8:26 am
(Botto 82 @ Nov. 30 2011,11:37 am)
QUOTE
QUOTE
She was the only non-union employee within the small department.
Oh. One of THOSE overachievers.
That explains everything.
Well now she has been removed, apparently.
I guess we'll have to wait and see how profitable this all ends up being.
Posted by MADDOG on Dec. 30 2011,1:12 pm
SHHHHhhh. It's a secret.QUOTE
Freeborn County commissioners met in a brief closed session Thursday to discuss the county’s response to a claim filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever said the meeting was closed per attorney and client privilege. He would not identify the employee at the center of the discussion.
“We trust that the EOC will properly and thoroughly investigate the matter,” Kluever said.
He estimated the meeting was about 10 minutes.
< closed session >
I suppose they could have more than one of these problems on their hands. Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever said the meeting was closed per attorney and client privilege. He would not identify the employee at the center of the discussion.
“We trust that the EOC will properly and thoroughly investigate the matter,” Kluever said.
He estimated the meeting was about 10 minutes.
< closed session >
Posted by Liberal on Jan. 01 2012,7:48 pm
QUOTE
Soon, letters to the editor came in Olmsted’s defense, with writers outraged that the county could cut her after 38 years of public service. People wanted answers, and CVCC volunteers voiced support for her before the county commissioners. Finally, in November, Olmsted filed a civil service type of lawsuit alleging that the 60-year-old was terminated from her job as a result of retaliation or age and gender bias. She filed charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
Her lawyer argued that, if finances truly motivated county officials, Olmsted would have been more than willing to discuss a transition into retirement that would have involved reduced duties and pay. The filing says Freeborn County Department of Human Services Director Brian Buhmann disdained her. County officials have withheld comment.
The case is one that, according to off-the-record sources, looks like it could drop some bombshells in 2012, if more details end up before the public.
< http://www.albertleatribune.com/2011/12/29/newsmakers/ >
Drop some bombshells? Off-the-record sources?
Posted by MADDOG on Apr. 13 2014,5:51 pm
(Liberal @ Nov. 30 2011,8:40 pm)
QUOTE
She was a department head(non-union) and she was making $75K plus benefits to supervise a very small group that could be supervised by someone else in DHS. The commissioners saved us a bunch of money with just one job, I call that a good start.
Well I wonder how much the county saved on this one?
Way to go Rose! Not only did you at least showed Freeborn County of their errors, you gave something back to the community.
QUOTE
< Former Crime Victims Crisis Center supervisor wins $40K >
The former supervisor of the Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center won a $40,000 settlement last month with Freeborn County over claims she was wrongfully terminated in June 2011.
The settlement came after mediation in February between Rose Olmsted and her lawyers and Freeborn County officials in Minneapolis. The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners finalized the settlement at its March 18 meeting.
The former supervisor of the Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center won a $40,000 settlement last month with Freeborn County over claims she was wrongfully terminated in June 2011.
The settlement came after mediation in February between Rose Olmsted and her lawyers and Freeborn County officials in Minneapolis. The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners finalized the settlement at its March 18 meeting.
I know there were people in the county fighting for Rose for a long time. This annual award won in the settlement goes to show the kind of person Rose is and has always been.
All the years going to county board meetings showed the power that the unions have always held over this and other boards. Although not mentioned, the county chose to trim their budget a few years ago by releasing non union employees. Their choice was poor then and it shows now.
QUOTE
The settlement states that in addition to providing the monetary compensation, the county will establish the Rose Olmsted Advocacy Award to be awarded annually to a Freeborn County resident, professional or volunteer whose advocacy exemplifies service to others.
The news release states the award recognizes Olmsted’s years of service and the advocacy she provided on a county, state and national level for victims of child abuse, sexual assault, crime and domestic violence and for those affected by natural or human-made disasters.
Olmsted and five others will form a committee to select the recipient of the award each year.
The news release states the award recognizes Olmsted’s years of service and the advocacy she provided on a county, state and national level for victims of child abuse, sexual assault, crime and domestic violence and for those affected by natural or human-made disasters.
Olmsted and five others will form a committee to select the recipient of the award each year.
Rose, I commend you and all who stood behind you through this. Your faithful service to crime victims has always been appreciated by those who have come in contact with you personally and professionally.
Posted by Liberal on Apr. 13 2014,11:57 pm
Well I'd say they saved $35k in just the first year if you don't consider benefits.