Ballard and Arnett actions rile county employees

“It’s un-American is what it is,” said long time county employee Sharon Eveready. “Plain un-American.”

Eveready, a 20-year veteran of the property assessor’s office, was referring to Phil Ballard’s announcement that he would end the practice of allowing employees a paid day off for Christmas shopping. Ballard’s announcement closely followed a similar decree by newly-elected Knox County Clerk Foster Arnett. Besides the traditional day off for Christmas shopping, Arnett has cancelled paid days off for birthdays.

“Next thing they’ll be expecting us to work full days on Fridays,” groused clerk’s office employee Ben Dover.

About 300 county employees, most from the assessor’s office, joined Dover and Eveready in an impromptu strategy session during their 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. lunch break. Passions ran high as the group criticized the new policies and fretted over rumored changes to come.

“We’re hearing that Phil plans to limit take home county vehicles to one per employee,” Eveready said. “If that happens I’m out of here. With gas prices this high does he really expect me to drive my own car to work? Think again, Phil.”

Dover blasted Arnett’s plan for what he called its “humongous bad” effect on the local economy.

“We’re already in a danged recession,” said Dover. “If we can’t go out wining and dining on our birthdays they’ll be a lot of businesses suffer. Heck, J-Mart may go plumb under, and Taco Bell will be right behind ‘em.”

Dover broke into tears as he discussed the Christmas shopping day ban.

“I guess Ben Jr. won’t be gettin’ that Nintendo Wii this Christmas after all,” Dover choked out between sobs. “They’ll all be gone by the time I get to Wal-Mart.”

Several employees brought up the possibility of a mass strike, but the group deferred action, agreeing to revisit the issue at their 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. break.