On Monday, the article about COVID-19 emergency pay at San Juan Basin Public Health was eye-opening, not surprising. Officials are going to great lengths to justify former Executive Director Liane Jollon approving a massive financial gain for herself with no oversight.

What reason would Jollon have had to continue a state of emergency for three years? She had 215,745 reasons to keep it going, approved by her, for her. It’s OK because she and her staff “worked hard.” Luckily, they had the opportunity to work while they forced thousands into unemployment through shutdowns. By the way, exempt employees often have to work hard and that term means exempt from overtime because they have guaranteed pay, regardless of hours worked. If SJBPH exempt employees had to work a few more hours weekly, sorry, that’s the job.

All businesses had to work hard just to open up, add dividers, ensure social distancing, etc. because they had to comply with ever-changing rules and regulations just to operate. They did this to survive, while the SJBPH thrived financially.

How many paychecks did Jollon miss? None, of course, and 52% of the emergency money the SJBPH received went to Jollon and a couple of others. What occurred may not be illegal, but it was wrong. This is why the public demanded a new health department.

Now, we have the same leadership at the county health department and that needs to change. County commissioners need to ensure that those who profited are not left in leadership. Jollon has moved along, but others remain.

Diana Snodgrass

Durango