The Collin County Observer

So asked Collin County Commissioner Jerry Hoagland at Tuesday's court meeting. On his soapbox again about bi-lingual workers pay, he asked, "When are we going to have to hire A-rabs? When are we going to have to hire Indians, and everything else?"

Jerry wasn't talking about the county's lack of a working equal employment action plan. He was protesting the county paying a 3% higher salary for a bi-lingual juvenile detention officer.

Over the past few months, Hoagland has consistently and loudly voted against all bi-lingual new hires, even as jailers and health care workers. He charges that the county is, "bending over backwards to enable non-english speaking people". Judge Self and newly installed Commissioner Kathy Ward appeared to be in agreement with Hoagland, although they did vote to approve the hiring.

Ward told Hoagland, "Believe me, what you are saying is not falling on deaf ears. We're in America." Self noted that what Hoagland was really wanting was a change in the county policy that moves bi-lingual employees up one salary step.

Commissioner Jaynes commented, "I'm almost with you there Commissioner", but Jaynes also noted that detention officers are dealing with people in jail, and need to communicate for their own safety.

The only commissioner who did not take part in the discussion was Phyllis Cole.

Both Self and Ward asked that the bi-lingual policy be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the court.

Hoagland told the court that his "wife runs the Passport Office in Plano", and that they don't have any Spanish interpreters. Hoagland says his wife tells Spanish speakers they need to, "bring somebody who speaks English".

What amazed me was the acceptance of Hoagland's racial remarks by the entire Commissioners Court. No one pointed out to the Commissioner that they do have to hire Middle Eastern and Indian applicants. No one called him down. No one appeared offended.

Following on the heels of the county's forcing out of a gay employee and their refusal to enact a meaningful equal employment policy, Tuesday's incident proves that these "good old boys" are out of touch with the moral values of the vast majority of Americans.

Racism should have no place in county government, not even in Collin County.

Bill

NOTE: The discussion of approving the hiring of the bi-lingual jailer can be found on the the recording of the July 8 meeting. Set the time slide to 2:09:00. The recording can be found here