I have been following the news and Linn County Auditor Joel Miller is always receiving negative press, then spending his time doing damage control to justify his actions and spread blame around to someone else. It would be nice to see him accept responsibility and admit that he was wrong.

The fraud investigation report by Steve Tucker clearly points out that Miller hired his friend for $39.11 per hour (to the temp agency) and that there was little work documented. The report states his friend only logged in to the software 30 days during the 119 days he was employed! No matter how Miller tries to “spin” this scenario, it reeks of poor management and wasting our tax dollars.

We deserve better. I would recommend voting for his challenger — Garth Fagerbakke.

Beth Larson

Ely