TRUMBULL COUNTY New policy addresses workers and the press

One official said the policy was changed so only correct information gets out.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County employees below the level of department head are no longer permitted to talk to reporters, under a change in personnel policy.
Workers who speak to reporters could face disciplinary action for insubordination.
However, Commissioner Michael O'Brien said it is not the policy's intent and he would not be in favor of disciplining an employee who violated it.
"No one is trying to muzzle employees," said O'Brien, who requested the new policy. "If they are just front-line employees, we at least want [reporters] to talk to department heads first."
In a letter dated Tuesday, human resources director Jim Keating told department heads, "You are to inform those employees within your department that they are not to discuss county issues with reporters. Employees should refer questions either to you or me for a response."
Reason for policy
Commissioners said the policy was initiated to prevent reporters from quoting low-level workers about issues they might not be familiar with, such as policy.
It does not apply to departments run by an elected official.
"We can't let every Tom, Dick and Harry talk to you," said Commissioner James Tsagaris. "I think the department heads should be the ones you talk to first, then to us."
The rule is especially important now, as countywide layoffs have resulted in many front-line jobs being filled with people from other departments, O'Brien said.
He said it was instituted to prevent a repeat of a television news broadcast that quoted a worker who had only been at the maintenance department for a few weeks about department policy.
He said it was not the commissioners' intent to quiet employees who routinely speak to reporters, such as 911 dispatchers or planners at the county planning commission.
"We just want the right information getting out," said Commissioner Joseph Angelo Jr.