Holub fired for stance on zoning
Commissioner chooses elected position over job
Staff reporter
At the conclusion of the Marion County Commission meeting on Monday, commission chairman Dan Holub read two prepared statements — one that addressed comments made by editor Don Ratzlaff of the Hillsboro Free Press and another regarding incidents that led to Holub being fired by his employer.
Holub said he was fired Monday morning by Deer Trail Implement Inc. of Marion, because customers had approached his superiors and threatened to take their business elsewhere if Holub continued his support of zoning changes.
"These customers accused me of trying to destroy Marion County agriculture in the process of implementing these zoning changes," said Holub.
The commission is in the process of changing zoning changes in agriculture areas to allow more housing development.
"I was given an ultimatum (by Deer Trail Implement Inc.) that I could work for Deer Trail Implement Inc. or be a county commissioner, but not both," said Holub. The ultimatum was given to him April 4 and he had the remainder of the week to make a decision.
"As of this morning, just prior to coming to this meeting, I gave them my decision (not to resign as commissioner) and was fired."
He continued that most know his wife has a terminal illness and not everything is covered by insurance. Deer Trail Implement probably thought he would opt to resign from the commission and keep his job.
Holub also said in the statement there were three events that involved the casino issue that included personal, public attacks against Bob Knight, and verbal attacks against him.
"The amount of ridicule and type of statements made (by a small group) to try and stop the democratic process was alarming and very troubling to me," he said. "I was verbally attacked and cursed at loudly for my support of putting the issue to a vote. This happened in a place of business where I was employed with other customers present."
"So now we have an unknown number of unknown individuals trying to get their way using what amounts to nothing less than blackmail through manipulating an organization, not even from Marion County," said Holub. "Now that I have made this public, we will see if any individuals involved will come out from under their rocks and justify their actions to the citizens of Marion County."
Commissioner Randy Dallke said the people who did this don't have a backbone.
"This county is dwindling and there are people who are wanting to make a difference," said Dallke. Proposed zoning changes are an effort to make the county zoning-friendly and a better place to live.
"It's a sad thing when people go behind backs and destroy lives," he said.
In a separate statement, Holub still stands by comments he made regarding a Hillsboro City Council resolution that does not support a retail sales tax increase for a county jail. Holub had stated the council's resolution was ambiguous as to whether the council was against any sales tax increase or a one percent increase.
Holub again reiterated that a one percent sales tax increase was not the priority but a means to finance the jail was.
Holub continued that he never singled out car dealers in any of his statements. He did question comments regarding a half-cent tax being a small investment and indicative of a progressive community to finance a pool one year, and then invalid the next year to finance a jail.
He agreed that people have a hard time feeling the same toward a jail as a swimming pool.
"A pool is an option used for entertainment, whereas a jail is an obligation," said Holub. "We could haul inmates to other places but economically I do not believe that is a valid option."
He reiterated that the commission will not decide a one percent or any sales tax increase — county voters will.
A sales tax increase is not an economic development project but the jail is. Economic benefits from construction, maintenance, and staff will have a positive impact on the county.
Other comments were made by Holub with his final comments on the subject being a caution to county residents.
"Consider carefully what you read and hear on this issue," said Holub. "What we do or not do will impact this county for years to come."
He encouraged residents to attend meetings and ask questions.
