Duty required firing of village administrator

To the residents of East Dundee: As village president, I feel compelled to address the situation surrounding the dismissal of our village administrator, Jennifer Ramsey Johnsen.

Immediately following the April election, my working relationship with Ms. Johnsen took an inexplicable and contentious turn for the worse. If the examples of insubordination, hostile behavior, a complete lack of respect shown me and dereliction of duty were not enough, Ms. Johnsen recently announced to the entire village staff and board of trustees that she was engaged in a relationship with Brad Mitchell, our assistant village administrator and her direct report. She went on to explain that they were expecting a child by this relationship and that their plans included the blending of their families once their respective divorces were finalized.

The inappropriateness of this situation cannot be overstated. The lack of professional judgment is astounding. Unbelievably, Ms. Johnsen has insisted that they have done nothing wrong.

Where one has a job that pays over twice the median income of the residents one was appointed to serve, I cannot envision a way in which she could have more spectacularly failed in her efforts to fulfill her duties. The risk of exposure to liability lawsuits in which she has placed our village could burden the residents for years to come.

As a 45-year resident of East Dundee and a 14-year public servant, I can honestly say that our former village administrator's behavior in no way reflects the morals, the ethics or the character of the good people of East Dundee. I would like to extend my regrets that this sort of attention should ever have been brought to their door. There should be no tolerance for this type of behavior in our village government.

The board should see to it and the residents should demand it.

Jeffrey Lynam, Village President

East Dundee