Numerous Madison County employees have hired relatives
JACKSON, Tenn. — Madison County Sheriff John Mehr‘s decision to hire his wife as a part-time employee has some asking if it is right for elected officials to hire family members. It turns out there are other cases of relatives being hired in Madison County. Madison County Register of Deeds Linda Waldon confirmed she hired her daughter as a clerk in 2012. Waldon said her daughter makes about $32,000 a year. “If she hadn’t had the experience, the knowledge, the dedication, she would not have been hired,” she said. Madison County Assessor of Property Frances Hunley confirmed she hired her daughter in 2005. Hunley said no one else applied for the position. She said her daughter makes about $27,000 a year. “I’m not her direct supervisor either,” Hunley said. “She has a supervisor.” Commissioner Doug Stephenson said the county does not have a policy prohibiting employees from hiring their relatives. “I don’t have a problem with them hiring, let’s say a cousin or even a close family member, as long as they’re not under direct supervision by that person,” Madison County Commissioner Doug Stephenson said. Madison County Commissioner Larry Lowrance said in the past relatives of department heads have been some of the best employees, but he said he still does not agree with it. “No matter how qualified this person is and how good a job they do, you just lay yourself open for criticism and it can cause problems,” he said. Lowrance said he would support the county having a policy against nepotism. Employees said it has been going on for years.
