Priorities

A brave government employee stands up for his rights:

BINGHAMTON - A Broome County employee confined by bosses to the Department of Social Services' building during the April 3 massacre at the nearby American Civic Association wants to be paid for his lunch hour.

The employee made a formal complaint last week to Broome's Personnel Department, confirmed Michael Klein, the director.

James Kauchis, a DSS accounting clerk, confirmed he made the complaint, but denied further comment.

[. . .]

"This is the kind of thing that makes government workers look bad," Klein said. "Ninety-nine point nine percent of county employees stepped up to the plate."

Fouteen dead, and this guy wants to make sure he doesn't lose his lunch-hour pay. Even I would have trouble being that cluelessly self-involved.