So says County Councilman Joe Hatch, who will introduce a plan today to overhaul the process in which the county's work force chooses its representation.

"So many of the scandals were coming out of personnel," Hatch says. "It was a complete breakdown of the employees not having a direct say in the things that affect them the most."

Hatch, who practices labor law, hopes to gauge the council's interest in a new ordinance that would give employees more say when discussing salary, hours and work rules.

The change still would protect whistle-blowers, but give the county a clean process for dealing with grievances to augment the state's Career Services Council statute.

This year's union battle failed to serve the public or the county, and often confused the council, according to Hatch.

"Quite frankly, I don't know who to listen to."

- Derek P. Jensen