County commissioners disagree on decision to letting chief clerk go

Jan. 5—MERCER — The Mercer County commissioners expressed differing opinions Thursday over their decision to replace the senior chief clerk at the beginning of the year as a new board of commissioners took office.

Before a motion and second could be made to have Ann Morrison, senior chief clerk for seven years, separated from employment from the county, Commissioner Tim McGonigle said he wanted to explain why he was dissenting in his vote.

"Any time we have a new administration here we have a lot of actions taking place as far as transfers, new hires. And that's one of the hardest things for a new administration to do — going in a new direction," McGonigle said. "People that were important to the county — their separation doesn't mean that they didn't do their job, it just means that the new administration needs to go in a different direction."

He said he would vote against Morrison's separation because seven years ago, he was part of the team that hired her.

"And I thought she did a wonderful job," McGonigle said. "Ann's from Butler County but her heart and soul resided here in Mercer County. She did a lot of work."

During the pandemic, McGonigle said that Morrison made sure they had masks, hand sanitizers and temperature monitors at their doors.

"She did a lot for Mercer County," McGonigle said. "I don't want her to go away without credit for what she did."

He went on to explain that when the county was given $9.8 million in CARES funding and it had to be spent in four months, Morrison was behind making sure that county businesses under 100 employees, local governments and schools received that money.

"That was certainly Ann's doing. She was the force behind all of that," McGonigle said. "She stood up and did all that for this county."

McGonigle said the county owes Morrison a big "thank you."

"And it's not a vote against the new administration or the new chief clerk," McGonigle said. "I just want to make sure that (Morrison) is appreciated for all she did for Mercer County."

Roni Shilling was appointed as the new chief clerk in an unanimous vote by the three commissioners at their reorganizational meeting Tuesday.

Shilling was the chief deputy under several Mercer County sheriffs and served as the sheriff for two years.

"She has the administrative skills and the leadership skills necessary to be chief clerk," Commissioners Chair Ann Coleman said.

Coleman added to McGonigle's comments about the chief clerk position.

"We appreciate the work of all of the employees of Mercer County," Coleman said. "During COVID, it wasn't just a one-person show who made decisions. The board of commissioners were the leaders for that, and all our officials worked very hard in all our offices."

She went on to mention the hard work of the 911 center, the fiscal office, county board of elections and several other offices.

"Everyone worked hard during COVID, and we do appreciate the support of the county residents and the county employees as we move forward," Coleman said. "We're very pleased to have Roni Shilling, who is a very well-respected and long-time county employee taking over as our new chief clerk."

Coleman said they look for good things as the county moves forward.

"I think (McGonigle) was disappointed in the majority decision in making the appointment, but we are looking forward to working as a team going forward," Coleman said.

Coleman and Bill Findley Jr., both newcomers, joined McGonigle on the three-person board of commissioners this week. They replaced Matt McConnell and Scott Boyd, who did not run for re-election.

For several years, the commissioners have only used the term "separated from employment" whenever anyone leaves the payroll for any reason.

Follow Melissa Klaric on twitter @HeraldKlaric or email her at mklaric@sharonherald.com

Follow Melissa Klaric on twitter @HeraldKlaric or email her at mklaric@sharonherald.com