"Macomb County officials say the county clerk's office is falling into chaos," begins a stranger-than-fiction report from Mt. Clemens by Michigan Radio.
Karen Spranger, a political novice elected last fall. (Facebook photo)
"Supervisors and staff flee a hostile workplace of the new clerk's making," adds reporter-producer Tracy Samilton.
Six of eight supervisors are on paid administrative leave, and roughly a dozen staff are on paid medical leave due to conflicts and stress caused by Karen Spranger, the county clerk who before her election was known for showing up at local hearings wearing an aluminum-covered suit to protest smart meters.
Unfilled positions are being left unfilled. Spranger has also removed most of the technology from the office and has staff using carbon paper for copies of receipts.
County Attorney John Schapka calls Spranger's conduct "shameful" and says a once-stellar and professional department is now in shambles.
The statewide public radio network lists seven eyebrow-raising actions by the political novice elected last November, who Samilton says is "widely viewed as incompetent and unstable."
-- Alan Stamm
