City is treating campground hosts badly

December 3, 2009

Anonymous Thu Dec 03, 2009, 10:14 PM CST

It is hard to find words sufficiently critical of the Ottumwa city leadership that presided over the dreadful decision to fire Doug and Bonnie Creamer as managers of the Ottumwa Park campground. Good grief, these are two of the hardest- working, conscientious employees one could ever want in this position. My question is how could Ottumwa city leaders be so grossly ignorant of the magnificent work these two were doing? Instead of being fired, they should be honored for their extraordinary performance.

Anyone who has been a guest at the campground for a significant period of time as I have knows full well how conscientious, hard-working and effective they are. It simply stands out. They are on the job early and quit late. It is clear they work many hours they are not paid for. It is embedded in their personal makeup to “do whatever it takes” to get the job done. Most who know them and have seen them in action hold them in respect and admiration. They are an example of dedication well above and beyond what one sees in most.

Any sensible, competent executive with the welfare of the city and its campground in mind could easily see the extraordinary value of these two exceptional people. With his decision to fire them this executive has defined himself into a group that surely cares more about something else. One must wonder what his agenda is? I should think the people of Ottumwa would call this into question. It is hard to imagine how such a perverse decision can be justified. I think integrity and fairness calls out for a reversal of this travesty. Doug and Bonnie Creamer do not deserve this treatment and the personal embarrassment that goes with it. Moreover, the people of Ottumwa deserve better.

John G. Schleier Jr.

Canon, Ga.