AAC
SEEMS TO ME...
The only stupid question is the one you don’t ask
“
There’s no such thing as a stupid question” is a popu- tion, always require the Arkansas code lar phrase with a long history. It suggests that the or case law — something that provides a quest for knowledge includes failure and that just definitive answer. because one person may know less than others, they If you have a question, the worst should not be afraid to ask rather than pretend they already thing you can do is let it go unanswered. know. In many cases multiple people may not know but are You may even get a few non-verbal too afraid to ask the “stupid question;” the one who asks the responses: a blank stare, an eyeroll and Eddie A. Jones question may in fact be doing a service to those around them. a sigh. Yes, maybe you have temporarily County Consultant Carl Sagan, in his writings said: “There are naïve questions, frustrated a few people who want out of tedious questions, ill-phrased questions … but every question is the meeting. There are always a few who a cry to understand. There is no such thing as a dumb question.” don’t want to be there anyway. Ask your Seems to me we’ve all been there. A question sits right on the question. tip of your tongue but If you don’t underyou just can’t — no, you stand something, just won’t — ask it. Pushassume someone else is f you have a question, the worst thing you can do ing back questions that also in the dark. Odds surface is equivalent to are there are others is let it go unanswered. You may even get a few painting over mildew. It with the same question might take the problem or questions making non-verbal responses: a blank stare, an eyeroll and a off your mind for a short circles in their minds. If time, but you have not sigh. Yes, maybe you have temporarily frustrated a few it strikes you as imporaddressed the underlying tant, ask the question problem. And when the then and there. Just deal people who want out of the meeting. There are always mildew resurfaces you’ve with the non-verbal let a minor problem turn reactions head on and a few who don’t want to be there. Ask your question. into a bigger problem. probe until you get an There are many reaanswer. I guarantee you sons we give ourselves that doing so will yield to not ask the question: an “a-ha” moment for someone else in the room. One of my primary responsibilities as a consultant for the • Maybe you asked it already and got an answer, but you Association of Arkansas Counties is to answer questions for aren’t satisfied. county officials and provide guidance concerning the lawful • Maybe you feel you should know the answer, but you operation of their office. I answer numerous questions on a don’t. daily basis. In my answers I do my best to provide any law that • Maybe you think everyone else understands what was governs; applicable Attorney General (AG) Opinions; case law said — they probably don’t. that is on point; and any ethical issues that may be involved. I’m always available for your questions. I try to provide anWant to know what I think? I’ll tell you anyway — swers in writing and try to remember there’s no such thing as DON’T DO IT. Find a way to get over, past, or around a stupid question, as long as it ends in a question mark. Here whatever is causing you to hit your pause button. Ask your are a few examples of how I try to answer your questions: question. And don’t just ask it, ask it until it is answered and you are comfortable that it has been answered correctly. Question: As a county official or a deputy to an elected official, you Is it against the law to hire family? Can a county official have raised your right hand and sworn to uphold the laws hire a wife, son, daughter, in-law, etc.? governing your office … and to uphold the Constitution of the State of Arkansas … and to uphold the Constitution of Answer: the United States. Don’t take that lightly. You are bound by Hiring a family member is called “nepotism,” and if law to operate your county office in a lawful manner. Do not. nepotism is to be prohibited at the county level it is accomand I repeat, do not take as an answer, “Here’s how I do it…” plished by ordinance of the county governing body — the and then the explanation. As part of the answer to your ques- quorum court. State law does not include a general nepotism
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COUNTY LINES, SUMMER 2021
