The last two weeks have seen another fascinating installment in the saga of Ann Rollins Johnson, the former director of the Salina Housing Authority.

This latest round started when Journal reporter Duane Schrag was doing his regular checks of legal filings. He found that Johnson had filed a federal lawsuit against former Salina mayor Alan Jilka, claiming the primary reason for her January 2008 firing was her refusal of his sexual advances.

This and other allegations are intriguing, to say the least.

In Journal investigative reports from March 2007, one can find a number of questionable practices at the housing authority. Among other things, the Journal's reporter found lavish spending on Johnson's salary and agency travel expenses.

Consider that in 2005, the Salina Housing Authority, with 11 employees, spent $34,267 on training and travel. The Wichita Housing Authority, with 61 employees, spent $22,702. The Topeka Housing Authority, with 33 employees, spent $12,200.

That's just a sample of questionable actions by Johnson -- behavior that has cost other executives their jobs, both in the private and public sector.

Her termination came a week after two housing authority board members questioned why they weren't notified sooner that Johnson's soon-to-be stepson had partial ownership in a company that Johnson had recommended for a $1.4 million contract. The board members were told of the relationship after they had voted to approve it.

In her legal complaint, Johnson says she was sent a letter Jan. 17, 2008, outlining the reasons for her termination. The reasons have not been made public.

Sexual harassment is a serious workplace issue and claims of abuse should not be taken lightly. Granted, there may be validity in some of Johnson's accusations.

But in rereading Journal reports, one finds plenty of reasons to doubt her assertions.

The issue comes down to one of credibility. In this case, the scale tilts strongly away from Johnson and towards Jilka.

-- Tom Bell

Editor & Publisher

822-1491

tbell@salina.com

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Questions, Questions says....
The lawsuit and Journal state that two other female employees made complaints about Jilka's sexual advances. And it was reported to City Manager Gage. WHY on EARTH wasn't something done about these allegations at that time? Jilka obviously has problems with women at that agency, and elsewhere, and it was kept quiet and never reported by the Journal. This is not a pretty picture for the City of Salina.
11/6/2009

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Hawk says....
JR; your comments are worthy of taking notice from the posters on here.Your one comment I have interest in was,"taxpayers paying for legal proceedings". If this lawsuit goes to court and Jilka loses OR if Jilka settles out of court and since the City of Salina is named as a defendant in this lawsuit are the taxpayers going to pay $75,000.00 plus damages etc. or are the 4-5 others ,plus Jilka,going to pay for it out of pocket? One issue that has me concerned is the City Mgr. Jason Gage. Was he not approached to question these allegations to Jilka and he did not because of Jilkas approachability and demeanor? I believe something of that nature was mentioned in the lawsuit or Salina Journal.
11/5/2009

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jenny jo says....
I don't understand what Tom Bell's opinion has to do with a federal lawsuit? Is he some deciding factor? An expert on the case? Why on earth is he compelled to take a stand? ....anything to sell a newspaper!
11/5/2009

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JR says....
Apparently some of the posters on here do not understand that an editorial is an article in a newspaper or other periodical presenting the OPINION of the publisher, editor, or editors. So that means they are able to state their BIAS freely, just as these posters are able to exercise their freedom of speech, albeit incorrectly spelled. That being said, we should leave it to our system to decide. For the rest of us, we can learn to do as Billy Graham, and NEVER allow a moment alone behind closed doors with a person of the opposite sex, with exception of our spouse. Eliminate the appearance of evil by using common sense, and being proactive. I am sure the taxpayers would rather have paid for a glass wall to be installed in Ann's office, than to pay for legal proceedings. Your character should never be in question, especially when in a position of public scrutiny.
11/4/2009

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says....
Your best chance of getting your comment posted: * No profanity * Be civil * Everyone is innocent until they attack our crony(s). Or take stands for morality.
11/4/2009

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Birds of a feather flock together says....
The few, the united, the democrats.
11/4/2009

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says....
There is only one way to solve this...an Alan/Ann cage match with guest referee Sarah Palin.
11/4/2009

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Becky says....
Good points Tom,Thanks for the clear headed and courageous news on this one anyway.
11/4/2009

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Hawk says....
Tom Bell and Ben Wearing,when writing editorials, are George Pyle "wanna-be's".
11/4/2009

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Ilovekansas says....
Its amazing how many people seem to think misuse of public or donated funds in Salina's various public and non-profit agencies is a ok thing. That is as long as they are on the receiving end of the contracts, purchase orders and debit cards. Salina needs some competition in the local media. Shine the light on all the rip offs in town.
11/2/2009

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Lousy paper says....
That is why I no longer subscribe. The editors decide what is printed and is always their view, they know of no gray area. Freedom...with their exception.
11/2/2009

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sheila says....
He is not ashamed. He can't be shamed. He is PROUD of the bias of the Salina Journal. He does have his First Amendment right of freedom of the press. So it is legal for him to be biased. Some of us simply desire an unbiased press. It is better to have an informed public than a conned public.
11/2/2009

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Ethics anyone??? says....
Yes, Tom Bell and Salina Journal, you should be ashamed. I'm disgusted. Is an ethical code completely foreign to you? I happen to know some things about this case. Not as much as others. But I have heard a very well known member of that board talking for quite some time. Let me say this only, Ann should WIN this case. There is no question! Alan Jilka, you need help. Any of us women could be subject to what Ann has endured. Wouldn't it be awful to have eeryone else involved in the case lying about it and then to have our community newspaper print garbage that could influence the case?
11/2/2009

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Shocked! says....
This has gone on far beyond just reporting the "news". One wonders what Tom Bell's real reason is for this personal vendetta.
11/2/2009

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says....
Mr Bell, you have NO right to say who to believe and who not to believe. Your job is to report the news, but unfortunatly you are far too bais to do it in a fair and balanced manner. As far as credibilty, I think that there is truth on both sides of the isle, but your are far too close to Jilka. You and your newspaper tried your very best to destroy Ann's reputation while holding Jilka up at a patron Saint, SHAME ON YOU!!!!! I knew it would only be a matter of time before you would state your opinion and of course state that you sided with Jilka. This isn't a local newspaper, its s rag magazine!
11/1/2009

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brb says....
They Took Our Jobs!!!!
11/1/2009

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singer says....
So Bell decided to support the side of the reporter he paid to write the articles. Duh!
11/1/2009

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says....
Let me guess. Tom Bell is an old, empowered white guy representing the status quo. He's so predictable.
11/1/2009

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astonished says....
OMG! You have reviewed your own paper's biased investigation and decided to side with it! You are a incredible!
11/1/2009

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says says....
Mr. Bell, you are quick to say things like this about ANN but have you looked totally into Alan's history? I do not know either of these people but do know that you and the SJ only post what you and the higher persons of this community want posted. I have tried to get things post about the H1N1 vaccine and it never gets through on the posting. I wish someone else had a newspaper that would be a competition with you so all the information would get out not just what you want. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IS BS IN YOUR PAPER
11/1/2009

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says....
I might even aggree with your credibilty conclusion. It is totally out of bounds for the editor of the local paper to make these statements on a federal lawsuit. Influencing public opinion on a case that hasnt been tried is morally corrupt. Tom Bell should be ashamed.
11/1/2009

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