More on Beshear-Mongiardo rift: Political appointees reamed in employee meeting

Since our post yesterday on a rift between Gov. Steve Beshear and Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo, we've heard more evidence that supports that assertion. This story involves a political appointment in the mountains that didn't go the way Mongiardo and his supporters wanted.

We are hearing that the person Beshear appointed to the non-merit job last year, shortly after he took office in December 2007, was forced out by area political movers and shakers who wanted someone else in the position.

Both times the position was vacant, Mongiardo lobbied for a close personal associate, who was very well qualified professionally, to get the job.

The Mongiardo associate didn't get it the first time, and after the political power play got rid of Beshear's first appointment, Mongiardo lobbied once again for his associate to get the job. Once again, Mongiardo's advice and recommendation was rejected. Instead, the Beshear administration appointed someone from outside the area involved to fill the position on an interim basis.

A couple of Beshear appointees from that particular agency visited the office yesterday to introduce the interim appointee. The Mongiardo associate also works at that office as a merit system employee. During the introductory meeting, the passed-over Mongiardo-ite gave the Frankfort visitors a verbal reaming. We're told that it was an uncomfortable moment for the new appointee, the other employees in the room and especially the Beshear administration appointees.

We're hearing that this particular person's rejection for a non-merit appointment is not the cause of the Beshear-Mongiardo estrangement but rather is symptomatic of the situation. Mongiardo was promised a say in personnel decisions, and so far he hasn't been given that.