 To the editor:During the
course of this recent campaign for coroner, I have heard and read
the phrase, “conflict of interest” tossed about as it relates to a
funeral home owner/director serving as coroner.
Is a conflict of interest possible? Yes, of course, anything is
possible.
Does the opportunity for a conflict arise? Rarely, based upon my
personal experience during six years as deputy coroner (under
Coroner Bob Thomas and Chief Deputy Nathan Fricke) and two years as
chief deputy.
Of the 384 deaths I handled, over 75% were nursing home or hospice
deaths. In nearly all of those, a funeral home had already been
selected, was a matter of record, and was contacted by the nursing
home staff or hospice nurse. Even in the deaths where I responded to
the home or scene, the family in most cases knew who they wanted to
handle funeral, cremation, or burial tasks (often based upon
previous deaths of family members).
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On only a dozen or so occasions (of 384 cases),
was I asked about available funeral home options.
The critical question to be asked, is not “is there a conflict of
interest” but rather “is the funeral home director a man of
integrity?” To suggest Mr. Don Peasley would tarnish his lifetime
reputation of public service and integrity, besmirch his honor or
trustworthiness, or bring disgrace upon himself, his business, or
his family for the sake of a few dollars is simply wrong, invalid,
and unwarranted.
I know my answer to the critical question. I support Don Peasley for
coroner.
Doug Brooks
Lincoln
[Posted
March 12,
2020]
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