FSSA's Chaplain Out Of A Job

The state chaplain hired by FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob, who seemed chosen more on the basis of politics than any professional qualifications, has been let go by the agency in the wake of the all controversy surrounding his hiring and a pending lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of his hiring reports the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette's Niki Kelly. “We decided the program was not living up to its goals,” FSSA spokesman Marcus Barlow said. Although Mitch Roob originally said Rev. Michael Latham's position would be reviewed after he served 2 years, the agency insists his firing had nothing to do with news media reports or the lawsuit. Apparently, Latham qualified for disability, however, due to an illness he encountered prior to the decision to terminate him. He receives 60% of his regular plan under the state's disability plan. He first became sick about the time he missed a controversial luncheon at which the Indiana Family Institute's Curt Smith was invited to speak.