Thinking gets a little fuzzy in the Morgan County Commission chairman's office sometimes. And there is a tendency to rationalize situations to keep the peace.

Courthouse political alliances ebb and flow like the tide at Gulf Shores.

One of the latest intrigues had to do with whether new human resources director Terry Naccarato would survive his six months of probation.

It wasn't that he did anything wrong. The problem was that he insisted on doing things by the book. He questioned two hirings in the Sheriff's Department and in doing so served notice he would follow local and federal guidelines.

This week, gadfly District 4 Commissioner Stacy George and District 2 Commissioner Ken Livingston rammed through a 2-1 vote to end Mr. Naccarato's probation and make his position permanent.

They evidently saw the need for quick action after receiving a letter from Mr. Naccarato that said the hirings in the Sheriff's Department were illegal.

But the chairman's office offered a kinder, gentler view. County administrator Syble Atkins explained that she, Sheriff Greg Bartlett and Chairman John Glasscock didn't think the hirings were illegal. But, she said, they did agree that the sheriff had gone too far.

"As I understand it, he (the sheriff) had made his decisions and told the people. We all agreed that it was something that was done. It may be incorrect but it's done...."

Glasscock said things "kind of got muddled up."

The sheriff eventually hired someone else after the new human resources director continued to press his case with commissioners.

If he doesn't watch it, though, Mr. Naccarato is going to take all of the fun out of courthouse politics.

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