Sexual Harassment too broad for Cunningham
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Sexual Harassment too broad for Cunningham

Date: February 26, 2007
By: Fanna Haile-Selassie
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: Republican representative Jane Cunningham said she disagrees with what some women call sexual harassment. She said she supports the governor in his decision regarding the employment of the director of the Department of Agriculture after being investigated for sexual harassment.  Fanna (Fauna) Haile-Selassie (High-lay-suh-lah-say) got Cunningham's response. RunTime:
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Actuality:  CUNNING3.WAV
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Description: Some things that people consider sexual harassment these days are actually a nice compliment, and I think you could take them that way.


Republican representative Jane Cunningham was avid in promoting the difference between sexual harassment and nice gestures. 

Six female democratic legislators signed a letter to the Governor disapproving his reinstatement of the director after his investigation.

The response follows a harassment suit directed toward the director of the Department of Agriculture, Fred Ferrell, by his secretary Heather Elder. 

Cunningham said women shouldn't take things so literally.

Actuality:  CUNNING4.WAV
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Description: Sometimes women just need to grow up too and really understand and appreciate what encouragement can mean and recognize that.

Late Monday afternoon, Ferrell gave in his resignation.
 
From the state Capitol, Fanna Haile-Selassie, KMOX news

Intro: Several Democratic women legislators wrote to Governor Matt Blunt condemning his action of reinstating the director of the Department of Agriculture back to his position after being accused of sexual harassment.  Fanna (Fauna) Haile-Selassie (High-lay-suh-lah-say)has the responses of some of these women.

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Six female Democratic legislators sent a letter to Governor Matt Blunt Sunday evening objecting his decision to reinstate Fred Ferrel, the director of the Department of Agriculture. 

Ferrell was on a paid leave of absence while the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated a harassment suit filed by Ferrell's secretary Heather Elder.

Now, the Highway Patrol report is public and some female legislators wonder how the Governor could have possibly given Ferrell his job back based on the content of the report.

Representative Margaret Donnelly said she can't believe Ferrell wasn't fired.

Actuality:  DONNLY2.WAV
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Description: If the governor knew at that time, which I believe he did, that Mr. Ferrell had behaved in such an inappropriate way, he should have been fired.

Ferrell just recently put in his resignation.

From the state Capitol, Fanna Haile-Selassie KMOX News.