The Butler County commissioners still disagree on how long people should stay on county appointed boards.

Commissioner Jim Eckstein said Monday there should be limits on how long volunteers should serve to avoid biased decision making.

“There is an inherent problem,” Eckstein said at the commissioners meeting. He said board members become too “chummy,” so they are not as effective.

“You get complacent,” Eckstein said.

The debate arose when the commissioners discussed the proposed reappointment of Dennis Ditch to the county Children and Youth Services advisory board.

Eckstein said Ditch has served too long. Ditch was first appointed in 1990. If reappointed Wednesday, he would serve another three-year term.

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton said Eckstein’s rationale was flawed, saying Ditch’s experience is a benefit.

“He’s done a great job,” Pinkerton said.

When Eckstein continued to argue against Ditch’s reappointment by comparing the situation to other boards that have had issues due to unobjective decision making, Pinkerton had enough.

“For crying out loud, shut up,” he said to Eckstein.

Eckstein ignored the comment, continuing his argument.

He cited recent problems with the Housing Authority of Butler County, which include staff members being put on leaves, as an example of what happens when there is insufficient turnover on boards.

“They lose sight,” Eckstein said.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier took offense when Eckstein mentioned Bill Bessor, a former board member of Butler Memorial Hospital, as an example of someone who served too long.

“You don’t hold a candle to what Bill Bessor has done for Butler County,” McCarrier said to Eckstein.

McCarrier chided Eckstein for citing people’s names in the debate.

“You are absolutely wrong,” McCarrier said.

Eckstein claimed he wasn’t disparaging anyone, just pointing out board reappointments shouldn’t be automatic.

“I’m talking about the system,” he said.

McCarrier also tired of Eckstein’s commentary.

“Grow up,” McCarrier said. “Grow up, Jim.”