We've been disappointed so far in the Cayuga County Legislature's process of finding a new director for the county's mental health department and Community Services Board, especially because nearly all of the discussion about filling the positions has taken place behind closed doors.

It's been nearly a month since job candidates were brought in for interviews, even as the Legislature was still undecided on specific job descriptions or whether two hires were going to be needed or if one person should take both positions.

Last week, members of the Health and Human Services Committee - with no discussion whatsoever - offered up a name and voted unanimously to ask the full Legislature to approve hiring Katharine O'Connell to fill both positions on an interim basis.

We don't have any reason to doubt O'Connell's competence, but we don't have any reason to believe she's the best candidate either, because we simply don't know anything about her.

We hope that before legislators vote on this hiring, that they make sure all their questions are answered and any potential concerns addressed.

Why, for example, hire someone on an interim basis? Is the county trying to be extra careful before putting the permanent job on the table, or does the candidate, perhaps, have reservations about making a long-term commitment?

And just what are O'Connell's qualifications? Members of the Health and Human Services committee presumably know, although none of them have offered any details to the people they represent.

This hiring process has gone on too long, and full-time - and permanent - leadership is long overdue, but the public deserves to know that everything has been done to find the best person for these two important jobs.

When the full Legislature meets Tuesday, we expect to hear some discussion before the hiring is put up for a vote.