A new bid to have the city hire more Bristol residents is likely going nowhere.
City Councilor Mike Rimcoski said that he wants the personnel office to give city residents a leg up when it comes to claiming entry level jobs on the municipal payroll.
Rimcoski said he can’t understand why the city would put its own residents on an equal footing with people who live elsewhere, at least when it comes to entry level positions that don’t require special skills.
At least some of his colleagues disagree.
“I want the best person for the job,” city Councilor Craig Minor said.
He added that historically, officials have shown “a penchant for corruption” in hiring locally rather than taking the most qualified applicant.
Two other councilors, Cliff Block and Ken Cockayne, said they agree with Minor’s position.
Neither Minor nor any other official wanted to explain the corruption comment, but officials and city workers have said over the years that employees have been hired because they had relatives in positions of power.
The Salary Committee is going to look into Rimcoski’s proposal to see if it makes sense.
“It can’t hurt to discuss it,” city Councilor Frank Nicastro said.
Mayor Art Ward said that given the hard economic times that are socking many families, “consideration should be given” to hiring locally when possible.
City Councilor Kevin McCauley said that if two people are equally qualified and one is from Bristol, it should matter. Residents contribute more to the city as a whole, he said.
Minor said he agrees that the salary panel ought to take up the issue “so it can be discredited and put to bed.”
Rimcoski said that Minor’s view may be “colored somewhat” because he holds a full-time job as the town planner of Cromwell.
Rimcoski said that if wanted a city job in an entry level post, he ought to get it before someone from another town.
“Let’s face it. I could be a laborer or a custodian,” Rimcoski said.
“I’d hire you,” Minor said in response.
“So you could fire me,” Rimcoski fired back.
“Or work you to death,” Minor answered.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
55 comments:
Good idea Mike. It should have been that way a LONG time ago. Get ready for resistance though. This would interrupt the good ole boy network so it will probably never change. Last I knew, Hartford changed the rules and requires ALL City employees to live in Town....which I think is a great idea.
Mike is right - feed our people before serving outsiders = our people are our local taxpayers, our local shoppers, our supporters of our local fundraising activities etc....
minor is too arogant to be a custodian - he would have to be able to use common sense....not.
Mikey is right. You do your job better if you have a stake in the outcome because it is your community and you pay taxes there.
Economic Development Director - lives in Fairfield County.
City Planner - Lives in Canton.
Cheif Buiding Official - Farmington
Public Works -?
Seems a strange way to plan for a communty and do economic development.
Bristol, great place to work, actually living there - not so much.
Comptroller lives in Southington.
Asst. Comptroller out of town.
Mike is just playing up to a few people that want their people hired, are not qualified, and got rejected.
What about the controller?
You want a rule that says all city employees must be city residents, fine. But the reason powerful people want preferential hiring for locals is so they can get their son or and son-in-law a job with Public Works. Just ask former Public Works Directors Ron Smith and John Gagnon - they still live in town, and they can tell you stories.
Craig Minor is so full of himself.
Why are the politicians onvolevd in the hiring practise AT ALL????
If the professionals are not doing their job, address that!
Mike, how much of a leg?
Mike, based on what?
Mike, how will you hold Department Heads responsible when you don't let them hire the most qualified person?
Mike, In you business, did you just hire friends?
Mike, who put you up to this?
How long would it be before half the Legion is employed by the city?
Good way to buy votes.
Public Works director lives on the shoreline near Old Saybrook.
The only scenario that makes sense is that if all things are equal then preference should be given to the Bristol resident.
In no way should being a Bristol resident give you enough "bonus points" to bump ahead of someone more qualified. Hire the best people for the job.
The best example of what Rimcoski is saying is Rosenthal. He doesn't give a hoot about the betterment of Bristol. He's just lining his pockets with City money, getting free meals and other perks from City businesses (and I know who they are). He could care less if Bristol moved forward.
Fire him.
Mikey is right. You do your job better if you have a stake in the outcome because it is your community and you pay taxes there.
So by your logic, the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Parks Superintendent (who live in Bristol) do their jobs better than the Public Works Director, City Planner, Comptroller, and Chief Building Official (who don't). Can you actually document that in some measurable way? Or is that simply some wild-ass theory on your part?
Betcha Art Ward put him up to this.
Your stake in your job should be that you do your job, you get to keep your job.
Simple as that.
A lot of Cops and Fire live out of Town too. I agree with Mike. Live here to work here. Why should these people care about how good of a job they do, if they aren't the ones that have to live here everyday? Its a valid argument Mike....Mike for Mayor...09 :)
The only reason some city workers live in Bristol is because they are also either elected officials or run the political party.
Rimcoski for Mayor? No Thanks - we don't need Stortz Three
Lets review who has relatives working at the City. We know the mayor does, Frank Nicastro does. I don't think the planner does, or the public works director, or the building official or rosenthal. Isn't the mayor related to laviero - too, and gee - doesn't he sit on some boards? Do Mike or Minor have relatives working there, or is Mike just still sucking up to his union pals who only want to hire their hand-picked friends and relatives??
There go them hatemonger/naysayers again. Any one here notice the jerks can't even spell three? I thought they were perfect? Lets play children and see who can bad mouth who the most! Oh I forgot you can't bad mouth someone you can't see. Like I said before they like adolescents on my space.
And who are you sucking up to? Mocabre, T.J., Alex and Schafrick? That is really sorry. But we do consider the source. Put any of them up for election. See what happens.
3:56 and cronies -I think that the gist of Mike's thoughts were not meant to do anything but to help local people, on applying for entry-level positions, be considered first but I guess if you are a self-centered, pompous, slow thinking, egotistical idiot, you would have a difficult time comprehending anything that didn't place you in the first row....but then again, maybe you couldn't even qualify for an entry-level position anyhow....
McCauley...working for the best interest of the Unions!
I think thats a great idea... But for example with the Fire Dept. the city only likes to hire people who already have a Fire 1 certification. So that way the city can save money and does not have to pay for someone to go to the fire academy and receive the best training available. Instead they like to hire out of town volunteers that went to a state satellite fire school who knows how long ago and they tell them "ok kid your a firefighter now." The only way for a Bristol person to get hired this way is move to a volunteer town.
I think no matter if your a person is from a paid dept. a volunteer, or new to the fire service the city should send everyone to receive the same training. This way not only does a Bristol person stand a chance in this very competitive field. Everyone comes into the job on the same page with the same training and also with a greater understanding of what the fire service is all about.
Remember, when you hire Bristol people, Bristol money stays in Bristol...
You are right the only way to get a job at city hall is to have an in. I hear that Mayra Berrios has gotten half of her relatives a job and is still trying to get a job for her uncle.
Mike, please explain how you will reduce taxes by hiring someone less competent?
And how will you hold supervisors accountable when the resources you provide are not the best?
I was wondering - does the city hire interns (paid or unpaid) from local high schools or colleges? I know Mr. Rimcoski was referring to entry-level positions, but it seems like if the city hired local interns for the various departments, it could encourage younger residents to work for the City after graduation (whether that's high school or college).
Most of Art Ward's family is on the city payroll.
His wife works for the BOE.
His son works for the Police.
His son-in-law works as a maintenence supervisor at the Senior center.
the City of Bristol is definately For Ward.
September 12, 2008 6:42 AM:
Hey all that your buddy Ward is qualified for is to be a bartender at a dive bar and he's mayor, so anything goes I guess.
Colapietro went from machine operator (not set up) to State Senator, so yes anything goes!
Just what we need - more of Art's and Mayra's relatives and friends working for the city. The nepotism and cronyism at City Hall is unbelievable enough as it is. The only way you can get a job for the city is if you are politically connected somehow. Then they all get away with murder. How many City workers are worth the money they make for the job they do? They should go out into the real world to see what it's like in a big company. Most of them wouldn't make it through the probationary period.
I think what Mike is saying is if two prospects are going for the same position and have the same qualifications but one is from Bristol then hire the person from Bristol.
Pretty simple to me, especially if that person is paying property taxes here. I think Minor is a tool.
7:03
Mike said "a leg up".
To me that means an advantage.
The question is, why are the politicians so interested?
Keep in mind that promotions are based on Seniority, so the less competent person will be getting promoted.
I thiiiink Mike is being used.
September 12, 2008 6:25 PM;
I agree with you 100%.
This is a bad idea. Mike "Three Chins" Rimcoski is a space shot. Let the HR Dept. worry about filling positions. It's illegal to discriminate based on where one lives anyway.
Well I thank Mike for at least trying. It's really hard to get even an entry-level position in this Town. I've been trying for several departments and positions...for 10 years now...and never get called. I have an associates degree and good amount of experience...so I should be able to get something at the entry level....but it's been really hopeless. Seems like they always hire relatives, friends, friends or friends or out of towners. Thanks for trying to help and looking out for us Mike. Some of us appreciate it.
It works for Art.
7:03p.m - did you mean "minor is a tool" or minor is a fool?
When will the "leaders" start to realize that there is a solution to all problems, Easy, simple and wrong?
Getting politicians involved in the hiring practise is a step towards disaster.
It’s difficult enough to read some of these comments without shaking ones head to realize just how out of touch some people are with reality. But the comment from Anonymous said... September 12, 2008 11:34 AM just begs to be replied to. The current procedure that is used for entry level hiring in the City Fire Dept. in particular is a series of tests that include a written test, a physical strength and agility test currently given by an independent company. An oral interview in front of an appointed board and a background investigation. From the thousands that apply, a list of usually 200 is formed through numerical disqualification. When the current hiring list expires, usually after a two year period, a stand-by list is put together. Oral interviews are again conducted; using the “Rule of 8” The Personnel Department can interview and select anyone in the first eight positions from the list. If more are needed eight more are selected and interviewed until the Personnel department fills the stand-by list, lastly a a medical physical is conducted
In the past, Certified Firefighter were hired, but the process was the same. Now all applicants are sent to the State Fire School and must pass recruit level training. Then they complete one year of on the job evaluation. The City Police Department uses a very similar procedure, but does hire Certified Officers directly, but that can’t be viewed as an entry level job.
If the City thought it was warranted to give a few extra points to residents great.
Am not sure where we went from a City Councilor asking if residents should get a “Leg Up” on placement in an entry level position to a roll call of whether a Department head lives in town or on the Sea shore? It’s apples to oranges.
As far as Residential qualifications, only Hartford uses residence for Fire Department recruits, the Police dropped it because they were having problems getting and keeping qualified people to fill it’s rank. It was dropped because of possible litigation problem. Really can’t tell people where they can live…
As far as the statement by more than a few people on this board that an Out of Town Firefighter or Police Officer doesn’t do as good a job as Employee that lives in Town is utterly ludicrous. If you doubt my words, walk into a Fire Station or visit the Police complex. You’d have a difficult time separating the “Townies” from the Out of Towner’s. Just my .02 cents, you can believe what you want…
What do we do if they move out of town?
Do they get promoted based on residence?
What if they own property here and live out of town?
What if they rent?
What if they "live" with their parents?
correct, the question/position of mike was for "entry-level" not supervisory positions.
Secondarily, one of the other areas where residence should give priority is for bristol residents applying to be firefighters or police officers. They should be given first consideration to ensure that the city has a full complement which could quickly respond back to duty in the event of a spontaneous emergency requiring needed bodies.
That would be a protection for all residents....
The Fire Department already has a recall policy in place. Also a mutual aid agreement has also been worked out with neighboring towns, Its usually not a need for individuals but a requirement for more apparatus at a major incident. Bristol only has so many spare trucks available. Again if the citizens feel that residents should get a few extra points that's fine. I don't think its really necessary, the appointing board already has enough flexibility to give a resident consideration or over look it... Remember they can pretty much pick anyone within the first eight. Usually the top 20 are only separated by a few points...
flabbergasted citizen - if little things such as this are the ruination of your day - I hope that you don't look any farther ahead than your nose because it will always be out of joint....
"Seems like they always hire relatives, friends, friends or friends or out of towners."
And if Mike has his way, this practice will become SOP. It's the Bristol-residing "relatives, friends, and friends of friends" that Mike wants to give preferential treatment to.
12:37 - maybe you will be able to get a job if this practice is adopted unless you think that you might not be qualified for entry-level yet....
There will be a special meeting of the Salary Committee on Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room.
AGENDA:
1. Call to order.
2. To approve the June 16, 2008 meeting minutes.
3. To review the request from the Registrar’s of Voters for a wage increase and to take appropriate action as necessary.
4. To review the request from the Personnel Director to charge a fee for entry level police and fire testing and to take appropriate action as necessary.
5. To review the request from the City Council for discussion regarding the Personnel Appeals Board and to take appropriate action as necessary.
6. To review the request from the City Council regarding a residency preference for hiring and to take appropriate action as necessary.
7. To consider a veteran’s preference for hiring and to take appropriate action as necessary.
8. To adjourn.
This is why Bristol is the "Good Old Boy" Town.
What will happen if there are more than one Good old Bristol boys applying?
The Ward Administration, the administration of Special Meetings!
Whats the hurry? Someone need a job real bad?
And keep the money in town?
Is that why one of our large cintractors sold his house and moved out of town?
I work in Danbury, I have an MBA and I applied for what is close to an entry level job with the city of Bristol because I wanted to work in town with better hours, less travel. The City didn't even ask me for an interview.
Good going Art.
Institute a hiring freeze until your buddy Mikey pushes to hire "local" people. Then undo the freeze and hire all your friends, and/or those you want to vote for you.
Who said you were dumb.
It is us that are the dumb ones.
Why is it that this Council thinks that being elected gives them a license to hire their friends, WITH OUR MONEY!
This will be put in effect, just you wait and see.
To many power people were upset when the last administration did not hire based on family and friends and political support.
I think some of the Council learned from that, good or bad.
Post a Comment