WARREN City's civil service panel extends protest period

The city's fire chief, off sick for nearly a year, has made his retirement official.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The city's civil service commission has granted another protest period for candidates upset about the Feb. 6 police lieutenant's test.
Commission clerk Jodi Fridley said seven people qualified to take the written portion of the test, which they say was unfair.
The test was given and grades were released. At that time, candidates had a period during which they could protest scores.
Motion made: The Rev. Edgar Fisher, a commission member, made a motion Wednesday to let the test stand but to grant additional time to those who wish to air their concerns, which he said are legitimate.
"We're not throwing out the test," commission member James Fredericka said.
He added that there are protests to most civil service tests, but he noted this one had more than usual.
Candidates were given a list of reference materials to study but said many of the test questions were not related to what was on the list.
The test is administered by Clancy & amp; Associates of Cleveland.
A special civil service commission meeting will be at noon March 19 to discuss the situation.
Firefighter promoted: In other business, the commission swore in firefighter Dale Copanic, who is now a lieutenant. He replaces. Lt. Felipe Romain, who retired.
Fridley said the fire chief's test set for April 8 will be rescheduled.
Interim chief is Capt. Steve Williams, who replaced interim chief James Nutt, who retired.
Chief Jay Mulligan has been on sick leave since May 16. He announced his retirement recently, effective June 30.
He was hired Jan. 16, 1976, and was appointed chief Jan. 16, 1997.
Gary Cicero, the city's personnel director, said he thinks Mulligan will use up remaining vacation or personal time between now and June.
davis@vindy.com