MERCER COUNTY Chief clerk job creates commission controversy

One commissioner says the two other commissioners were disrespectful.
MERCER, Pa. -- Disagreement among Mercer County commissioners on several subjects relating to the chief clerk's position dominated their meeting this past week.
As he had promised, Commissioner Brian Beader voted against hiring Norma Anderton as chief clerk. Beader complained that Commissioners Michele Brooks and Olivia Lazor had chosen Anderton without consulting him.
He also said he objected to the fact the job was not advertised.
Anderton, 48, of Greenville, will be paid $26,114 a year. She is retired from the Navy, where she reached the rank of commander, and has a background in computers, administration and personnel. She had been introduced earlier this week at the chief clerk's meeting. At that time Beader said he did not question her qualifications, but felt the post should have been advertised.
Brooks pointed out that Beader was at a meeting when the hiring was discussed.
Bill Boyle, director of administrative services, confirmed that he met with all three commissioners Feb. 28 to discuss Anderton's starting date and pay.
Brooks also challenged Beader's contention that he opposed Anderton's hiring because he thinks the position should have been advertised.
She pointed out that there was another candidate, drawn from the pool of applicants for the elections director post, whom Beader had agreed to hire without advertising. That candidate was offered the job but turned it down.
Job description
Beader also had criticized a proposed change of description for the chief clerk's job that strips it of some of its authority and autonomy. The changes are backed by Lazor and Brooks although they have not been officially adopted yet.
The proposed job description:
UEliminates a statement that the clerk must have the "ability to develop policy, organize and coordinate the many functions and activities of County Government," leaving in that paragraph only provisions that the clerk must have the ability to work with public, elected and appointed officials and possess excellent organizational skills, including computer use.
UEliminates a listed duty to "dispense advice, guidance, direction and authorization to carry out policies and programs consistent with Board's actions."
UEliminates a listed duty to "help resolve conflicts, answer questions, and provide information as necessary." It also adds a clause to the old requirement that the clerk coordinate with outside agencies, stating, "as directed by the majority of the Board of Commissioners."
UEliminates a requirement that the clerk "participate in discussions" at commission and salary board meetings. A provision that the clerk attend other meetings as directed is expanded to say "as directed by the majority of the Board of Commissioners."
UAnd to an existing provision requiring the clerk to act as the public information officer for the county is added, "as directed by the majority of the Board of Commissioners."
When he was fired by Commissioners Lazor and Brooks, former Chief Clerk Kenneth Amman claimed that in giving advice and answering citizen questions he was only following his job description.
Beader said he is the commissioners' liaison to the personnel office and believes it was disrespectful for the other two commissioners to come up with a change in the chief clerk's job description without consulting him.
He said that he has tried to go along with the other two commissioners to avoid the appearance of divisiveness. But he added, from now on "if I'm in opposition, I'm stating it. I'm not going to vote with the majority because it looks good."
Minutes amendment
There was also argument at the meeting between Beader and the other two commissioners over a motion to strike a portion of the minutes from the Jan. 13 commissioners' meeting. Brooks and Lazor said Beader's comments were included in the official minutes prepared by Ammann, but theirs were not included in the answer to a reporter's question about pay scales for county employees.
Brooks said all she wanted was for the minutes to reflect that she said pay charts should be the same for union and nonunion employees.
Ammann, who attended last week's meeting, said that striking minutes calls into question his integrity and might not be ethical. Brooks said Ammann's tape recording of the meeting could not be checked to find what comments were actually made because the tape had stopped recording and his notes were indecipherable.
The matter was finally resolved when Brooks and Lazor passed a motion not to strike anything but to amend the minutes to include additional comments that will be provided by Brooks and Lazor.
Beader voted against the motion, asking how an amendment would accurately reflect what was said at the meeting.
Commissioners' Solicitor Mark Longietti suggested that in the future, minutes of the meetings be limited to recording motions and resolutions and exclude discussion.