Part-time workers are hired

The interim clerk wants the job on a permanent basis.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Down to one employee in the city clerk of council's office from four about a month ago, city officials hired two temporary part-time workers.
For a little more than a week, Faith C. O'Nesti, first assistant clerk, was the lone staffer in the office.
City council fired Arlene D.T. Bahar as clerk last month after more than five years on the job. Also, the first deputy clerk is ill and has not been at work for more than a week, and an intern resigned before council fired Bahar.
Some councilmen said they were concerned if O'Nesti left the office, it would be vacant and that is unacceptable.
Councilman Mark Memmer, D-7th, and O'Nesti contacted Callos Companies, a Market Street temporary employee agency, seeking temporary, part-time workers.
Two were hired Wednesday at $9.28 an hour. Also, Callos will get $3.60 an hour for placing the employees.
The two are expected to work full time the rest of this week as they are trained by O'Nesti. Beginning Monday, the two will work six-hour days on an interim basis, Memmer said.
Assistance
O'Nesti said she is pleased by the assistance.
With Bahar gone, O'Nesti is serving as interim city clerk and is being paid the salary of the city clerk. The city clerk's annual salary for this year is $64,458 compared with $50,372 for the first assistant clerk position.
O'Nesti sent letters to each city councilman asking that she be hired as city clerk.
Council will have to discuss that before a decision is made, Memmer said.
When council fired Bahar on Feb. 15 by a 4-3 vote, those who terminated her services said the plan was to advertise for the job. No time frame for the hiring was ever established.
Hiring a clerk is still a possibility, but council could also promote O'Nesti and conduct a search for the first assistant clerk position, Memmer said.
skolnick@vindy.com