Girard needs a break from police chief controversies

After the seemingly unending upheaval surrounding the tenure of Girard Police Chief Anthony “Buster” Ross, Girard residents were looking forward to a period of relative calm with the appointment of veteran officer Frank Bigowsky as the city’s top cop. But just three years after his taking the oath of office, Bigowsky has been demoted to patrolman.

The veteran policeman has served notice that he intends to fight the decision by Safety-Service Director Jerry Lambert — the action had the blessing of Mayor James Melfi — and has hired long-time labor lawyer Dennis Haines to handle his case.

A battle royale between the administration and the former chief is in the offing. While residents tired of city government’s dirty laundry being aired in public may prefer this situation to be resolved quietly, an open hearing in which all parties will testify under oath is necessary.

Why? Because the people need to decide for themselves if there are legitimate reasons for Bigowsky’s demotion, or whether it is simply pettiness on the part of the mayor and his safety-service director.

Such a hearing will also reveal whether the former chief is alone in some of the things he is accused of doing. For instance, one of the charges is that Bigowsky has been teaching private classes while on city time.

Is he the only one on Girard government’s payroll who has been doing this? That’s a question Mayor Melfi must be prepared to answer.

Youngstown’s controversy

Not too long ago, the city of Youngstown was embroiled in a controversy that also lent itself to a wider investigation. In April, city government officials discovered that the retired deputy director of public works, Carmen Conglose, had received education bonuses for a bachelor’s degree he did not have.

Conglose was paid $3,341, which he has repaid. In addition, he was found guilty of soliciting or receiving improper compensation and was sentenced to 30 days house arrest. He also was ordered to pay a $250 fine.

As a result of the revelation about Conglose, Mayor Jay Williams ordered a review of the legitimacy of college degrees claimed by 193 employees who received education bonuses last year.

In Girard, the charge against Bigowsky regarding his teaching private classes while on city time speaks to the larger issue of whether there is a system in place in city government that ensures a full day’s work by each employee.

It would not help the administration’s case against the former chief if Atty. Haines is able to show that there are other employees who also are supplementing their incomes — while on the public clock.

Then there is the question of when the administration found out about Bigowsky’s teaching responsibilities and what action it took to stop him.

After all, the mayor does have the responsibility to end violations of work rules in the public sector.

Finally, a hearing on the Bigowsky matter will turn the spotlight on the charge that he attempted to undermine the civil service hiring process. The mayor has publicly offered his point of view, but the former police chief has not spoken.

In the end, it is to be hoped that the public airing of dirty laundry will inspire all city officials to conduct the people’s business in a professional, dedicated manner.