Dropping ‘rule of 10’ opens door to spoils system

Dropping ‘rule of 10’ opens door to spoils system

EDITOR:

I feel it is necessary to express my concerns in regards to the legislation pending before city council concerning the proposed changes to the civil service hiring process.

Council is considering waiving the “rule of 10,” which requires the appointing authority to choose from a list compiled from competitive exams, and allowing the appointing authority to choose from a list of applicants who obtain only a passing score.

Allowing applicants to be chosen from a pass/fail list could create untold problems in the hiring process such as nepotism, patronage and corruption. We should be very apprehensive of reverting to a “spoils system”.

The benefits of requiring testing for civil service positions are getting the most qualified and motivated people available. There are area police departments that require applicants to have a four year college degree just to apply. To keep a diversified work force the city could offer tutoring or training classes to prospective applicants.

While other communities have raised the standards for applicants, the city is attempting to lower them. As I have heard many area politicians say, “As the city goes, so goes the county.” Where is city council leading us?

If you need a police officer or firefighter in an emergency, would you want the most qualified, motivated and intelligent one, or someone with the most political connections?

Det./Sgt. CHARLES GUZZY

Youngstown

X The writer is president of Youngstown Police Ranking Officers, the union that represents the department’s sergeants, detective sergeants, lieutenants and captains.