City Council stands firm on two firefighter lists
YOUNGSTOWN — City council doesn’t support a change, recommended by the city administration, to the long-standing policy on hiring firefighters — at least for now.
Six of council’s seven members discussed the proposed change at a council safety committee meeting today. They agreed not to change it, and to study the options further.
Mayor Jay Williams wants to eliminate the policy of two lists — one for white men and one for minorities and females — to hire firefighters and police officers.
Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello said she recently discovered a 2006 federal-appeals-court decision declaring the use of two lists by Shreveport, La., to be unconstitutional.
If the city doesn’t change the policy to get rid of the two lists “we very well may be sued,” Williams said. There’s also the possibility of a lawsuit if the policy is change, he said.