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The current Youngstown park and recreation director loses his civil service protection Jan. 1
YOUNGSTOWN
The city’s civil service commission accepted the law director’s opinion that Mayor-elect John A. McNally can keep or fire Robert Burke as the park and recreation director.
A charter amendment, approved by city voters last month, eliminated the park and recreation commission and made the director an at-will unclassified employee who can be hired or fired by the mayor, effective Jan. 1. It didn’t specifically address Burke, whom the commission hired in March 2012 through civil service.
But Law Director Anthony Farris said commission rules allow “employees to be laid off because of the abolishment of a position due to reorganization,” and that “the classified position [Burke] occupies no longer exists on Jan. 1.”
The commission accepted Farris’ legal opinion Wednesday.
Under the new rules, the park and recreation director is selected by the mayor with confirmation from city council, and the job falls under the public works department.
Burke said he “should be able to keep my civil service commission” as there are other department heads in public works who are civil service workers.
“It’s unfortunate it’s now an unclassified position, but we accept the opinion of the law director,” James Messenger, civil service commission chairman told Burke at the meeting.
Burke submitted a resume and letter of interest to McNally to keep his job.
The incoming mayor hasn’t made a decision on who will be his park and recreation commissioner, but said he’ll have his Cabinet chosen before he officially becomes mayor Jan. 1.