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Campbell violates Ohio civil service exam law
By SARAH LEHR
CAMPBELL
The city violated Ohio law when it hired a water treatment operator without first administering an openly advertised civil-service exam, said Michael Maillis, a Campbell civil-service commissioner who is also an attorney.
“The primary purpose of the civil-service commission is to have open, competitive examinations free from political influence or personal considerations,” Maillis said at a Civil Service Commission meeting Thursday afternoon. “That’s exactly what we didn’t do.”
Commission chairman Tony Matash said that he authorized an informal 20-question multiple-choice test pertaining to the job duties of water department operator. The test, which was administered Aug. 27, was not an official civil-service exam.
Juan Miranda, the water department operator hired by the city, was the only person who sat for the test, which was not advertised in advance.
Matash said that Miranda scored 100 percent. Civil Service Commissioner Steve Capittee witnessed the test.
Mayor William Vansuch said Miranda went to work for the city as water department operator beginning July 6 after the previous operator abruptly gave two weeks’ notice of resignation and then took two weeks of vacation.
Miranda had previously worked for the water department as a part-time substitute and had performed well, Vansuch said, noting the job pays about $14 hourly.
Miranda’s father, who is also named Juan Miranda, works for the city’s street department.
“What makes it worse is that this is a city employee’s son, which makes it look like we played politics,” Maillis said. “That’s exactly what we’re not allowed to do.”
Maillis said he had not been informed of the Aug. 27 test.
"Matash acted behind my back, which I did not appreciate,” Mailis said. “We could have worked something out that could have gotten the same result but the right way.”
City council first received word about the improper test during the public comments portion of a meeting Wednesday night. Council President George Levendis has since asked for Matash’s resignation and said the mayor should suspend Matash if he does not resign. Vansuch said he would take Levendis’ comments under advisement.
“It stinks, and it shouldn’t have happened,” Levendis said during the Civil Service Commission meeting. “[Matash] should have known better.”
“I think politics around here stinks, too, and you’re the head of politics,” Matash retorted.
Going forward, the Civil Service Commission said it plans to properly administer an openly advertised civil-service exam for the water department operator position. This would give other people the opportunity to apply and be tested.