Moldy lemons at local supermarket
The recent startling revelations about lack of restaurant and market inspections may not be enough to save the city's new health officer from pressure to move to Plainfield.
In April, Finance Director Ron West West said the city has 330 retail food establishments, but only 106 got inspected last year, leaving 224 that were not inspected. Municipalities are mandated to have health officers, but Plainfield had been relying on a contract with Elizabeth for coverage that did not include "managerial oversight," West said.
A resolution in April seeking a residency waiver for health officer candidate Irene Hunte was denied. Denise Proctor was later hired to serve in the post. A proposed resolution to give Proctor a residency waiver was put off Monday in favor of allowing the council to interview her before the Aug. 18 regular meeting.
"The six months is up, so we are asking her to be interviewed by the council," City Council President Bridget Rivers said Monday.
Someone else said they thought a non-resident employee had a year to move to the city, which is correct according to the Municipal Code. Since the city was still seeking a health officer in April, it is unclear how a six months' tenure for Proctor was calculated.
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said Monday he agreed she should be interviewed, but asked to have the resolution moved to the. 18 agenda pending the interview.
Councilwoman Rebecca Williams said the health officer was not only responsible for restaurant inspections and such, but also for dealing with communicable diseases and other concerns, "so the residency waiver is very much in order."
(See the Health Division's responsibilities here.)
Rivers acknowledged the need for a health officer but said she did not meet the residency requirement.
"I'm willing to interview her," Rivers said.
Councilwoman Gloria Taylor agreed that having a health officer was a"major issue," but said she felt the law on the books for residency was "really, really necessary," particularly for "high-level" officials. She said she thought the ordinance allowed a year to meet the residency requirement, but she was "not sure."
Councilman William Reid, acting as chairman of the whole, said the matter would not be on the agenda.
"We'll talk to her and consider," he said.
During the past administration from 2006 through 2013, 10 individuals serving in the top four city posts lived out of town and one even moved out of the state while a department head.
The regular meeting is 8 p.m. Monday (Aug. 18) in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
--Bernice
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said Monday he agreed she should be interviewed, but asked to have the resolution moved to the. 18 agenda pending the interview.
Councilwoman Rebecca Williams said the health officer was not only responsible for restaurant inspections and such, but also for dealing with communicable diseases and other concerns, "so the residency waiver is very much in order."
(See the Health Division's responsibilities here.)
Rivers acknowledged the need for a health officer but said she did not meet the residency requirement.
"I'm willing to interview her," Rivers said.
Councilwoman Gloria Taylor agreed that having a health officer was a"major issue," but said she felt the law on the books for residency was "really, really necessary," particularly for "high-level" officials. She said she thought the ordinance allowed a year to meet the residency requirement, but she was "not sure."
Councilman William Reid, acting as chairman of the whole, said the matter would not be on the agenda.
"We'll talk to her and consider," he said.
During the past administration from 2006 through 2013, 10 individuals serving in the top four city posts lived out of town and one even moved out of the state while a department head.
The regular meeting is 8 p.m. Monday (Aug. 18) in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
--Bernice
residency is is "really, really necessary," - particularly when stymieing the movements of this administration forward...
ReplyDeleteResidency is not important but if you really want to find out if she is a good health officer ask the people that have been working in the Health Department for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteAlso contact the City of Rahway.
The appropriate manner in which to review a persons qualifications is for a trained human resources professional to investigate the candidates background. This comprises, reviewing their curriculum vitae, academic record, prior employment and making a personal evaluation at an interview(s). Appearing before our City Council and responding to a public grilling is hardly the appropriate way. Moreover, if the candidate is truly a professional it is rather like Einstein being subjected to an interrogation from a committee of High School freshmen. The recollection of 3 excellent nominees for the positions of PMUA Commissioners, and their peremptory baseless rejection looms large.
ReplyDeleteBill Kruse
Why some members on this council are so concerned about residency, when they weren't for the previous mayor is beyond me. Even if someone in Plainfield is qualified, are they the best person for the job? I don't want one of Jerry's people or someone who won't do a good job in the position. Too many people are in jobs in this city, county, and state who are not the best for the job. The council needs to get off their tuffets and allow this administration to do their job of protecting the people of Plainfield. What happens if someone doesn't apply and how long do we give them to apply? The "stooges" on the City Council need to start working for us and do it soon.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that previous high level directors were allowed to be non-residents under Sharon, but now, OMG, someone brought in by Adrian is of concern?
ReplyDeleteThis isn't about "doing the right thing" for the city, finding the best person for the job we can, this is just politics.