Patronage Jobs - The Spoils Of Power

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Thursday’s Janesville Gazette contained three articles exposing the questionable hiring practices and employment policies of Janesville’s city administration. Although the headline article titled Is nepotism policy OK? began with the opinion and assurance provided by an ethics professor that something is clearly wrong, none of the articles explained how and what transpired for the stories to become public.

Thursday's editorial did explain that the stories evolved out of a complaint from a city employee in January, which also means the paper was aware of further allegations when they ran a related story in the paper about the chain of fortunate events surrounding the hiring of an assistant attorney. What I found unusual was that this newspaper appears to have taken the initiative to follow-up and connect the dots on the questionable ethics reported on in the previous article. Allegations such as these are normally swept under the rug or marketed as “rumors’ and “falsehoods” spread by messengers of misinformation – you know, from malcontents like myself.

JG Excerpt:
Councilmember George Brunner said he believes the perception already exists among some residents, whether warranted or not. “Citizens develop perceptions, and when they develop those perceptions, they draw conclusions without having all the facts,” he said.

It is warranted. The perception is a reality.

When I wrote about the chain of events leading up to the employment of the current assistant city attorney back in May, I received several e-mails (3) from residents who stated they had applied for both full-time and seasonal jobs with the city only to be rejected without an interview. One applicant, applying for a job shelving books at the Hedberg Library sent me their resume as inventory specialist and controller of 40,000 units valued at over $20 million dollars and with near perfect attendance - also sent me the rejection letter from the city. It stated they received over 90 applicants who were better qualified for the position. No interview.

Another applicant rejected by Rotary Gardens recently contacted me and said “When people ask me where I work, I just tell them I’m unemployed – I live in Janesville.” I also noticed that all three of these applicants lived within walking distance of their hopeful employment opportunities. I kindly asked them to post their experience on my blog, they said they were afraid of retribution. I don't blame them.

We can call it nepotism, favoritism or cronyism. Attorneys and professors, often taught by the same schools, can debate the proper usage and meanings of these words for hours.

JG Excerpt:
"I don’t see this as being a nepotism thing,” Klimczyk said.

For the sake of our arguments, we can call it whatever we want and create our own definitions, but the plain truth here is when conventional hiring concepts are short-circuited and replaced by preferential treatment or appointments that are at the disposal of those in power – they become patronage jobs. Political affiliations are not a necessary requirement for patronage jobs, all that is required is "favors."

JG Excerpt:
Wellnitz is the son of Steve Sheiffer’s longtime secretary and is a former council member. Once Brunner viewed the hiring history of the position, however, he was convinced the hiring was handled correctly.

This only leads to more doubt and suspicion. Whose son, daughter, relative or friend was the last city assistant attorney, and the one before that?

Another valid point to consider is if this issue of nepotism rose out of a mayoral/aldermanic form of government, you had better believe this newspaper, along with thousands of their political allies would be orchestrating a movement to change the corrupted process and power structure.

If we're looking for blame, I don't blame City Manager Steve Sheiffer. After 20 years at the helm, it's only human nature to exercise some power of authority. I'm not blaming anyone for high crimes either, but I do blame previous city councils for unanimously confirming raises and votes of confidence onto the manager. I also blame the supporters of this bandaged and propped up non-representative form of failed government for a gang mentality fueled by a self-ingratiating superiority.

What also comes into play that is often overlooked are the allegations and the existence of the stories. Why isn't the Gazette viewed as a malcontent with a chip on their shoulder for publishing these stories? Had the Gazette not published the stories, how would city residents know any wrong-doing took place now or before? What does the Gazette have against the city manager or administration? Why now? - when the manager is in his final days. I'll admit I'm being facetious here but sooner or later, Janesville residents will have to come to terms with themselves for allowing the public discourse to be held captive by one entity. Please - save yourselves.