Editor, The News:
There is something to admire about consistency — except when it comes to the city of New Castle and its hiring practices.
Recently, the city advertised in The News for a code enforcement officer position. I applied for the post, submitting my application the Friday before the deadline.
Recently, I called the mayor’s office to ask when the applications would be reviewed and interviews conducted. I was informed that the position already was filled.
I asked when were the interviews conducted, and no one seems to know. I thought I stood a chance of at least an interview, because my qualifications and experience met their specifications.
After all, I am a certified paralegal, I have extensive building-trades experience as a local contracting business owner for years, along with the fact that I am currently a 13-year code enforcement officer for a local municipality who was trained and mentored by the former (and late) city of New Castle code department director Michael Elardo.
Gee, you would have thought — but, no. The city again marches to its own drummer. Without knowing the name of the “better-qualified” hiree, I’ll refrain from implying that some county or city government bureaucrat had a nephew or cousin in need of a job — although it would be interesting to know if indeed favoritism (I detest the word nepotism) is still alive and well and living in the city of New Castle.
Dennis Fry
West Pittsburg
