FeedsFirst February letter
To the editor;
I would like to talk about decision the Paul White, Leon Wright, Al Ostrowski and Denise Partridge (POWW) have made in the hiring of Mr. Carl McClanahan for the position of Interim Public Safety Director. This is the reason listed for the February 23rd recall vote.
For the record, I believe Mr. McClanahan did a good job for the City of Detroit Police Department rising to rank of Sergeant. His service to Detroit and the job he did is not in question. We are talking about the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to search and find the most qualified candidates to serve this township, not just an exceptional candidate but the most qualified. POWW keep telling the township they are doing things in the best interest of the township. Let us look if they do have the best interest of Township?
The hiring of Mr. McClanahan as the interim Public Safety Director raises many questions. POWW will tell you it was done correctly, but where was the posting asking for applications to the job? Where were the memos to the captains and lieutenants asking them if any of them were interested in the job? Was an independent search done to find a qualified candidate for the job? (Remember Mr. Champagne was hired after an extensive search by an independent company).
Trustee Partridge even stated at the July 7th 2009 meeting that we had persons in our own department that were more qualified than Mr. McClanahan. That means Trustee Partridge stated that she was voting for a person who was not the most qualified person for the job, but yet Partridge, White, Wright and Ostrowski did vote for the appointment.
Trustee Partridge stated that Mr. McClanahan was not the most qualified person for the position, that we had people in our own department who were more qualified. Why did POWW not ask people in our own department who were more qualified for the position to see if they were interested? Why didn’t Trustee Partridge and the rest of POWW hold off the vote? Why did they vote” Yes” for a person when they had more qualified people in the police department already? Why did they not ask or post the job of Interim Public Safety Director to find a more qualified person for the job?
So if you believe POWW “has the best interest of the township residents when they make their decisions”. Then why would POWW vote for a person who was not the best qualified candidate for the position as interim public safety director? If Public Safety is as important to POWW as they state? If the best interest of the township was important to POWW as they state? Then why did POWW not even do a short search to get the most qualified person?
So on Feb. 23 when you are ask to vote, you need to ask did White, Wright, Ostrowski, Partridge when they voted for the appointment of Mr. McClanahan for the job of Interim Public Safety Director, did they vote for the most qualified person for the job? Did we have more qualified candidates even in our own Police Department?
Remember a vote’ YES” mean to recall them, a vote “NO” means to retain them. I believe the Voters will decide what the best interest to Van Buren is.
Allen Babosh
Van Buren Resident.
