The Observation Deck

While working through various hiring, employment requirement, and even access requirement for government officials and employees I was sent this list of requirements from Lakewood Safety, ie Police and Fire. I will post the list asking people which they feel are required for Government Employees in Lakewood. I am sure that because of the life and death situations police and fire are involved in, these requirements would be the top end of the scale. What does the average employee be required to answer?

While working through this with many, many people, it should be remembered that what we ask these employees, could well be more than we ask from our elected officials. I will go back and look, this list is closer to applying for being appointed to council. If you run, you need to get at least 50 signatures, and the support of the people. So let's try this one more time, click all that you feel apply to ALL Employees working for the City or Schools.

This list is very general, I will post the contents of each and what is asked, later in a different thread.

Thank you.

So there are no votes for "Mayor Interview" but a mayoral crony convicted of harassment involving anti-semitic and bizarre sexual content mail was hired immediately after his interview with the mayor.

It's difficult to answer this question without knowin the specific position.

For example, a physical exam makes sense for jobs like police, fire, and manual labor like sanitation. However, it should not be necessary for desk work.
"Drivers License", although not on this particular list, should be required and checked for any employee with access to city-owned vehicles (for example, Mayor!)
However, folks that don't drive on the job shouldn't be required to have one.....a large part of our population rides RTA.

Michael Deneen wrote:It's difficult to answer this question without knowin the specific position.

For example, a physical exam makes sense for jobs like police, fire, and manual labor like sanitation. However, it should not be necessary for desk work.
"Drivers License", although not on this particular list, should be required and checked for any employee with access to city-owned vehicles (for example, Mayor!)
However, folks that don't drive on the job shouldn't be required to have one.....a large part of our population rides RTA.

These are extremely general questions, an example, what good is a polygraph, unless you know the questions. But I am desperately looking for baselines, so that looking forward we can avoid many of the "worst decision I ever made." scenarios. The future is only bright if we learn from the past.

The irony in this entire discussion is, there is no background check to speak of when running for office. So let's say you put safeguards in place, and an important job becomes a political appointment, when a "real appointment," is more warranted.

These are amazing times in politics at all levels, and government at all levels. While many scream fir accountability on the national level, I would like to see it here locally as well.

When you have the amazing issues with hiring, public records, ethics, sunshine laws, and a city council ignoring ethics provisions put in front of them by their own committees.

Time to take a look at ourselves in the mirror.

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Rethinking one of my selections above, the "Mayor Interview" should be given more credence. I think many of us are viewing this through the prism of the current administration, but the Mayor is in charge of the government and the employees so should be a part of the process. Also I've heard a couple of City employees praise the current Mayor for interviewing everyone who works for the city.

I would now change my vote there.

I highly doubt the Mayor took the time to interview every employment candidate.

If he truly does, how hard could it be ? They are mostly his friends or relatives of his faithful followers.

I might add that some of the employees at city hall do not meet the credentials needed to perform the jobs they were hired for.

It appears that Summers runs city hall much like the rest of our city. Believe me, this is not a compliment!

Jim, did I miss the check box for drug test using hair follicles? Random drug test should be performed on all city employees throughout the year the including management personnel. If tested positive, they are fired immediately, no rehab. Nothing like the stupidity of providing drug rehab to anyone much less someone that does not even live in Lakewood. Drug test can't be required for elected officials although their actions would question if they have a sane mind or were on drugs.

Richard Baker wrote:Jim, did I miss the check box for drug test using hair follicles? Random drug test should be performed on all city employees throughout the year the including management personnel. If tested positive, they are fired immediately, no rehab. Nothing like the stupidity of providing drug rehab to anyone much less someone that does not even live in Lakewood. Drug test can't be required for elected officials although their actions would question if they have a sane mind or were on drugs.

How about a boxes marked

"History of throwing shoes at police while intoxicated"
"History and effectiveness at intimidating folks exercising right to free speech"

Brian,

There should also be a box marked for: Throwing vintage rum collection bottles at news reporter.

Richard Baker wrote:Jim, did I miss the check box for drug test using hair follicles? Random drug test should be performed on all city employees throughout the year the including management personnel. If tested positive, they are fired immediately, no rehab. Nothing like the stupidity of providing drug rehab to anyone much less someone that does not even live in Lakewood. Drug test can't be required for elected officials although their actions would question if they have a sane mind or were on drugs.

Richard

No this was a quiz on what should be asked. Next we will see what should be in the various pieces.

Thank you.

Brian, seriously?

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We should ask to see their financials, including over seas accounts.

Jim, I agree that angry shoe-throwers should not be employed by the city. Gotta set your low standards somewhere...!

They not only EMPLOY, they EMBRACE!

Serial harassers and drunk shoe throwers are welcomed into the fold here in Lakewood.

To be so charmed, all you need to do is be an avid supporter of the mayor.

And, apparently, do his dirty work.

Bridget Conant wrote:They not only EMPLOY, they EMBRACE!

Serial harassers and drunk shoe throwers are welcomed into the fold here in Lakewood.

To be so charmed, all you need to do is be an avid supporter of the mayor.

And, apparently, do his dirty work.

Bridget,

I think this is straying off topic, best for another thread.

Bridget,

I agree with you.