Showing posts with label Hiring Freeze. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hiring Freeze. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
A Hiring Freeze is Just Do-Good, Feel-Good Legislation
1:26 PM | 
Posted by
Lance M. Gundersen, Sr.
While it was not reported in the article linked to the title of this blog, I understand that Councilperson Robin Wentworth asked the question (paraphrasing), "So you are saying the hiring freezes in 2005 and 2009 were illegal?"
The Short answer Councilperson Wentworth is, yes, they were.
But more importantly, they are pointless.
People are needed to provide the services that the citizens of this city pay for.
The city is also bound by union, civil service and other obligations that, quite frankly, trump the hiring freeze every time.
If, and I think it is a really big IF, the Attorney General rules in the council's favor on this matter (and the body of evidence would indicate that isn't likely) you will find yourself hiring to fill positions as they come open anyway for the reasons given above (mission, union contract, and/or civil service requirements).
You will find, just as we did back in 2005, that it is a pointless gesture with, at best, token symbolism and no teeth whatsoever.
In fact, it can be argued that the "hiring freeze" is only a symbolic gesture of a governing body that is simply otherwise out of ideas.
So, for all of the Gloversville Common Council, take a moment and learn a lesson from history. Just because something was done 5 years ago does not mean it was either right, or reasonable. If any of you had looked up to eight months down the road from that decision you would have seen that enough people were hired anyway so as to make the resolution look like Swiss Cheese from all the holes poked in it.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Avoid pointless, unenforceable, meaningless legislation - especially when that legislation tries, by design or by accident, to blur the lines between the legislative branch and the executive branch.
The Short answer Councilperson Wentworth is, yes, they were.
But more importantly, they are pointless.
People are needed to provide the services that the citizens of this city pay for.
The city is also bound by union, civil service and other obligations that, quite frankly, trump the hiring freeze every time.
If, and I think it is a really big IF, the Attorney General rules in the council's favor on this matter (and the body of evidence would indicate that isn't likely) you will find yourself hiring to fill positions as they come open anyway for the reasons given above (mission, union contract, and/or civil service requirements).
You will find, just as we did back in 2005, that it is a pointless gesture with, at best, token symbolism and no teeth whatsoever.
In fact, it can be argued that the "hiring freeze" is only a symbolic gesture of a governing body that is simply otherwise out of ideas.
So, for all of the Gloversville Common Council, take a moment and learn a lesson from history. Just because something was done 5 years ago does not mean it was either right, or reasonable. If any of you had looked up to eight months down the road from that decision you would have seen that enough people were hired anyway so as to make the resolution look like Swiss Cheese from all the holes poked in it.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Avoid pointless, unenforceable, meaningless legislation - especially when that legislation tries, by design or by accident, to blur the lines between the legislative branch and the executive branch.
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About Me
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- Lance M. Gundersen, Sr.
- A lot of authors and bloggers have written about living intentionally. Each define it differently, but the basic gist of the idea is to have a plan and do everything in one's power to make it a reality. My plan was to live debt-free, and then spend my time doing the things I want to do - like finishing at least a Master's in an area I can put to use in my community. I started this process with a Masters in Work and Labor Policy with an Advanced Certificate in City Administration, but then switched to a Master's in Urban Planning focusing on Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure (and learning a fair bit about environmental planning, Brownfield redevelopment, community planning and more). I have also begun accomplishing a whole basket of cycling, sailing, hiking and personal enrichment goals which are each in various states of accomplishment. Feel free to stop by and read my musings. Comment if you like. Please be respectful, and I apologize that it's even necessary to have to say that at this stage of our existence.
