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Century Councilman Unhappy With Town Clerk Hiring Process
May 18, 2010
One Century councilman is unhappy with how the town is selecting a new town clerk.
The town’s mayor, Freddie McCall, has interviewed seven of 33 applicants for the open position. He was joined in the interviews by the town’s accountant, Robert Hudson. McCall said the seven were chosen based upon the merits of their qualifications and “what they could bring to the table”.
“We zeroed in on about three, and we are waiting on getting the references back,” McCall said.
But council member Henry Hawkins said Monday night that he wanted to be in on the interview process.
“I asked to be in on that process,” Hawkins said. “We have a right and an obligation to be there. There are some things I am not going to waive.”
“I’m mixed up. I thought it was my job to do that,” the mayor said about the interviews. He said he thought he had been instructed by the council to present the final choice for approval.
“He (Hawkins) just wants to do the hiring himself, is what he wants,” McCall said. “I was to bring the recommendation to the town and y’all could turn it down if you didn’t approve.”
Council members Sharon Scott, Ann Brooks and Gary Riley said they did not want to be in on interviews for every job candidate, but Brooks said she thought the council should have the opportunity to review the resumes and qualifications of the top seven applicants.
The council voted 3-1 to review the resumes of the top seven town clerk job candidates. Hawkins voted against, while Nadine McCaw was absent due to illness. The mayor will present copies of the seven applicants’ resumes to each individual council member prior to presenting his recommendation for a new town clerk.
Former Town Clerk Dorothy Sims retired at the end of April.
Pictured top: Century Council members (L-R) Sharon Scott, Henry Hawkins and Gary Riley listen Monday night to Century Mayor Freddie McCall explain how he is choosing a new town clerk. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
35 Responses to “Century Councilman Unhappy With Town Clerk Hiring Process”
If I’m not mistaken, isn’t the council seat currently held by Mr. Hawkins up for election this year? Perhaps it’s time for the citizens of Century to make themselves head.
This is better than watching Dukes of Hazard.
it says two years
am I out of date?
DHG,
I belive the version of the Charter the Council has is dated 1986 – ???
What is the length of term in office of mayor in your 1980 Charter?
Unless there have been changes since the charter was approved 8 January 1980, this is the part which applies to the question at hand:
Section 3.07 Duties and Powers
(a) Employees and Officers. The council shall pass upon the recommendations of the mayor as to the selection, appointment, suspension, or removal of all town employees and appointive administrative officers provided for by or under this charter, by town ordinance, or otherwise, except as otherwise provided by law, this charter, or personnel rules adopted pursuant to this charter.
David trying to be helpful
Trish,
you never did answer the question; Did Hawkins EVER get the rent-payment records on Helicopter Technologies that he requested as a Councilperson, for two years before they went under? And how much did they owe Century after they left?
And the attendance of Council meetings was a packed-house when he was council president, not just one or two. Nobody asked about Magnum Industries, and they stiffed the town for $274,000. Is there a pattern here?
Being a “successful” businessperson does not document your CHARACTER & integrity. Ann Brooks is a CPA. Why is she not invited to participate in the interview process?
Trish,
The question was about people’s participation in government. People also give up on participating in government when the have no voice or options (Choices).
The SUNSHINE LAW requires that the public be notified in advance of meetings attended by elected officials. It does not say there cannot be meetings.
Perhaps there needs to be a public policy and procedure on hiring degreed professionals.
REGARDING:
“If you were to listen to any radio station on the internet no matter the geographical location, and not know the name of the town, you would think all of them were local. People are people, some with more common sense, some extremely intelligent, some dumb as dirt. ”
Well said.
David seeing truth in writing
Just Tired & Mr. Moran
All of the citizens of Century have to care about their Life Quality. If they want a better Life Quality then they have to be willing to work for it. Nothing is given to you.
A Tea party Fan: The job of Council President is to start and stop the meeting. Also to make sure the agenda is followed.
A full room of people does not equate to great leadership. It just shows a lot of angry people.
Mr. Moran, thank you for solidifying my account of the Mayor’s accomplishments. Mayor McCall is only interested in improving his quality of life, he could care less about the citizens of Century.
To Just Tired –
I think you will be waiting for a while . . . .
somethings you just can’t answer without admitting some other things.
To Just Tired -
The Small Business Incubator on Pond St. has been OFFICIALLY completed for 10 years this spring; but has never had a dedication, does not have a Board, no tenants, no advertising or promotions – just utility bills – into the thousands of dollars. Would owning your own business improve your Quality of Life?
Century has to address “Life Quality” in order to attract jobs or businesses.
What is YOUR definition of Life Quality?
I’m still waiting!!
Henry Hawkins is abusive and controlling in civility, but he is almost always correct.
Did he EVER get the rent-payment records on Helicopter Technologies that he requested two years before they went under? And how much did they owe Century after they left?
And the attendance of Council meetings was a packed-house when he was council president, not just one or two.
I think the charter says something about preference being given to a person who is already employed by the Town when there is a job opening, if that person qualifies for the position. I’m wondering why at least one of the two Town of Century employees who applied for the position and have Associates of Arts degrees, one of whom already knows the basics of the job, was not even given an interview. Smells kinda fishy to me, like maybe Mayor McCall already has someone in mind for the position and is just going through the motions of the hiring process.
I share the same sentiments as Bob, and can anyone name one thing Mayor McCall has done for Century since being elected mayor. Please someone enlighted me.
I think even the Wall of Honor for the veterans was already in progress when he became mayor. From what I understand, he conducts more personal business at City Hall than anything that may help the citizens of Century. I’m serious, please let me know just one thing that he has accomplised since being in office!!
Let Freddie GET A JOB!
I know THREE PEOPLE who were in fact qualified with education and experience who are not on the short list for interviews, that sent in application resumes. Why?
Many of those who comment on this issue should GET INVOLVED.
Do I think Freddie is qualified to ask questions; “NO” I do not
Century has very little record keeping and CANNOT be in compliance with FS 119 (Records Law), by what they say about them selves.
Century has virtually NO policies and procedures for anything.
Is Century a Podunk town — maybe not, but it is certainly run like one. Hawkins is retired Air Force, a Sr. Sargent in Administration I believe. It is likely that he knows more about proper administration and management than anyone on the council or in City Hall.
Was the town clerk in on the inteviewing or was it just the mayor? Looks like she would have some input and questions to ask. Just a thought. Why is everyone so hard on Henry Hawkins for? He is just a concerned councilperson.
I hope the potential candidate knows what they are getting into! You could not pay me enough to get involved with all of the political games being played in Century! It appears that everyone wants to be Mayor instead of letting the ELECTED Mayor do his job. Council people don’t you have better things to do serving the people than interfering in everything all of the time?
To all of you all who keep saying Freddie McCall is “HIRING” the clerk, you did not read the article.
Mr. McCall is “INTERVIEWING” them, in order to find one with the proper qualifications. At that point, TFA says he will present that choice to the council for their approval. The council has the final say and is actually doing the “HIRING”.
Mr. Wanna-Be-In-Charge is asking to be present while each person is interviewed. What is the point of this? Is he going to ask questions too? Does he think Mr. McCall is not capable of asking the proper questions?
There’s just no reason to go to all the trouble to try to schedule the interviews to coincide with when HH can be present. It complicates the whole process with no additional benefits.
Bottom line, he just wants to raise a ruckus.
To Embarassed:
I’m sorry, I don’t agree. Century is not a po-dunk hick town. If you were to listen to any radio station on the internet no matter the geographical location, and not know the name of the town, you would think all of them were local. People are people, some with more common sense, some extremely intelligent, some dumb as dirt. Most of the people in Century are good, honest, intelligent individuals. I take exception when the north end of the county is considered uneducated hicks.
Whenever the conslidation of Escambia county was brought to the table I was 100% against the idea. But after what has taken place over the past year and a half with the town, I don’t know if that wasn’t such a bad idea. It is funny no SAD that a town council and Mayor acts like sibling rivals, fighting over who had the toy first, and scraming to momma that he touched me first. And as to Mr. Hawkins, why is it so important that you be in on the interview process. You do not see any other council member crying about not getting to interview. If you do not like the recomendactions from the Mayor you do not vote for that person. “Its that simple.” It just goes to prove on previous comments that someone posted, “If looks like, smells like, than it must be a po-dunk hick town.”
To A Watchman:
You say Mayor McCall is not qualified to interview and hire???? He is a successful businessman. Has anyone on the council been as successful as Mr. McCall? To run any business you have to have knowledge on hiring people who will help you succeed. The town consultant is certainly qualified.
You say the town has no policies or procedurees. They must have something in place or they would not exist.
It is easy to second guess when someone else is doing the work. Let these people do their job.
Certainly you have heard the old saying “Don’t criticize until you walk in their shoes”.
To Watchman, being elected by the people of century to run their town, the charter on page 8 out lines his dutes. Maybe you missed that page or maybe you are like Mr. Hawkins who just likes to think your the only one who knows anything? Humm? Please, let the mayor do his job, with our town concultant and accountant, if thats not enough qualificationsthen maybe they need to contact you Mr. Watchman. Mr. Hawkins could not be apart of this and then go to the table and vote, not without violating the “SUNSHINE LAW”. Hummm and after 4 years he doest know that.
Just an outsider,but how in the world did you folks allow this rebel rouser to get elected.
I have read the Century Charter, the legal one recorded with the office of the Sec. Of State and does not speak to professional hiring – Hawkins is right and wrong both. The Town has no policies and procedures ABOUT ANYTHING. Most of the Charter is violated on a regular basis AND it clearly says the TOWN WILL HAVE A POLICE FORCE.
What QUALIFES Freddie to hire any one for a professional position in management ou accounting? Certainly not the Charter that I read. Freddie is a well-meaning person by lacking in both education and experience to do the hiring. Call the Sec. of State and for less than $20 get a REAL COPY of the Charter – then compare it word-for-word with the one at City Hall.
I, for one, would NOT “enjoy reading where Century had put the proverbial foot in the mouth again.”
The process was set up like this from the beginning. It’s too bad Hawkins wants to change the rules as they go along.
I’ve been involved in something where no matter what came up, one feller in the group would always say “I’m agin it.” It does challenge the others involved to make sure they have their ducks in a row. BUT after a while (several years for Mr. Hawkins), it gets tiresome for him to just resist something for the sake of making problems.
According to JJ, Hawkins “second-guesses and complicates every single issue that comes along.” And I agree.
I agree he needs to let Mayor McCall do his job !!!!!
What I don’t understand is why some of you comment when you don’t know how things work. If Mr. Hawkins and other council members interviewed with Mr. McCall would that be classified under the “Sunshin Law”? What makes Mr. Hawkins an expert on hiring a town clerk? Does he have a clue as to what is involved in the WHOLE job? Why in the world would the city council need to review the applicantions before and after an inteview? Doesn’t the town charter say that it is the mayor’s job to interview and recommend to council? Or don’t you read your own Charger? Are certain council members wanting to hire someone they personally know?
Who on the council is better qualified to interview than the mayor who is in the office every day doing his job and the town accountant who knows what needs to be done?
People you need to stick to the job you are qualified to do (unfortunately some of you may currently have a job you are unqualified to do). If you are a Human Resources expert then I might be willing to listen to what you have to say. If this is not your job then let the mayor do his job.
I doubt that the majority of the council members would even have a clue as to what questions you can legally ask in an interview. If you think yourself so important that you have to be involved in something you know nothing about then by all means go ahead. But I would truly hate to read where you were sued by an applicant because you did not know what questions were appropriate and job related. On second thought, I might enjoy reading where Century had put the perverbial foot in the mouth again.
Let Freddie do his job!
I personally think that since their is a board of members, then all of them should be involved in all of the meetings, interviews, etc… Then after all of the interviews the whole board members should agree to fill the spot. This is why they have a board member committee, so that it’s not just left up to one individual of doing things. I do understand that Freddie McCall is the Mayor, but this should be the whole boards decision, right along with Freddie… Just my opinion!
Because if that company charged $25 for that service, Mr. Hawkins would be against paying them to do that job. From what I can see, Mr. Hawkins is trying to do the mayor’s job. He second-guesses and complicates every single issue that comes along, and I sure hope the voters remember all his bone-head statements and moves when it’s time to re-elect.
How many professionals have been hired by the Town of Century?
Why not hire some company like “Amstaff” or “Landrum” or “Employee Solutions” to make the cuts to the short list, then let the council weigh-in on the final selection?
I hope Hawkins continues to stand-up on this!
Give it up Henry… Freddie is the mayor and it is the mayor’s responsibility. If Hawkins wants to run the town then he needs to get elected as the mayor, otherwise he’ll have to be satisfied with his 20% input from his current council member position.