September 12, 2005

HIRING SHOULD BE BASED ON MERIT (GATES-CHILI POST)

To the Editor:

Thank you to the Gates Chili Post for the excellent front page article on our slate of candidates' concerns about the fiscal condition of the town. Contrary to (Ralph) Esposito's accusations, we do understand the town's financial statements.

We have met with two CPAs: one a Democrat and one a Republican. They both agree that the town of Gates' 'negative net assets' situation is not good and that the 'weak internal controls' cited by Moody's as one of the reasons for the downgrading of the town's financial status to 'Baa1 with a negative outlook' also indicates that all is not well in the town's fiscal operations.

I also wanted to clarify my comment about being 'death on privilege'. I dislike anything that smacks of privilege or elitism, whether it is a new car for the town supervisor every two years or a reserved parking space next to the building. We are all equal and should behave accordingly. True leaders model solidarity with their fellow workers.

I applaud the Teamsters Union for their victory in reversing the wrongful hiring of an upper level employee at the Gates Highway Department without the required job posting and I am sorry that the present supervisor's actions again cost the town money the town sorely needs in other places.

When our slate of candidates is elected to the town offices we seek, we will see that every town job is posted according to contractual obligations. We will see to it whenever possible that job vacancies will be promoted on the town's web site so that all Gates residents can consider applying for vacant jobs with the town. This, too, is another way of demonstrating 'Death on Privilege'. We will hire town employees based on what they know, not who they know.

Susan Swanton (Candidate - Gates town supervisor)