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Critic: Qualified deputy fire chief candidates bypassed

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BY LORI PILGER / Lincoln Journal Star

Sunday, Dec 30, 2007 - 12:12:16 am CST

After Lincoln Fire Capt. Jeanne Pashalek was promoted to deputy chief last month, a 29-year veteran of the department decided to picket the mayor’s office.

For three days last week, the retired firefighter stood in front of the County-City Building, holding a sign asking the mayor why Pashalek was promoted over five candidates who scored higher on qualifying tests going into her interview.

Gary Christman easily has been Chief Niles Ford’s most vocal critic when it comes to the decision to promote Pashalek to deputy chief of Battalion 2, overseeing the east half of the city.

Story Photo
Jeanne Pashalek

But he hasn’t been alone.

A Dec. 12 story about her promotion attracted dozens of anonymous postings to JournalStar.com — a good number of them negative.

And a letter to the editor included an allegation Pashalek was chosen because she’s a woman. Two others letters supported her.

Pashalek graduated from Doane College with a natural science degree in 1985 and joined the department, where she went from firefighter to paramedic, captain to deputy chief.

Firefighters union President Dave Engler said he’s heard people say morale is the lowest it’s ever been. He doesn’t buy it.

Maybe people are unhappy with decisions that are made or frustrated in general, he said, but they’re not frustrated enough to leave.

“We don’t have people leaving in droves,” Engler said.

Some union members who were candidates for the position talked with an attorney about their options, he said. He doesn’t know what they’re going to do.

Pashalek declined to comment for this story, but a spokeswoman for Mayor Chris Beutler said he supports Ford’s personnel decisions.

Ford, not surprisingly, stands by his decision, too.

“It’s the burden you carry. Some people will be happy with it, some people won’t. That’s part of my job.“

‘All of them were strong’

Strictly based on experience, test results and hours as acting deputy chief, Pashalek should not have been promoted, Christman argues.

He calls her “No. 7,” which, he says, indicates her ranking among seven candidates up for the two openings.

Leo Benes also was named deputy fire chief of Battalion 2 last month. He and Pashalek fill positions opened because of the retirements of Arnie Hart and Larry Edwards.

Benes scored first, Pashalek ranked seventh, Christman said, and he wants to  know why Ford moved her to second place.

Christman noted that he never worked with Pashalek and doesn’t have anything against her personally.

“I want to stick strictly to the numbers,” he said. “There were five more qualified people that all got passed over.”

Chief Ford said all of the candidates for the deputy chief jobs were qualified — and he wasn’t looking at scores.

In her interview, Pashalek articulated her vision for the department, had good understanding of human resources and strategic planning, he said. Her experience as a paramedic and the fact that she nearly has her master’s degree were in her favor, too.

Ford said he doesn’t want to marginalize the strengths and abilities of the others who were up for the position.

“Because all of them are strong. I was very fortunate in that way,” he said.

Deputy chief promotions are set up to allow the chief to develop management staff.

Ultimately, Ford said, it’s his decision.

“I know it makes some people uncomfortable, this decision,” the chief said Friday. “But ... it is what it is.”

That Pashalek is a woman was a nonissue, he said.

Firefighters frustrated, but fear retaliation

In Ford’s last job — as a deputy fire chief for a department near Atlanta — he made 40 promotions or more in 2½ years, he said. Not one raised an eyebrow, he said.

After starting work in Lincoln on Oct. 1, Ford said he told Fire & Rescue employees he was going to do some things they’d be deliriously happy about, and others they wouldn’t like.

He asked them not give up on him, he said, because he’s not going to give up on them.

“The only promise I would make though, is that every time I’m going to try to do the right thing. This promotion is consistent with that statement,” Ford said.

He said he understands his decision affects people’s lives.

“Ultimately ... this is my decision,” Ford said.

Christman agrees.

“I think the chief should pick the people he wants to have as his deputy chiefs. But there should be some reasons for it that people can live with based on testing and qualifications.”

The retired firefighter said he talked with half a dozen firefighters frustrated by the decision but unwilling to say anything publicly for fear of retaliation.

“I’m retired,” Christman said. “They can’t do anything to me.”

So he made a placard and headed to City Hall.

When it comes to Pashalek, a union member until her promotion, union president Engler said he’s not taking sides.

People in the private and public sectors get promoted or lose out on a promotion every day, he said.

“Obviously, if you get passed over it’s upsetting, clearly,” he said.

But it’s not something to be argued in the public eye, he said.

“I think this is something in the fire department itself,” Engler said.

“That’s where it needs to be discussed and handled.”

Reach Lori Pilger at 473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com.


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Glad to be gone wrote on December 30, 2007 2:17 am:
" "That she's a woman is a non issue"....such bull. It's all about her being a woman and being promoted because of it. "

 R u SERIOUS! wrote on December 30, 2007 4:14 am:
" Let the man do his job! There are people that are hired to make decisions. You can always criticize their decisions but until the RESULTS don't add up then it is speculation... the people who don't like it will always be the ones who are NOT hired to make the DECISIONS... (and there is probably a reason for that)... "

 MYOB wrote on December 30, 2007 5:44 am:
" Mr. Christman should enjoy his retirement, try fishing or golf. Leave the decision of the fire department to the Chief. If Mr. Christman wants to make these decisions he should have applied for Chief. "

 Cb wrote on December 30, 2007 7:21 am:
" Oh Pleez!!

Just work harder and be smarter. Firefighters, it's your department do something for the good of your department and you will get noticed. You guys need to settle down and do your job. Somebody may just think you are more problems than you are worth - I sure do! "

 CEO wrote on December 30, 2007 7:57 am:
" Promoting people to managerial positions based on the rank order of an evaluation is certainly not the way any private sector organization works, and apparently isn't required by the City's rules, either. The person in charge of the organization's overall performance--the CEO--has to have the flexibility to select his or her own team based on factors other than test scores or seniority. I found it interesting that Chief Ford mentioned Pachalek's vision and strategic planning as strengths. That's exactly what you want in management--people who can think outside the box, accurately perceive future conditions, and understand the steps necessary to accomplish long term goals. As an outside observer, this appears to have been sorely lacking at the Lincoln Fire Department lately (wasn't that "cheaper, better, faster?), and if Pashalek brings those strengths, she's a good choice. "

 LFR Capt. wrote on December 30, 2007 8:05 am:
" Even if I don't agree with the decision to promote #7 I want to thank the journal star for posting this story. It was fairly written and unbiased. Thanks to Gary for sticking up for the profession that he loved for many years. You are a good man for making light of this....... "

 interesting wrote on December 30, 2007 8:06 am:
" One of their own says "they can't do anything to me, I'm reitred" and others still working fear "retaliation if they voice an opinion. This speaks volumes about the mentality of the Fire Union. Their own in the "brotherhood" fear the union's actions, and we are suppose to RESPECT & HONOR this group? Welcome to Lincoln Fire & Rescue Mr. Ford. I hope you can alter this terrible attitude. "

 Hjalmer wrote on December 30, 2007 8:16 am:
" The Lincoln Fire Department is just the latest of the old boys networks that's resisting change. You won't find many women or people of color and it's simply time to push them into the 21st Century. Simply getting the highest grade on some test won't get you the promotion in the private sector. What makes this bunch of pampered public employees think that your test grade should be the absolute decider of promotion? The complaints about fire trucks, and ambulance costs cried out for a change in leadership style and now the department will get some. Let's hope they benefit the city and the department. "

 klummpy wrote on December 30, 2007 8:28 am:
" Christman is typical of those who say "everyone I talked to agrees". This is a childish defense of his position. "

 Dave wrote on December 30, 2007 8:29 am:
" Sounds like sour grapes,Deputy Chief Pashalek was on the final list of 7,that to me means she was qualified for the position. Numbers 1 and 2 don't always get the job. "

 Call it what it truly is wrote on December 30, 2007 8:52 am:
" Who in the world takes someone who is #7 in line? I would never hire a candidate who is 7 out of 7. Doesn't everyone see what happened here. This is truly a politically correct, affirmative action type, feel and look good for the public promotion. To promote someone who is #7 out of 7 candidates because she is a woman, is so wrong, I question Niles Ford's decision making process already. I hope the mayor has called him out on the carpet to explain this one more throughly that what little quote appeared here today. Note to Niles since your new here...We people in Nebraska are very hard working, honest, ethical people. This is not the south, were minorities need help in advancement through processes which many claim to be very unfair, like hiring the 7th best qualified person for a job 6 others are better qualified for. "

 agr8dane wrote on December 30, 2007 8:52 am:
" Good luck chief! Promoting Pashalek and Benes is a great first step to modernizing your group of morally bankrupt, and old school "heroes". Of course the ranks aren't going to embrace change, might cause them to get off their butts and do something. Anyone else sick of hearing about the problems of the fire department? "

 Jeff wrote on December 30, 2007 8:53 am:
" Frankly - mentioning the anonymous postings on the journal star is a waste of time. I do post occasionally - but you tend to get the negative responses more than the positive ones, so to me it just goes to show you that there are a few people who will complaining about anything. He obviously had his reasons, and it dealt with more than years on the job and a test. As it should. you could have both of those and be a poor leader. So the picketing accomplished what? Make Christman look foolish I think. Suck it up. "

 Jim wrote on December 30, 2007 8:57 am:
" Gary Christman needs to understand that hiring decisions are based on more than numbers. There are intangibles that each person has that make them a better or worse candidate. Ford obviously believed Pashalek's intangibles were the best fit for the position.

Here's a thought: If the only criteria for hiring someone were scores and statistics, why even have a human resources dept? Just have accountants so the hiring and firing... "

 dysfunctional wrote on December 30, 2007 9:05 am:
" The problems with the Lincoln Fire Department obviously were not solved just because we hired a new Chief. What do all of you Jon Camp bashers have to say now. Do you still think he had a "personal agenda" or was on some kind of "witchhunt'. It's obvious that this department is dysfunctional and that Mayor Beutler, much like Mayor Seng, doesn't have the courage to deal with the continuing problems. Thank you to elected officials like Camp who aren't afraid to point out when my tax dollars are being mis-managed and looking for ways to improve efficiency. Good luck to the men and women at LFR, sounds like your going to need it. "

 CLEARLY wrote on December 30, 2007 9:06 am:
" Clearly another case of political correctness in our progressive-wannabe city. Now we can all say "look at us. How wonderful and forward thinking we are!" I pray that there are no disasters in this town that will expose the fact the a better qualified candidate could have saved lives. Its really unfortunate that the need to feel good and look good in the eyes of others comes at the expense pf public safety. "

 stupid wrote on December 30, 2007 9:08 am:
" Oh brother if its not the race card its the sex card. Here how about we just eliminate all white males from every job? "

 rob g wrote on December 30, 2007 9:26 am:
" good job to the retired firefighter, I wish more people would take a stand. This looks pretty clear cut that this was a gender base decision "

 Thank you Chief Ford wrote on December 30, 2007 10:28 am:
" I am ecstatic that you are stirring up the LFD. It was long overdue, and as for Gary...cry me a river. Obviously you haven't grown up. I have to tell my teenage daughter that life isn't fair sometimes. Perhaps we need to tell the "retireds" that too. Go back to worrying about being taxed to death and leave the personnel matters to those that know. "

 Concerned Citizen wrote on December 30, 2007 10:40 am:
" The politics within the LFD are most alarming to me in this day and age. While one of our most important services in the city, undeniably a powerful entity, seems to me they have lost focus on the number one priority, fighting fires, responding to accidents, and protecting the citizens of this community. Seems to me they work for us, the tax payers of Lincoln NE. I was hoping the new chief could squell the power struggle we've endured for the last several years.....guess that's not going to happen anytime soon. I can only hope that they will respond urgently and professionally if me or my family ever need them, god forbid. "

 Yep well... wrote on December 30, 2007 10:56 am:
" I have to agree with Christman. Her experience acting as a Battalion Chief has been nil. Since there is a no "shadowing, or precepting" time for this position acting experience is of utmost importance. Her time as Captain has showed that she can read, memorize policy, and regurgitate the paperwork part of her position. But the tactical part of a Captains position has been largely neglected. Strategies and tactics are the second by second decisions that need to be made, this will determine the outcome of whatever emergency situation is at hand. She has failed in the past to make decisions that ensure life safety and public property protection. Anyone can push the paperwork, and that is 90%+ of a Battalion Chiefs job, but the other 10% is what firefighters are here for. Protecting the lives and property of the customers they serve, while assessing the risk to the firefighters they are in control of. Im afraid that this will negatively impact the safety of the citizens, and there reasonable expectation that when the Fire Department arrives they will do there best and risk what is necessary to save there property. "

 White Man's Burden wrote on December 30, 2007 11:02 am:
" Chief Ford was a great hire by Beutler, but i wondered how long it would take him to reign in this group that has been leaderless for a year - with weak union representation. Christman says "the chief should pick the people he wants . . .). Hey Christman - that's exactly what he did so live with it, based on education and her interview. You should know quantitative methods alone should never be the sole reason for hire or advancement (unless you are in a science fair). Instead of crying like little girls, you guys should go meet with Ford face-to-face. Chief Ford, keep up the good work and good luck! "

 citizen wrote on December 30, 2007 11:11 am:
" I believe that Mr. Christman should find more to do with his time following his retirement. First of all, Engler is correct, many people get passed over for promotion everyday. These people do not have former employees marching down to city hall and creating filing complaints. Certainly, those who were passed over are upset and I'm sure their friends are too, however the positions are filled with individuals the management feels best compliment the department and I in particular find that it would be none of this retired firefighters business to interview current employees and also protest. Enjoy your retirement Mr. Christman and find a hobby, you retired and I am certain you would rather enjoy this time with your family than picket and protest the happenings at your former employer. "

 Wondering wrote on December 30, 2007 11:48 am:
" If Chief Ford did not look at the numbers why did they bother with the test? The others could have spent their time with other things than learning what they needed to know---as Ms Pashalek evidently did. "

 Whats the deal wrote on December 30, 2007 12:56 pm:
" You should really stay out of this! I have worked with Jeanne and found her VERY intelligent, VERY professional, and more then capable of doing whatever she wishes to do. Beings you are retired I don't think that you have any business sticking your nose into issues that do not affect you! I think Jeanne is a wonderful person and she has my 100% support. As for LFD employees concerned about voicing concerns I think that is pure rubbish. To me this sounds as though someone is a bit jealous and whoever it is needs to move on. I have been over looked for positions as well to persons I felt were not as qualified but hey if it was ment to be it will be if not you have to move on. Love Ya Jeanne!!! "

 just curious... wrote on December 30, 2007 1:01 pm:
" If Christman is retired, what documents does he possess or have access to that would document the scores of the candidates? And regardless whether he's retired or not, wouldn't those test scores be part of the candidates' confidential personnel files? Also, I'm guessing that perhaps Christman himself was never promoted much in his 29-year career -- otherwise, he'd certainly know that test scores alone don't indicate the best person for the job. In any event, I'd like the reporter for this article to follow-up with Christman as to how he had access to the test results. "

 jeff wrote on December 30, 2007 1:41 pm:
" It's difficult to go against the arguements these people have, however, for every woman that is promoted to positions in civil service, there are dozens and dozens more that get passed up. It isn't right to overlook more qualified persons, but women are still discriminated against on a routine basis. "

 Not Suprised wrote on December 30, 2007 1:54 pm:
" What do you expect, minority promotions of course. Black, Female, speaks hispanic, of of those three or all three combined and you are IN. The Chief will prove to be a dissapointment to the Fire Department that has run so well and protected Lincoln for so long. Change for the sake of change is not always needed nor is it good. "

 What? wrote on December 30, 2007 2:18 pm:
" Who is this Christman guy? Get a life. This is nothing but very thinly veiled sexism. If Pashalak was a man, this would be a non-story. "

 whats wrote on December 30, 2007 2:55 pm:
" whats the big deal more qualified people are past over for promotions every day in every job get over it and as a city employee i can tell you it happens 90% of the time on city jobs where people who score higher on the interview process do not get the job god will the employees at lincoln fire ever stop wining about everything I think the mayor should look into outsourcing the whole dept. what a bunch of cry babies "

 Promoted wrote on December 30, 2007 3:03 pm:
" These few firefighters that are doing all this complaining need to maybe find a new profession. So what they got passed over for a promotion. It happens every day, in every type of business. Congrats to the ones that got promoted and for the ones that cant handle it, find another line of work. "

 how many wrote on December 30, 2007 4:18 pm:
" How many deputy chiefs are there do we need all of them?
During the firetruck problems all the deputies said they knew nothing about it, so the chief took the fall and the duputies covered each other by saying "I don't know". What does the word Deputy mean? shouldn't they know what is going on so that when the chief is out they can take over.\? "

 Pat Boer wrote on December 30, 2007 4:35 pm:
" I am glad that Jeanne got promoted. That means that she can push paper work and leave firefighting to the firefighters. Why don't they get rid of all the chiefs and start over. Please pass me the koolaide "

 Give Me My Money Back wrote on December 30, 2007 5:43 pm:
" Promoting the 7th on the list of eligible candidates? Chief Ford you own me a tax-refund.
If because of this decision my safety or the safety of my family is jeopardized, know that you will own me a law suit settlement too.
Christman, thank you for your community involvement, if more people were like you we all would be paying less tax.
Also, kudos to Lori Pilger for the excellent journalistic piece making Lincoln citizens aware of the tax-dollar mishandling that is going on in the Fire Department. "

 Big changes overdue wrote on December 30, 2007 6:49 pm:
" Based on recent employment reports Chief Ford is the ONLY African American employee in the entire fire department. This even though the city has a supposed affirmative action director who apparently spends most of her time assuring that her own position remains funded instead of expanding the ethnic and diversity base of this city Dept. For a long time the LFR has been a bastion of white males (including family members who have passed the "gene" test to be qualified to work here) and been run by the union much as a private club. . These are among the highest paid positions in city government that are essentailly part time jobs. It's past time someone turned over this rock and sheds some light on what is going on here...It appears that Jon Camp has been right all these years. "

 go with your money wrote on December 30, 2007 9:03 pm:
" clearly give me my money back is one that got over looked trying to make some feeble attempt to attack someone here what a joke LFD is "

 No news is no news wrote on December 30, 2007 9:11 pm:
" I can't believe this was the Sunday morning headline. Former disgruntled union Fireman busybody wants to call the shots for new leadership. Hardly a front page story.
Now if somebody had the good sense to push Christman out into 10th street rush hour traffic during his picket; THAT would be a story! "

 Part-time? wrote on December 30, 2007 9:43 pm:
" To the person who states that the position of a firefighter is essentially a part time position, I protest. Firefighters work a 56hr\wk job. This is normal time for them. Firefighters work 2990 hours a year vs the 2280 hours a year as a 40hr\wk employee. Part time? Yes they do get the "Chance" to sleep at night, but hardly ever do you get that opportunity. Studies have shown that firefighters who work 24 hour shifts are over 3 times as productive,responsive and cost effective than if you were were to split up the shifts. Let alone the increased costs of having increased number of employees. The amount of training that the firefighters have to do to stay certified in EMT\Paramedic, HAZ-MAT, Trench Rescue, Ice water, swift water, and dive rescue, WMD, along with all the training it takes to stay at a above professional level with firefighting. There is not much down time. This is all done at times when emergencies can and do interrupt this training. Also firefighters clean there own living quarters, wax floors, empty trash, vacuume, dust, polish, wax apparatus. Does you professional office job make you clean your own toilets everyday? So please refrain from making the statement that firefighters are part time employees. "

 humm wrote on December 30, 2007 10:57 pm:
" a lot of factors go into promoting someone and i see one of fire chief Fords is NOT the ole buddy system GOOD for you Dr. Ford nice to see a change in joke of fire dept we have here "

 Lincolnite wrote on December 30, 2007 11:57 pm:
" Chill out firefighters! The Lincoln Fire Department (LFD) needs to go about the business of being firemen, and not politicians. Under Don Wesley, the firefighters had more say than local business people, and this is just plain wrong. Public servants should not be leading policy decisons, and they dont need to be in the headlines every day. The new chief is tasked with promoting people, and he should be able to hire whomever he wants, that's the way it works. The fact that so many firemen are upset about this is just another example of how dysfunctional this department is. It started years ago when the Union theought they ran the city, and it continues today when people immediately scream foul when a woman gets promoted. Also, I am thankful that the chief is not hiring someone for a position of such high import - solely based on test scores. Are you kidding me, who cares about "test" scores? Is this some super special firefighters test that positively determines who is the best candidate for a job? Give me a break, and go back to fighting fires. "

 Jim Whitley wrote on December 31, 2007 3:09 am:
" Maybe it is time of a change. The way LFD did it before they couldn't buy firetrucks. "

 Been There, Done That wrote on December 31, 2007 8:37 am:
" Unfortunately you are dealing with an old "fire department" mindset. If you
rank #1 on the promotion test you get the promotion. #2 get's the promotion
only of #1 declines the promotion. You do not pass over #2 to #3. Fire
department tradition dictates this. This is what I am seeing at Lincoln Fire
and Rescue.

There are a lot of people out there like me. I don't do well on written
testing but do well in practical and interviewing. This has helped and
hindered me. Chief Ford was looking for something that candidates 2-6 did
not have. #7, Pashalek obviously had what Chief Ford was looking for.

"

 Grundle wrote on December 31, 2007 8:51 am:
" I love it...now the excuse is, "well, in the private sector, numbers 1 and 2 don't only get the job". Wake up...we're not talking about private sector, we're talking about our tax-funded government. I want my tax dollars going to the most qualified individuals...and when my personal safety is at risk, as it is with the fire department, I want to KNOW that the most highly qualified individuals are in charge. "

 Just another voice wrote on December 31, 2007 9:35 am:
" Posters need to understand that the selection is based on a PROCESS. The test itself just narrows down the pool of applicants. More than 7 firefighters applied for the captains position and then they were ranked based on test scores. At that point, the Chief can interview and select from the top 7. I'm sure weight is placed on the test score, the interview and other factors (performance reviews) to determine the applicants' FINAL score. She rose up from 7th to 2nd place based on the other factors. The fact that she placed 7th with her test score is insignificant to me. In other city departments, 1st-7th test scores could be a matter of 1-2 points or hundredths of a point. I'm certain that her score and the score of the top test taker were not too far apart. As another poster mentioned earlier, just because someone scores well on a test does not mean that he/she will make the best promotion. That is why there is more to the PROCESS. Thankfully, we live in a bureaucratic society in which proper decisions are made. Though I do not know the firefighters selected for promotion. I hope that this negative flurry dissolves quickly and they can do their job. "

 what a joke wrote on December 31, 2007 9:54 am:
" I think this is the least of LFD/LFR (whatever they are calling themselves these days) problems. "

 john c wrote on December 31, 2007 10:14 am:
" i think the promotion of both gentleman falls
within the job description of the chief "

 Reaction to Negative Action wrote on December 31, 2007 10:21 am:
" I suggest the reading of this book: Real Heat- Gender and Race in the Urban Fire Service. It saddens me that in 2008 males still cannot even give value in the struggle females have had in the workforce and especially in such occupations as a firefighter. In my opinion, she was rewarded the position based on qualifying factors. I believe in her and it is about time that you disregard your instincts, open your minds, and give her the respect she deserves. "

 More than test scoring wrote on December 31, 2007 10:36 am:
" Whatever all you naysayers and Christman followers! Obviously this is more than taking a written test. Matching talent to task is far more important than a test score. The chief has a wider vision than pencil to paper. Christman himself said the chief should pick who he wants. However, that it should be based on reasons people can live with? That is way too subjective, obviously since there are lots of editorial comments occurring. It is not up to public approval of who the chief hires! He is not an elected official! "

 PLEASE! wrote on December 31, 2007 11:02 am:
" Congratulations Jeanne, and way to go Chief Ford! Those that are educated understand that it takes more than a test score to obtain a leadership position. I would be interested to know the extent of education those that were past over had??? If I worked for the fire department I would be more concerned it the chief picked someone that has a high test score but has no people or business skills. As many others have commented it is ultimatly Chief Ford's decision and to be honest I am a little worried about the quality of service we might get as "tax payers" with everyone so worried about getting passed over and test scores. If you are unhappy leave! You have that right to find a job that makes you happy! "

 There is always wrote on December 31, 2007 11:58 am:
" more to the story than printed in the paper. Posters have half the story and are shooting off their opinions like they are so superior. Time will tell if Pashalek is qualified. At first glance she is not MORE qualified than the applicants passed over. Some of them did have more and better education and all of them had more valid job experience. I am a female, and I am appalled at this promotion, clearly it is gender biased and I hope than Ford is not around Lincoln for vey long as his agenda is self serving. "

 LFR Mythbuster wrote on December 31, 2007 12:29 pm:
" Actually, promoting people on these so called "intangibles" is exactly the way the "good ole boy" system is perpetuated. Think about it-some chief wants to promote their buddy, not the most qualified person. How do they accomplish this? They march out the good old "intangibles" line to justify it. Unfortunately, much of the fire service (not just LFR) has fallen into this trap. The result-a management team that can't perform even what should be basic functions (like purchase fire trucks or complete accreditation paperwork on time). Unfortunately, it appears the "good ole boy" (or girl) system will be perpetuated at LFR. "

 yup wrote on December 31, 2007 1:01 pm:
" Fire all the goodo'l boys and move this City forward. "

 Dee wrote on December 31, 2007 2:32 pm:
" After 15 years of working for the city I can say that if she were promoted it was not because she was a women. Unless your a token hire in a top spot you don't get promoted as a women in the city. Yes there are pockets where women can move up but places the life fire, police or public works are not those places. The other and more refreshing possibility is that who ever promoted her was able to see and look past the cities long term track record of promoting the longest serving but often least qualified person, or the person who smoozed up or agreed with the uppers. "

 Frank wrote on December 31, 2007 3:54 pm:
" I do not know anything about this particular hiring situation. I do have several friends who work for the City. From what I hear and see men typically receive more pay than women for doing the same work within the city of Lincoln. Job descriptions and audits do not seem to reflect accurately what is actually required in the job. Someone needs to look into this. "

 Not a firefighter wrote on December 31, 2007 7:31 pm:
" I don't really know anything about this promotion other than what I read in the paper. I'm not racist or femanist, but I do have to wonder why they take the test if it really doesn't matter. I only have one question...if the person who scored 7/7 was a white male would he could have possibly been promoted into this position? "

 LFR employee wrote on December 31, 2007 7:32 pm:
" Can we just drop this topic and move on!! We are stuck with her and thats the facts!! We are better off with her in this position that Captain anyway. Captains are much more responsible on a fire scene than A Dept. Chief. She will always be known for being Captain RIT and we just need to move on! "

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