Back to Normal: A Culture of Cronyism
The recent hiring process of Parkside’s new borough secretary drew some criticism from members of the GOP. After the borough solicited resumes for the borough secretary position, I encouraged a friend of mine to apply. After being asked in her interview by Councilwoman Purcival if she’d ever worked as a bartender (I’m sure she meant that with all disrespect), grilled on who told her about the job and whether she knew Councilwoman Guy (she met her for the first time at her interview), she was hired (by motion, approved unanimously, in the May 2023 council meeting) as the temporary secretary, while the borough conducted more interviews.
Apparently hiring a temporary secretary while you look for a permanent one is not good enough. Councilwoman Purcival liked this comment from a resident stating the council was hiring people without going through the proper channels.
So what are the “proper channels?” I asked and no one answered me. I decided to look back at how Parkside Borough’s other employees were hired, especially under the GOP majority and Councilwoman Purcival’s leadership since she’s made it clear she was unsatisfied with the secretary hiring process and repeatedly complains about being excluded from interviews.
Crossing Guards
In the February 2023 meeting, a motion was passed to advertise for applicants for two part-time crossing guards. There’s no mention of it again in the meetings that have followed, and there’s no evidence the job openings were posted or interviews were conducted. There was also never a council vote on their appointments, as required by 8 Pa. § 1127, yet we have two new part-time crossing guards and no one seems to care about the “proper channels” in this example.
Secretary
Former borough secretary Timika Stamis was hired under Perry Sweigart’s leadership when he acted as Council President. I’m told she was the only candidate interviewed. Interestingly, neither Councilwoman Purcival, nor any other members of the Parkside GOP, had any qualms about that, but then again, she is the wife of former GOP Councilman Jason Stamis and not a friend of mine. I wonder if Councilwoman Purcival asked her if she’s ever worked as a bartender during her interview…
Newsletter
The meeting minutes for March 2019 reflect Councilwoman Purcival thanking Todd Bennett, spouse of former Councilman Eric Long, for the Spring 2019 newsletter. It was previously produced by Ken Stark, who had retired. I could find no mention of advertising this position, interviewing for this position, or council voting on this appointment. Perhaps this was discussed in the January 2019 meeting, but I can’t verify that because there are no meeting minutes. Also note, Mr. Bennett was paid $650 for each quarterly issue, which equates to more than an actual councilperson is paid. I know of two people who offered to produce the newsletter for free.
Mr. Stark was hired to produce the borough newsletter in September 2017, according to the meeting minutes. It’s unclear if there was any advertisement or discussion prior to his hiring because there are no meeting minutes for January through August of 2017.
Code Enforcement Officer and Fire Marshall
In the January 2016 reorganization meeting, it was announced that Parkside Council had dismissed long-time employee Dave Favinger, who, according to the January 2014 reorganization meeting minutes, served as Building Code Officer, Code Enforcement Officer, Emergency Management Coordinator, and Fire Marshall. They appointed David Schlott as Code Enforcement Officer. For context, Dave Favinger holds PA UCC Certification as a Residential Building Inspector, Fire Inspector, and Building Code Official. Neither David Schlott, Nick Capobianco nor Robert Powers hold any UCC Certifications.
It is unclear who took over as Fire Marshall and Emergency Management Coordinator because while the minutes say the appointments are attached, they aren’t. I think it’s safe to say Mr. Powers was appointed to these positions, as he gave the Fire Marshall report moving forward, starting with the January 2016 regular council meeting, and he was serving as Emergency Management Coordinator until he was suspended from employment duties following his arrest in August 2023. There is no mention of advertising these vacancies, interviewing candidates, or any executive sessions to discuss it.
Presumably Joseph Ferguson takes over as the Building Code Officer, as he was hired in December 2012 as Assistant BCO. This position was neither advertised or interviewed for, nor was there a council vote. He was hired merely at Councilwoman Purcival’s suggestion.
Mr. Schlott’s tenure as Code Enforcement Officer was short lived however. In April 2016, borough councilman Nick Capobianco and Rob Powers were sworn in as Code Enforcement Officers and no explanation is given in the minutes regarding Mr. Schlott’s departure.
There is no discussion documented in the meeting minutes regarding these appointments as temporary. There is no discussion of posting the position, soliciting applicants, or conducting interviews. At some point, it appears Mr. Capobianco becomes the only Code Enforcement Officer, but I could not find any documentation of that either.
Part-Time Employee Benefits
In the RTK I submitted for itemization of certain vendor payments, I noticed in the 2021 payments that taxpayers had been reimbursing former longtime secretary Linda Higgins for her monthly medical insurance premiums, her prescription costs, and even a dental bill for $1,575. How many part-time employees do you know that have medical benefits? How many of them get their medical costs reimbursed? I know people who have worked full-time for decades at the same employer, large companies who have loads of money, and they still have to pay their own medical premiums, copays, and Rx fees.
In the March 2016 meeting, it is announced that a refurbished police vehicle can now be used by the Code Enforcement Officer (at this time, Mr. Schlott), the Fire Marshall (Mr. Powers), and the Inspectors, but usage will be tracked by Mr. Capobianco.
The only other mention I find of this vehicle in the meeting minutes is in July 2016, where it is now being referred to as the Code Enforcement vehicle. In all fairness, perhaps council discussed and voted on this in one of the 10 months in 2017 where no meeting minutes can be found, but like they say in many industries, if it’s not documented, it didn’t happen.
It is also apparent that no records regarding usage or maintenance are kept, and no explanation as to why Mr. Capobianco has been allowed to use it as his personal vehicle, despite that employee-provided personal vehicles are required to be reported as taxable income according to IRS General Valuation Rule for fringe benefits. I asked for the fair market value of this fringe benefit and was told it doesn’t exist.
Nepotism
In the June 2016 minutes, we learn that Councilwoman Purcival interviewed (not the entire council, just her) the son of Councilman Robert Powers for a vague part-time maintenance position. Not only was the need to fill this position not discussed in any prior meetings, there’s no allusion to soliciting applicants for the position.
Proper Channels
For all of her protests to include all of council in every decision for every hiring, Councilwoman Purcival didn’t seem to hold herself to the same standard. The only channels Parkside Council used to follow in regards to hiring was to hand away jobs to their friends and family. The Democratic majority on council do not get the ease of just doing things the way they’ve always been done because those methods are clearly flawed and unprincipled.
While Councilwoman Purcival constantly voices her criticisms to every move made by the Democratic majority, it is done so merely as a harbinger of chaos. Her previous actions as Council President dictate, she really doesn’t care about acting in the most transparent and ethical manner, just for the benefit of her inner circle.
