SHAMOKIN - The mayor accused city council members of a betrayal of trust Monday night regarding a personnel decision.
Fresh off a January vacation in Florida, George Rozinskie accused Shamokin's four councilmen of going behind his back in a deliberate move in his absence when they voted Feb. 1 to change a pair of office clerks from part time to full time.
The positions were never advertised, he said, and he plans on filing a complaint with the state's Labor Relations Board because of that.
"I'm going right to the labor commission. You pulled one over on the taxpayers," Rozinskie told council.
William Milbrand, R. Craig Rhoades and William Strausser all defended the decision. Michael Snyder voted with the three earlier this month to approve the moves, but remained silent during Monday's heated debate.
Strausser and Milbrand both pointed out that the positions were funded in this year's operating budget, a budget Rozinskie helped tailor and approve.
At a previous workshop session, Strausser said council and mayor discussed adding two part-time clerks at city hall in addition to the two already employed there. Since Kelly Seroskie and Michelle Quinn were working out so well, Strausser said it made sense to hire both as full time rather than bring in additional part-time employees.
Rozinskie - who cited a report that said Shamokin's finances are burdened by personnel costs and that the city should explore the use of part-time personnel - again voiced his concern that council made the decision without consulting him.
"This was planned," Rozinskie said.
Strausser vehemently denied the accusation, "No, it wasn't."
"What are we supposed to do, nothing while you're in Florida?" Strausser asked.
Milbrand went further by stating that the mayor approved by telephone the hiring of a full-time police clerk that was also done without advertising at the same Feb. 1 special meeting.
"I most certainly did, on an emergency basis," Rozinskie replied and subsequently spoke over Milbrand, telling him he was "out of order," one of several times he did so.
"No he is not," Rhoades replied. "We all have one vote here," Strausser added.
According to Rozinskie, before being hired full-time, Seroskie was earning $8.25 an hour at 20 hours a week, which amounts to $8,580 annually, and without benefits. Quinn, too, worked at a similar wage and was without benefits because she was a temporary office employee.
Upon being switched to full-time, both received health benefits, and the combined salary and benefits for both now totals $58,589.94 annually, according to Rozinskie. If they are eligible for additional benefits of dental, life and vision insurance, the total cost would rise an additional estimated $1,900, he said.
"She was a temp. Why did we not advertise?" Rozinskie asked. He then turned to Milbrand, "You're a wise little guy, aren't you? I don't join your cliques, Billy."
Milbrand laughed, replying, "I don't have any cliques."
"There should be no personal attacks," Strausser said sternly to Rozinskie.
Furniture purchases
Near the meeting's end, Rozinskie questioned a pair of furniture purchases totaling more than $750. The office furniture was acquired for the new code enforcement office along with a storage cabinet for the clerk's office.
"I approved them. I did," Milbrand said.
"Why? Craig is the director of public safety," Rozinskie replied.
"As the director of public buildings, I made the decision," Milbrand said.
Rozinskie chortled a bit as he addressed Milbrand. "You can make some deals," the mayor told him.
Rozinskie was among those who voted in favor of moving the treasurer's office to city hall's neighboring building, making room inside city hall for the code officer.
After questioning Snyder on a $507 bill for maintenance of a street department vehicle, Rozinskie said, "I know, Mr. Pain In The Ass is back."