FRANKSMITHSAYSNB
EDITORIAL:
In March of 2014, Alderman
Lou Salvio filed a Civil Service complaint against Alderwoman and then Majority
Leader of the Common Council, Suzanne Bielinski alleging that Bielinski
spearheaded a plot to create a Classified Service position for her niece by marriage, Jessica
Gerratana. In doing so Salvio alleges that Bielinski, sister of State Senator
Terry Gerratana violated Section 4-9 of the City Charter, several sections of
the Code of Ordinances ( Section on Administration) and the Rules of the New
Britain Civil Service Department ( Merit Rules).
It took a little over 7
months after the filing of the complaint for the Civil Service Commission (CSC)
to hold its final meeting and render a decision on October 6, 2014.
Five unpaid volunteer
electors of the City from both major parties comprise the CSC. They give
willingly of their time without fanfare in helping the City. All this not withstanding
and after spending hours during those 7 months poring over evidentiary materials,
lawyers for Bielinski and Gerratana as well as Gerratana and Bielinski
themselves took turns making summation statements
that in my opinion, did little else other than to vilify the CSC, Civil Service
Rules, Lou Salvio , witnesses and insisted that the entire process was
politically motivated. In one of her comments, Bielinski insinuated that one
witness tried to curry favor with the current Mayor Stewart by sending her a
flower arrangement after she was elected Mayor. Lawyers especially should act
professionally and refrain from disparaging comments. As two of the lawyers walked
out of the hearing they were heard to say that the entire process and these
hearings amounted to “ A JOKE!” HOW DO
YOU FEEL IF YOU ARE A COMMISSIONER AND HAD TO HEAR THAT? It amounts to buffoonery
from two members of the Connecticut Bar !
The readers of this article
must realize this whole debacle took place while Tim O’Brien was Mayor and
while there were 13 Democrats on the Council. It is in my opinion a clear case of nepotism revealed.The
current CSC was not involved nor were the current Mayor, any of her staff,
Alderman Salvio or the Corporation Council.
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