>>>>> "TONY" == TONY SCALLON <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
TONY> I am fascinated by the responses by Robert Goldman and Liz
TONY> Wielinski. First, I have read the resumes. I do not see
TONY> that either candidate has a Masters Degree in the public
TONY> resumes. Maybe I missed something.
Please recall that I stated that I had not investigated this matter
deeply; only that I was interested to hear the opinions of others on
the process. I took your earlier email as a motion to table the topic
until the process was over. I apologize if I misinterpreted.
I have never claimed to be an expert on this subject!
[...snip...]
TONY> I am surprised by the number of candidates that have
TONY> withdrawn. Liz, one of the problems to attracting good
TONY> candidates is the continued rancor both by the Commissioners
TONY> and by "interested citizens." I do not think having a
TONY> Commissioner vote against the three finalists is productive.
TONY> The differences between Commissioner Dziedzic and Mason
TONY> should not be a part of this Park Superintendent selection
TONY> process. Yes I believe the process can work to a reasonable
TONY> conclusion. I believe most of the rancor is actually
TONY> counterproductive.
I agree that rancor is likely to be counterproductive.
I am afraid that there is another explanation for the large number of
candidate withdrawals. This is not directly from experience with
public official hiring, but from experience with hiring in
universities.
There may be adverse consequences to a candidate who is in already a
senior position in some other administration (e.g., a parks
superintendent in another city). So they won't want to take the risk
of applying for a position if they think there isn't a good chance of
getting the position.
If there's a favorite son candidate like Gurban in a process, it can
be very discouraging to outsiders, and they may pull their
applications for that reason. It's a rational thing to do in the
circumstances. You may fear that you don't have a chance against the
internal candidate, or you may fear that your candidacy is not really
being considered: that the outside candidates are just
window-dressing, and the result is a foregone conclusion.
The number of drop-outs is a sign that the external candidates, at
least, don't have faith in our process. Maybe this should be a
wake-up call.
--
Robert P. Goldman
ECCO
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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