Fayette veterans affairs director steps down
Fayette County Veteran’s Affairs Director Donald Seroka is resigning his position after only about 14 months in the post, saying in his resignation letter that the annual salary is a “joke.” Seroka, hired in February 2006, unsuccessfully petitioned the county commissioners for a salary increase of about $3,450 late last year. He made $27,612 in 2006, according to information from Fayette County Human Resource Director Jim Moore. Last year, veteran’s affairs directors in Greene and Washington counties made $29,757 and $34,728, respectively.
Seroka’s last day will be Friday. In his May 9 resignation letter, Seroka said the last 14 months have been very satisfying, but no matter how rewarding it is to work with veterans, the position lacks drastically in other areas.
“I can only reiterate the opinions of my predecessors that the position is grossly under compensated. For an office that infuses over $20 million a year into the local economy, the financial compensation for the department head is a joke. It is one of the lowest paid county director positions in the state of Pennsylvania yet one of the top producing offices in the state,” Seroka wrote.
The Belle Vernon resident is leaving to take a job with Equitable Gas in Pittsburgh.
Seroka said it has been a learning experience, and he would like to think he has upgraded the office since taking over. He said taking over the veteran’s transportation from the county would save $60,000 a year. Seroka said Fayette County has one of the busiest veteran’s affairs offices in the state and it is “baffling” that the salary isn’t more. Also, Seroka said if the commissioners had a better understanding of the duties of the director they may see what an increase in pay is needed.
When Seroka was hired, he was the fourth person hired to fill the position in a little more than a year.
Although the U.S. Navy veteran has only been on the job about 14 months, in that time he has taken over the veteran’s transportation from the Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation and successfully lobbied for an additional employee for the office. Madonna Nicklow was promoted from a Secretary 3 position to a newly created veteran’s affairs representative position last year, and a clerk typist was hired.
Last October, the veteran’s affairs office entered into 60-month lease agreements for two vans. Two full-time drivers and four substitute drivers were hired later.
Commissioner Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink, who was against the proposal to turn the veteran transportation over to Seroka’s office, said she believes Seroka took on too much responsibility, which led to his departure. Zimmerlink also took Seroka to task for improperly handling the hiring of part-time van drivers, an issue later handled by the salary board. Zimmerlink said she has a clear understanding of the duties of the office, namely the director is supposed to assist veterans with paperwork. She said taking on the transportation added another “layer of responsibility” that was too much to take on.
Commissioners Joseph A. Hardy III and Vincent A. Vicites voted to switch the veteran’s transportation, while Zimmerlink voted against it. At the time, Zimmerlink said she was not in favor of the switch at the time because Seroka was relatively new to the position. She suggested revisiting the issue at a later date, but was outvoted.
Zimmerlink said no changes were made for the veteran’s office in 2004, when she and Hardy first took office, but in 2005, 2006 and 2007 there “have been changes for the betterment.”
Zimmerlink said the salary has been increased for the position, the office was relocated from the third floor of the courthouse to the public safety building and a new telephone system was purchased. Also, Zimmerlink said essentially two new positions were created and filled. Ironically, Zimmerlink she recently spoke with Seroka about obtaining updated software for the office.
Jeff Nobers, a spokesman for Hardy, said Hardy is committed to filling the position, especially because Hardy is himself a veteran.
Nobers said perhaps the salary should be analyzed before another director is hired.
“There may be some discussion (about the salary),” Nobers said.
He said Hardy and the other commissioners likely will be discussing the issue soon because the position is needed so the needs of the veterans in the county can be addressed.
Vicites did not return calls seeking comment.
Moore said because Seroka did not give much notice, and because of the 10-day posting requirements, the nonunion position likely will not be filled until mid- to late June. Additionally, Moore said Nicklow has been on leave for three weeks and likely will not return to work for another month. He said he would be speaking with the commissioners, who will determine a course of action that could include temporarily bringing in someone else to handle the duties.
Moore said there still would be an employee in the office, but not the normal staff. He said veterans will not go without service, but they may have to go to other veteran’s offices in neighboring counties to receive in-depth personal service.
“At least the office will be open,” Moore said. “But there will be some void in service until Madonna (Nicklow) returns and/or a new director is hired.”
Seroka urged veterans who have urgent needs to go to a neighboring county or the regional office in Pittsburgh for assistance until a replacement is hired.
He said although the official number of veterans in the county is listed at 14,700, it might be closer to 16,500.