County hirings receive approval
An attempt by Fayette County Commission Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink to postpone hiring directors for two separate county departments failed Monday when her fellow commissioners approved the two actions. Although Zimmerlink made separate motions to table hiring directors for the Fayette County Office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development and Tax Claim director, she did not receive a second for either motion.
Instead, commissioners Vincent A. Vicites and Joseph A. Hardy III voted separately to hire Sara Roziek as planning director and Sarah Thomas as the director of the tax claim office.
Roziek was hired at an annual salary of $33,267 and Thomas was hired at an annual salary of $26,286. Roziek has a master’s degree in regional planning and Thomas was working as an account clerk 1 in the tax claim office.
Vicites said Roziek is a Fayette County resident and is highly educated and determined to gain experience. He also said Thomas is college educated and customer friendly and is a good choice for heading the office.
Zimmerlink voted no for both hires, but said she was doing so only because she felt the commissioners should have waited until the new board takes office.
On Friday, commissioner-elect Vincent Zapotosky will join Zimmerlink and Vicites. Hardy opted not to seek a second term in office.
Zimmerlink said prior to the votes that she wanted to table the hiring, adding that Zapotosky also wanted the action tabled.
When contacted later, Zapotosky said he was in favor of the commissioners tabling the action, so he could take part in the hiring after taking office.
Vicites said he was against waiting, adding that several other hires were on the agenda and approved. He said it has been two months since former planning director Tammy Stenson left.
“I think we need to move forward,” Vicites said. He added that a planning commission meeting will be held this month, and a new director is needed.
Zimmerlink said Stenson would likely be at the planning meeting whether a new director was hired or not because of a contract the county has with her new employer, McMillen Engineering.
Zimmerlink added that a week would not really have been that long to wait. The commissioners reorganization meeting is on Jan. 7.
During public comment, Geraldine “Jerrie” and Ralph Mazza separately expressed disappointment that the commissioners voted to hire the new department heads without waiting for Zapotosky to take office.
Ralph Mazza said he has listened for 12 years to Vicites making ludicrous statements justifying votes and Monday was no different. Ralph Mazza said he is disappointed in Hardy that he didn’t let Zapotosky have a say on someone he will be working with for the next four years.
Vicites said all the commissioners and Zapotosky were invited to the interviews. He added that Stenson left six weeks ago.
“There was no politics involved whatsoever. I’m not going to apologize for doing my job,” Vicites said.
In another item, the commissioners voted 2-1 to hire Reed Smith Associates of Pittsburgh pro bono to handle the appeal of a zoning hearing board decision to overturn the issuance of citations.
The appeal, filed by the county last week, involves cases against Marilyn and James Cellurale and Joseph Cellurale Jr.
Zimmerlink said the law firm sent a letter to the county volunteering their services. Zimmerlink and Hardy voted in favor of the motion to retain the firm while Vicites voted against it.
Hardy did not offer any comment during the discussions.