Fayette commissioners poised to fill several county posts
A Uniontown architect who was in the center of a Fayette County hiring controversy a few months ago likely will be hired for a county post in the tax assessment office when commissioners meet next week.
Ernest Walters is one of two candidates recommended by Dominick Carnicella, county human resource director through Felice Associates of Greensburg, to fill two vacancies within the tax assessment office, according to the discussion held by commissioners on Tuesday during the agenda meeting.
The second candidate vying for a position is Sam Murphy, a current county building and grounds department maintenance worker.
Earlier this year, officials said Walters was the top candidate for a similar post, but was replaced on the commissioner’s agenda just minutes before the officials were to take action to fill the position.
Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink, who initially voted to hire current Uniontown Councilman Jared Billy as a county tax assessor at the recommendation of the human resource director, later rescinded her support after learning that Billy had not conformed to the county’s hiring practices.
The hiring remain intact as Billy had also received support from Commissioners Al Ambrosini and Vincent Zapotosky.
Since, Zimmerlink has been diligent in questioning Carnicella about every hire, including the number of internal and external applicants for the positions; the people taking part in the interview process and if the successful candidate was the recommended choice of the department director.
“All county hires are to be based on qualifications, and for me there is no room for nepotism, politics and the like,” said Zimmerlink following the meeting. “I was given a lot of double talk and told untrue statements resulting in a decrease in the trust level so I have to now go further with my inquiries.”
According to the discussion on Tuesday, Murphy was the lone internal candidate with “a few others” submitting applications, said Carnicella.
If hired, Murphy will receive an annual salary of $26,871 while Walters’ salary will be set at $25,506. Carnicella said that Murphy’s salary is somewhat higher because of his longevity with the county.
In other human resource matters, the commissioners are also poised to take action in the following matters when the board meets July 15:
n Re-hire Brittany Liptak as a Children and Youth Services caseworker at an annual salary of $32,538.
n Promote 911 dispatcher trainees Jennifer Harvey, Erica Glover and Clinton Riggen to full time positions at an annual salary of $26,603 and Elizabeth D’Auria to a part time position at an hourly salary of $12.79.
n Ratify the promotion bid of Marjorie Stefanini from tax claim office accounts clerk I to clerk III at a salary of $22,230 and lateral transfer of Raylene Ferlin from veteran affairs office service clerk to tax claim office accounts clerk I.