Aldermen Debate Family Hiring Policy

Galesburg City Council Spring 2015A significant portion of last night’s Galesburg City Council Meeting was wrapped around personnel policy.

Aldermen expressed some support and some criticism in regard to whether or not family members should be allowed to work together in the same department.

The item was brought up, due to constituent concerns raised at past meetings that specifically called for changes to the policy within the fire department.

Prior to last night’s meeting, City Manager Todd Thompson had recommended that the policy not change.

First Ward Alderman Angela Bastian was one of three aldermen that voiced support to look into a revision.

“I would like to see the issue brought before the city council for a vote, in looking at a hiring policy change, specific to the fire department and potentially the police department,” says Bastian.

Sixth Ward Alderman Wayne Allen sees it differently, and sides with the current policy.

“I think we have a policy and I think we have attorney’s, city manager’s–people that negotiate these things,” says Allen. “We have a commission. Let’s let them do their job.”

The item was only labeled for discussion last night and no decision was made.

Thompson says he now intends to draft a proposal that would allow council to vote on whether or not to alter the policy for fire and police or for multiple city departments.

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