Letter to the Editor: In Yorktown, Blood is Thicker than Water

In today’s economy I'm always happy whenever someone is able to grab the elusive good paying job with benefits and a pension. I'm also pleased when family members take care of each other. Nevertheless, I'm disappointed concerning Yorktown’s pattern of hiring some of its employees. Apparently, in Yorktown it’s more important to be related to a Town Board member or well-connected Town Hall employees then to be a qualified candidate. A glance at Yorktown's employment pay-roll will show whose spouse held a cozy town hall job, and whose sons, daughters, or siblings have been hired for a great paying job over more qualified applicants. Your last name shouldn’t determine if you get a job.

I don’t know if it's illegal but I’m sure that it’s unethical. It’s unfair to stack the deck against other non-connected residents who want to seek jobs in Yorktown. Who's in favor of a system where jobs and raises are doled out on the basis of who your relatives are and not based on either your qualifications or job performance? The perception is that if you're not related to a Yorktown official you need not apply. If you’re just a “ good friend” to the Town Board don’t despair. Many high paying jobs are filled prior to the official job opening even being announced, and without interviewing other candidates. Nepotism and Cronyism at its worst. Let’s do what we can to stop Yorktown’s "good ol boy network" and start making Yorktown hire the most qualified.

Stephen Brown, Yorktown Heights