Crystal
03-04-2005, 10:32 AM
Six hires, none black or Hispanic, begin training for city department, still without a minority member
By MIKE GOODWIN, Staff writer
First published: Thursday, March 3, 2005
SCHENECTADY -- The Schenectady Fire Department, under fire for not hiring minorities, has hired six new firefighters. None of them are black or Hispanic, but one of them is the son of Fire Chief Robert Farstad.
Daniel Farstad, 25, and the other five recruits began training at the fire academy in Montour Falls in Schuyler County on Sunday and are expected to graduate on May 26.
City officials defended the hiring of the fire chief's son, which comes just days after Mayor Brian U. Stratton announced plans to aggressively recruit minorities for a fire department that has not employed a black in nearly 10 years. The current civil service list from which the recruits were hired included no minorities.
"He has every right to be hired as anybody else does," the chief said of his son.
Farstad said he recused himself from the hiring process. Police Chief Michael Geraci and Finance Commissioner John Paolino instead handled the younger Farstad's interview and recommended his hiring.
"It's not unusual for sons and daughters to follow mothers and fathers into careers in public service," said himself the son of the late U.S. Rep. Samuel Stratton. The mayor said he endorsed the younger Farstad's hiring.
But his comments are in marked contrast to criticism he heaped on the Police Department in January 2003 when the city hired Police Chief Michael Geraci's son to be a patrolman.
"I think it's an image problem," Stratton, then a Schenectady County legislator contemplating a run for mayor, said.
"The perception has got to be the rule, also. I think it raises a concern by its perception," he continued. "I don't want to cast aspersions on Chief Geraci, who is doing a fine job from everything I've seen. I'm saying it is not the best perception that his son and his son-in-law (Robert Dashnow) are members of the department he manages."
But on Wednesday, Stratton said the same complaints did not apply to the hiring of Farstad's son. The mayor said his complaints about the police hiring were sparked by public perception of a police department that had been the focus of an FBI investigation that led to the conviction of four officers on drug-related charges and the hiring of Geraci and now former Public Safety Commissioner Daniel Boyle to reorganize the department.
"If we had a scandal in the Fire Department it would be a totally different thing," Stratton said. "I don't see any reason in the reality of our circumstances why these individuals should be denied the opportunity to serve because of their heritage."
Geraci's son, Anthony, eventually went to work for the Albany Police Department.
Daniel Farstad is not the only new hire with family ties in the Fire Department. Jason Laviolette, 30; Darren Marino, 35; and 22-year-old Daniel Morgalis are all the sons of current or retired firefighters.
The other two recruits are Anthony Klouse, 26, and 22-year-old Steven Tifft.
Schenectady firefighters are paid an annual entry level salary of $26,222.
The city launched a minority recruitment drive last month after City Council member Joseph Allen complained that Schenectady had no black or Hispanic firefighters. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 12,764 blacks and Hispanics among the 61,821 people who live in Schenectady.
The city will host a recruitment meeting at Hamilton Hill's Carver Community Center on Craig Street on March 31. Mount Vernon Fire Chief Al Everett, who is black, is expected to attend the event, which city officials hope will draw minorities interested in joining the department.
By MIKE GOODWIN, Staff writer
First published: Thursday, March 3, 2005
SCHENECTADY -- The Schenectady Fire Department, under fire for not hiring minorities, has hired six new firefighters. None of them are black or Hispanic, but one of them is the son of Fire Chief Robert Farstad.
Daniel Farstad, 25, and the other five recruits began training at the fire academy in Montour Falls in Schuyler County on Sunday and are expected to graduate on May 26.
City officials defended the hiring of the fire chief's son, which comes just days after Mayor Brian U. Stratton announced plans to aggressively recruit minorities for a fire department that has not employed a black in nearly 10 years. The current civil service list from which the recruits were hired included no minorities.
"He has every right to be hired as anybody else does," the chief said of his son.
Farstad said he recused himself from the hiring process. Police Chief Michael Geraci and Finance Commissioner John Paolino instead handled the younger Farstad's interview and recommended his hiring.
"It's not unusual for sons and daughters to follow mothers and fathers into careers in public service," said himself the son of the late U.S. Rep. Samuel Stratton. The mayor said he endorsed the younger Farstad's hiring.
But his comments are in marked contrast to criticism he heaped on the Police Department in January 2003 when the city hired Police Chief Michael Geraci's son to be a patrolman.
"I think it's an image problem," Stratton, then a Schenectady County legislator contemplating a run for mayor, said.
"The perception has got to be the rule, also. I think it raises a concern by its perception," he continued. "I don't want to cast aspersions on Chief Geraci, who is doing a fine job from everything I've seen. I'm saying it is not the best perception that his son and his son-in-law (Robert Dashnow) are members of the department he manages."
But on Wednesday, Stratton said the same complaints did not apply to the hiring of Farstad's son. The mayor said his complaints about the police hiring were sparked by public perception of a police department that had been the focus of an FBI investigation that led to the conviction of four officers on drug-related charges and the hiring of Geraci and now former Public Safety Commissioner Daniel Boyle to reorganize the department.
"If we had a scandal in the Fire Department it would be a totally different thing," Stratton said. "I don't see any reason in the reality of our circumstances why these individuals should be denied the opportunity to serve because of their heritage."
Geraci's son, Anthony, eventually went to work for the Albany Police Department.
Daniel Farstad is not the only new hire with family ties in the Fire Department. Jason Laviolette, 30; Darren Marino, 35; and 22-year-old Daniel Morgalis are all the sons of current or retired firefighters.
The other two recruits are Anthony Klouse, 26, and 22-year-old Steven Tifft.
Schenectady firefighters are paid an annual entry level salary of $26,222.
The city launched a minority recruitment drive last month after City Council member Joseph Allen complained that Schenectady had no black or Hispanic firefighters. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 12,764 blacks and Hispanics among the 61,821 people who live in Schenectady.
The city will host a recruitment meeting at Hamilton Hill's Carver Community Center on Craig Street on March 31. Mount Vernon Fire Chief Al Everett, who is black, is expected to attend the event, which city officials hope will draw minorities interested in joining the department.