Friday, May 2, 2014

Taking 'Politics' out of the Edison PD' - nice metaphoric visual, but come on now!?!

I just saw O.1865-2014 up on the town's website here. An ordinance amending the hiring and promotional process in the Police Division. Apparently, this is up for vote on May 14, 2014.

Also, see the coverage in the local papers here and here with all the local politicians quotes to boot. I'll skip all the usual comments when Senor Karabinchak and other local pols offer their spin of their work and get right to the matter.

First, let me say, I think it's great that everyone is talking over there on Municipal Blvd. and looking for ways to resolve their differences - that's always better than not.

Having said that, it's just a tad bit hard to buy into this ordinance because, under our current structure, you'll never be able to remove 'politics' from Edison's political environment - especially one that the Local Dems have dominated and controlled for years. A party that over the past years sought contributions from the unions and eventually turned power over to them with their policies and contracts.

Now, the same party is going to fix it? Geez, I truly hope they do but just don't see it in this ordinance.

The Local Dem pols still control who gets hired and promoted with their 'Rule of 5' and poorly described 'Clean Record' wording - outside testing, no talking to each other Command Staff evaluations and double-secret sealed envelopes aside.

Maybe I'm wrong but, you see, the ability to grant favors is still there. As someone much smarter than me once said, 'You can's sell power you don't have and you can't buy what is not available.'

Until an environment exists where there are no free rides, this ordinance get things the wrong way around - substitutes a visual image for reasoned change.

Anyhoo, not enough in this ordinance for me to think that things are really going to change that much here in Downtown Edison. But hey, it's a nice thought though - people actually getting hired and promoted based on their qualifications, talents & abilities here in Downtown Edison.

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