Reading this story also gives people a reason to raise an evil eye to all the city workers out there making assumptions that they are "Children of COJ employees" who got the job before those that could be more qualified.

Sad, sad, sad.

Reading the story would go a long way toward writing coherent posts.

Oh yeah something else too....will the COJ then complain that kids don't have a good attitude? Will the teachers and parents say that the kids don't have any motivation.

Do ya think it is because Susie got the job because her mom works for the COJ and her mom doesn't? And now they have already learned that harsh lesson that it isn't what you know but you know?

Wouldn't it be nice if the council could lead by example and hire the way one should?

Seems to me a basic no brainer....it isn't really that hard....do the citizens COJ believe that anyone should get hired soley on the fact the fact that a parent/relative works for the city?

That IS the bottom line..right? How many business owners hire in-laws, kids of in-laws and all that? How many of YOU would be happy knowing you lost a job because the president of "X" company son's wife's kid needed a job?

How happy would you be if YOUR kid lost out on a job because nepitsom occured?

What does that teach the kids? If you are a "someone" you get a job easier and if you are NOT on that level.. sorry for your luck. Explain THAT one to your kids.
And what does it teach the kids that just get these jobs based on who their parents are?

Aren't we as adults suppose to instill morals and values to these kids. Umm.. something like.. go fill out an application..learn interviewing skills.. learn rejecting.. learn accepting a job with dignity and do the job well. Golly jeepers.. maybe what will happen is we get a fully mature capable adult when they learn all that... wow what a concept....

I don't care what company, who what or where. It is just flat out wrong to hire based on anything other than qualifications.

Gazettefan, Again, I have the right like anyone else here to speak my views and displeasure as to whats going on at city hall like anyone else here who has commented including you.

teeber, the problem is that one of your likes is to slam someone without basis; then when you are called into question for this you descend into vague unsubstantiated generalities. Character assassination is one of my dislikes.

Gazettefan, You should take a look at yourself as well! You seem to be here a lot as well as those of us who have a right like you do to speak our views here. So, Don't be too quick to judge others here. I have my likes and dislikes like you do and I have a dislike for people who abuse their power in city government.

Sheiffer isn't unpopular. There are a few maladjusted, unaccomplished losers in this area who deal with their personal frustrations by projecting that frustration onto Sheiffer. Briarmoon is their queen but be assured her following is small and cowardly and unwilling to stand by her side when she foists her psychotic rants at Sheiffer, other city employees, and even the council too, during council meetings twice a month. And there is something about blogging here that draws the area's worst malcontents and chronic complainers.

On Monday, for his twenty plus years of service as city manager, Sheiffer was commended unanimously by the council at his last council meeting. He has also won many other awards for his service as city manager here.

This matter of nepotism doesn't look good and I will respond to it shortly. Someone mentioned the nepotism that is institutionalized in Chicago. I reject that nepotism entirely.

teeber, was asked the other day to be specific about his rants against Sheiffer. He had nothing to offer.

Even if the worst version of the current story were true, it wouldn't erase Sheiffer's accomplishments in Janesville.

Any position involved in working for, maintaining, or managing the city’s daily operations should be hired strictly on the bases of qualifications and not family relation. Granted, using a family member as a reference is normal in a hiring process. However, it should not be an absolute when considering who gets the final nod. If we want the best and brightest working for the city or state, then it is important that everyone gets an equal opportunity at open job positions.

Trust me, From what I've heard, This isn't all that this man has done. I think the city council should ask for an investigation into all this.

I lived in southern Arizona for 10 years. We ran into this issue with Santa Cruz County. There were alot of family members working for the county and you run into alot of trouble with people not being qualified for their positions and alot of corruption. It may start with not being administrative or managerial, but can change down the road. If we allow this now, it can get worse. Our city government already doesn't listen to the citizens.

prinny68, EOE covers groups suffering discrimination, and would have no bearing on this situation. The correct terminology for civil service hiring and promotion is the merit system. But yes, what the heck? These professionals ought to have known better.
.
The merit system was only instituted in the U.S. government after a man expecting a "spoils system" (patronage) job shot President Garfield when he did not get it.
http://www.meritsystem.org/merit_system....

Gazettefan. I disagree. If it wasn't secretive it would be in the policy not a e-mail available exclusively to city employees. Also, if it wasn't secretive the supervisor wouldn't feel the need to record her conversations for protection and Sheiffer would have kept out of his niece's affairs. Next the city of Janesville is a government, a public entity, not a company and those jobs should be available to everyone and not cherry picked by city workers for their children, nieces, nephews and cousins.

I don't care what policies state, "preferential" treatment in hiring should NOT be allowed in any position, department, or official employement policy... Doesn't anyone see this as ridiculous!?! Is that not TOTALLY going against EOE(EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYEMENT) practices!?! What the heck!?!

so much for equal opportunity employment

It's time for everyone to wake up and start asking questions of your city council as to what is going on at city hall. Its not business as usual going on. Seems like a little house cleaning is in order.

The issue in question here does not include the harmful element of nepotism. Sheiffer used an opportunity to get the word out. The policy of allowing relatives to be hired doesn't preclude encouraging it. Actual nepotism tends to be secretive. And the kind of jobs in question don't seem to be administrative or managerial.

Re: the word "companies": the city of Janesville is a corporation and its managerial personal and counclmembers are not in place as a result of political affiliation.

That said, I will concede the point that a greater effort to make city job availability more public should be instituted.

Those jobs should be posted. It is totally nepotism and has no place in our city government. I figured these posts would be going crazy as well. The council needs to act on this and fast. Obviously it is nepotism if Sheiffer's niece is treated differently.

Am I the only one who finds this e-mail directive completely unfair? I can't believe there's not more discussion going on here.

So it sounds like Leslie Bentz and Sue Musick are the ones who came up with the policy to hire family first. The city policy says "family will be considered for employment" and the email says preferential treatment in hiring goes to city employee family first. Considered is different than prefered.

How many of their family members do or have worked for the city?