CLEARFIELD – On Thursday night a resident of Clearfield Borough expressed his displeasure at Clearfield Borough for what he perceived as discrimination.
The issue came up when resident Joe Kane asked Code Enforcement Officer Larry Mack if he received his Building Code Official Certification. Mack answered that he had recently taken the test and missed the certification by two questions.
Kane pointed out that council, in their advertisement for the position, council required that whoever was hired for the position obtain their BCO by April 9. Mack stated later in the meeting that a BCO is only required for construction permitting. He said it is not needed for zoning permits or to uphold codes.
Mack also said he will be taking the test again in the near future.
Kane also questioned council’s hiring and retention of Mack.
“You passed up a number of good candidates,” said Kane, who also stated that Clearfield Borough Council had resorted to “cronyism.”
Kane stated that Mack no longer qualified for the qualifications that the borough set forth.
“I think you discriminated against me,” said Kane. He threatened that council would be hearing from his attorney.
Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott said that none of the applicants for the position, including Kane, had their BCO when they applied. Stott also said that Middle Department Inspection currently takes care of issues that require a BCO. She said the service was provided at no cost to the borough.
Council member Susan Reed argued that anyone they hired out of their candidate pool would have had to have taken the test.
“We hired the best candidate we felt could do the job,” said Reed.
“I have total confidence in Larry Mack,” said council member Barry Redinger later in the meeting.
