CLEARFIELD – Social media rumors and public opinion surrounding a recently-created IT position were addressed at Tuesday’s Clearfield County Salary Board meeting.
During a special meeting Sept. 26, the board voted to create the positions of interim IT director and temporary, part-time IT assistant. Commissioner Dave Glass recused himself from both votes.
Commissioner John Sobel, board chairman, said Tuesday he wanted to make it very clear that the latter position wasn’t being created for Glass’ son who’s currently interning in the county’s IT Department.
“He was never under consideration for that position, and is not going to be nominated by the board,” said Sobel, saying the purpose for the position creations was to prepare for the IT director’s impending leave of absence.
The matter was also addressed by Glass during the public comment of Tuesday’s board of commissioners’ meeting. Tony Yankevich of Clearfield on Sept. 26 accused Glass of nepotism.
“Nepotism is the unfair use of power in order to get a job or other benefits for your family or friends, said Glass, “and the only power I exercised was barring him from ever applying for months.
“I predicted a bully with an axe to grind would use his employment as a political weapon.” After six months with no applications, Glass said his son decided to “apply anyway.”
“I immediately informed my fellow commissioners and recused myself. I didn’t want anything to do with it. I didn’t want to sit in on any interviews. I didn’t want to know anything.
“They hired him, not me. They set his rate, not me. I have no supervisory duties—whatsoever.” Glass said he recused himself last week because he has no knowledge of the matter.
It was noted the county didn’t fill the positions—only gave approval for their creation and rate in order to have a staffing structure in place for when the current director begins her leave.
“And, you’re taking shots at me but really you’re hitting him,” Glass said, adding it makes his son feel as though he didn’t earn his position and like he’s done something wrong.
“I find that shameful.”
Glass said he’s spoken with quite a few county employees and on all accounts, his son is doing a good job. “He could be back in DuBois making a lot more than $11/hour and burning a hell of a lot less fuel.
“But he’s here because he likes the work and enjoys his coworkers. No more, no less .. so for the record, I want to say I’m proud of my son. We should be rooting for our young adults, … giving back to their community.”
In closing Glass took a quote from another shameful accusation from 69 years ago: “Have you no decency, sir? At long last.”
Afterwards, Yankevich asked why Glass got to give a 10-minute speech while he had a time limit and Joseph Marino, also of Clearfield, continuously demanded to know why Glass recused himself.
Sobel advised both men they were more than welcome to stay, but if they continued to speak out of turn and disrupt the meeting, he would have them escorted out by security.
Marino commented that he was having a difficult time keeping track of who was and wasn’t allowed to talk. Sobel said everyone had their turn to speak and the conversation was over.
Marino continued to demand answers as to why Glass recused himself, calling the commissioners “liars” as he headed out of the commissioners’ conference room.
When the meeting resumed, Commissioner Mary Tatum said she hasn’t been in office for a year but has never had any reason to question the ethics of her fellow commissioners.
“Mr. Glass recused himself because he doesn’t get involved with anything related to our IT Department,” Tatum said. “He recused himself because why would you vote on something you have no knowledge of. You wouldn’t.
“He’s above reproach.”