NEWBURGH – The issue of a police chief civil service test in Newburgh has brought to light how the city’s commission operates. Mayor Judy Kennedy raised a number of questions about its transparency including if meetings are held on a regular schedule, if public notices are given and if minutes are taken.
That resulted in Councilwoman Cindy Holmes, who served on the commission for four years, to accuse the mayor of wanting to abolish the commission because she wanted to retain acting Police Chief Daniel Cameron and he refused to take an open competitive exam, which is what the commission offered.
Regina Angelo, the senior member on the city council, had a simple solution to the issue – bring in civil service Administrator Michelle Mills for public discussion.
“The mayor had good questions,” Angelo said. “Why can’t we have her come in and meet with the council? We can ask the questions. She can tell us the whole format of what she does.” Other council members want the full three-person commission to come before the city council.
A related issue of hiring a city human resources officer was also raised at Thursday night’s council workshop session. Money is budgeted for a part-time HR person and Councilman Torrance Harvey said the position should be advertised for ASAP.
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