cro·ny·ism [kroh-nee-iz-uh?m] n. – Favoritism shown to old friends without regard for their qualifications, as in political appointments to office. When does it stop? The recent hiring of Peter Miller for the community development directors’ position is another example of cronyism gone wild in Westfield. This writer knows for certain that there was at least one candidate better qualified, in terms of education and experience for the position – Master’s Degree in appropriate field plus actual municipal community development experience in comparable communities, not to mention extensive volunteer activity in the city. I mean Mayor “Not The Senator” Knapik, Peter Miller’s New Knapik, chooses not to reappoint Larry Smith yet he does not fill the vacancy in a timely manner, Mr. Miller left his city council position in May (before his term had concluded), when the CD job is finally advertised different advertisements were used in different venues and it’s advertised in Planning circles not community development circles (what is up with your personnel department not using the same advertisement?)… kind of reminiscent of Jeff “No Real Advancement Experience” Daley and Diana “No Real Grant Experience” McLean? “I’m concerned about the perception of the public of whom people know and who gets jobs,” Flaherty said. “In this case it’s a wonderful solution and a home run for the city, but we should all be cautious of the perception of who gets these jobs.” – Mass Live January 03, 2013 re: Peter Miller. “I have a problem with the process,” said Flaherty, who added he did not think a fair and open search was conducted before filling the new position. – Mass Live July 07, 2010 re: Jeff Daley. Thank you Mr. Flaherty. Peter Miller left his city council position knowing that the CD job was being held for him. I have no problem with Mr. Miller but I am ashamed that you and the mayor had no intention of hiring the most qualified candidate in an open and fair hiring process.
