Agency admits prejudicial hiring practices

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Erie County Water Authority is defending its hiring of two politically connected people, saying they are qualified for their jobs. At the same time, officials aren't denying such connections can make a difference in who gets hired.

The Water Authority has been around since 1949, created to provide a safe and abundant water supply for Erie County. But for years critics have said the authority is tied to political patronage.

Now, in moment of candor, it's chairman and vice chairman are not hiding the fact that recommendations by friends and political contacts can go a long way when provisional positions need to be filled.

Vice chair Earl Jann said, "People do get to know each other through various means, and inquiries are made: "Are you guys going to have any openings coming up? What areas are they in?""

News 4 asked Jann directly, "You can’t deny that having the connections they have helped?"

His response: "I won’t deny that, we've got to be honest with you."

That's what happened, they say, when Robb Poloncarz, the brother of Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, and a former chef at Wegmans, was hired for $55,000 as a contract monitor. And Amy Garcia, the future sister-in-law of Erie County Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy, was hired at the same salary as confidential secretary to Water Authority Executive Director Robert Mendez.

The two men who chair the Water Authority argue both new hires are qualified.

Chairman Frank Warthling said, "People say, "Well he's just a chef." No, he did other things before he became a chef, too. So he worked for a big corporation before he worked at Wegmans."

Amy Garcia's credentials, they say, makes her more than qualified.

"Now she had a four-year degree, plus a lot of experience, and she's in a secretarial position. So she was overqualified for that position," Jann argued.

But the open admission that friends and political connections can make a difference in hiring doesn't surprise one man who has worked hard to try and get all the state's authorities abolished.

Jim Ostrowski of Free New York said, "I appreciate their honesty, but it's probably the result of the fact that they know that there's nothing the average person can do about it."

Both Robb Poloncarz and Amy Garcia will have to take Civil Service exams and finish among the top three to continue working in their jobs with the Water Authority. Erie County Personnel Commissioner John Greenan told News 4 he has asked the state to set a date for the exams.

Neither of the jobs were posted publicly prior to the hiring of Poloncarz and Garcia.