The current anti-nepotism clause in place for Galesburg City employees doesn’t look to be changing anytime soon.That decision to nix any changes came last night, after another lengthy discussion took place regarding the city’s relative hiring policy.
Currently, one relative or family member per department is the allotment, but some thought modifications should be made, specifically for police and fire departments.
City Council debated the issue for multiple meetings, after a citizen concern brought the issue to the forefront.
Last night, Seventh Ward Alderman Jeremy Karlin and Sixth Ward Alderman Wayne Allen both said the issue dealt with the bargained contract that the city and Galesburg Fire Union agreed to. Allen said he doesn’t think it should have been brought up at all.
“It should be a dispute that’s settled,” says Allen. “You know you can do a lot of things, you can re-open a contract, you can put it in the next contract, but it shouldn’t be a council matter to settle a dispute that the council should not be entering into.”
A 3-4 vote against any changes and a 3-3 vote with a “yes” abstention vote ultimately kept the policy in place. Aldermen also approved the $28,000 cost study associated with garnering interest to make the old National Guard Armory an event center and hotel.
Mayor John Pritchard said the study is “a good first step.”
