In my opinion, Debra Schnabel was not the “best” qualified borough manager candidate. The question is not about academic achievement, but documented experience!

Would you hire a surgeon to cut into you with only textbook training or because they supported certain causes?

Recently, Debra brought her Haines Chamber “clout” to the Young Road appeal, claiming her brother’s “rock quarry” development was a housing project that would provide jobs, which it is not and will not! Houses built in our neighborhood did not require material “removed,” as material was brought in, not out. This project benefits her brother’s bottom line but will disrupt our downtown business area with dump truck traffic and safety hazards. It raises the question of business ethics in support of family!

Combined, they own four commercial “rock pits” within seven miles of downtown.

Debra has worked hard on behalf of arts and nonprofit projects, but does that qualify her to manage 90 employees, our borough business and a multi-million-dollar budget?

Perhaps re-opening the job search would better serve our community, rather than rushing into another potentially expensive mistake? We invested over $100,000 (salary and benefits) in former manager Bill Seward, plus relocation expenses and now another $55,000 to settle his termination claim!

Perhaps our hiring process is seriously “flawed” as after five hires in 10 years and nearly a million dollars, we still are without an experienced manager. New hires require an expensive “learning period.”

Perhaps this is another assembly “flaw” as they hire and fire our managers!

Joe Poor