When the urge to "flame" strikes, we recommend Bikram
The Chronicle's Editorial LiveJournalists were predictably worked up today over the Beda Kent story:
When a female firefighter has to take a civil service test 12 hours after giving birth or postpone for years her chance for promotion, something is seriously amiss. In this case, it is a Texas law that arbitrarily requires all firefighters seeking promotion to take the test at the same time and the same place.
There is a valid intention for the requirement. A Houston Fire Department spokesman said 486 firefighters took the test. Theoretically, each had exactly the same time to receive and study the required texts before taking the test.
The theory, however, rarely holds in practice.
Taking the first two bolded excerpts -- if the law arbitrarily establishes stringent rules for civil-service exams, then isn't it contradictory to suggest there's a valid intention behind the law? Why yes -- yes it is. And the third bolded excerpt is simply an assertion that the Editorial LiveJournalists presented as fact, when in reality their "evidence" is unconvincing.
The story was reported by KTRK three days ago. One would have thought that would be enough time for most newspapers to put together a coherent editorial. But, most newspapers do not have the Chronicle's Editorial LiveJournalists. Indeed, the Chronicle has produced quite a bit of opinion on this matter that is heavy on emotion and outrage, and decidedly short on right reason.
But, some good came of one Chronicle editor having one of her occasional blog meltdowns. This comment left in response makes a great deal of sense:
As usual, the Chronicle has not given the public all of the facts. Don't know if it's due to space limits or incompetence.
The promotional system is dictated by the Civil Service Commission, State Law. It works like this. The commission announce a test date and a list of study material. A firefighter that is eligible for the exam must sign up in a specified time period and purchase the study material. When the test date arrives, everyone takes the test at the same time and place. When you finish, they grade it right then. When all have finished or the time is up for the test, then there is a review period for any challanges to questions. Then the list is certified.
Now the promotions begin. For this exam, there are 48 current openings. That means the top 48 will be promoted right away. The list will stay active for 2 years from the date of exam. Any other openings that come about due to retirements, resignations or promotion of a higher rank; will allow the next on the list to be promoted. When the list is exhausted or expires due to the 2 year rule (usually the case). Then the Fire Chief informs the Civil Service Commission and the process starts all over again.
There is usually a 3-4 month time period before the next test is given. This time it was longer due to contract negociations from our year long effort to negociate a collective bargaining agreement with the City of Houston. The Fire Chief did not want to give promotional exams if there was a posibillity of the department changing from 4 shifts to 3 shifts, there by reducing the numbers of personnel needed at each rank.
These are the rules and we live by them. In June of 2003, we took the Sr. Captain's exam and one of the Captains that took had a heart attack about 3 weeks before the exam. He tried to get the test delayed. Didn't happen. He went and took the test. He did not fare as well as Kent and was not promoted. By the way, he is the president of the Black Professional Firefighters union. Still no dice.
I agree with Laurence from Charlotte, commend Kent for the fine display of committment and addaptation. I also think she will make a fine officer.
If state law needs to be changed, then so be it. Make it fair for exceptions. But where do you draw the line. What if I break my arm and can't write, what if I've got the flu, what if my mother just died, what if my child is having chemo treatments. Where do you draw the line?
Posted by: Tim at January 13, 2006 08:43 AM
That's about the smartest, most reasonable thing I've seen written about this.
My final thoughts are going to echo Chris Baker on Friday -- Good for this woman for getting up and doing what she thought she needed to do. THAT is a great story. Bully for her! Why can't we just leave it at that? Why must it be elevated to a CAUSE? And why must one Chronicle editor call Anne Linehan names for not sharing her outrage?
For those who still want to pound the keyboard and be outraged no matter what, we suggest deep breathing. And Bikram Yoga. Some blogHOUSTONians tell me it's helpful.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/14/06 10:59 PM | Print |
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