Yesterday, I read an article in the Star-Ledger (stay with me) about a new hire NJ Transit announced. The new recruitment brings Governor Christie’s former spokesman, Michael Drewniak to work as Safety Director for NJ Transit. And this is where things get interesting.
Drewniak admittedly has no experience in the transit industry. However, he was quoted as saying, “I’ve always been fascinated by the movement of goods, services, and transit.” So there’s that… But what struck me most was the tone of the rest of his and NJ Transit Executive Director, Veronique Hakim’s comments.
The position – which did not exist before and was not advertised – will pay Drewniak $147,400 compared to his previous salary of $134,000 as the governor’s chief spokesman. Normally I don’t think his previous salary would be relevant if it is from another company/organization/office, but in this case I think it does matter. He’s not only not particularly the best candidate for the job, but no other candidates were considered. And he’s admittedly not qualified!
Then there is Executive Director Hakim’s comment that his salary “is not going to have an impact on the operating budget. ”
“Why?” you ask…
“We’ve consolidated vacancies and the salary will come from unfilled positions.” Wait, what?? Consolidated vacancies? Unfilled positions?
Here’s how that reads to me:
Not only was Drewniak swiftly ushered into a non-existent six-figure management position that he is inexperienced in, it also came at the expense of offloading responsibilities onto other employees – likely without compensation, and erasing numerous job opportunities in order to pay one man more money than what he was getting paid in the previous position that he was actually qualified for!
Photo credit | Aaron VaDorn
