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:: Wednesday, May 26, 2004 ::

Team 4 Investigates Turnpike Hiring By Jim Parsons, ThePittsburghChannel
While you might be pondering why a highway needs a staff of full-time plumbers on the payroll, there's something else you should know. The man who decided to hire Schauer is also his first cousin -- Joe Brimmeier, executive director of the turnpike commission.

Parsons: 'Can you explain why you hired your cousin?'

Brimmeier: 'I hired my cousin because he's the most qualified individual. He's a master plumber, a journeyman plumber out of the union. He's a certified nuclear welder.'

While most state government agencies forbid managers and executives from hiring relatives regardless of their qualifications, the turnpike commission does not.

Parsons: 'You have not backed off your position that you stated to me last fall, that you have no problem hiring people you know, even relatives of yours?'

Brimmeier: 'I have no problem doing that. My entire family is in the trades. I have carpenters, electricians, plumbers, steamfitters, sheetmetal workers. If I could hire every one of them, I would.'

posted 6:30 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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