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It’s Who You Know

dcogcadmin | August 11, 2009

This Washington Post story surveys the scene of government hiring in the District, finding that patronage still plays a role in many hiring decisions.  The article points out that the current administration of Mayor Adrien M. Fenty has taken action to clean up the process, though even so there have been occasional missteps.  Council member David A.

This Washington Post story surveys the scene of government hiring in the District, finding that patronage still plays a role in many hiring decisions.  The article points out that the current administration of Mayor Adrien M. Fenty has taken action to clean up the process, though even so there have been occasional missteps.  Council member David A. Catania, while noting that he himself had never hired or recommended a friend for hiring, acknowledged that "There’s no such thing as an entirely clean government." There is a perception among some residents of the District that city hiring decisions are often based on who you know, but Mary Boyle, a spokesperson for the reform-minded non-profit Common Cause observed that "People should expect their government to bring in the most qualified. When people get cynical, that leads to them not participating."