3 In Running For #2 Fire Post

As the test clearly points out, the most qualified and knowledgable candidate finished yet again at the top of the list. He's proven he's a competent leader at large-scale incidents, and understands operations and the inner-working of the New Haven Fire Department better than anyone else on the department. At this time, the department needs a leader like Marcarelli to move it out of the 70' and into the modern era. He may be the only one of the 3 that can and will work cohesively with the Chief and the rank and file. Good luck Matt!

Marcarelli is consistently a top scorer and he has a proven track record. He is indisputably the best guy for the job, like him or not, this is undeniable. There is no better person to serve as the Chief's co-pilot. His love for the department is evident in everything he's been involved in. This position is one that requires operational knowhow above all else and anyone from any city agency that has had to deal with him to problem solve knows exactly what I'm talking about. This guy has served in virtually every role in the department from paramedic to training officer. This is good news.

The article says that Vargas testified against Sotomoyar. The link to this articles says this:

"She said Vargas' actions have "gone against" the "entire Hispanic community."

Why would he oppose the first latina, this is concerning?

The NHFD has so many problems, so many competing factions within the department. This Marcarelli has been consistent wherever he's been assigned always seeing things to a successful conclusion, so many times we see leaders get frustrated and give-up, this will be a breath of fresh air. My friends on the inside tell me there is not another person on the job with the operational knowledge this guys has. There is no doubt that he will do an excellent job. This is a shot in the arm that the NHFD so desperately needs. Wright could pick no better man to help him with leading this department. Congrats Chief!

Congratulations to all four who passed the exam. Each has shown to be very capable of commanding a scene. All have shown there commitment to the city time and time again. Keep up the good work. Especially proud of my brother Ben. Keep your head up. Love you Bro!

The rule of three has not been used in a long time. It was put in so politics could be utilized to trump civil service test outcomes that did not suit the city. In another era, that may have been business as usual, but today the courts will be used to decide issues that would not have been challenged in past years. The city fathers want to promote a Hispanic for political reasons. Here we go again with a costly lawsuit which will cost the taxpayers money. Marcarelli scored the highest, earned the job and can do the job well. End the drama.

Chief Marcarelli is the top scorer and has essentially topped every test he's ever taken(I believe he was 2 on Lt's test)he has not only the knowledge to be assigned Operations Chief, he has the top score, doesn't that make it simple for the Chief? The 3 men in this article were very much the ones who were 3 of the top voices and names of the NH20 Discrimination case that went all the way to the US Supreme Court, one of which will go down in the US Law books as it's namesake. These 20 men fought for 5 years because they felt the officers should be promoted based on their merit and not on the color of their skin. I heard battle cries that included words such as Fairness, Merit, Integrety, Transparency. Now look at the 3 who topped this list. Ben and Frank in no way should you ever, for a moment should you now think it would be fair to now promote other then the top scorer and should be ashamed if you now feel any different now you are 2 and 3 respectively. Fair is Fair all the time not only when it conveniences you. Think about taking you names out of contention to prove your integrity.

A commitment to the city? Lets not forget that BC Matt Marcarelli retired from the New Haven Fire Department to take a job as chief of Wilton, CT. So much for commitment. The sad fact is Marcarelli has made this a two horse race with his inability to treat people with respect. And Peter99 the charter states that the city can use the rule of three. Maybe an end to the good ol boy network isn't such a bad idea.

The last two Assistant Chief of Operations were promoted to the position because they were number one on the Civil Service Exam. Michael Grant and Ralph Black both performed their duties professionally when they were elevated to that position. They knew the job inside and out and received the respect from the rank and file who knew that matters would be under control under their leadership. Regarding the current promotion Sherlock Holmes would say "It's elementary Watson"!

It shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone that Marcarelli would top this list. It would be kind of hard to find anyone as intimately familiar with department workings. Some would have given him a run for his money but opted out of the competition.

Matt's family comes first. He left to give them a better life and was torn about it. When he would not compromise integrity, and was afforded the benefit of the civil service reinstatement rule, he took advantage of it. That decision is up to the department head who was happy to have him back. Something other former members were not as fortunate to say. In the NHPD this has happened many times.

This is not a measure of his commitment. Chief Marcarelli is one of the first people to admit he's not perfect, but as far as I am concerned and many other guys are, this choice is easy........there is no choice. All good men, but this is is not a popularity contest, and everyone knows it.

Have to laugh in your face Peter99. End of the "good ole boy" network? I believe everyone of these candidates is "hooked up" in some way shape or form, so maybe you should be clear, and say "end having a white guy as Assistant Chief,"oh wait a minute, there hasn't been a white Assistant Chief for over a decade. And good ole boy network. I believe that went out with Grant, and the continuous retirement of his cronies over the last several years. So there really is no "good ole boy" network on the NHFD anymore. There is however groups of every race/ethnicity that continue to have political influences like alderman, the Mayor, and others, who inject and force their opinion into decision-making within the NHFD. So having Marcarelli become the ACO, is not a continuation of the good ole boy network, anymore than it would be if Vargas or Ricci became the ACO. If you are on the job, you already know this, so quit propagandizing things with lies and factually untrue commentary.

I like Tommy Neville's approach. I guess that comes from being born and raised, and growing up in New Haven. Thanks Tommy.

Just for the record - two members of the NHFD department who retired in the past have come back to become "Chief of Department".

Under normal circumstances promotions within the department have been "matter-of-fact." To have a thorough understanding of what the Assistant Chief of Operations entails one should reach out to Chief Michael Grant who by far was the most competent operations chief the department has ever had. Notwithstanding, the aforementioned we have before us four candidates who by City of New Haven Civil Service promotional process, all took a test and passed. The top three individuals have accomplished many things in their own mind. One considers himself a self-proclaimed editor, the other considers himself a competent Battalion Chief, and the other is the Director of Training who since the early age of 14 all he has done is achieved almost every certification available in the fire industry today including certified Paramedic and several college degrees. The most important aspect to consider is merit. Who should get this job? This was debated by candidate Vargas in an extensive article in the New York Post where he stated the following: "Gesturing toward his three young sons, Lieutenant Vargas explained why he had no regrets. "I want them to have a fair shake, to get a job on their merits and not because they're Hispanic or they fill a quota," he said. "What a lousy way to live." (Please read article in its entirety: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/nyregion/03firefighter.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0). The issue is clear on who should get promoted thanks to the eloquent words and integrity of Battalion Chief Ben Vargas who in his own words believes that the promotional process should never vacate the integrity process of who should be promoted. In reading the aforementioned article and reading the Vargas quotes, gives the New Haven Fire Department the hope that men will simply accept the promotional process and fully understand that the top score on this promotional exam is by far the best qualified candidate based on Vargas' own word MERIT.

Simply keeping it real!!!

@ ERS your observations ends the debate, which should never have been a debate to begin with.

As far as Macarelli's dedication, those of us on the job (I'm retired) know that Marcarelli chose to stay assigned as the training officer. His budgeted salary is far less then his counterparts in the firehouse who benefit from obscene amounts of overtime because of the absence of deputy chiefs, he quite possibly could have doubled his salary. Perhaps some people don't lose sight of the big picture, that's a rare commodity in today's world.

This by no means is a criticism of the other batt chief's. They are certainly earning thier keep.

All four are to be congratulated for making the necessary sacrifice to prepare for, take and pass this exam. Three are members of the always admired New Haven 20, men who stood strong for integrity and merit while too many others dismissed hard work, character and ethical conduct as antiquated concepts. After years of staying focused, never giving up, the US Supreme Court stood with the Plaintiffs. Integrity and merit are maintained with constant vigilance; Chief Wright now has the opportunity to do his part by recommending the top scorer, BC Matt Marcarelli.