Officials ripped over minority hiring

Residents of Long Beach's largest minority neighborhood have accused city leaders of abandoning their campaign promises to the community by firing but not hiring people of color.

About 50 constituents from North Park grilled City Manager Jack Schnirman and three council members Wednesday night at the Long Beach Martin Luther King Center, in the third Long Beach Listens forum offered by the new administration.

Residents spoke heatedly of their concerns that city leaders have fired -- and not hired -- minorities. "That's one of the reasons we voted for you," said Ronnie Myles, adding North Park residents had heavily campaigned for the two new council members and a third who was re-elected. "You told us with your mouths -- no politicians, no games, no tricks, no smoke screens, 'We are going to hire more African Americans in executive positions.' "

Black residents represented about 6 percent of the city's population in the 2010 census.

When asked how many black residents had been hired and fired since he was appointed in January, Schnirman said it would be "wildly inappropriate" to discuss personnel matters. He added that as the budget is finalized, "a lot of people might lose their jobs."

Myles and resident William Johnson also complained that several hires and new positions were created without those jobs being posted.

"I want to see a resolution at your next council meeting that no positions will be filled that are not posted," said Linda King, a Nassau County planner.

Schnirman said Thursday he understands the community's frustrations.

The next meeting is planned at 7:30 p.m. May 30 at the Young Israel center, 120 Long Beach Blvd.