Opinion ID: 2973168
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Union Opposition

Text: Christie states that he relied, in part, on Skinner’s representation that AFSCME did not support Plaintiff’s candidacy for the position. Plaintiff contests Christie’s reliance on the Skinner representation because Plaintiff questions the authenticity of the memorandum in which this representation was communicated because 1) it appears to be the second page of a facsimile 13 No. 04-3465 transmission; 2) it was dated between the tenure of Carolyn Nellon and Chester Christie, a period of time during which the “hiring process would have been put on hold;” and 3) Skinner never “voiced his disapproval of [Plaintiff] during the interview panel’s discussion of the merits of the various applicants.” (Pl. Br. at 16-17.) In this Court’s opinion Plaintiff’s “evidence” going to the authenticity of the memorandum is not evidence on this point at all. The date of the memorandum raises no issues as to its authenticity. While the date is between the tenure of Nellon and Christie, the memorandum was addressed to Brundige, who was still heading up the Department’s efforts to fill the position, and who was overseeing the Department as Deputy Director during this interim period. Plaintiff does not dispute Brundige’s role here. Furthermore, the fact that Vance cannot recall Skinner voicing any objections to Plaintiff in the selection committee’s meeting does not go to the memorandum’s authenticity. Finally, Plaintiff produces no evidence to call into question Skinner’s signature on the memorandum, only that the memorandum appears to be the second page of a facsimile. This is not evidence going to the memorandum’s authenticity. Plaintiff also challenges Christie’s reliance on the Skinner memorandum. Plaintiff alleges that AFSCME disapproval is an insufficient reason for hiring Brewer in lieu of Plaintiff because at the time of the hiring process Plaintiff was an elected board member of CMAGE and had been recommended for the position by the president of the City of Columbus firefighters’ union. This contention by Plaintiff, however, does not raise a genuine issue of material fact. The position was aimed at civilian workforce safety programs, and AFSCME represented the largest number of City civilian employees. The firefighter’s union was not on the selection committee, as AFSCME was, 14 No. 04-3465 and the CMAGE representative, Mike Vance, concurred in the recommendation for Brewer. Moreover, Plaintiff does not produce evidence that Christie is dissembling about his reliance on the memorandum.