Job done: Councilman needs to step away from summer employment program

City Councilman Antonio Williams would do best to keep his hands off the city's summer jobs program.

Taking nothing away from the fact that it was, in large part if not completely, his idea -- and a good one -- he seems to not understand that he can no longer have anything to do with it.

He tried unsuccessfully to obtain up to a dozen summer workers for his own private business in the downtown area last year when the program was enacted, and he struggled to accept the fact that would have posed significant conflict of interest. Thankfully he was blocked from doing so before he got into real trouble.

Now the gentleman from District 1 has asked to take part in the selection process, the hiring of the teens who will apply for the program in 2018.

The application process begins next month.

Again, we salute the councilman for his idea and his effort in seeing the program come to fruition. It is something we feel has long been needed and, run properly, can have lasting, positive impressions on the youth who stand to be employed, the potential employers and the entire community as well.

That said, we implore the councilman to take a step back. There exists too much potential for him to get caught up in accusations of showing favoritism, seeking or delivering favors for getting certain kids one particular job over another, or whatever the case might be.

And that is not to say outright that he intends to or would knowingly do those things -- just that there exists the potential for there to be the perception, let alone the act, of what could amount to illegalities or improprieties, were he to take on any active capacity in overseeing the program.

You've done your job, sir. The community will remember you for it. Now, other than voting to keep it funded and to appoint independent oversight for it, hands off.

Published in Editorials on December 26, 2017 8:56 PM