Harbor Commissioner Introduces Nepotism, and It Fails

The practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs is the very definition of nepotism.

That dynamic was presented by Commissioner Dan Schmidt while asking harbormaster Mike Rademaker, away from the Open Session meeting,  to hire his brother to help operate the Crescent City Harbor as a sort of assistant harbormaster. Rademaker declined the request.The Quid Pro Quo offer included the commissioner ‘s positions intent to resign from his position,  seven months ago after his election, should his brother become a harbor management employee. One must ask the difficult question of Schmidt’s dedication to the harbor position, just a few months ago.

Schmidt devised a plan where his brother could work as assistant harbormaster during this past May and June, at no cost to the harbor, an unclear and disputed claim on the details of any financial compensation package which may follow in July.

The noted-above outreach was never brought to commissioners attention. The Harbormaster rejected the request and Schmidt changed his twice-AYE vote to NAY on third vote to offer Michael Rademaker a five year contract to be the harbormaster. This vote was now 3-2. Nehmer and Schmidt dissenting, following the declining to hire Schmidt ‘s brother.

Schmidt claims Rademaker was hired as Interim for a period of three months expiring March 31st , an incorrect statement.  The correct  period was for six months, expiring April 30, 2025. 

 

The following assertions are made by Schmidt:

• The harbormaster has yet to commence any recruitment effort.  The Board did not direct him to do so after he assumed the Harbormaster position

• Schmidt says the harbormaster “ran out the clock.”

• The harbormaster is unfamiliar with concepts of team building, employee motivation and delegation and seemed unwilling to allow “my brother into his inner sanctum where the precarious nature of his dereliction of duty would objectively be on display.”

The misunderstandings from Commissioner Schmidt are palpable. 

Leadership comes from the five member board of which three must vote AYE on any issue. The role of the harbormaster is to follow the board’s majority. No individual has the authority to effectuate any act or policy unless two additional members of the governance concur.

Nepotism is the appearance of impropriety a Quid Pro Quo.