Fill open jobs with native candidates

To the editor:

As we continue to recruit for openings in Fairfield, why not seek out individuals with talent who have grown up in Fairfield? The importance of roots which includes family and friends cannot be underestimated in assuring we have an employee who will be making a permanent home of our community as an adult. They will know first hand what our unique town offers and will be making the decision to move for employment here not just for a good career but for a life close to family, friends and the quality of life they grew up with.

Now Fairfield seeks a new city administrator. Reporting in the Ledger says the search will focus on the specific experience of the applicant with preference given to someone with at least five years experience. On the outside, this type of record would be prudent. My question for the city leaders is ?When will you emphasize retaining our young people who may have gone to college, established their career, and who want to move back to Fairfield to raise their family??

All rural communities fight with an eroding of population. We appreciate the wonderful families who have come from other locations to take our higher paying jobs. On the other hand, what keeps them from continuing on the career path that brought them to Fairfield that inevitably moves them to another larger city with a more lucrative pay scale? Individuals who move back to Fairfield to be close to family and who want to live in our town specifically may actually be a better bet for the long term than someone with good credentials but without the deep roots our graduates might have.

I urge the leaders to include a preference for homegrown candidates even to the point of accepting excellent track records that would support success in the position, but which might not be the extensive requirements for those coming for just a good career move.

As a rural community, retaining our youth is all of our concern. It will take creativity and commitment to keep our children coming back when they?re ready to establish their families. The vitality they bring will help our schools and other aspects of Fairfield?s vibrancy which we all enjoy. Let?s have the City of Fairfield set an example and include that emphasis when deciding on individuals to take career positions under their supervision. This type of leadership must start now.

? Jo Ann Crouch, Fairfield