Only Liars Will Advance

        Earlier this year in the beginning of March, Montclair Patch released several articles announcing the Montclair Fire Department Entrance Exam. In one of these articles, it was mentioned that Montclair residents would receive preference when the time came to hire eligible candidates. Only 400 applications were released and through the testing process the number of eligible candidates decreased to less than 200.      
        Due to the fact that Montclair residents are supposed to have preference, you must establish a separate list for those candidates. The appropriate way of doing so is by performing background checks and visiting the candidates address to confirm that they are, in fact a Montclair resident. On the "Montclair Resident" list, there are 42 candidates, but not all 42 live in Montclair. I would even go as far to say, that there are more candidates on this list that lied about their address, than there are legitimate Montclair residents.    
      The "decision makers" and Human Resources figured that lying on a public service application is nothing to worry about, so no body checked the legitimacy of these candidate's addresses. Now, I know what most of you are thinking, "If they are at the top of the list then they are best fit for the job." To an extent, I agree 100%, but I must present the issue at hand. We look to our policeman and firefighters to not only perform their appropriate duties, but they are supposed to be honest people, and lying on a government document is not really evidence of being an honest person. The other issue is that Montclair Fire Department advertised preference to its residents, either commit to your word, or do not speak at all.