The newest member of the Butler County Community College board refutes one county commissioner’s claim that she is unsuited for the post.

Gail Paserba of Penn Township said Commissioner Jim Eckstein’s criticism of her appointment indicates he isn’t aware of her qualifications.

“I’m very disappointed in Mr. Eckstein for not having read my résumé,” Paserba said.

In addition to being the president of International Quality Consultants, Paserba has a bachelor’s degree in education from Slippery Rock University.

Among her former employers were the Butler County Children’s Center and Glade Run Lutheran Youth and Family Services.

Eckstein said Paserba’s comment was erroneous.

“That is blatantly false,” he said. “I read her résumé.”

Paserba said her background in business and education make her an appropriate choice for the BC3 board.

“I do feel I’m very qualified,” she said.

Eckstein, who is opposed to commissioners supplying the names of college board nominees, said the problem is a flawed selection process.

“The idea is to change the system,” he said.

When Eckstein opposed her appointment Wednesday, he cited her political support of fellow Commissioner Dale Pinkerton as a drawback.

Paserba confirmed she and her late husband made a financial donation to Pinkerton, saying she fully supports Pinkerton.

But she stressed there is no financial gain for her or her business in joining the college board, so there is no political cronyism occurring despite Eckstein’s claim to the contrary.

“I’m not networking,” she said. “For him to say that is extremely offensive.”

Paserba agreed with Commissioner Bill McCarrier that Eckstein has a problem with women.

“He has sent me in an e-mail that I’m not qualified to discuss anything with him,” she said. “I definitely think he has a bias against women.”

Eckstein said Paserba is trying to pigeonhole him.

“Don’t label me as a sexist,” he said. “It’s without merit.”

Paserba admitted chiding Eckstein for his behavior through e-mails and Internet postings.

“I do it on Facebook after every commissioners meeting,” she said.

Paserba said her criticism is relegated to his lack of knowledge and his conduct, which results in him lacking the ability to lead.

“I never call him names,” she said. “I’m never disrespectful.”

Eckstein disagreed.

“She was very, very disrespectful,” he said.

Paserba recalled a phone conversation she had with Eckstein in which he became upset with her for correcting him on a misstatement.

“He was screaming at me,” she said.

Eckstein denied he yelled.

“I have no recollection of me screaming at her,” he said. “She was a very, very obnoxious person when she called me.”

Paserba said Eckstein’s conduct is damaging when he is representing the county in Harrisburg.

“It’s a very scary thing,” she said.

Eckstein said Paserba does not have firsthand knowledge of what occurs at conferences and meetings he attends in places such as Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

“I’m well-respected,” he said.

Paserba said Eckstein does not know how to be constructive.

“He just knows how to be ugly,” she said.

Eckstein pointed out he graduated from the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Academy.

He questioned if it is the role of a college board member to chastise an elected official.

“She wants to run down a county commissioner,” Eckstein said.

Paserba said there is nothing wrong with her comments.

“I am a resident of Butler County, and therefore I have that right to question and critique,” she said.

Eckstein said Paserba’s criticism of him shows she is the one who is biased.

“It shows her malicious hatred of me,” he said.

Paserba denied that is the case.

“I don’t hate the man,” she said. “I just don’t like him being responsible for my tax dollars. I find him uneducated and ill-informed.”