The cost of the personnel investigation of former fire chief Joe Piccinini was unveiled at the Anderson Fire Protection District board meeting July 14. The grand total was $39,543 from May 12 to June 13, and it’s not over yet. The figure was initially reported as $41,553 before a clerical error was discovered on Thursday.
“It will get up to maybe $50,000 by the time we’re done,” Chairman Keith Webster said, citing expected attorney’s fees not included in the expense report which ended July 13. “Whatever it costs, it is much cheaper than any liability (the district) might have had from Piccinini’s ongoing managerial practices.”
Webster declined to expand on what those practices were.
Most of the investigation’s cost was split between fees for district legal counsel Mike Fitzpatrick and investigator Neil Purcell. The expenses were as follows, rounded to the nearest dollar:
• Fitzpatrick Law Offices, $14,973
• Investigator Neil Purcell, $14,950
• Investigator lodging and airfare, $3,923
• City of Anderson, $2,119
• Transcriber Karen Seminoff, $2,375
• Apex Technology Management, $763
• Fuel for investigator’s vehicle, $169
• Changing locks at the fire district, $154
• Copy Cats, $118
Purcell worked 230 hours at $65 per hour to earn $14,950. The additional $3,923 expense of lodging and airfare — and from the city an $847 expense for vehicle rental for the out-of-state investigator — were sticking points for Anderson watchdog group, Concerned Citizens for a Fair Local Government.
‘Inappropriate content’ was found on a fire district computer during the investigation of the former fire chief, according to a $763 invoice from Apex Technology Management, Inc.
A list of services performed by the tech firm included checking a hard disk drive for inappropriate files. The invoice included the search for “inappropriate content” on a hard disk drive, including “documents, cookies and favorites therein.” The invoice further states that a staff person “ran a retrieval for deleted files and found several cookies and temporary internet files that would be considered inappropriate content.”
The statement from Apex also contained a cryptic note from a person named McElroy, who indicated he or she “notified Howard (Fincher) of the FD of my findings.”
As to why the tech firm involved in the investigation would report to a fire district employee rather than lead investigator Neil Purcell, district legal counsel did not know. Work on the invoice was dated May 19 and May 20, while Purcell was employed by the district and lodging at Gaia Hotel.
“I don’t know why contact was made with Howard as opposed to Neil Purcell,” said attorney Mike Fitzpatrick.
Scott Putnam of Apex Technologies deferred to the fire district regarding clarification of the invoice.
Fire Marshal “Howard was acting chief at that time,” Webster said, also confirming that Fincher made contact with the technology firm, “but he didn’t know what was on the hard drive.”
Howard Fincher declined to comment regarding any involvement in the investigation.
In other business at the board meeting, Webster announced that the foreperson of the Shasta County grand jury had responded to a request to investigate the fire district, saying only they would consider it.
“I want them to look at us to see what we need to do differently,” district board member Butch Schaefer said. “I’m challenging the Grand Jury to do the investigation, so when people say we acted improperly, they can (read the grand jury report).”
The board also began meeting in closed session to begin the appointment of a new fire chief of the district. Schaefer said the district could not disclose yet the process of hiring a new chief, what qualifications are required, or whether the district would hire a chief from current district staff.
“It’s premature, we’re not there yet,” Schaefer said.
At a special meeting of the board July 28, 6 p.m., the board is scheduled to begin hearing from district firefighters, one at a time and in closed session, what they want in a new chief. They would be invited “to talk one at a time about what they would like and where they see the department going,” Webster said.
Also at the meeting, Captain Jason Bellinger said the firefighters would change union representatives to align with Teamsters.
“They have a local representative who is more accessible,” Bellinger said, adding that many fire fighters at other districts are represented by Teamsters.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 23
foreverpondering writes:
There you go, folks....the answer to your question, "how much does a witch hunt cost?"
HeardEnough writes:
blame the "chief". had he manned up and resigned, he would have saved the public money. after 6 weeks of free pay and the expense of the report, he finally resigns AND apologizes. i hope this report is made public. i'm sure the "chief" and several members of the public want it kept confidential. the party isn't over yet. the grand jury and the DA's office have the next shot at the "chief". the fur is gonna fly!
justchillin writes:
So, if no charges were actually filed or, for that matter, defined, then what's all the big hub-bub about?
Those pushing the investigation need to answer.
foreverpondering writes:
Blame the chief?!?! How ignorant can you possibly be? It is the chief's fault that an investigator was hired from out of area and failed to provide any sort of quote or estimate of prices? Oh, let's forget the part about the gross conflict of interest, too. Everytime you post one of your ridiculous comments, you just look more and more uneducated. Can't wait for the next big news story in Anderson to hit - then you can jump on that bandwagon.
Oh, and you might want to get together some friends. I'd hate to see you devastated and without emotional support when the great big "blow out" you expect (wait...I think you've said something like "dancing in the streets" and "fur flying") to happen doesn't come to fruition.
justchillin writes:
I know it's OFF TOPIC but I just want to say that this new website (together with Red.com) totally suck! It loads so SLOW and the stories are repeated 4 times on the front page!! BOOOOOO! Get a new web designer!
HeardEnough writes:
so by posting my opinion, i'm ignorant and uneducated . your "chief" resigned...he apologized to the board...get over it. i've never posted anything about dancing in the streets,...try to get it right.
by the way, name calling is a sign of weakness in any debate.
Treachery_Runs_Deep writes:
Heard Enough, as usual you are misinformed. He did man up and never ever should have given in to the whims of the Fire Board and just resigned from the beginning. He dealt with an illegal investigation, a Fire Board with no spine and firefighters who are too lazy to do much more than whine. The volunteers had to do as they were told, no matter what Bellinger tries to portray. All the firefighters, both paid and volunteer, were clearly given direction in no uncertain terms that they better fall in line or else. The Chief did not fail the Fire Board, they clearly failed him. Nichol's latest comments about morale being better...you bet it is, now they have no responsibilities and can go back to the Don Matheson days of just playing cards, watching TV and sleeping.
Now, who wouldn't you rather have for a boss? A progressive forward thinking professional, or a hayseed who is clearly in over his head and has no concept of what real fire fighting or the brotherhood is all about? If you answered the later, then the interim chief is your man.
andersundad writes:
Hey Joe, It is time to let it go and move on!!
HeardEnough writes:
i guess I have been misinformed. those poor firefighters being coerced and all. stupid illegal investigation. the DA said the investigation was legal. he's probably in on the whole thing up to his bald shiney head. send my apologies to the chief...
foreverpondering writes:
Name calling would be calling you something like a "stupid poopy face head" or something like that. I merely said you were ignorant.
HeardEnough writes:
since it's not name calling, feel free to contact me in person to tell me i'm ignorant and uneducated. i'd love to hear from you.
goodday2all writes:
www.tulsaworld.com/classifieds/jobs/default.aspx
jobs.careerbuilder.com/al.ic/Oklahoma_Tulsa/
tulsa.jobs.com/
www.nationjob.com/tulsa/
hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobs-l-Tulsa-OK
I thought i could help, some place to start looking.
goodday2all writes:
i don't know what i was thinking hear this may also help.
www.TulsaRealEstateMall.com
www.homes.com/Real_Estate/OK/City/TULSA
www.previewtulsahomes.com/
www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Tulsa-OK/
ForAnderson writes:
goodday2all writes "i don't know what i was thinking hear this may also help."
Learn to type and spell. Sentences always begin with capital letters. 'Hear' in the context you tried to use it should be spelled 'here.'
Gee, and you think you are better off without an educated Chief of the Fire District. Speaking of poopy heads.....
HeardEnough writes:
from one of your previous posts on June 20th...
"It will be interesting to see if Finchers announcement to the firefighters was his own hopes and you had not already leaked Comnick's premeditated decision to him."
You will note the absense of an apostrophe between the "r" and the "s" at the end of Fincher's name. In reviewing several of your posts, I have also noted your inappropriate use and lack of spacing while using the comma. Parenthesis also require a space both before and after their use.
I have forwarded copies of your former posts to the "spelling police" for their review. Any infractions will be noted and placed on your permanent record as it should be. After all, spelling and puncuation are important.
Involucre writes:
goodday2all...nice to see your helpfulness with all the Tulsa addys. I bet he never ever thought to do that himself (insert snicking here). No one recalls hearing the Chief say he was moving back to Tulsa.
LuvAnderson writes:
Mr. Winship said it well in his article about fire safety. We, as Anderson residents, desire a safe community.
If both Mr. DeCarlo and Mr. Piccinini tried to bring in the same safety codes, and were asked to resign, where does that leave us? It leaves us right back in the hands of this "unholy trinity" or "good ol' boys system."
It is time for this Fire Board to step down and leave the decision making to the newly elected board. But, no, I am sure they will want their "cronies" in place as soon as possible. That way they can leave their legacy behind-you know, the micromanagement of everything this city tries to do right. The "unholy trinity" should resign, NOW, from every position they hold in Anderson. Just as they forced the last two Chiefs to step down, they should be forced to do the same. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Does Comnick really think she can offer bribe money from her campaign funds? It is illegal, folks. Does Schaefer really think he can yell and spit in a resident's face, slam the Handi Spot Market and get away with it? Evidently he does. Does Webster really think we believe him when he says he FORGOT to report $15,000 and recuse himself from votes concerning the property by the river? Evidently, he does.
Unless we, the citizens of Anderson, stand up and call for their resignations, they will continue with business as usual, continuing to think that they do have the right to run things as they see fit. The only problem--their thinking is skewed! They need to call it a day, pack it in and resign now!!
ForAnderson writes:
I wonder how many Anderson residents would enjoy being able to spend $41,553? At just under $3500 per month for a year, most families could make it fairly easily on that!! I bet any of us would have spent that money much more wisely. This Fire Board should be embarrassed and ashamed to have cost the district so much money when jobs are at a premium.
If they are not, then they should be. Pretty expensive temper tantrum on their part, folks. I hope the investigation by the local investigators group gets hotter and hotter for the "unholy trinity plus two." They should be taken to task for wantonly spending so much money on a witch hunt. First DeCarlo, and now Piccinini, would not bow to this board (specifically Comnick). So, off with their heads!!
Meanwhile, Anderson residents watch and wonder what, or IF they are thinking at all. It's called politics, folks....and not the kind we want here. They need to be recalled quickly.
HeardEnough writes:
FIRE THEM ALL!!! get rid of the whole bunch. un-resign the impecible chief. give him full authority over the city. happy hour every day from 11 to 1...cocktails served at 4...we'll furnish him with a chauffer (wouldn't want him pulled over). get rid of the old fuddy-duddies and turn this into a party town!
ForAnderson writes:
No, I say bill them all for that $41,000+...and then fire them all.
truthhurts writes:
Grow up.
southcounty1 writes:
This is very cheap. The firefighters were ready to file some very costly lawsuits against the fire district for failing to reign in this jerk ex-chief. The board should have acted last winter, but at least they finally sprang into action for the most thorough investigation possible.
We hope the Searchlight is successful in getting that report released to the public. Alot of rats will be scurrying for cover when that happens.
The conspiracy of the local hate group is incredible!
And what about the local newspaper? It was pretty common knowledge that the chief was doing some pretty bad things, but the newspaper chose to cover it up...instead waiting to snipe at the people who wanted to clean up this mess. Shame on you, Mr. Dawson, for letting this happen.
just_an_observer writes:
I still say they have just put a bandaid on a jugular wound. The real issue is: What is so wrong at the Fire department that the top administration keep getting Fired, paid off, arrested, etc. That is the real issue here folks! Until the board deals with that issue all of this other stuff is trivial!
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