"Dirty little secrets
Dirty little lies
We got our dirty little fingers in everybody's pie
We love to cut you down to size
We love dirty laundry."
<B>Don Henley, "Dirty Laundry"</B>
Don Henley, formerly with the Eagles, penned those lines in 1982 to parody the tabloid quality of television newscasts.
The same lyrics could just as easily be used today to describe what is widely rumored to be going on at the Anderson Fire Protection District.
Someone - we're still trying to find out who - has decided to expose a lot of dirty laundry down at the local fire hall.
Following a surprise closed session hearing by the district's board of directors, Fire Chief Joe Piccinini was placed on administative leave - with pay - and asked to turn in his badge.
Finding out what is fact and what is fiction on a laundry list of rumored charges, euphemistically referred to by the district's attorney as "management practices," has landed squarely in the lap of Anderson's former police chief, Neil Purcell, Jr., a straight shooter by most every account.
However, when questionable yet institutionalized practices that date back several fire chiefs are allowed to continue unabated by the fire district's current board of directors, one begins to wonder whether Purcell may actually be participating in a witch hunt orchestrated by persons yet unknown.
Most of what we've heard is, at this point, simply rumor and conjecture. We do suspect, however, that if Purcell is truly conducting a thorough and independent investigation, then he has his work cut out for him.
Hey, if Purcell is going to check one person's pair of soiled shorts, he might as well spend a couple of weeks and start smelling all the others hanging around the local fire hall.
From what I hear around the community, there is an abundance of dirty laundry to check on - including sniffing out the powers that may be behind this investigation of the fire chief.
As Henley writes in the chorus of his little ditty,
"Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're stiff
Kick 'em all around."
Don Henley, "Dirty Laundry" chorus
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 10
ForAnderson writes:
I sincerely hope Purcell is investigating those with special interests in this whole mess, and not just the chief...I think he would have to wear a gas mask to get past all those "dirty shorts." I believe he would find a whole lot of "stuff" done underhandedly by those "in power". A surprise closed session? Get real!! What happened to questioning the Chief about the "charges" before going to the expense of bringing in an "outside" investigator? Couldn't it have been handled by the board and/or the city council (three of whom are running the fire board)? This smacks of the same thing that happened when Purcell was chief the first time and "someone" tried to get him fired....a sort of, "If you do not play my way, I will take my toys and go home." I hope he remembers what kind of people are in Anderson government, and that some, not all, are self serving...get in their way and you are dead. It truly is time for complete change. Our two newest council members seem to be trying, but the others are stuck in their "good ol' boy" system and that will not change until we get them out of office. Anderson citizens should stand up and be counted in this one before we lose a good man who has already been good for the fire district in the short time he has been here.
AndersonMom writes:
It is time for a change in Anderson, that's for certain. And while I am highly concerned about this "investigation", especially since I've heard from several highly placed people in the community that Comnick visited Purcell before calling for this investigation, I'm hopeful that this will be the straw that broke the camel's back. Too many things over the years I've lived here haven't made sense and asking questions has led to the motives or close friends of the same City Councilperson.
tsky57 writes:
No way is this a fair and impartial investigation. I know for a fact that the "investigator" is guilty of many unethical practices. I have seen Neil Purcell drink and drive his police issue car, I know for a fact that he is not a loyal husband. Talk about living in a glass house!! sheesh.
I can only assume that the letters are all coming from voters because the "unholy trinity" of Comnick, Webster and Schaefer needs to be eliminated.
AccountabilityinAnderson writes:
How can Schaefer truly represent either the city council or fire board when all his strings are pulled by the puppet master Comnick? When the puppet master has been recalled and Schaefer has no one to spoon-feed him, how will he cope? He won't plain and simple, but then he'll have more time for his NASCAR "hobby" which keeps him from attending council/fire board meetings anyway. He wants to run for country supervisor but with no support from the voters how can that happen.
ConcernedAndersonCitizens writes:
We are here, make no mistake and we're speaking directly to you members of the fire board/council. We're watching, waiting and ready to ask the tough questions...yes, even those grand jury worthy ones.
We believe in the Chief. He has accomplished some very real and positive things for Anderson and has so much more planned. His heart and soul are truly here and all he has wanted to do has been to better his department for the benefit of the community. There is a reason why his badge is pinned exactly over his heart, and that is because he takes pride in being part of the brother and sisterhood of such a noble profession.
andersonsnooper360 writes:
Well, I have been doing some digging and I read in a previous Valley Post the profile done on Chief Piccinini and he states that his favorite movie is the Wizard of Oz...I think I see some similarities.
Who is that behind the curtain controlling the city? I wonder who is without a brain, (Webster), and who is missing courage, (Schaefer), and who oh who could be without a heart, (Comnick). Just an observation.
I'll bet the Chief didn't know he was coming to the land of Oz, (Bizzaro Land).
Check it out Toto you are so not in Oklahoma anymore.
Beware of flying monkeys on Thursday night.
AndersonMom writes:
It is definitely time for an investigation into the "Anderson Trinity". Let's look at facts...they are the majority of the Fire Board. The are the majority of the City Council. They take turns being Mayor and Vice Mayor. Webster made promise after promise during his turn at Mayor but nothing ever came of any of it. Nothing like political promises from people who swear they "love Anderson" but have nothing to show for it.
Treachery_Runs_Deep writes:
In case many of you are not aware, the Anderson Fire Protection District board of directors will listen to public comments on the Chief at 7 p.m., June 11, Thursday, before going into closed session. We're not sure how much they will allow, but we encourage all those tired of what has been transpiring to show up and support Chief Piccinini. I know this is short notice, perhaps intentionally on their part. I also wonder what tricks the Unholy Trinity will have up their sleeves. I smell a trap.
snooperanderson writes:
I posted only once so far, sitting back just watching and waiting to see what would happen. But at this point this is stupid. But as the old saying goes "stupid is as stupid does". The one question I do have like so many others is, why someone like Diane Davis or Chuck Lebak (sp) of Redding who do these types of investigations were not asked to conduct this particular one.
You’re right about the short notice. So short a notice that they couldn’t wait for it to be published in the Valley Post, the real Anderson newspaper. Who wants to bet that Purcell doesn’t even have his “already guilty no matter what report” complete yet and that tonight’s meeting will have to be continued. Comnick’s puppet strings are more like a noose. Cruise ships are always needing good ventriloquist acts so I think she could take her show on the road. At least she would be employed and out of our town along with her other two sidekicks. Maybe Tom Brown will pay for this cruise just like the other one for Comnick. Conflict of interest anyone? I bet their association is so twisted and interlaced it’s going to take a grand jury to unravel.
AndersonMom writes:
Well, you were close, Snooperanderson. According to the latest story on this site, the written report isn't done so the board heard a verbal only. Later, there will be a meeting after the Fire Board has their written report so they can give their decision.
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