"During my recent interview with local newspaper, I should have been more careful with my choice of words. I apologize to those offended, and will use more restraint and a more appropriate vocabulary going forward."
Sh!t Jim, that's nothing. Barrie Tilghman could curse words you and I never heard before, especially when she was trashed. Ask ANY Firefighter or local Pub Owner.
anonymous 9:01, the next time I hear any scoop on the paper or WBOC, I'm slamming them to no end.
There's a professional courtesy between reporters and public officials, all of which were not afforded to Ireton. Mind you, he made a mistake but as Jim knows, there's LOTS of things I know that I would never tell.
Throwing Mike Dunn out there, as if that A-Hole has any room to talk. Hey Mike, how about all those letters I have of your Wife dropping the F-Bomb every other sentence.
Ireton is always making some bad choices. This is who he brought back as a candidate for fire chief after he told him no. WTF!! Par for the course!
Township fire chief accused of harassment was warned in 2001 By Lawrence Budd
Staff Writer
Friday, March 07, 2008
SPRINGBORO — Clearcreek Twp. Fire Chief Bernie Becker was still on probation when he first came under fire from his firefighters in 1997.
Before recommending that trustees end Becker's probation — despite a no-confidence vote from his staff — the township administrator suggested Becker's detractors could be "a chief want-to-be" motivated by politics in neighboring Springboro or delivering payback for some actual or perceived slight.
Extras"Finally, the dissension could just be part of the natural progression for an organization that knows it is under pressure to meet steadily increasing service demands," Administrator Dennis Pickett said in Becker's Dec. 29, 1997, evaluation.
Now Becker, 49, is under internal investigation again, accused of sexual harassment.
On Feb. 25, the firefighter's union president presented a complaint to township officials accusing Becker of improperly touching firefighters, exhibiting other inappropriate behavior and creating a hostile work environment.
Among nine new sexual harassment claims are some similar to those made in 2001 during an investigation by the township police chief.
Union officials said this represents a pattern of unacceptable misconduct.
While ordering an investigation, administrators said they believe they had taken sufficient preventative steps.
"We sent him to some counseling and kept an eye on him for quite some time," Pickett said Wednesday, March 5.
On Feb. 5, 2001, trustees issued Becker a written warning and ordered him to complete sensitivity training.
The action followed an investigation triggered when Becker displayed an appendectomy scar to a firefighter in the hospital facing the same procedure in front of the firefighter's wife.
The same day, a different couple, Tim and Holly Lofton of Springboro, expressed their support for Becker in a note still in his personnel file.
"I want to apologize for where our society has digressed to when a friendly touch, football-player pat on the butt, or swapping stories about scars constitutes disciplinary action. It is a sad day," the Loftons said.
On Monday, Becker returns to work after a vacation planned before Feb. 25.
He didn't return phone calls seeking comment.
Since taking over the department, which is responsible for firefighting and ambulance services in Springboro and Clearcreek Twp., Becker has increased the number of professional firefighter-paramedics on staff, added a fire station and overseen myriad other changes.
Most recently, Becker put together a public-private coalition to fund a 2 million gallon water tank at the fuel terminal off Ohio 122.
Becker also has represented management during the unionization of the department.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Joe, if they can be got, you will get them. Such hypocrits, considering all of Tilghman's drunken tirades. I was beginning to think cursing was her primary language. The Daily Times would make a saint curse.
Seriously...is THIS the most important thing going on in Wicomico these days? The Daily Times doesn't play fair, who doesn't know that already? This is another ridiculous display of trying to show someone's shortcomings but really only showing their own. And there are many many many shortcomings with the DT. Poor judgment first on the list.
Sh!t Jim, that's nothing. Barrie Tilghman could curse words you and I never heard before, especially when she was trashed. Ask ANY Firefighter or local Pub Owner.
ReplyDeleteThe Daily Times and WBOC are starting to act like Jonathan Taylor. You really put a hurting on these guys Joe.
ReplyDeleteanonymous 9:01, the next time I hear any scoop on the paper or WBOC, I'm slamming them to no end.
ReplyDeleteThere's a professional courtesy between reporters and public officials, all of which were not afforded to Ireton. Mind you, he made a mistake but as Jim knows, there's LOTS of things I know that I would never tell.
Throwing Mike Dunn out there, as if that A-Hole has any room to talk. Hey Mike, how about all those letters I have of your Wife dropping the F-Bomb every other sentence.
Time to start digging into my archives.
Maybe Scotty throw a left this time and straighten her back out for Mikey. On another note first time The Mayor has impressed me.
ReplyDeleteIreton is always making some bad choices. This is who he brought back as a candidate for fire chief after he told him no. WTF!! Par for the course!
ReplyDeleteTownship fire chief accused of harassment was warned in 2001
By Lawrence Budd
Staff Writer
Friday, March 07, 2008
SPRINGBORO — Clearcreek Twp. Fire Chief Bernie Becker was still on probation when he first came under fire from his firefighters in 1997.
Before recommending that trustees end Becker's probation — despite a no-confidence vote from his staff — the township administrator suggested Becker's detractors could be "a chief want-to-be" motivated by politics in neighboring Springboro or delivering payback for some actual or perceived slight.
Extras"Finally, the dissension could just be part of the natural progression for an organization that knows it is under pressure to meet steadily increasing service demands," Administrator Dennis Pickett said in Becker's Dec. 29, 1997, evaluation.
Now Becker, 49, is under internal investigation again, accused of sexual harassment.
On Feb. 25, the firefighter's union president presented a complaint to township officials accusing Becker of improperly touching firefighters, exhibiting other inappropriate behavior and creating a hostile work environment.
Among nine new sexual harassment claims are some similar to those made in 2001 during an investigation by the township police chief.
Union officials said this represents a pattern of unacceptable misconduct.
While ordering an investigation, administrators said they believe they had taken sufficient preventative steps.
"We sent him to some counseling and kept an eye on him for quite some time," Pickett said Wednesday, March 5.
On Feb. 5, 2001, trustees issued Becker a written warning and ordered him to complete sensitivity training.
The action followed an investigation triggered when Becker displayed an appendectomy scar to a firefighter in the hospital facing the same procedure in front of the firefighter's wife.
The same day, a different couple, Tim and Holly Lofton of Springboro, expressed their support for Becker in a note still in his personnel file.
"I want to apologize for where our society has digressed to when a friendly touch, football-player pat on the butt, or swapping stories about scars constitutes disciplinary action. It is a sad day," the Loftons said.
On Monday, Becker returns to work after a vacation planned before Feb. 25.
He didn't return phone calls seeking comment.
Since taking over the department, which is responsible for firefighting and ambulance services in Springboro and Clearcreek Twp., Becker has increased the number of professional firefighter-paramedics on staff, added a fire station and overseen myriad other changes.
Most recently, Becker put together a public-private coalition to fund a 2 million gallon water tank at the fuel terminal off Ohio 122.
Becker also has represented management during the unionization of the department.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Dunn, aka Goodnight Canada, should shut his pie hole after all his Monday night tantrums.
ReplyDeleteJoe:
ReplyDeleteRespectfully disagree,
Jim-beau is using BPT's playbook. No doubt he will soon be whining about the "dirty dozen".
Joe, if they can be got, you will get them. Such hypocrits, considering all of Tilghman's drunken tirades. I was beginning to think cursing was her primary language. The Daily Times would make a saint curse.
ReplyDeleteThe Daily Times would make a saint curse. Not to mention WBOC.
ReplyDeleteMayor Ireton, please don't sweat the small stuff.
ReplyDelete..."a more appropriate vocabulary going forward". Your vocabulary was very appropriate considering the interviewer(s), Mayor Ireton.
ReplyDeleteGood grief! Is Mike Dunn the best they could do? He's rumored to be an alcoholic and a junkie. His past photos speak volumes.
ReplyDeleteBiggest mistake, giving the paper an interview, the end.
ReplyDeletemike dunn only cussed out a senior citizen taxpayer and threw a waded up piece of paper at her.
Seriously...is THIS the most important thing going on in Wicomico these days? The Daily Times doesn't play fair, who doesn't know that already? This is another ridiculous display of trying to show someone's shortcomings but really only showing their own. And there are many many many shortcomings with the DT. Poor judgment first on the list.
ReplyDeleteMr. Holier than thou, Mike Dunn needs to keep his trap shut...like he's someone that we respect! Give me a break!
ReplyDeleteOK, I missed it. What did the mayor say that he would apologize?
ReplyDelete