I read the article in the local newspaper today regarding Bernie Becker for Fire Chief and really felt I needed to say something in his defense.
Perhaps a little background would help. Our family moved to Springboro a year after the Beckers. We live a few houses apart (it was really a few houses as our subdivision was still under construction) and our boys are about the same age and became friends. I'm sure this will sound like I cannot be biased, but I feel that it actually gives me better insight into who Bernie is.
Springboro is a community that had been mostly farmland. Very quiet and consisting of very tightly-knit families. We were the "new Springboro." From school board to city/township administration to athletics, we were the undesirables. There were actual "agendas" by life-long residents to oust people from positions of authority. Bernie became one of those targeted. As you can imagine, the part-time fire department that was once here was no longer effective and Bernie built it to what a growing community needed. When looking for someone to fill the position, the township knew they had to look outside the current pack of fools and to bring in someone with insight to take the department forward. Unfortunately, this was not well-received by those left behind.
There was a pecking order and the township administrators strayed from that order. Plus, Bernie expected a higher set of standards from his firefighters-more education, more physically fit, etc. and they didn't like it. The old-time firefighters had a goal: get Bernie out and get one of their own in. Bernie fought that mentality the entire time he was chief. The township leaders mishandled the allegations. News crews would show up at their house and harass his wife. Enough was enough and Bernie retired to work on his doctorate degree.
Since Bernie's retirement, the township has been unable to replace him. They set specific qualifications for what they wanted the new chief to have, the very qualifications that Bernie has (education, experience, etc.) and yet no one with those qualifications will apply for the job. We are "stuck" with the bottom of the barrel. What does that say? We cannot get quality because worthy candidates know NOT to apply here. If Bernie was the problem, why would that be the case?
I think your department would be very blessed to have Bernie as your chief, but I'm afraid unsubstantiated rumors and innuendoes will prevail. You would be crazy to not see pass what this really is, a bunch of whiny, lazy, good ol' boys lying to get what they want, and hire Chief Becker.
Sincerely,
Marianne Ginnan
Springboro, Ohio
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
24 comments:
My goodness , even people in Ohio know how crooked The Salisbury City is! It's not just the fire dept. it's everywhere. It not just the city , county and the state , it's the whole government. Thanks again mr. obama , we needed this to regroup.
Thanks for your post Marianne Ginnan, but you are biased and you are trying your best to get this man a job. Tis man is guilty of the charges and he was "warned in 2001" of sexual harassment and given sensitivity training. This man is a serious liability to anyone that hires him. These claims are not unsubstansiated as you claim. You need to mind your own business and keep Bernie in Ohio with you!! He is not welcomed in this area and he would be ran out of the fire department just like the last outsider was!
This was a timely letter.
Here we are, looking for a new chief that has all of the qualifications. We seem to have one or more with a full resume under consideration, but instead who does it look like we're leaning toward?
The less-than-qualified should move away from the door and let those who are be the front runners. This small-time, small-town politicking is keeping us dumb and poor. Time to get smart and get moving.
Sorry Marianne Ginnan, but you are not a professional reference and you are only trying to help a "friend" get a job. He is nothing but a lot of baggage and a danger to the city of Salisbury. This guy is not employable and he is not marketable. Why do you think he has been unemployed for over 2 years?
I thought the man from Ohio was NOT qualified for the Job...whats up with that?
So tell us Marianne Ginnan what "article in the local newspaper" did you just happened to read today that pertains to the Salisbury Fire Department and the City of Salisbury? Please give us the link to the areticle in today's local newspaper!!
Why do I think this just happens to be a fluff piece from Marianne Ginnan for Bernie Becker?
Bernie is a name thrower,I am all that and will try to impress you kinda person, We interviewed him and this was the general opinion.
Maryland has one of the highest training standards in the nation, He will have to pass the Maryland standards of which Ohio is not accepted in Maryland. WE have opperated since 1872 with 0 line of duty deaths and want to stay this way, we don't need soneone comming here and make changes just to make changes, while we do need new leadership we have more than qualified personnel already here in the fire service to fill this position. Not saying he isn't a good man, but we don't need another overinflated ego making thease changes just for the sake of making changes.
The very last sentence of this article speaks volumes!! They were going to follow through on the charges, but allowed this man to "retire" before they fired him. Happens all the time. This guy is trouble!!
Ex-Fire Chief Sues Union Chief For Libel, Invasion Of Privacy
By Tom Michaels - Host, Anchor, Reporter @ October 28, 2008 5:37 AM Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
LEBANON, Ohio -- Former Clearcreek Twp. Fire Chief Bernie Becker is accusing the president of the union representing township firefighters of libel and invasion of privacy in a lawsuit filed in Warren County Common Pleas Court.
Becker claims Jason Scott, president of International Association of Firefighters Local 4207, libeled him and invaded his privacy by "falsely alleging" Becker "sexually harassed employees working under his supervision, created a hostile work environment, and abused his position of power" in an "unsigned letter" to the township government on Feb. 29.
The lawsuit, filed by lawyer Jeffrey Silverstein on Oct. 22, seeks damages "exceeding $25,000," as well as court costs, attorney fees and "appropriate equitable relief."
Becker, chief since January 1997, retired in June, as township trustees were about to consider the findings of a judge hired to investigate after an internal investigation begun after trustees received the union's letter.
(Article courtesy of www.daytondailynews.com)
Judge dismisses ex-fire chief’s lawsuit
By Lawrence Budd, Staff Writer
10:47 AM Thursday, March 4, 2010
LEBANON — With a five-day trial beckoning, a Warren County judge dismissed the lawsuit filed by Clearcreek Twp.’s fire chief accusing the local firefighters’ union of defamation and invasion of privacy.
Bernie Becker, fire chief since 1997, retired in July 2008 as trustees were to consider review of an internal investigation of complaints brought against him by members of the local union. In a lawsuit filed in October 2008 in Warren County Common Pleas Court, Becker claimed he had lost one job and been passed over for more than 90 others as a result of what he claimed were malicious claims by the union.
The union accused Becker of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment and abuse of power in a complaint made to township officials in February 2008.
On Feb. 24, Judge James Flannery ruled Becker failed to “show that the union entertained serious doubts about the truth of the allegations” in the complaint. The trial was set to begin on Monday, March 1.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Marianne,
I dont know anything about Ohio or its fire service. You certainly dont want to know about the politic here. What I do know is that we tried an outsider and it failed miserably. It just doesnt work well anywhere that I'm aware of. There are certainly enough articles about Mr. Becker when I hit Google and that scares me. They amy not all be true but there is something going on concerning Mr. Becker and your firefighters. I'l take the local anytime because I can see with my own eyes whats going on and cut through the B.S. and the B.S. degrees.
She lost all credability when she started out calling the current members fools.
This post is synonymous with the rest of Salisbury. The good ole boys are self destructive; reminds me of the democratic party.
My wife and I wanted to make Salisbury our home because we felt Salisbury would be a great place to start a family but with the crime, low salaries, higher cost of living, and close minded community; there is simply no benefit to living in Salisbury.
We decided not to sell our home and instead rent our home to college kids and left the area.
Get it yet?
You are either growing or dying; Salisbury needs to wake up because you are definitely not growing.
I'm from near Springboro, too, and I now live near Salisbury.
I have little doubt the letter writer's allegations are true.
The Eastern Shore isn't the only clannish place, and Dayton is a UNION town-- GM and associated support companies-- so you know they're used to playing by union rules, and playing union games.
11:53 dont worry, after our hapless "leaders" spend untold thousands of dollars trying to earn Salisbury its All American City status, that will fix ANY public perception problem. Salisbury will then, automatically, become THE place to live. LMFAO what a dam joke
It's been reported this man has interviewed for more than 100 jobs and has not been hired.
J.Albero said...
It's been reported this man has interviewed for more than 100 jobs and has not been hired.
9:18 PM
Joe, you are correct and if this man was all that he certainly would have secured a job by now. The judge dismissed Beckers lawsuit case against the union because Becker was GUILTY! If he has interviewed for over 100 jobs and hasn't secured even one that tells you something about the mans background. Then we have Jim Ireton, mayor of Salisbury who told the idiot no and then he brings him back twice and pays his traveling expenses. Pays the expenses with our money not his. To bad that isn't an impeachable offense, or is it? Can anyone name the real idiot here?
3:53 thank you so much for stating facts. Salisbury (the shore for that matter) offers very little for a middle class family. The educational system here is pathetic and the community here hates nearly anything or anyone different from the usual shore lifestyle. Instead of embracing change and progress the ppl here think that only the born-here ppl have anything to offer. When I first moved here from the midwest I honestly thought I was expecting too much from local ppl. Does anyone here have any integrity at all? This area has made me lose faith in the human race. The only normal ppl around here are the come-heres with a few well-traveled born here's mixed in. If you can trust a local person here you have more blind faith than I do.
8:01AM-- Do you remember where the bridge is?
The 'westbound' lane is the one you'd be looking for.
Hit the trail.
9:12 why arent you telling all the other ppl in this blog to leave??? Just because I have some criticism for the area I should leave? Look, there are so many problems around here, most could be fixed if ppl would look elsewhere for leadership. Most of the local ppl that I work with have made a career out of being lazy. Quit hiring/electing local ppl that dont care and start getting the job done by hiring the right person for the job whether they were born here or not. That will never happen though because of ppl like you. Enjoy living in your tiny little corner of your blind little world.
From what you write, Marianne, Becker sounds like the perfect candidate. However, it also sounds as if he would have interminable problems from many of the firefighters here. I can see trying to get some of these guys, who can barely fit inside the door of a burning house, to get in shape. The Eastern Shore is indeed to clannish. He would be treated as a "come-here," and it would take longer than he has years to turn that attitude around. I don't thing anyone, a "come-here" or a "been-here" will make the majority happy!
Becker sounds like Webster. Didn't get his way so he sued. Don't need that here. Had enuff.
If he couldn't get along because of trouble makers in Ohio, how's he gonna do great by the "trouble makers" here?
Got another question, Joe. Ohio. Isn't that where Gordy and friends did their convention partying? This guy know Gordy, See, any of them?
Guess what, Marianne? You just described Salisbury, so why does Bernie want to come here so bad, especially if he "retired" to work on his doctorate?
Larry Dodd has the same problem you tell for Bernie. Some FFs don't want him because they know he'll up the standards. (The ones who like him are already meeting them and know he'll be fair about it.) Dodd should count his blessings to not get chosen. The fat slob Gordy-ites would just make his life hell.
The east bound lane on the bay bridge costs to cross, and the west bound lane is free get the picture you are free to leave and good riddence. it ts the come heres that have made it the mess it is now. Before they came stores were closed on Sunday and you coulden't shop 24/7 but we were backwards hicks and you had to change that, so who really ruined the shore?
Its pretty ruined right now with the born heres in charge. I fail to see your point 5:31. So because it costs to come to the beach that somehow makes this place special??? Get a clue.
I guess all the modern day conveniences that come with a higher populated area arent important to you. You must never shop anywhere other than local mom and pop stores. You shouldnt even be on the net because if you have anything other than a dial up connection you can thank a come here. You see, without ppl around, businesses (aka JOBS) dont succeed. Any major convenience here is due to the influx of ppl (which is revenue for businesses) which helps grow the area. Unfortunately there arent enough smart ppl around to make that growth smart growth.
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