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A Spring Hill Fire Rescue commissioner's decision to apply for an assistant chief job creates a call for his resignation.
By JENNIFER FARRELL, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 9, 2002
SPRING HILL -- Spring Hill Fire Rescue Commissioner Dennis Andrews submitted an application Friday to become the department's next assistant chief.
Hours later, Chairman Bob Kanner said he will ask Andrews to resign his seat on the five-member commission when the group convenes on Wednesday.
"My heart is telling me he needs to get off the board," said Kanner. "I will ask for his resignation."
Andrews could not be reached for comment Friday. He said a day earlier that he did not plan to give up his seat on the commission unless his colleagues vote to hire him.
Andrews said an initial consultation with the commission's attorney revealed no law requiring him to step down.
On Friday, Kanner said board attorney Andrew Salzman did more research that supports Andrews staying on the board.
But the matter has sparked turmoil.
Because commissioners have asked Chief J.J. Morrison to review the 33 applications on file and give input on hiring his new assistant, some worried the issue could get complicated. They defended Andrews' right to apply for the job, but noted that as a sitting commissioner, he is one of Morrison's bosses.
Commissioner Gene Panozzo said Andrews should resign to avoid any potential conflicts.
"I think it's a very uncomfortable situation," he said. "I don't know how we get out of this situation."
Andrews said Thursday he knows he cannot vote on any issues that would affect the position of assistant chief.
But last month, when commissioners discussed Morrison's proposed contract, Andrews suggested including a provision that would guarantee automatic pay increases over time for the chief and for the assistant chief.
Andrews said he had not raised the issue to benefit himself, merely to return to the district's past practice.
But Kanner said Andrews' actions have created an appearance of impropriety.
"That's a possibility where he could've shot himself in the foot," said Kanner. "That's another thing that needs to be looked into."
Kanner said he directed Salzman on Friday to alert the state Ethics Commission. He also said he wanted more information about Andrews' talks with the board's lawyer.
"If the public is paying that, I certainly do have a problem with it," Kanner said.
Commissioner Jeff Hollander said he also wanted guidance from the state Ethics Commission, but worried a decision would take weeks.
"We need an assistant chief," he said. "I'm just hoping that this doesn't slow up the process."
Andrews, 48, resigned in September 1995 as assistant chief in Spring Hill after clashing with former Chief Mike Morgan. He now works as a training and research manager at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala.
Andrews said the assistant chief's job, advertised with an annual salary of $57,900, would amount to a significant pay raise, plus cut his one-way commute from 84 miles to 7 miles.
The matter is set for discussion at the commission's next meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in district headquarters, 3445 Bob Hartung Court.
-- Jennifer Farrell covers Spring Hill and can be reached at 848-1432. Send e-mail to