Past insider raises ire of city officials

Amid contract negotiations with the city, the firefighters union plans to stick with Paul O'Rourke, who was forced to resign in May.

By JENNIFER FARRELL, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 24, 2002

CLEARWATER -- Paul O'Rourke has to go.

That's the message the city sent to leaders of the local firefighters union, who a month ago introduced the former Clearwater personnel director as their chief contract negotiator.

Not only does O'Rourke's presence at the bargaining table violate a city ordinance, officials say, but his former insider status creates a conflict of interest, giving the union an unfair advantage.

That O'Rourke was forced to resign his $85,466 job in May after clashing with City Manager Bill Horne magnifies the potential for ill will, according to a letter sent this month to union president John Lee by Deborah C. Brown, the city's labor attorney.

On Friday, the city got word the union is sticking with its man.

"I have read your concerns and at this time we will continue with our plans to use Mr. O'Rourke as our chief spokesperson," says a letter from Lee, dated Aug. 20. "We look forward to a productive meeting as scheduled on Aug. 26 ... ."

But just how productive that meeting will be remains to be seen.

"We've been placed in an untenable situation," Horne said Friday. "Whether there's anything that's accomplished, I don't know."

Lee could not be reached for comment.

Known around City Hall as a friend to labor, O'Rourke stepped down after becoming a figure in the police investigation into allegations that two city officers and a sergeant had improper sexual contact with a woman who lived on Clearwater Beach.

In March, he told the president of the police union about an ongoing criminal investigation involving the three officers. Police officials have said the tip could have compromised their inquiry.

Weeks later, Horne fired the officers while O'Rourke -- who normally would determine employee discipline -- was in New York at a conference.

Later, O'Rourke told the Times he would not have fired the officers had the decision been left to him.

Horne said O'Rourke's comments were inappropriate and said he would be fired if he didn't resign.

O'Rourke's re-emergence last month as the fire union's representative surprised city officials, who cite an ordinance banning former employees from representing to the city for pay any people or businesses for one year after leaving office.

Now, Horne wonders whether O'Rourke had grown too close to the union during his tenure with the city.

According to Horne, department heads had complained that O'Rourke often pushed too hard on behalf of employees in matters of discipline.

"I never felt it was the personnel director's role to become an advocate," said Horne. "The reaction from the union suggests that he had become that."

O'Rourke did not return a call seeking comment Friday.

-- Jennifer Farrell can be reached at 445-4160 or farrell@sptimes.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright