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Woman to address fire commissioners
By JAMIE JONES, Times Staff Writer SPRING HILL -- Fire Commission Chairman Bob Kanner wants a woman's expert opinion. He has asked Stephanie Walley, director of the county's Dawn Center domestic violence shelter, to attend the Spring Hill fire board's next meeting on Sept. 25 to talk about sexual harassment. She will enter the board's chambers off Deltona Boulevard at a time when commissioners are grappling with a rape investigation involving three firefighters. Walley said she plans to give a routine presentation on sexual harassment and violence in the workplace. Part of her job as director of the Dawn Center is discussing sexual assault awareness with any interested agency or corporation. Kanner said he is unsure precisely what role Walley can play. "Anything she can give us at all," he said. Kanner said he hopes Walley will offer the district advice on its policies. He said he also may be interested in her playing a role in the district's internal investigation into the three firefighters. The firefighters -- Lt. John Ferriero, Edward Falk and Thomas White -- are suspended with pay until prosecutors in Seminole County decide whether to press sexual assault charges. Police have been investigating the men since June, when a 32-year-old Spring Hill woman reported they had raped her in a hotel room in Altamonte Springs. The firefighters admitted to having sex but said it was consensual, according to authorities. After prosecutors finish weighing evidence, commissioners said, they will conduct an internal investigation to see whether the firefighters violated any district policies. Kanner said he does not yet know how the district will handle the internal investigation. He said he may suggest that the board appoint three to five community members to review the case. Fire Chief J.J. Morrison is in the process of drafting a new internal affairs procedure for the department. He and a retired New York detective are tentatively suggesting that the district appoint Assistant Chief William Davies as the internal affairs officer. He is expected to reveal his suggestions by Sept. 11. Whether the district's new overall internal policy will be used in the three firefighters' case has not been decided. Walley said she typically makes recommendations and suggestions on sexual harassment policies. She said she did not know if she would be able to help with the internal investigation because her primary concern, and professional obligation, is dealing with victims. Walley said she would consider helping in any way, as long as she faces no conflict of interest. Spring Hill Fire Rescue currently has a policy forbidding sexual harassment, which is defined as "insulting, degrading or exploitative sexual treatment." Kanner said he decided to call Walley on Sen. Ginny Brown-Waite's suggestion. Walley joined the Dawn Center as executive director in April. She previously was chief operating officer for Sunrise of Pasco County, a domestic violence agency. Walley, who considers herself a victim's advocate, started as a counselor in her native England. She has worked as the Salvation Army's Domestic Violence Shelter director in Pasco County and as a supervisor at a shelter in Hillsborough County.
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From today's Hernando Times Editorial Letters |
