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Re: Angry e-mail leads to penalty, story, March 10.
I am appalled and dismayed by the decision of Clearwater City Manager Bill Horne concerning the e-mail sent by Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback that threatened firefighters. The e-mail that Mr. Brumback sent was beyond angry and vulgar - it was a direct threat made against two other firefighters and myself.
City policy clearly states, "The City of Clearwater will not tolerate violence, threats, harassment, intimidation and other disruptive behavior." And, "Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior or verbal abuse. Such behavior can include oral or written statements, gestures or expressions that communicate a direct or indirect threat."
Horne's decision to suspend is woefully inadequate and sends the wrong message that city administrators can threaten subordinate city employees and it will be tolerated. Mr. Brumback cannot divorce himself from his position as assistant city manager just because he used his home computer.
I have absolutely no connection or affiliation with the Draconian Times. That Mr. Brumback suspected I did, without one iota of evidence, flies in the face of all reason. To lash out and threaten me in the unprofessional manner he did because he was "angry and frustrated" is unacceptable of any person in his position. The remarks contained in Mr. Brumback's e-mail were so disgusting and vile the St. Petersburg Times will never be able to print them.
Horne's statement, "Just because he's an assistant city manager doesn't mean he gets a break," in my opinion is untrue. This will be his third "break." The first, as reported by the St. Petersburg Times in October 2000, involved a trail of questionable practices and unbecoming conduct centered around e-mails about private business and containing off-color jokes.
The second came last year at a City Commission work session at which Mr. Brumback made an ethnic slur. Horne was addressing the outcome of a city project, which had a unique problem with feral cats. Mr. Horne stated "a large number ... of cats that populated that park (Friendly Village of Kapok), we were able to successfully address their needs as well." To which Brumback interjected, "A little Korean restaurant."
Horne, seated right next to Mr. Brumback, stated, "I'm trying to ignore that." How could Mr. Horne ignore such an ethnic slur?
In the wake of yet another heinous and unacceptable transgression, threatening city employees, how could Mr. Brumback be afforded another break? Maybe the answer lies in the March 10 Times story, which states that Horne is his close friend.
A Times article of July 15, 2001, concerning the new City Manager Bill Horne, stated, "He has told his fellow city administrators that they must remove themselves from ever becoming a point of criticism." Mr. Horne also stated traits that he won't tolerate in his staff: arrogant attitude that implies the person is above the rules and untouchable; not treating all employees with dignity and respect; nonaccountability. All of these statements are nothing more than drivel in light of recent events surrounding Brumback.
The threat, "You're going down," that Brumback made is real. As long as Mr. Brumback is a city administrator, that threat will hang over me and the others he threatened. To believe that the threat was removed with Mr. Brumback's suspension would be naive.
Re: Angry e-mail leads to penalty, story, March 10.
I read that Clearwater's No. 2 administrator was suspended for an inappropriate e-mail he sent to the Draconian, a Web site dedicated to telling firefighters how righteous and heroic their positions and efforts are against the city. It goes on to opine how "insane and inglorious" the city of Clearwater and anyone who does not support the firefighters' positions are - even fellow firefighters.
Fellow citizens, get to a computer and look at the drivel and idiocy that emanates from our "professional firefighters." You may have a whole different slant on how professional they really are. The site is www.pinellas.com/draconian
After you visit this enlightening site, remember, not only do they want more of your tax dollars, even scarier is that they are the ones we depend on to protect our life and property. You will get a sense of their intellect before you even enter the Web site, when they ask that you click on the link that says you can only enter "if you are not offended by anything." Then they have some pseudo-legal mumbo jumbo disclaimer about being an adult of sound mind (look in the mirror, Mr. Publisher).
Granted, the Draconian is not the Fire Department, (but) they brag that fellow firefighters have so overwhelmed them with requests to be on the distribution list that there is a waiting list. God help us if that distribution list contains a single firefighter. If you are on that distribution list, I hope those narrowed-minded, vindictive tirades make you feel heroic.
We have the "thin blue line" in the police departments, where many officers blindly support their fellow officers no matter what because it is "us against them." Now I am seeing it in our fire departments. To blindly support the position of another city's fire department because you are a "brother or sister" is moronic. I saw letters from retired firefighters and family members from out of state and adjoining cities. I'm sure they don't have any idea of the city's financial situation.
So stop trying to elicit their voices and stop rabble-rousing your fellow employees. Can't they think for themselves?
Having said that, I want the firefighters to get everything they can get, from the best equipment to the highest pay scale affordable. You have a very difficult job.
Get off your high horses. Work with your Fire Department management and the city to come up with an equitable agreement for all concerned. And just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't make them your enemy. Let me assure you that in the nonunion private sector, your antics would have you walking a line all right ... the unemployment line!