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Letter to the editor

Ex-fire chief seeks hearing

"I want my name cleared," says Karry Bell, who resigned rather than be fired.

By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer
Published September 18, 2007

LARGO - The city's former acting fire chief is challenging the decision that led to his resignation.

Karry Bell, who had worked for Largo Fire Rescue for almost 29 years, has requested a hearing with the city's Personnel Advisory Board.

Bell, 47, resigned Aug. 29 after Largo officials said they would terminate him for refusing to admit he used the words "Eat me" during a discussion a month earlier.

"I want my name cleared," said Bell, who has repeatedly denied using those words.

In a sworn statement, Bell told officials he actually used the words "Grieve me" - a challenge to file a formal grievance under union rules.

During a city investigation of the incident, Bell's recollection of his comments conflicted with sworn accounts of five fire employees, three from Belleair Bluffs and two from Largo.

The accounts differ, Bell said, because employees weren't specifically asked whether he may have used the words "Grieve me."

Bell was meeting with Belleair Bluffs fire employees at the time of the incident because Largo Fire Rescue manages Belleair Bluffs' department.

Assistant Human Resources director Pat Saben said she hopes to schedule a hearing for Bell sometime next week.

Assistant City Manager Henry Schubert, who recommended Bell's firing, had determined that Bell had refused to cooperate with a work-related investigation.

The advisory board cannot overturn Schubert's decision, but it can make a recommendation to City Manager Norton "Mac" Craig. The board could stand by Schubert's finding, recommend Bell's reinstatement or recommend a less severe discipline, Schubert said.

Craig said he thinks Bell is a "good guy" but doubts that firefighters' accounts of the incident will change.

"For the life of me, I can't see them changing their mind," Craig said. "They were all in one room, and they all heard the exact same thing."

Flood of grievances

The events that led to Bell's exit began with grievances filed by Belleair Bluffs firefighters. There had been an onslaught of such complaints over the past few months, according to Bell and Belleair Bluffs officials.

Late on July 29, Bell visited the Belleair Bluffs Fire Station with a Largo district chief and lieutenant to discuss a few open grievances. Bell said. The union contract required Bell to interview the men within seven days and that was his last opportunity to do so, he said.

Belleair Bluffs fire Lt. Chuck Barlet and two other Belleair Bluffs firefighters also were present. A heated exchange ensued between Barlet and Bell after Bell asked to speak with a firefighter who Barlet said had gone to bed, according to various accounts.

Barlet said he felt a responsibility to defend the other firefighters as the department's union representative.

Since Bell's resignation, Belleair Bluffs officials have questioned the actions of their own firefighters. And a little over a week ago, Belleair Bluffs Mayor Chris Arbutine asked the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office to investigate various issues within the Belleair Bluffs department, including the circumstances that led to Bell's resignation.

The Sheriff's Office confirmed an ongoing investigation Monday.

Counterclaims

The Belleair Bluffs department serves Belleair Bluffs, the town of Belleair and unincorporated areas of Harbor Hills, Harbor Bluffs and Oakdale Manor.

The department is preparing to offer advanced life support services, Arbutine said, and various procedural changes tied to that goal appeared to trigger an increase in employee grievances in recent months.

"Any changes made by Chief Bell were made strictly to take us from where we were at to a much higher level," Arbutine said.

Belleair Bluffs Commissioner Dave Shimkus defended Bell and questioned Barlet's actions in an Aug. 29 e-mail to other Belleair Bluffs commissioners.

"Lt. Barlet alleged Chief Bell made an inappropriate comment to him, and instead of just dismissing it, Chief Bell asked for the internal investigation because he had nothing to hide from," Shimkus wrote. "The result for standing up for his rights got him fired, with the option to resign after 28 years of service. I for one will no longer stand for Lt. Barlet's antics, and feel this is an embarrassment to our department and Chief Bell."

Shimkus, who called for Barlet's resignation, also accused Barlet of manufacturing grievances that don't exist.

Barlet denied the accusation.

"I didn't manufacture anything," he said Monday. "In fact, most of those grievances were handed to me."

Bell, who was named division chief in 2004, was promoted to deputy chief in 2005. He was in charge of the city's emergency management program and became acting chief in June.

Bell replaced former Fire Chief Jeff Bullock, who resigned in April. Division Chief Jeff Day will serve as acting chief until a new chief is hired. The city plans to interview candidates for the position Sept. 26 and 27, Craig said.

Lorri Helfand can be reached at lorri@sptimes.com or 445-4155.

[Last modified September 17, 2007, 21:35:35]