The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Metro

Discussion

December 15, 2009

Firefighter representatives resign from pension board

By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

Elections will be set to fill two vacancies on the Joplin Police and Fire Pension Board after both Fire Department representatives announced their resignations Tuesday at a meeting of the panel.

Bob Davison attended the meeting briefly and noted that he had resigned via e-mail two weeks earlier.

Tom Robertson resigned, effective Jan. 1, at the end of the session. Both said their decisions stemmed from the way the city addressed scheduling conflicts in connection with their attendance at board meetings.

At the request of the city administration, the Fire Department recently made reassignments to keep the two firefighters on the same shift. City officials said the move was designed to make it easier for the two to be available for pension board meetings at the same time.

But Davison said the reassignment put him in a less desirable post, and that he saw his new job as a demotion. He said it was a retaliatory move.

He said the reassignment was in reaction to his having pushed for attendance at pension board meetings to be considered “city business,” and that fill-in workers should be hired to cover shifts when he and Robertson were away from the department at a meeting or other pension fund business.

The two firefighters were on the same shift, but they told other board members at the previous meeting that they would be assigned to separate shifts starting Jan. 1.

“The discussion among the board (at the previous meeting) was whether they could stay on one shift,” said Brian Head, city attorney. “That request was forwarded from the city manager to the chief, and he did that (rescinded the plan that would have put the two on separate shifts beginning Jan. 1).”

Fire Chief Gary Trulson was at the meeting Tuesday. He explained how the reassignment was handled, and noted its impact on other issues, such as selection of vacation days.

“Typically, the assistant chief makes those decisions,” he said. “They are based on certifications and training, and needs on each shift. But there was no retaliation, and nothing to retaliate for.”

Detective Charla Geller, a police representative on the board, said she wished there could be “another solution.”

“It’s crucial we have Fire Department representatives, and that they can be available,” she said.

Head said there had been times when Fire Department representatives had been on duty during meetings and had to leave to respond to a call.

Robertson said he also believed Davison was a victim of retaliation. But he said his decision to resign was “no reflection on the board,” and he complimented Mayor Gary Shaw on the manner in which he has conducted the meetings.

“Maybe new people will work out better,” Robertson said.

Davison after the meeting said electing new members would be “just a Band-Aid” to avoid the issue.

“It all boils down to the fact the pension board should be considered city business,” he said.

The election to fill the board vacancies will be conducted by Barbara Hogelin, city clerk, Head said.



Fund growth

Board members noted growth in pension fund investments, up to more than $23.7 million from $22.8 million a month ago.

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