Gag order keeps details under wraps
By Heather Ruenz
Editor
The two people in charge at the Village of Palmyra Fire and Rescue Department are on administrative leave though the details behind that decision are being kept quiet.
Village officials – under orders from their labor attorney Jim Macy – are not talking. But Paul Bucher, the attorney for the two village employees on leave – Fire Chief Marshall Lewis and EMS Capt. Tracy James, stated in a letter that his “clients did nothing wrong.”
Bucher, who didn’t reveal many details, wrote in the letter, “There exists an allegation of improper submission of a document for reimbursement for a class by a firefighter who has since resigned.
“Neither Chief Lewis or Capt. James had anything to do with this incident, knew nothing of the incident at the time of the submission of the document, and followed protocol and procedure to a ‘T.’ They are extremely anxious to return to their respective positions and continue protecting the citizens of the Village of Palmyra,” Bucher wrote.
James Small, public safety director for the village, confirmed Tuesday that Marshall and James are on administrative leave and that an investigation is being conducted.
“We’re in the process of conducting an internal investigation being overseen by Jim Macy, the village’s labor attorney,” Small said.
“The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department is also involved in a portion of the investigation as it relates to possible criminal charges,” Small said.
Small said the department has been able to answer calls for service without interruption.
“Our service has continued. We’ve been able to staff the ambulance and fire trucks and respond to calls,” Small said. “We’re always looking for more people to join the department and have been for some time. That hasn’t changed.”
At Monday night’s Village Board meeting, a letter related to the department’s ability to respond was read by Village President Dave Turner.
“We received a note from David and Amy Cox who had a medical emergency at their home recently,” Turner said, explaining EMS had arrived on the scene within four minutes of the call being made and responders had handled themselves professionally and proficiently.
At the June 1 regular Village Board meeting, on a recommendation from Small, the board approved the appointment of Angela Gonzalez as interim EMS captain.
Small said Gonzalez had taken that roll since James had been placed on administrative leave in early May.
“She’s done very well,” Small told the board.
Because the interim position is not in the budget, Small requested approval to pay Gonzalez $15 an hour – or approximately $300 a week, retroactive to May 6. The total potential cost, according to Small, is $10,500 through the end of this year.
Trustee Kathy Weiss clarified that Gonzalez’s pay as interim captain will be separate from what she’ll receive for responding to calls.
Tony Cardenas, deputy fire chief, according to Small, has stepped into the department’s lead role since Lewis was placed on leave.
“Both of them are long-standing members of the department and are doing well with their additional responsibilities,” Small said.
According to Bucher’s letter, Lewis and James “are devastated by the recent allegations and the actions that have been taken, as well as the statements made by individuals who have no cause to make such statements.”
Bucher further stated Lewis and James “respect the ongoing process, and are not surprised that the process has proceeded down the current path, based upon the facts that have come to light.”
