When David Fulmer appears before a board tonight to respond to accusations of misconduct, it will mark the culmination of months of strife for the Licking County fire chief -- and for the board that's trying to fire him.
Fulmer hasn't worked a day as the West Licking Joint Fire District chief since May 30, when the fire board announced it was placing him on paid leave after more than three years of service. The suspension came with little explanation, and it launched a raft of problems for the district, which covers more than 100 square miles, including Pataskala, Kirkersville and Etna and Harrison townships.
In the days that followed, one board member quit, saying he'd been edged out of the decision. The remaining five members -- elected officials appointed by the councils on which they serve -- were accused of violating open-meeting laws and deciding to fire Fulmer in secret.
Fulmer fought the termination and eventually sued the board over the alleged open-meeting violation, filing so many public records requests that the district hired a part-time employee to manage them all. The lawsuit is still pending.
Meanwhile, rumors have swirled about what's really behind Fulmer's ouster, and about the board's most outspoken member, Pataskala Councilman Mike Fox. Fox himself was investigated after the girlfriend of the firefighters association president complained about his behavior.
The Pataskala City Council, which looked into accusations that Fox made a racist comment to the woman and spoke inappropriately about Fulmer in April, ultimately decided that Fox shouldn't be allowed to vote on Fulmer's employment. He'll be an observer during tonight's hearing on the charges against Fulmer, who was hired in 2009 and continues to earn his $98,800 salary.
"I just pretty much am going to stay out of it," said Fox, who believes the evidence presented will make it clear that Fulmer should be fired.
The chief, who did not return a message seeking comment, will contest accusations that he's spent money unwisely, created rancor in the district and violated its Internet policy.
The board hired investigative firm R.L. Emmons and Associates, of Centerville, a Dayton suburb, to look into Fulmer days after he was put on leave. The subsequent report charged that he spent about $1,000 on souvenir coins that he mostly kept for himself, made potentially costly work schedule changes and downloaded sensitive information to a district computer from his previous employer, the Miami Township Fire Department.
Tonight's hearing, which already has been delayed twice, isn't expected to be quick. Board members have allotted time Saturday morning in case proceedings don't wrap up tonight.
But when it does finish, nearly four months after he was told he was losing his job, Fulmer will finally know if he's lost it.
"It seems that you've just gotta jump over hoops to do anything," Fox said.
Copyright 2012 - The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
