BAY VILLAGE, Ohio --
A freedom of speech debate is on in Bay Village because of a firefighter who is facing disciplinary action for speaking his mind.
The incident occurred last month when firefighter Ron Westmoreland blamed city leaders and budget cuts for playing a part in the drowning death of a 7-year-old.
Bay Village firefighters and supporters gathered at a rally for Westmoreland before Monday's city council meeting.
The 16-year veteran firefighter faces suspension for speaking out at a previous council meeting. He said cuts to the fire department are partly to blame for the September drowning.
"I don't tell them where to spend their money. I have no control over the city, but my responsibility lies with the citizens of the city of Bay Village and I felt it was my duty to go up and say something," Westmoreland said.
He faces a suspension of nearly two weeks without pay for insubordination.
Civil rights attorney Avery Friedman said the city had no right taking such action against Westmoreland.
"When politicians forget we have freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, it sickens me," Friedman said.
The mayor said this isn't a question of free speech since Westmoreland was there speaking before council, not as a citizen, but as a city employee.
"If he had presented himself as just an individual that's different but he was presenting himself as a spokesman for the fire department," said Mayor Debbie Sutherland.
Because a hearing on the suspension hasn't been held, council members weren't peaking Monday night, but some of the people in the audience were.
"It is a blight on the city of Bay Village that a gentleman is being punished for speaking his piece at this council chamber," said one resident.
Westmoreland faces a disciplinary hearing on the matter on Wednesday.
Friedman said depending on the outcome, he'll consider filling a civil rights lawsuit against the city.
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