The disciplinary hear went long -- nearly nine hours. Some board members didn't get home until after 3 a.m. Saturday. And still there is no decision on whether a Licking County fire chief will lose his job.
Attorneys for both the West Licking Joint Fire District and suspended Fire Chief David Fulmer have until Nov. 2 to present closing briefs to the fire board, which is expected to vote during its Nov. 8 meeting whether to keep or fire Fulmer.
Fulmer, who has been chief since 2009 and makes $98,800 a year, has been suspended with pay since May 30. A subsequent investigation led to disciplinary charges of misconduct in office, creating disharmony in the district and violating its computer policies. He was accused of spending about $1,000 on souvenir coins that he mostly kept for himself, making costly work-schedule changes, posting an inappropriate comment on Facebook, and downloading sensitive information from his previous employer to a district computer.
At Friday's hearing, which began at 6 p.m. and ended just before 3 a.m. yesterday, Fulmer, 42, defended himself against the charges and said he hadn't violated district rules. His attorney, David Comstock Jr., argued that Fulmer is an aggressive leader who became the target of inaccurate accusations.
About a dozen witnesses, including former fire-board members and the investigator who leveled charges against Fulmer, testified on Friday before the board and an audience of about 20. The West Licking district covers more than 100 square miles, including Pataskala, Kirkersville and Etna and Harrison townships.
Fire-board Chairman Derek Myers said the board -- which is being sued by Fulmer, who has accused it of violating open-meetings laws -- is being careful to follow state law in removing Fulmer from his post.
Copyright 2012 - The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
