03/05/2024
I have been refraining from writing about this for various reasons. However, I feel that now is the time to get some facts out there. I do not want to come off as bashing the trustees because that is not what I am doing. They have a tough decision to make that either saves or destroys a good man’s career.
I met Chief Methvin (Chris) during a union negotiation a few years back. He had recently been hired as the Assistant Fire Chief. During the back and forth with the union it was obvious that he is a born leader. Jump ahead 4+ years and Chief Kelly retires. If you remember the Trustees initially set up a citizen committee to help select the next Fire Chief. Ultimately they disbanded the committee before interviews began and promoted Chris to the fire chief position. That was about 11 months ago. Unfortunately, that came with yet another 12 month probationary period (he had a 1 year probation when he was hired as assistant chief). For the last couple of weeks he has been on paid leave. No one in the public seems to know exactly why and according to an earlier post from Anne Radney, Chris does not know either. The timing, however, perfectly lines up with an investigation that was being done against a fire fighter that has been an issue long before Chris ever became Chief. My guess is that he is being accused of participating in firehouse banter that is found in work places all over.
As promised here are some facts about our Fire Chief:
- NO DISCIPLINE EVER IN HIS 30+ YEARS FIRE-FIGHTING CAREER.
- Exceptional reviews during entire 4 years I was Trustee
- Anyone that has ever heard him speak at Coffee with the Chiefs or really anywhere knows that he is a great communicator
- He was promoted to Chief without the normal lengthy hiring process
- Has made great progress with the fire department and working with the personnel and union
- Loved by virtually everyone
- Great family man with a huge heart
I am sure that I can go on. I know he has been there for myself and my family as well as countless others within this community and more.
We need to band together and fight for the Chiefs rights and help him fight for his career. If it is not yet on the agenda I am afraid they will walk it on during the meeting but I believe they will decide the Chiefs future at the Trustee meeting this Thursday. I know a lot of people showed up at the last meeting only to be turned away due to it being an executive session but I feel this one will be different. Please come and be ready to say something for the Chief and for due process and for basic employment rights that most of us enjoy. Again, we are not there to bash the Trustees but rather to support the Chief and help the Trustees understand there is a way to move forward without destroying a man. That they can decide to keep a great chief in his position and provide good coaching along the way to prevent a re-occurrence of whatever they think that he did.
