NBC Chicago aligns with BGA on Tri-State FPD decisions
NBC Chicago recently published an article accompanied by a video segment questioning certain decisions made by the Tri-State Fire Protection District's board of trustees regarding the recent retirement of Fire Chief Michelle Gibson.
The resignation of this fire chief has sparked numerous inquiries and raised eyebrows within the community. Michelle Gibson, who was in a civil union with Jill Strenzel—one of her supervisors and one of just three trustees overseeing the fire district—left quite a few unanswered questions when she stepped down from her position. This fire district is headquartered in southwest suburban Darien and serves portions of four towns along with unincorporated areas of DuPage County.
Just two weeks prior to her departure, Strenzel and the other two trustees unanimously agreed on a retirement package that would pay the outgoing chief approximately $136,000 by year-end. This amount primarily covers unused sick days and vacation time. Attorney Shawn Collins, who specializes in employment contract negotiations and disputes, examined the arrangement and described it as "absurd." He expressed surprise, stating that he had never encountered a situation where someone would be compensated in 2014 for a sick day unused back in 1989. Collins further criticized the setup, suggesting it gives off the impression of a "private family business" or a "fiefdom," where individuals who are acquainted with each other make decisions akin to dividing up personal funds.
Gibson's resignation followed a year-long probe conducted by the Better Government Association and NBC 5 Investigates. Their investigation revealed a significant rise in expenditures on equipment, entertainment, and legal costs during the six years since Gibson became chief. It is worth noting that the trustees, including Gibson's partner, Strenzel, reviewed and approved each year's budget.
When BGA investigator Katie Drews sought clarification from the three trustees about the retirement agreement, it was the newly appointed fire chief, Jack Mancione, who responded via email. His message partly stated that "the trustees believe it is fair and reasonable to the taxpayers."
Jim Durkin, the House Republican leader representing the area, commented that the circumstances "cry out for public accountability."
I want to extend my gratitude to several sources for providing valuable information. For those interested, previous posts related to this topic can be found HERE, HERE, and HERE.
This story continues to unfold, and I'll keep you updated as more details emerge.
Hydraulic Baler,Metal Baler,Scrap Metal Baler,Hydraulic Tire Baler
Huade Heavy Industry Technology Co., Ltd , https://www.huadebaler.com