Questionable doings
But, at the press conference, Gallo said that new information came to his attention on Friday, Feb. 3, which cast suspicion on Rea and others in the department. After spending the weekend “putting the puzzle together” and Monday gathering supporting documents to corroborate the allegations, Gallo referred the matter to District Attorney Holley Carnright and began disciplinary proceedings against Rea. Gallo added that he had also asked Carnright to thoroughly investigate fire department operations including time off accruals, overtime and the purchase and use of fire department equipment. The last was the only allegation that Gallo elaborated on, saying that he had received information that members of the fire department had taken equipment for their own personal use.
“I’m pretty confident that there might be some more doings at the department that are questionable,” said Gallo.
Gallo added that his misgivings about the department were so deep that he did not feel he could appoint a new chief from within the ranks until the DA’s investigation was complete. In the meantime, Gallo said, he had appointed formerKingstonfire chief John Reinhardt, 69, to lead the department on an interim basis. Reinhardt spent 30 years with the department, including seven as chief before retiring in 1998. Gallo said a permanent replacement would be chosen based on the results of civil service exam slated for early next year. And, in a break with tradition, the competition would be open to applicants statewide, not just current city firefighters.
At Wednesday’s press conference, Reinhardt said that he would focus on implementing the new accountability procedures and getting the reeling department back on track.
“We’ll turn that around,” said Reinhardt. “We’ll show our members and the public that the department can be what it was.”
Regret and rebukes
Gallo mixed his harsh rebuke with regret, especially for city employees, including firefighters, who “put in an honest day’s work” only to see their reputations tarnished by the actions of others. He also praised Salzmann and Rea for the good work they had done over the course of their careers.
“Both of them contributed, probably 60 years between the two of them, to their community, with unblemished records,” said Gallo. “It’s a shame, but I had no choice.”
Lt. Tom Tiano, president of the Kingston Professional Firefighters Association, expressed shock at the accusations and expressed confidence that Rea, and the department, would be vindicated. Tiano said the lack of accountability within the department cited by Gallo stemmed from charter reforms passed in 1998 which did away with the board of fire commissioners as a policy-making body and shifted all power to department heads and the mayor.
I think it is high time that Sottile be named. But Carnright’s lack of agressive investigation over these past years must be considered as well… that was a campaign issue that didn’t get the traction it deserved… Holly is indeed a personable, presentable and very likable man… but his postion on this kind of corruption, past and present, was “What else could I do?”…
Mr. Gallo’s pain was evident, but he did not softpedal the offenses he and John Tuey were confronted with.
Holy crap, the Freeman story lacked this kind of detail. This proves the “Kirby culture” is only interested in scandal and bullying, not the facts. Kudos Kingston Times for the story.