February 17, 1999
Firefighters fire off grievances with city
By David Crawford
Staff Writer
Two of three firefighters who received suspensions and demotions last week have filed a grievance with the city to change the discipline.
City Administrator Wayne Stephens said Tuesday Capt. William Wilkins and Capt. Matt Palmer have filed grievances to change their demotions and suspensions.
The remaining firefighter, Mark Wagner, had not filed a grievance.
Tiffin Fire Chief William Ennis will hear the grievances once he returns later this week.
The pay reductions and suspensions still will be in effect while the grievance is considered.
In his grievance, Wilkins has asked for a reduction in the punishment.
Palmer has requested the reversal of any discipline in his grievance.
Kevin Greenfield, who represents all three firefighters, said late last week they ''vigorously deny'' the allegations and he expected them to file grievances to seek reduction in the discipline.
Wilkins, Palmer and Wagner received varying amounts of suspensions and demotions as the result of a city investigation of behavior within the Tiffin Fire Department.
The violations in fire department guidelines and inappropriate behavior came to the attention of city officials in the investigation of a Ohio Civil Rights Complaint filed against the city.