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Sandusky Ohio Firefighter Given One More Chance-Keeps Job
Beware Sandusky Ohio city fathers. This one could come back to bite you in the posterior. We really hope it doesn’t, but sadly, and too often, this type of case returns on another day. It is generally not a good day when they are revisited.
Todd Schoen, a 46 year-old Sandusky fireman was given another chance to behave himself appropriately in the fire house. City officials, in agreement with the firefighters’ union, permitted Schoen to sign off on what’s being call a “last chance” agreement.
It seems the responsible fire supervisor, 29 year fire veteran, Harold Roane, in his nine page report of the incident wherein Schoen allegedly made threats to the life of the fire chief and Schoen’s other co-workers, indicated often the firefighter under fire had been provoked to act out.
In legal terms this could be considered a “hostile environment”. It could mean Schoen has grounds for filing a civil lawsuit against the city. He probably should if he hasn’t signed an agreement that says in order to keep his gig he won’t file a law suit. It seems Roane saved Schoen’s gig. Perhaps he is not the villain he’s been made out to be in the bizarro world of Sandusky, Ohio. Officials say there will be some changes made in how the fire department is run as a result of what is now known as the Roane report.
It is obvious to us there was wrongdoing on the management side of this matter as well as the rank and file. Individuals charged with protecting and managing the workers did not handle their responsibility well. We are referring to one person in particular who allegedly knew of Schoen’s issues and even joined in the teasing and provocation of this deeply troubled individual.
We will not address the matter of allegedly odd, even drunken conduct by the fire chief, except to say it is strange for a professional to behave as the firefighter Schoen alleges he did in public. It was Chief Mike Meinzer whose life was allegedly threatened by Schoen. The chief stated during questioning by investigators he does not fear Schoen. He also admitted there does exist a kind of “brotherhood” among the firefighters. They protect one another.
Even the city manager Matt Kline allows this is a fact. Kline is the city official who, not wanting to be in the bad graces of the firefighters, says he supports all the fireman. He’s a politician. The expectation in these times is that they come without a backbone, unless they are of the George Bush variety or newly inaugurated Mayor Michael Nutter, of Philadelphia. Then they appear with all their priorities thoroughly out of order. Wait, this could describe Kline.
We also given dishonorable mention to those rank and file fire workers who provoked teased and encouraged Schoen’s reactions for their personal entertainment. We say shame on you for not understanding the magnitude of how your sick group mentality was affecting your co-worker and others. Read a book. Get a hobby. Spend your time in the firehouse productively. Grow up!
We speak about Schoen, himself, the center of the controversy who made several less than thoughtful decisions. One of his actions is he chose to disclose private patient information to unauthorized persons while performing his duties as an emergency services employee.
Though Schoen and others deny he was serious and would not act on the alleged statements he made threatening to do harm to the fire chief and other firefighters, curiously Schoen has apologized. We wonder what for? Disclosing private patient information? Being rude and unprofessional to the public and his co-workers ?Do you think he might have apologized for being insubordinate to his supervisors? Questions that make you go hmmm.
We have mixed feelings about the outcome of this story. In a way we are happy and glad to know Schoen will keep his job with the stipulation he receive psychiatric help to manage his anger and other issues. After all the guy has a family of four young children. He has to support his family. He needs a job.
We hope for the sake of everyone in bizarro land, Sandusky, Ohio, where good is bad and bad is great or at least tolerable, that everything will work out. Schoen won’t be messin’ up. He’ll keep his gig until he can retire. The chief will live a long life and expire from natural causes, and Matt Kline, city politician will get the reward all politicians have coming to them.
Best wishes to Lieutenant Harold Roane upon his retirement. We bet you’re really glad to get out of that crazy making place. If you can just get out of Mayberry-by-the-Lake, Sandusky, Ohio to really enjoy your retirement in a place like say the South of France?
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