Ponce Inlet Citizens and Businesses for Accountable Government

08/16/2021

PONCE INLET FIRE DEPARTMENT INTERNAL
INVESTIGATIONS #21-01 thru 06 COMPLETED
Dear Ponce Inlet Resident,

Over the past 9 months, information regarding the Ponce Inlet Fire Department’s Internal Investigations has been posted on various social media websites. In keeping with the C4Pi’s Mission Statement to provide accurate and complete information to our membership, we are posting the actual public record files and documents pertaining to these recently concluded cases for examination by our residents.

The following documents are now available on the C4Pi Website:

Final Reports and Notices
Audio Recordings of Witness Interviews
Transcripts of Witness Interviews
Exhibits
How the C4Pi Obtained This Information:

All of the information, files, reports and exhibits listed on our website were obtained pursuant to a public records request. There have been suggestions on various social media platforms that these were not legitimately obtained or that employee privacy rights or labor laws have been violated in the process. These claims were addressed by Town Attorney Cliff Shepard. Click here to read his memorandum.

The Origin of the Investigations:

In December 2020, Lieutenant Derek George and Firefighter Kyle Oberst together filed a complaint against fellow firefighter Fadi Fattouh. During the course of this investigation ( 20-01) issues were raised that resulted in subsequent investigations ( 21-01 thru 06.) Those subsequent investigations were concluded earlier this month, August 2021.

Lieutenant Derek George acknowledged in his testimony that the Town had an obligation to look into the allegations raised in 20-01 (see Page #316, Line #19 of his testimony transcript.) The testimony in the subsequent investigations was provided by union firefighters, not the Town of Ponce Inlet.

Outsourcing to an Independent Investigator:

Town Manager Jeaneen Witt issued the following statement pertaining to the outsourcing of these investigations.

“Prior to seeking out a third-party investigator I consulted with Police Chief Glazier, who made it clear the Town’s Police Department did not have the capacity to handle these new investigations or the additional Fire Department investigations that were already opened or in the process of being opened at the time. Thereafter, I requested that Volusia County and then the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office conduct these additional investigations. Both agencies declined.”

The firm of DSK Law was retained by the Town of Ponce Inlet to investigate the formal complaints.

Accusations of Bias Against Investigator Lindsay N. Greene (DSK Law.)

Reference Supplemental Report By Greene, Page # 103, Line 17 forward:

At the end of the due process hearing for Lieutenant George, he was asked about allegations that Investigator Greene had a “conflict of interest” and an “axe to grind.” Mr. Siwica (the union attorney representing Lt. George) stated “No. We aren’t taking that position.”

The Citizens for Ponce Inlet (C4Pi) presents this information so that our residents can form their own conclusions and opinions by providing all the information available on the public record.


Members of the public may access all available files here or request them in person at:

Ponce Inlet Town Hall
4300 South Atlantic Ave
Ponce Inlet, FL 32127

Sincerely,
Citizens for Ponce Inlet (C4Pi)

Copyright © 2021 Citizens For Ponce Inlet

Our mailing address is:
4670 S. Peninsula Drive
Ponce Inlet FL 32127

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08/16/2021

https://www.c4pi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Attorney-Shepard-Memo-022421.pdf

07/21/2021

Elections have consequences

When I wanted permission to do dumb things as a kid, Mom would always say “Be careful what you wish for”. With the upcoming election in Ponce Inlet, I’d rephrase that to “Be careful who, and what, you vote for”.

Ponce Inlet residents whose tenure dates back to 2008 might recall the moniker the “Failed Five”, and the town politicos to whom it was ascribed. A few of the five slunk quietly away from Ponce Inlet shortly thereafter, no doubt fearing retribution from some in-the-know citizenry, but one has decided to stage a comeback, as candidate for mayor no less. The attached article does a great job of identifying the five, detailing their involvement in the troubling events back then, and the repercussions of their actions on the town and its citizens, so I won’t go into details that would just be repeating the article’s content.

What I will add is my endorsement of Lyder and Simone Johnson’s steadfast sense of community and what they tried to accomplish in behalf of the town on their Down the Hatch properties. Simone was a fellow Lions Club member, and Down the Hatch catered many monthly Club meetings, virtually for free. The Johnsons allowed the Lions to host two widely publicized, and well attended, Jazz on the River fund raising events to benefit Paws for Patriots on their lovely riverside property, without charge. That would likely have continued had the Failed Five not “intervened”.

Bruce
(Please feel free to share with other PI residents)

05/02/2020

These rules apply for Ponce Inlet Beach starting May 2, 2020. Please abide by them,

03/25/2020

10/17/2019

Ponce Inlet, FL – Volusia County Council members vote 5-2 to extend the life of the almost ill-fated Ponce Inlet Legends of Racing Parade.

10/15/2019

Come out and support the vote October 15, 2019 at 9:30 AM.

After county attorneys canceled the parade over beach driving concerns, the council will take up the matter Tuesday. The vote will likely draw a crowd of

09/30/2019

https://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20190930/familiar-beach-driving-foe-involved-in-volusia-legends-parade-dispute?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=ghf-daytona-main

A vocal opponent of beach driving who has challenged Volusia County in federal court in the past is involved in a push to bring an end to a popular parade

09/26/2019

Organizers of an annual event that draws thousands to Volusia County and Ponce Inlet and pays homage to the early days of NASCAR and motorsports racing