[Vision2020] Oxycodone Gate [Con't]

[Tom Hansen]

What kind of example does this set for our community?  More importantly OUR CHILDREN?

Isn't it bad enough when we raise our children to believe in hard work and honesty, then read in the newspapers about baseball players being rewarded with fat contracts after openly admitting to using illegal/controlled substances like anabolic steroids?

The problem is immeasurably compounded when such unethical behavior not only occurs in our neighborhood, but responsibility is swept under the rug by the very people we entrust with the safety and management of the neighborhood (a fire chief and a city councilman).

I can't even begin to imagine the repercussions if, while working at UI Facilities, it were discovered that my supervisor had "covered up" the discovery of a controlled substance in my desk.

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"If not us, who?
If not now, when?"

- Unknown



On May 17, 2012, at 12:57, Art Deco <art.deco.studios at gmail.com> wrote:

> Below is an article from today's Daily News on the alleged discovery of possibly illegal narcotics possession and use at a Moscow fire station and the manner it was handled by fire district management.
> 
> Before making some initial short comments, I want to thank the Daily News for their investigative reporting.  Alleged possession and use of narcotics by paid, resident emergency responders is a serious issue.  The actions of two fire officials, Captain Dan Carscalen (also City Council Chair) and Chief Ed Button --- failure to report a crime to law enforcement and bullying and intimidating the whistle blowers -- also raise serious questions about their judgment and their management abilities and styles.  I hope this kind of public service investigative reporting continues under Lee Rozen.  If such reporting had been done during Hawkins Gate, perhaps at least one person would be in prison now.
> 
> There are many wild rumors flying about with respect to this incident because of the coverup that occurred and the CYA, stonewalling manner in which it was handled by those in charge -- rumors of where the drugs came from, whether other drugs like Hydrocodone are involved, usage of drugs by other public safety officers, inappropriate relationships, cronyism, etc.  I cannot credit any of these rumors.  But as a citizen and a taxpayer in the fire district, I want to know what is going on:  there are public health, public safety, and management raised issues here.
> 
> Specifically, there are two issues which really concern me:
> 
> 1.  Where did the drugs come from?  Where they pilfered from some private or public source?  If so, were substitutions made, and thus inactive drugs may be administered to patients in need of the real thing?
> 
> 2. Was this an isolated incident, or is it part of a larger problem affecting not only the MVFD, but possibly the MPD and/or other law enforcement/public safety organizations?
> 
> According to Button, the investigation is over.   Once the investigation is closed, the investigative records become public records.  I urge the Daily News to obtain a copy of these records and to inform us not only of the raw results, but the scope of the investigation so that we can see what questions where asked and what questions were not asked, and of whom.  I also urge the Daily News to continue their diligence on this subject and to continue to conduct their own independent investigation.
> 
> 
> Take note: 
> 
> They say they were told to "treat the drugs like a bottle of whiskey, and give (the firefighter) the opportunity to get rid of it," by on-duty fire command officer Dan Carscallen under orders by Fire Chief Ed Button.
> 
> Possession of whiskey by a person of age at the fire station may be a violation of policy, but it is not a crime.  Possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, a narcotic, without a valid prescription is both a state and federal crime.  Failure to promptly report credible evidence of such to law enforcement and suggest evidence be removed or destroyed appears to be a violation of federal obstruction of justice statutes.
> 
> Hence, besides an investigation of the criminal aspects of this matter, clearly a management audit/review of the MVFD is indicated to determine if the those in management/command positions are really qualified.
> 
> The MPD and MVFD are valuable and important public services.  All of us are grateful for their efforts, especially those of the volunteers, which make our community safer and more secure.  It is a shame that this incident occurred, and a greater shame the way it was handled has now besmirched their reputations, and has distracted from their many positive accomplishments.  Only a full and honest clearing of the air will restore the public confidence and remove the scars of this affair.  Let's hope this occurs.
> 
> Wayne Fox
> 208 882-7975
> 
> 
> __________________________________________
> Drugs at fire department under investigation
> 
> By Brandon Macz, Daily News staff writer | Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2012 1:00 am
> 
> Moscow City Supervisor Gary Riedner said Wednesday the Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office is investigating allegations of a drug cover-up at the volunteer fire department.
> 
> Complaints filed with the city by volunteer firefighters Bonnie Shambaugh and Emily Kimberling allege they found suspected drugs and paraphernalia in a resident firefighter's desk Feb. 14. They say they were told to "treat the drugs like a bottle of whiskey, and give (the firefighter) the opportunity to get rid of it," by on-duty fire command officer Dan Carscallen under orders by Fire Chief Ed Button.
> 
> Shambaugh and Kimberling also allege they felt intimidated and threatened to keep quiet during meetings they had separately with Carscallen and Button the day after the incident.
> 
> When the Daily News first reported the complaints, Riedner said the personnel matter had been resolved. He said Wednesday he had since discussed the issue with Moscow Police Chief David Duke and city attorney Randy Fife.
> 
> "We decided to have an outside agency take a look at it, and so David asked the Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office to do it, and they said they would do so, and it is under way," Riedner said. "We did the personnel action ... but we wanted to make sure we had done everything and looked at it from every point of view that we needed to."
> 
> Button said he welcomes the investigation.
> 
> "I've already been interviewed, and my reaction to it is I welcome the whole thing," he said. "From my standpoint, I've been accused of performing a cover-up and that's not the truth."
> 
> While he maintains he wanted the suspected drugs and paraphernalia out of the station, Button said he never ordered it destroyed nor did he ignore the incident.
> 
> He said the firefighter alleged to have been in possession of drugs was tested the next day. Following that, Button said he informed Riedner, Duke, Fife and then the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department board of directors a few days later.
> 
> "That is not a cover-up, that is informing all the proper authorities," said Button. "I never instructed anyone at any time to destroy the contents of that bottle."
> 
> Moscow Mayor Nancy Chaney said she became aware of the incident from Riedner on March 5.
> 
> "The information at that time was vague," she said. "The particulars were not known."
> 
> Chaney said she asked that Duke be informed.
> 
> "I absolutely support the investigation," she said.
> 
> Button said to his knowledge all parties involved in the incident have been interviewed by the sheriff's office. Nez Perce County Sheriff Dale Buttrey could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
> 
> Brandon Macz can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 238, or by email to bmacz at dnews.com.
> 
> Ghostery has found the following on this page
> 
> -- 
> Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
> art.deco.studios at gmail.com
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