I agree with the last sentence of this editorial and all of us need to thank the <i>Daily News</i> for initially reporting on, and then continuing to follow up this issue.<br><br>I also agree with the following from the editorial:<br>
<br><span style="color:rgb(0,0,153)">"So, what is the sheriff investigating? Certainly not
the unquestioned high quality and deep dedication of the vast majority
of Moscow's paid and volunteer firefighters and medical teams."</span><br><br>Besides a criminal investigation, a management audit from an objective, outside organization is sorely needed even if Oxycodone Gate is the only perceived problem (which, if any of the current buzz is true, is only a part of the problem).<br>
<br>On the silence of the Moscow City Council: I am guessing that that it is very highly probable that a great deal of discussion has taken place among certain council members in violation of open meeting laws. And now, thanks to Walter "Mr. Slime" Steed, who championed a change from city cell phone accounts to private, city reimbursed accounts, citizen investigation of this aspect of councilpersons' activities becomes much harder and more expensive -- a lack of greatly needed transparency: an intentional result of one of Steed's many slimy maneuvers.<br>
<br>The original allegations of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession/use of a Schedule II controlled substance, the unbelievable failure of Button and Carscalen to immediately report the issue to law enforcement, the advice to remove/destroy the evidence -- thus making any kind of criminal investigation much, much more difficult -- and the intimidation/bullying of the whistle blowers are now not the only possible subjects for a criminal investigation. <br>
<br>Since tapes were made of some of the telephone conversations, another avenue of investigation is open: Are there substantive differences between what witnesses are telling the investigator and what is revealed by the tapes? It is a crime to lie to a law enforcement officer investigating a possible crime or crimes. i hope this aspect of the matter is pursued.<br>
<br>The failure to report the matter immediately to law enforcement also raises serious questions about the abilities of Button and Carscalen to react quickly and expeditiously in emergency situations where life, limb, and property may be in danger.<br>
<br>The many dedicated, effort and time giving volunteers of the MVFD deserve better, as do the members of the fire district. Will the city council act responsibly in this matter, or will cronyism prevail, and the whole matter dismissed with a shrug and meaningless lip service?<br>
<br>w.<br>____________________________________________________<br>
<h1 style="font-size:24px">Is sleepy management a crime to be investigated? </h1>
<p>
<strong>
Posted: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 1:00 am
</strong>
</p><p>The Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office is investigating
whether any crimes were committed when suspected drugs and drug
paraphernalia were found in a firefighter's desk at a Moscow fire
station late the night of Feb. 14.</p>
<p>The investigation from Moscow city officials, which became public
last week, comes months after the incident and has been driven by a
complaint filed against the city by the two firefighters who found the
material in question. It also comes after the Daily News wrote about the
complaint on Page One on May 7.</p>
<div class="encrypted-content" style>
<p>So, what is the sheriff investigating? Certainly not
the unquestioned high quality and deep dedication of the vast majority
of Moscow's paid and volunteer firefighters and medical teams.</p>
</div>
<div class="encrypted-content" style>
<p>As for the drugs, the material that was found was
disposed of months ago, supposedly flushed down a toilet, apparently at
the suggestion, if not the direction, of a sleepy fire chief.</p>
</div>
<div class="encrypted-content" style>
<p>Fire Chief Ed Button and Fire Capt. Dan Carscallen,
who also is president of the Moscow City Council, aren't exactly sure
what the substance was. Neither bothered to go to the fire station that
night to see for themselves what was going on. Neither called the
police.</p>
</div>
<div class="encrypted-content" style>
<p>The firefighter whose desk the material was found in was tested for drugs the next morning. None were found in her system.</p>
</div>
<div class="encrypted-content" style>
<p>The two firefighters who raised the alarm were called
the next morning, they say, to Carscallen's office at the North Latah
County Highway District, away from the fire station. It's unclear the
nature of the conversation there, but the firefighters say Button and
Carscallen encouraged them to keep quiet about what had happened the
previous night.</p>
</div>
<div class="encrypted-content" style>
<p>Nearly three weeks later, City Supervisor Gary
Riedner informed Mayor Nancy Chaney about the incident, but "the
information at that time was vague," she said. "The particulars were not
known."</p>
</div>
<div class="encrypted-content" style>
<p>No one on the City Council has been vocal about demanding that Button or Carscallen explain what is going on.</p>
</div>
<div class="encrypted-content" style>
<p>It's months late for a sheriff's drug investigation. Likely, that's what the sheriff will conclude, also.</p>
</div>
<div class="encrypted-content" style>
<p>We think those are the wrong people asking the wrong
questions. Moscow's elected officials need to be asking questions of
Riedner about his management team at the fire department.</p>
</div>
<div class="encrypted-content" style>
<p><em>- Lee Rozen, for the editorial board</em></p>
</div>
<div style="display:block;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(51,0,51);padding:7px 10px;color:rgb(255,255,255);border:2px solid rgb(255,255,255);text-decoration:none!important;text-align:left;font:13px Arial,Helvetica;border-radius:5px 5px 5px 5px;text-transform:none;width:auto" id="ghostery-purple-bubble">
<span style="font-size:0px">Ghostery has found the following on this page:</span><span style="display:inline;color:rgb(119,119,119);text-decoration:line-through">Google Adsense</span><br style="display:block!important"></div>
<br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)<br><a href="mailto:art.deco.studios@gmail.com" target="_blank">art.deco.studios@gmail.com</a><br>