[Vision2020] Daily News OP/ED: Oxycodone Gate

[Art Deco]

I agree with the last sentence of this editorial and all of us need to
thank the *Daily News* for initially reporting on, and then continuing to
follow up this issue.

I also agree with the following from the editorial:

"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."

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

w.
____________________________________________________
Is sleepy management a crime to be investigated?

* Posted: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 1:00 am *

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The firefighter whose desk the material was found in was tested for drugs
the next morning. None were found in her system.

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.

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."

No one on the City Council has been vocal about demanding that Button or
Carscallen explain what is going on.

It's months late for a sheriff's drug investigation. Likely, that's what
the sheriff will conclude, also.

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.

*- Lee Rozen, for the editorial board*
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-- 
Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
art.deco.studios at gmail.com
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