Union issues apology after 3 are suspended
Grand Rapid Press
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BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — All three full-time Cutlerville firefighters will be suspended without pay, and their union has issued an apology to Byron and Gaines townships for misusing township computers as part of a settlement between the townships and the union.
The disciplinary actions -- handed down last week -- were released Tuesday after a Freedom of Information Act request by The Press. They ended a months-long investigation launched by the townships after hundreds of pornographic images were found on all three fire department computers, including one inside a fire truck.
Firefighters acknowledged misusing township computers, including for personal use, but township officials said firefighters did not admit to visiting pornographic Web sites or viewing nude photos online.
Firefighters argued throughout the investigation that those sites could have been accessed by anyone because the township computers were not password-protected, and the fire station often was left open, allowing anyone to enter and use them.
Officials from Byron and Gaines townships -- which jointly oversee the fire department -- say the investigation into who accessed the online pornography is closed.
Disciplinary actions outlined in the settlement include a 120-hour suspension for firefighter Ken Cope. Firefighters Carl Gunderson and Mark Grooters each will be suspended for 80 hours, and Gunderson will be demoted from captain to firefighter. His pay will not be reduced.
The agreement also establishes an Internet, e-mail, telephone, fax and voice mail policy for the union and its members. Any future misuse could result in termination.
It’s not an agreement that satisfied everyone; neither township board unanimously supported it.
Byron Township narrowly approved the agreement with a 4-3 vote. Trustees Tim Slot and Kathy Burgess, as well as Treasurer Carol Houseman, voted against it.
In Gaines Township, Trustee Dan Fryling voted against the agreement in a 6-1 vote.
The firefighters declined to speak about the agreement, and their attorney did not return a call.
Byron Township Supervisor Audrey Nevins said when the firefighters’ suspensions will occur is up to Cutlerville Fire Chief Russell Jansen, and there will not be a disruption in emergency services in the area. Cutlerville’s part-paid volunteer firefighters will be used to fill in the gaps.
The union’s apology to the townships simply states, “On behalf of the Cutlerville Professional Firefighters Union Local 4385, I am apologizing to the Cutlerville Fire Authority and Byron Township and Gaines Charter Township for the misuse of the Township computers and the need for the resulting investigation. It is our sincere hope that we can now move forward to serve our communities.”
That letter was signed by attorney Michael O’Hearon, representing the firefighters’ union.