By Don Ruane
Special to the Lehigh Acres Gazette
Steps that could lead to a formal call for the termination without cause of the Lehigh Acres fire chief were taken Wednesday night by the district’s commission.
Chief Don Adams is the target of accusations by resident Cathy Kruse, who said she reviewed the chief’s emails and Internet use records. Kruse requested the examined items through a public records request. It appears he is doing personal business while at work, Kruse said. For the record, Kruse has registered to run for Fire Board Seat #1 in the upcoming November election.
A question also was raised whether the chief was visiting inappropriate sites. The district’s Internet policy allows firefighters wide use of its computers as long as they don’t visit such sites.
The chief denied abusing the department’s resources, that he was doing personal work on the district’s time, and visiting inappropriate sites.
“I’m a man of faith. I know there are several people who would like to see me fall. They have a vendetta against me,” Chief Adams said.
Commissioners asked Kruse to submit a formal complaint with her backup information, which she said she would do.
The questions pushed back the commission’s plan to review the chief’s job performance Wednesday. That was tabled until the formal complaint and backup material are considered.
One commissioner has to make a sworn, written statement to start the termination process, said Richard Pringle, the district’s attorney.
“We’ll look at the evidence and then decide what to do. We don’t have any evidence to move forward,” Commissioner David Adams said.
“We can’t do anything with hearsay on something this critical,” added Commissioner Linda Carter.
Chief Adams told the board that he uses the department’s Internet to check emails and other information from Columbia Southern University in Alabama, where he teaches a long distance course on organizational leadership. But he said he makes those checks when he’s on lunch time or other personal time and does not grade papers while working.
The commission also decided that it wants the company providing Internet services to the district to review all Internet use in the department. The goal is to see if popups leading to inappropriate sites also show up on computers used by firefighters and others. Chief Adams said his computer history shows such popups, but explained that they pop up on his computer when he leaves it on and unattended sometimes for hours.
“It’s not as if I was surfing the Internet,” Chief Adams said. “I put in every hour deserved by this organization.”
Kruse asked for the public records a year ago and is just bringing them out now for whatever reason, the chief said.
“It took me six months and several hundred dollars to get the information,” Kruse said.
Kruse is running for a commission seat this year, but said she began questioning the department’s leadership about four years ago, when layoffs were predicted and several top officers began leaving one by one. Two family members were threatened by the layoff possibility.
“Taxpayers aren’t getting the leadership they’ve been paying for,” Kruse said. “We’re headed downhill and have been for a while,” she said.
Commissioner Larry Becker agreed more information is needed before the board decides its next step. But he gave the chief his own vote of confidence.
“I believe what you are saying. A man of your faith would not visit these sites,” Becker said.
In other business, the board did approve the $6,716,874 SAFER grant, Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response from FEMA
Before printing this, perhaps the documentation should have been reviewed to see if it was accurate before accusing someone publicly.
The Lehigh Acres Gazette is only reporting on the meeting. The Gazette is not accusing the fire chief of any wrong doing.
The accusations Ms. Kruse makes are ridiculous and perhaps could be considered libelous. I have met our Fire Chief on 2 occasions. My opinion of the man he is very intelligent and also very religious. In my conversation with him he has done everything in his power to save the firefighters in Lehigh while running the job in a professional and business like manner. In listening to your seeming vendetta against this man it would seem to me that you just don’t understand Kathy, there is no money honey. What part of that don’t you understand? I think if you delve into the grant which Lehigh was just given you would find the Chief’s name all over it. Ms. Kruse, it would seem as if your motives may be a little suspect here also, both your husband and son work for the department. Perhaps every web site for every person in the department should be opened to see what web sites they are on while they are sitting around waiting for an alarm to ring. In a male oriented environment you may be surprised to find out who are on those “ inappropriate” sites Kathy.In your effort to make a good man look bad you may uncover some “bad wood in the woodpile”.
Donald Adams, my son is the most honest, ethical and god loving
person you will ever meet..it breaks my heart to read the things Ms. Kruse is accusing him of..Donald loves his job and is 100% devoted..I know because I have often accused him of neglecting family for his job…
Donald does not do personal business when he’s on the job..he even ask us not to call him unless it’s an emergency..
I hope Ms. Kruse can find a different way to get the job she’s after without using my son as a stepping stone..
whatever the outcome on this, Donald will still be the most honorable man you will find…….
Chief Donald Adams Has fought to get millions in grants for Leigh High Acres noone else has done this. The economy is alot to blame for layoffs in the dept. Chief Adams is a great Christian man and his morals are stellor and upright. What is Kathy Kruses vendetta for her husband or son being layed off? She seems set on ruining his reputation she isn’t making herself look good I would not vote for someone so vindictive. Has anyone thought about checking her school use of the internet? What school time is she using? I don’t think the school board would like to see where she has been. Shame on all of you who try to ruin someones career and name. What is your agenda Kathy? Why are you so set on this hate filed tirade?