LETTER: WHAT!?

In response to the misinformation that Sue Drobac gave to the Timberjay in her interview stating, “We had to go through some very tough, but necessary steps to make the Fire Department a better environment. We had only a few dedicated people going on calls, and the equipment was in disrepair.” What Township Fire Department is she talking about?

Did she know we had 15 fully-trained firefighters, and I believe every one of them served Greenwood Township, through wind, snow, hail, lightening, rain, freezing temperatures, fire, day and night, land and water far, far longer than she and her two cohorts tried to serve the community. Instead they decimated one of the best and largest fire departments around. We were committed, had great camaraderie, and a good reputation, except for one person.  

And what were those necessary steps for a better environment? The first thing she/they did was fire our Fire Chief, our Assistant Fire Chief, and our Safety Officer without any written reprimands, warnings, or meetings.  As a department we asked for a meeting, we protested with signs on the highway outside the town hall before and during a town board meeting. No reasons were given or Greenwood Township Personnel Policy rules followed. Not one member, except that one person, signed up for any of those positions until we could hash it out with the board. It never happened. But what did happen was what we all expected, they hired their one person as interim Chief. The only person that not one firefighter would have voted for. We asked him not to accept, but he wouldn’t give up that position. And now look at what has happened with him.

As long as I was on the Fire Department, I believe we responded to every fire 911 call for Greenwood and all mutual aid calls for other communities. We never got any complaints from other fire departments, EMRs, or victims of unfortunate circumstances, but rather many compliments and praises and even donations to our F.D. from appreciative persons.

And what was our reward from these newbie supervisors? After we tried in a number of ways to set up negotiations, all of which failed, they fired some of us, and “voluntarily quit” nine others. Yup, you read that right. How can anyone “voluntarily quit” someone else? I asked a Circuit Court of Appeals judge what he thought of that. He laughed and said take them to court and we would win for sure. We didn’t want to take money from our citizens, so after Sue’s necessary steps, there were only 4 qualified firefighters left and two had full time jobs.

Please don’t think that Sue is a bad person because she is not. She has been steered the wrong way and I think there is a better choice. I want to thank Paul Skubic, Carmen DeLuca, and Mike Ralston for their wise decisions and continued support for our Fire Department.

Please vote FOR Option B!

Thank you, 

Jet Galonski

Greenwood