Monday, July 2, 2012
All but one of the handful of audit recommendations from State Auditor Tom Schweich's team about Monarch Fire Protection District's 2010 expenses were partially or totally implemented, a follow-up review in June finds.
Early retirement incentives for Monarch Fire Protection District employees deemed unconstitutional have yet to be addressed, indicates State Auditor Tom Schweich's staff in a follow-up review of the district audit made public in February. Schweich's staffers released an audit of the district's 2010 expenses, rating Monarch a "C" in its performance. The audit cited: All but one of the resulting recommendations—retirement incentives—from Schweich's office were partially or totally implemented, per the follow-up review conducted in June. The audit also indicated state staffers believe Monarch paid excessive health, vacation, and sick leave benefits to the retiring employees. In the follow-up report, Monarch board members were cited as saying …
Friday, June 29, 2012
Hot temperatures and dry conditions are forcing some events to forego fireworks. The fire district is suspending permits for displays.
Friday afternoon, the Monarch Fire Protection District announced it was suspending fireworks permits--both those already approved and those pending--after evaluating weather conditions and seeing no sign of relief through July 4. Monarch covers all or parts of the city of Chesterfield, Ballwin, Clarkson Valley, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights and Wildwood as well as areas of unincorporated St. Louis County. Fire Marshal Roger Herin said he had hoped to wait until July to make the decision. He said municipalities like the City of Chesterfield, and the companies providing the displays were understanding of situation. Herin added that the situation is in a holding pattern and that once the suspension is lifted, the displays will be able to go …
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Two former officers claim they were fired even as they were considered to replace the district's retiring Chief.
In a lawsuit filed this week in St. Louis County circuit court, three former officers of the Monarch Fire Protection District claim they were denied due process when they were removed last month in the wake of a sex discrimination lawsuit verdictwhich came back against the District in appellate court. Leslie Crews and Cary Spiegel said in the filing that they were told they were being dismissed because of that verdict, while Michael Davis said he was given no explanation. The complaint states that the case served as "a mere pretext and excuse," and that real reason stemmed from union interests in gaining control over the district. The trio said they were entitled to dismissal proceedings and an opportunity to clear their names in a hearing…
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monarch Fire Protection District's new leader, Thomas Vineyard, steps in as chief on Jan. 2.
Thomas Vineyard takes over as Monarch Fire Protection District chief, effective January 2, 2012, replacing retiring Clifford “Chip” Biele. Vineyard was rumored to be the frontrunner for the position in early November, based on a six-month executive search managed by Clayton, MO-based Grant Cooper & Associates. Vineyard, a St. Peters resident, has been with the Mid-County Fire Protection District since 1988. Mid-County was incorporated in the 1950s, originating from the Wellston Fire Protection District established in the late 1800s. The district serves St. Louis County, Greendale, Hanley Hills, Pagedale, Vinita Park, Vinita Terrace and Wellston. Vineyard became fire chief/fire marshal at Mid-County in 2004, and was responsible for the day-…
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tom Vineyard was declared as Monarch's new fire chief Saturday by a 2-1 vote among the district's three board of directors.
Tom Vineyard, chief of Mid-County Fire Protection District of St. Louis County, will replace current and retiring Chief Chip Biele for the Monarch Fire Protection District, per a 2-1 vote by Monarch's board of directors at a Saturday meeting at the district's headquarters in Chesterfield. Biele is set to retire Jan. 1. Information about Vineyard being a top candidate for the job circulated publicly via a self-proclaimed watchdog group, Monarch Concerned Taxpayers. (See related article from Nov. 8: Is Monarch Fire District Chief Replacement Chosen?) Monarch board of directors engaged the services of Clayton, MO-based Grant Cooper & Associates as their search firm to find a new chief. Board president Kim Evans moved to accept the employment…
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Fred Goodson was found dead Thursday morning by Kirkwood police, according to the Suburban Journals.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Two battalion chiefs, a deputy chief and an assistant chief will not be replaced.
The President of the Monarch Fire Protection District Board of Directors says service will not suffer despite the board's move Tuesday to remove four senior officers. The officers included two battalion chiefs, a deputy chief and an assistant chief who were identified in an employment discrimination lawsuit against the district which was upheld earlier this month in a state appeals court. The verdict, which includes $200,000 payments to a pair of plaintiffs in the case, will mean more than $1.5 million in total costs, including attorney fees. Board President Kim Evans said a total of five officers were identified through the suit. One was given the option of a reduction in rank to keep his job and accepted. Four others were given the …
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
KSDK TV reports the fire protection district will address Saturday's board decision following recent appeals court ruling against the agency.
What really happened this weekend when four Monarch Fire Protection District officers were allegedly voted on to be dismissed from the district, as reported Monday by one of the district's three board members as well as the watchdog organization Monarch Concerned Taxpayers? "At this time I am not at liberty to answer that question. District policy does not allow any employee of Monarch or elected official to comment on personnel matters," Monarch Fire Protection District Board President Kim Evans told Patch in an email Monday afternoon. "I can tell you that this board is committed to a non-discriminatory workplace." Evans then issued a news release Monday afternoon. It stated the following: In 2007 several female employees of the Monarch …
Monday, November 21, 2011
Monarch Fire District board met in a closed session Saturday morning. The board has not made a public announcement yet.
In a vote on Saturday, Monarch Fire Protection District board members Kim Evans and Steve Swyers released Monarch Assistant Chief Les Crews, Deputy Chief Cary Spiegel and battalion chiefs Fred Goodson and Mike Davis. The third member of the board, Robin Harris, attended by phone and, according to procedures, could not vote. Harris said that after the vote, two senior fire officers were escorted from the headquarters by two police officers. The officers were there because of the board meeting. He said he found out about the evictions after the fact. "I do not think any action like that would have been necessary, and so since I don’t know where the directive came from, I have actually inquired of my fellow board members, and have not yet had…
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The district joined the Missouri Association of Career Fire Protection Districts, hired one new employee and promoted three.
The Monarch Fire Protection District has selected a statewide association that will represent its legislative interests in Jefferson City and educate members on the ins and outs of running a fire district. The Monarch board had heard from the two possible assocations—the Missouri Association of Career Fire Protection Districts and the Missouri Association of Fire Protection Districts—over the past month. At it's Monday meeting, the board voted 2-1 to join the Association of Career Fire Protection Districts at a cost of $3,000 a year. The Association of Fire Protection Districts would have cost $1,750 a year. The district is currently a member of that association. Board President Kim Evans and Secretary Steve Swyers were both in favor of …
Scott Simon
4:06 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012
Hope their crystal ball is accurate. Because if it rains before next Wednesday, there are going to be a lot of angry people... more ›