Amador County – Amador County Grand Jury Foreman Vince Murdock delivered the jury’s final report to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, focusing on the investigation into alleged misconduct by Jackson Valley Fire Department Chief Thom Reed. The investigation came after a number of witnesses and JVFPD volunteers reported Reed responded to calls and endangered others by performing his duties under the influence of alcohol. The report find that “78 percent of witnesses were aware of the JVFPD Chief being under the influence of alcohol while attempting to perform his duties” and the knowledge of his intoxication “was widespread.” Murdock said he is “appalled by the number of people who gave false or misleading testimony.” Perhaps the most damning conclusion of the Grand Jury was that Reed, as well as the Chief and Captain of the Ione Fire Department, Operations Manager of American Legion Ambulance Service, Assistant Fire Chief of the Jackson Valley Fire Protection District and the Chairperson for the Jackson Valley Board of Directors gave “false, misleading, or inconsistent testimony.” “People didn’t say anything about it and when they were finally given the chance they misled us,” said Murdock. Among the myriad of other violations, the Grand Jury found there had been no Operations and Procedure Policy in place for the JVFPD since at least 1992; the JVFPD “took no action after receiving a complaint concerning the consumption of alcohol by the individual in question while on calls”; “neighboring emergency service departments took no action after receiving complaints concerning the consumption of alcohol”; and the Jackson Valley Board of Directors “is in violation of the Brown Act.” Supervisor Richard Forster echoed the sentiments of others on the board. “What you are doing is somewhat of a thankless job,” he said. Forster’s wife spent almost a year on a previous Grand Jury. Forster said District Attorney Todd Riebe is “proceeding with common sense to resolve this matter.” Murdock thanked Riebe and his office for their openness and help through the process. Supervisor John Plasse said “the opportunity to have citizens step back and critique the various aspects of government is an important one.” The Grand Jury report recommends that Reed and the Chairman of the Jackson Valley Board of Directors be removed from office. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009 00:28
Grand Jury Report
Amador County – Amador County Grand Jury Foreman Vince Murdock delivered the jury’s final report to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, focusing on the investigation into alleged misconduct by Jackson Valley Fire Department Chief Thom Reed. The investigation came after a number of witnesses and JVFPD volunteers reported Reed responded to calls and endangered others by performing his duties under the influence of alcohol. The report find that “78 percent of witnesses were aware of the JVFPD Chief being under the influence of alcohol while attempting to perform his duties” and the knowledge of his intoxication “was widespread.” Murdock said he is “appalled by the number of people who gave false or misleading testimony.” Perhaps the most damning conclusion of the Grand Jury was that Reed, as well as the Chief and Captain of the Ione Fire Department, Operations Manager of American Legion Ambulance Service, Assistant Fire Chief of the Jackson Valley Fire Protection District and the Chairperson for the Jackson Valley Board of Directors gave “false, misleading, or inconsistent testimony.” “People didn’t say anything about it and when they were finally given the chance they misled us,” said Murdock. Among the myriad of other violations, the Grand Jury found there had been no Operations and Procedure Policy in place for the JVFPD since at least 1992; the JVFPD “took no action after receiving a complaint concerning the consumption of alcohol by the individual in question while on calls”; “neighboring emergency service departments took no action after receiving complaints concerning the consumption of alcohol”; and the Jackson Valley Board of Directors “is in violation of the Brown Act.” Supervisor Richard Forster echoed the sentiments of others on the board. “What you are doing is somewhat of a thankless job,” he said. Forster’s wife spent almost a year on a previous Grand Jury. Forster said District Attorney Todd Riebe is “proceeding with common sense to resolve this matter.” Murdock thanked Riebe and his office for their openness and help through the process. Supervisor John Plasse said “the opportunity to have citizens step back and critique the various aspects of government is an important one.” The Grand Jury report recommends that Reed and the Chairman of the Jackson Valley Board of Directors be removed from office. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
