Is The Tail Wagging the Dog?

Apr. 02, 2012 - By Ron Scheiderer - 2 Comments

While most of the news reported on TV-22 is generated from Marion City and County government, occasionally news comes from the small villages and townships of our area. This week First Consolidated Fire District in the Village of Caledonia has grabbed news headlines. The story involves mystery, no comments, packed meeting rooms and unofficial sources speaking out.

The story concerns First Consolidated Fire Chief Clint Canterbury. He has been fire chief for several years and is well known throughout the entire county as a very progressive and innovative public leader. Canterbury has been a leader in his efforts to support consolidation of services and departments to better serve our community.

According to people who know, First Consolidated Fire District is one of the better firefighting and rescue departments around. Canterbury has stepped to forefront many times in working with the Chamber of Commerce, County Commissioners, Sheriff and many other city and county departments and leaders to provide the best possible service at the most efficient cost for the tax payers.

The problem begins when the fire board members of his district, stunned the Chief and the entire community when they voted to get rid of their chief by placing him on an unpaid administrative leave. They offered no reasons or explanations to the public and dodged all attempts by the news media to qualify their actions.

So, how can a fire chief who is widely-known, respected, and considered to be at the top of the ladder, be so easily dismissed and have his entire career threatened? Watch the video below for more.

Comments

Supporter/resident of the fire district! said on Apr. 26, 2012

I agree with the concerned taxpayer. A news source does not take sides, it reports what is going on in any given situation. The goal should be to save and do whats best for the fire dept. Canterbury has formed a small group of soldiers on his side to intimidate and spread slander about the clerk and the board. This is not Kelly vs Canterbury. The problems and truth are coming, and the good citzens of 1st Consolidated Fire District will get to hear the other side!

concerned tax payer said on Apr. 10, 2012

Ron who do you work for, it seem to me that you have your own agenda. I thought reporters are supose to report the news. Instead you are telling people what you think. You keep telling people that Clint is well respected in the community. I live in the fire district in which he serves and the people I talk to are fed up with his spending the tax payer money. Our district is still 200 thousand or more in the hole. He drive the fire departments SUV around town like he own the vehical. He is seen driving it home at night. Maybe you should research how much in pay and benefits Clint is receiving. Don't forget the extras he gets that is not figured into his pay. He was asked to put a limit on his spending or a cap on his gas spending and he retaliates by a lawsuit to the department. How is that helping first consolidated and the people of the district. You verbilize you dislike of what you think is slander of Clints good name when you are doing the same thing to both the board and the clerk of the district. I am tired of your bias opinion.