Clare Fire Chief dismissed from department
In a standing-room only crowd Monday evening, community members, former fire department members and a former police chief protested the dismissal of Clare Fire Chief Doug Randle.
Clare City Manager Ken Hibl dismissed Randle both as the fire chief and as a member of the Clare Fire Department January 19 after a complaint and investigation of allegations that the chief knew about and allowed alcohol consumption at a fire department Christmas caroling event held December 12.
During Public Comment at the City meeting, Dick Haynak, a retired chief and firefighter asked “Why was Randle suspended? I want to know so I can judge on the truth instead of rumors.”
Hibl said he took the action as he is required to do “on behalf of the City and betterment of the community.” He invited interested community members to ask for and read a copy of the investigation report.
Haynak said the incident [complaint] should have been taken to the chief and taken care of “on the scene.”
Hibl agreed, saying, “If the chief had taken action, it probably wouldn’t have come to my desk. Nothing was done, it came to me and it was my obligation to take care of it.”
Haynak responded, “The police shouldn’t have been called. Action should have been taken also against those officers.” He continued, “The action was too harsh for a man who has been a good chief and on the department for 27 years. A lot of folks are going to be upset.”
Former firefighter Keith Benmark also spoke on Randle’s behalf saying, “I agree. Anyone else who had anything to drink, they are as much at fault as anyone.”
Former firefighter and Chief Randy Case said, “I served alongside Doug. He is an outstanding firefighter, an outstanding chief. I think you should reconsider.”
According to a January 2 grievance report, Randle denied the charges, brought by Fire Department Lieutenants Norm Yoder and Sam Eberhart, who said they were witnesses to the event involving alcohol at the event. The grievance was also signed by Firefighter T.J. Lewis and Assistant Chief Mike Sargent. Reportedly neither Lewis nor Sargent were at the event, but signed the grievance as having “an interest in this issue.”
According to the complaint, when the firemen and auxiliary members and others gathered at the fire department in the Clare Public Safety Building there was a bottle of alcohol “under a stocking cap” on a table and participants drinking at the hall and on the fire truck used to convey members to stops in Clare for caroling.
The complaint said the issue was brought to Randle’s attention at a December 29 meeting, where he denied knowledge of the presence of alcohol at the event. The grievance was then drafted and delivered to the City Manager, who ordered a police investigation.
Statements in the subsequent investigation varied with four people including Eberhart and Yoder saying they saw alcohol in the fire department and one person reportedly seeing it on the fire truck. Yoder admitted to drinking some alcohol at the event.
Nine others at the event were interviewed, including Randle and his wife Shelly, and those participants said they didn’t see anyone drinking, or any alcohol in the fire department or on the fire truck, although two personal vehicles reportedly did each have a bottle of alcohol in them, according to the statements. Those interviewed denied opening or drinking from the bottles in the personal vehicles.
Hibl said alcohol, even in a personal vehicle at a city department event was illegal and a violation of city rules.
At the city meeting, Shelly Randle defended her husband. “This man has dedicated 27 years of his life to you because this community and the people in it are important to him. I ask that you reconsider this. He [Randle] has the highest attendance at fires, training and meetings of anyone on this volunteer department…we need that dedication.”
Former Police Chief Tim Rynearson urged the Commission and City Manager to “look at the spirit of the law and re-evaluate the decision. Does the punishment fit the crime? We are talking about a 90 -day misdemeanor if Doug knew what was going on. It seems pretty severe to me.” He urged, “If possible please re-evaluate this decision, and demote him if necessary. Everybody will feel a lot better.”
City Clerk Kay Haven repeated that she would be happy to provide documentation about the investigation to anyone requesting it.
Later Hibl said “I agree wholeheartedly that Doug has faithfully served the city for over 25 years. This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make.” He said the city’s administrative positions are mainly at-will employees. He said, “I have seen no evidence that my decision was wrong. While I appreciate the input, I stand by my decision.”
Hibl said Tuesday that a new fire chief had not been named. He said Assistant Chief Mike Sargent was serving as the acting fire chief of the department. He also said Lt. Yoder had been suspended from the department Monday evening and would not be re-instated until he completes a presentation for the department on alcohol awareness.
Responding to a question from Sherry Randle at the meeting Monday, Hibl said as far as he knew, Randle could re-apply for a position on the fire department. According to department procedure, after an application and interview with the department officers, the officers and fire chief would decide if he would be accepted.
I lived in Clare for most of my life. I worked with Doug Randle and have known him for many years. He is an outstanding individual and dedicated to his work. He was always known to go beyond the call of duty. And for whatever the reason of the circumstances of the events. The punishment of dismissal is far beyond alleged crime of poor judgement. The ones that should be punished are the ones that brought the liquer to the event and consumed it. And from the names of the ones that signed the petition. Last I knew they liked to consume quite a bit of alcohol. I feel that this should be a learning experience for the entire department to build upon for future events. Correct the mistakes of that event and move on with as little negative effects as possible. The fire dept is a necessasity and built upon volunteers that take their time from their families and other family functions to serve the city. I agree that while they are performing such duties they should represent the City in a professional manner. All employement places have a chain of reprimand and I don’t feel this was properly followed for Doug’s position. I believe the punishment for the crime should be revoked and class for all involved should be followed so they are clear on the requirements and expectations of their positions.
Don’t let small town politics play in this decision making. Clare has lost alot of factories and jobs over the past few years. Clare does not need this negative publicity. I miss my family and friends, but would not choose to return to Clare for it has little to offer. Why not spend more of your time and effort into building Clare back up to those standards. Find decent jobs for those still there struggling to live. I believe your focus is way off base and you need to set your sites on the really important responsiblities for the City of Clare. Jobs!!
You really believe that the answer to this problem is to have the fire fighters go to a “Class” on policy? Honestly?
The people involved in the fire dept. should not have to go to a class to figure out that they cant drink on a fire truck or in the Public owned Fire Dept building. This should just be common sense. I dont know if fireing the cheif was the best solution, but he did allow members of the dept to violate the law on his watch. He could have put an instant stop to the problem, but chose not to for a unknown reason. Part of being in command is that you have to be the bad guy and stop/punish those for breaking the policies and laws. You dont think allowing this conduct to happen and not acting on the problem will not create a bad public image for Clare? How is this headline good for public opinion “Clare City Allows Fire Dept. to Drink at Fire Hall”? Consuming alcohol is not a violation of the law for the one who signed the petition as long as it is not done at the PUBLIC SAFTEY building. News flash…PEOPLE DRINK…in case you didnt know that.
First of all I would like to thank the paper for printing a fair article that stated the facts. Second of all for those people who have made some comments, maybe you need to re look at the facts. Chief Randle was never accused of drinking, LT. SAM EBERHART AND LT NORM YODER alleged that he had knowledge of drinking and that they didn’t believe it was right. If this was the case being OFFICERS themselves why didn’t they do something about it right then???? Why not call the police or stop it from happening??????????? Only after a police investigation was done some 6 weeks later (as Caroling was on December 12th 2008 and they never took their complaint to anyone until January 19th 2009) did it come out after NORM YODER was questioned a SECOND time by police , that in fact the only one who was PROVEN to have been drinking was NORM YODER; BOTH AT THE HALL AND IN LT SAM EBERHARTS TRUCK. Never was it proven that the chief had any knowledge. It is a known fact that Norm Yoder wanted to be chief and had interviewed for the position but was not given it. The city manager appoints the fire chief and no one else can become the chief unless the chief resigns or is fired. This is most definitely a political maneuver by Norm Yoder. The problem is that the community loses a great fire fighter and leader. Doug has the highest attendance for all fires, trainings, meetings ect and has had for the past several years even before he became chief. Terminating him from the department not only hurts him but us tax payers as there is no other firefighter proven to be as dedicated to serve the community as he has been. The department loses over 26 years of fire fighting knowledge, and the brotherhood is no longer there among the members, as they can no longer trust each other. There are rules that the fire department has in their operations guidelines which were not followed. They completely threw the proper procedures out the window and that is why we are where we are now. If Chief Doug Randle is to be terminated for alleged knowledge than most certainly the Lieutenants involved should be terminated also, not only for knowledge but for Norm Yoder’s actual participation in the incident proven by his own confession to the police. Why is it that one persons punishment is so severe but the actual guilty party is only to receive a slap on the wrist and must give a class to the department, when in fact he was the only one drinking.??????????? I believe a great unjust has been done; in addition the fire department may lose other fire fighters over this as they are very upset with the way the whole situation, this may in fact be the demise of the Clare Fire Department. I am and always will remain THE PROUD WIFE AND FRIEND OF CHIEF DOUG RANDLE.
what is the proper policy or procedure that should have been followed if these crimes were true? Does anyone know?
The proper procedure according to the Fire Departments alcohol policy would have been for the LT’s if they really believed this was going on to stop it or call the police to intervene. If they had done this to start with we wouldn’t be here now. If they failed to do that which they did then the next step would according to their operating guidelines would have been that they should have written a grievance and presented it to the Chief within a certain time period, I believe 20 days but can not swear by it. Then the Chief would call a meeting of the grievance committee (which is made up of members of the department who are not officers) They would then hear the grievance and make a recommendation. If anyone does not agree with the outcome than it would be appealed to the City Manger. None of this was done. I have also found out that when people have went to the city to ask for a copy of the police reports, that they have not been given all the reports. Important statements such as the one made by Norm Gage former Prosecuting Attorney and others are not in the report. People have had to go back and ask for those statements, which by the way these statements are in the chiefs favor.
Right, but you didnt answer the policy about what would should happen to the chief, you only said about the claim. What would have been the policy if it was true that the CHIEF did in fact let alcohol on the grounds and in the truck?
Is the police report or the one the city counsel came up with? Was it handled by Clare City Police or the Sheriff’s Dept?
There is no written policy as to what would happen to the chief if the allegations had been proven true. If it had went to the grevience committee like it should have, then they would have made a recommendation. If anyone didn’t agree with that recomendation, than it could have been appealed to the City Manager. Since it was not done the correct way, the only person who got to make a decision was the City Manager, and he can not be overturned by anyone not even the city commision. They only hire and fire him.
He is the one who asked the city police to investigate, and they didn’t talk to everyone involved, only took written statements from some of the people, and then gave it to the city manager. By the way were you aware that the Police officer that did the investigation used to be a fire fighter on the Clare Fire Department, there is some conflict there, and they were asked by me to assign someone else to the investigation but the police chief would not do that. When people including the Clare County review asked for copies of all the statements and reports they didn’t recieve all the documents and had to re request the missing stuff.
the point is he was guilty before proven inocent, the facts don’t add up 4 people (2 of which made the complaint) said they saw a bottle at the hall. 9 people said they didn’t see anything!!!!! In a later confession to the police at a second interview one of the LT’s who made the complaint admitted that he was drinking at the hall and in the other LT’s truck.
Even if they want to believe the cheif had knowledge, why not just demote him down to a fire fighter, why kick him off the department all together when they only suspended the Lt from his position as a LT until he gives a class on alcohol, it just doesn’t add up.
I would like to start by saying that I am strictly using this news article as the basis of my comments. Thank you Shelly for letting me know that both sides of the story are equally represented in the article.
First of all, regardless if there was I “hidden” bottle of alcohol being passed around the hall and or on the fire truck. According to the article one person did admit to drinking at the fire hall. If this was the case Chief Randle or others must has seen this individual openly drinking in the hall. Wouldn’t that make the accusations right? Chief Randle knowingly allowed a city employed personnel drink on City Property. This is showing to me a lack of leadership in Chief Randle.
Second, according the new article “The complaint said the issue was brought to Randle’s attention at a December 29 meeting, where he denied knowledge of the presence of alcohol at the event. The grievance was then drafted and delivered to the City Manager, who ordered a police investigation.” Shelly, does that not follow the steps you were talking about in you comments? The matter was taken to Chief Randle and he chose to do nothing about the alleged incident. (Was this an attempt to hide his gilt? (Just speculation))
Lastly, I would like to thank Clare City Manager Ken Hibl for keeping the safety of the City of Clare in mind over this issue. I hope that the whole city can grow from the incident. I am thankful that the matter was handled before it had a chance to get worse and possible harm a member of the City of Clare that Chief Doug Randle so dedicatedly protected.
Shelly, so there isnt a policy or procedure to deal with the chief if the accusations were true? Then The screaming about following policy isnt true, since there isnt a policy to deal with the cheif? Didnt they say he can re-apply to be a fire fighter again? That was written in one fo the articles.
So in fact the Hibl followed policy/procedure that the city commision has, since there isnt any to deal with this accusation if the chief did allow it it happen. So please dont say they didnt follow policy if there wasnt any.
I think alot of this stems from the Lake City incident where it was a black eye for the community with the drunk driver returning back to the station in a fire truck.
Bottom line to this, the punishment for one individual vs the actual quilty party were two different extremes. How is one more quilty than the other. One for consuming, one for accused knowledge of it. It definately appears a political or beneficial manuever on the accusers part. I am not saying drinking should be allowed by any means. I am not that ignorant. I hold a position and have training that if suspicious of alcohol or drugs on an employee it is to be reported IMMEDIATELY. What I have read, this was all speculation. And then, next why did it take so long to come to light. Even at the Dec 29 meeting (over 2 weeks)
There may have been a better way of handling the situation, but it appears that the majority of it is speculation. Maybe a solution to this would be to have camera’s installed in public safety buildings. In lmanyr Cities this is common practice. It protects the both parties and it saves from the speculations. It would at the least, been hard evidence to go either way.
Well Jim you seem to be missing the point. The point is that the POLICY SAYS THEY SHOULD HAVE INTERVENED THAT NIGHT RIGHT THEN!!! they should have filed a grievance which they DID NOT DO. If you really were to believe that drinking was going on and you thought it was wrong, why would you continue on and go with them caroling, and do nothing to stop it?????? As far as the Fire Hall goes, if you have ever been in our hall it is VERY Large and there is no way to see what everyone is doing at the same time, there are several offices, meeting rooms ect. As far as him re-applying for the department yes he can do that, and may because he is there to fight fires and protect residents and there belongings. But why should he have to start all over as a new hire????? Why is a LT who is supposed to be in charge also allowed to remain, when he was actually guilty of a crime? Ken Hible could have handled this differently when it came to him, he chose not to and that is what the majority of Clare residents are mad about!!! And for the citizen of Clare who wants to thank Hible for keeping the community safe, get a life, There was never any allegation that anyone was driving that had been drinking or that anyone was drunk, the allegation was that some people had put Carolin’s in their coffee (it is the same thing as Baileys Irish Cream) and they were out Caroling to the nursing homes trying to do something nice at Christmas time. It doesn’t matter what anybody thinks, those of us who were there that night know what really happened and any one who knows Doug Randle knows that he would not do something like that and they have been calling, e-mailing, and even writing him letters to let him know that they are behind him 100% and that is all the matters. He can walk with his head held high. As for the City of Clare it IS there loss, and this fall when it is election time for the 2 seats on the city commission don’t be surprised to see a big change of players as the community will speak out and make changes. The residents are sick of small town politics and rest assured there will be some BIG changes.
All I was tying to point out was the fact that the alleged situation had the POTENTIAL to get out of control. I was not implying that anyone was behind the wheel of the fire truck drunk.
Right or wrong the punishment was handed down and Chief Randel has the opportunity to work his way up the ladder and someday when the time comes he can apply for Chief again. If I remember correctly that is what he did last time he was reprimanded.
It all comes down to CHIEF Randel was in a position of AUTHORITY and when it was brought to his attention in a December 29th meeting Chief Randel denied the accusations. Someone in an authoritative position should have done his own investigation instead of writing it off like it never happened. In my OPINION the lieutenants had no option but to file the grievance.
Has anyone considered the fact that this was not their property to go Christmas Caroling in? Really!? Is it a good idea to spend the money on fuel for something that they could have done in their own personal vehicles? Why not reschedule to another date when they knew the party bus was open? Why not pay for it themselves instead of letting the taxpayers pick up the bill for their party time? Does anyone really believe that only one person was consuming alcohol? Why not wait to start drinking till after the caroling? When you are not representing a city in city property! Who cares what you do on your own personal time with your own property! I still can’t believe that it was okay to take a firetruck with them in the first place.
Did this have to go this far;how can you just fire a guy after 27 years of dedication to the fire dept.if punishment is needed then punish but dont embarris the whole dang community to prove you got stroke.sounds like a bunch of head hunters stop to have a drink then started to plot a sceme. did you fellas flip to see who was gonna be the next chief.dont cry wolf 2 weeks after the fact. fire the guy who admitted to drinking then the other two for embarrising the whole dam town.cant wait to see the election next year for the results.
And the plot thickens, one of the Lts that filed the complaint has informed us that the Chief of Police came to him and threaten to confiscate the grievance and take it to Hible if the Lt didn’t. And then the Police do the investigation???????
Also Doug put his application back in to re join the Fire Department but the Temporary Acting Chief informed him that the Fire Department is not Hiring at this time…..
So do you think the chief of police didnt want Doug as the Fire chief anymore? Which officer did the investigation? Hope that it was atleast a SGT since this is kind of high profile.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO THINK ABOUT ANYTHING ANYMORE! THE WHOLE THING IS JUST WRONG AND GOT BLOWN WAY OUT OF PORPORTION.
IT WAS A SGT THAT DID THE INVESTIGATION, ALONG WITH THE CHIEF OF POLICE BUT THAT SGT USED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CLARE FIRE DEPARTMENT SO THERE IS CONFLICT OF INTEREST. WE REQUESTED THAT SOMEONE ELSE DO IT FOR THAT REASON, BUT THE REQUEST WAS DENIED. I THINK IF THEY (THE FIRE DEPARTMENT) JUST PUT HIM BACK ON AS A FIRE FIGHTER EVERYONE WOULD CALM DOWN, THAT IS WHAT HAS PEOPLE UPSET, NOT THAT HE ISN’T CHIEF ANYMORE SO MUCH AS THAT HE ISN’T ON THE DEPARTMENT AFTER GIVING THEM (GOING ON HIS 27TH YEAR) HE IS A GOOD FIREFIGHTER AND IS AVAILABLE ALL THE TIME WHERE AS ALLOT OF THEM AREN’T AVAILABLE FOR DAY TIME RUNS. THE ROOKIES AREN’T ALLOWED TO WEAR AIR MASK OR GO INTO BURNING BUILDINGS UNTIL THEY MEET THE STATE REQUIREMENTS AND CLASSES.
please, enough is enough. I suggest EVERYONE read the REPORT before sharing their opinion verbally or on these internet sites. Please know the facts before responding! The report is available at the City Hall and also on a competing local newspaper website.
Well as a wife and daughter to members of the CFD, I would like to say I am saddened by all of this. First of all there wasnt anybody driving the fire truck drunk…infact he wasnt drinking at all (many were not). These are all adults that yearly went out and went caroling as a nice thing to do for the community. Now for all you that are sitting here talking as if they all got wasted and went out partying and yadda yadda then jumped on a fire truck and started tearing it up…read again and really think that through. How stupid for ppl to sit and make ignorant comments when they really have no clue. As for now Im not involved as much as I once was with the fire department but I love it the same. Unfortunately, I had a whole different view of all these men I have grown to love as “family”. Im unsure how things can get this ugly and men can hurt eachother so bad. This has gotten way out of control and I hope people are really thinking about the things that have happened here. We have ALL had great times together that will be with us FOREVER. We have grown as one big family…family can talk to eachother…why wasnt this done? I miss the way things used to be. You all are amazing people and I thank you for doing what you do including Doug for all the years he has dropped many things in his life to protect all of us (including my family at one point). Sure there have been some problems but come on lets get it together. Now how is the brotherhood of our fellow men? Do you all wonder who is going to turn on you? Im sure each and everyone of you are wondering what is next. Lets stop this now and become what we once were. And I pray that Doug can return as one of the “brothers” again. He has dedicated a huge part of his life to us ALL and deserves to be able to finish when he is ready to retire. We can at least give him that. Things need to get better…they cant get much worse. I love all of you down there like you are family and I truly hope we can make things better. Again thanks to each and everyone of you for doing what you do! And thank you Doug for all the years you helped protect us and I know you will continue to do so in your own way, thats just the kind of guy you are and always will be. We love you! Keep your head held high just as you have been doing.
I dont think people on here believe that they were all drunk driving. I have read the reports that were posted online by the Clare Sentinal. It seems like a lot of people that have been posting on here saying that there wasnt any drinking going on at the fire hall are the ones who stories changed. If you read the report, it says how shelly was interviewed by Midge, and told one version of the story. Then later she changed her story to reveal something else about the drinking. Then the same went for the chief. Apparently in the report he said “I am not going to rat on someone”. Doesnt that mean that he knew about drinking? The report says that two people left to go buy alcohol. Says that shelly said there was alcohol in her car at the fire hall. Says when interviewed the cheif kept looking down and to the left when he answered the question. Isnt that a sign of lieing? Others interviewed stumbled with answers and had quite a few pauses. You should really read the report at the Sentinal Website it sheds more light on this. Yes its a shame that all of this happened, but i cant see a cover up. Midge interviewed the chief since the Sgt was a previous employee. There sure were a lot of stories changing as the interviews went on.
Well im certainly not going to argue everything you KNOW Jim. Speculation doesnt mean you KNOW anything. But you carry on. Im not saying I KNOW anything. In fact I hardly stated an opinion on the situation itself. But if you know Doug you would know why he was looking down and to the left….but its amusing to have so many assume the worst.That is what this wonderful town is all about anyway. So carry on and enjoy yourself if it makes you feel better.
Lorraine, READ THE REPORT. That is what the decison is based on.
READ THE REPORT. Had you read the report, you might of learned something, and would KNOW what was going on. Character references only take you so far. The facts presented in this case to Hible were contained in the report. If you READ the report you would probably question all the changes in statements made by the chief, his wife, and others that were interviewed. Let me ask you. WHY DID THEY CHANGE THEIR STORIES? Doesnt that make them look bad?
Who says I haven’t read anything? Who says I am defending anyone? When exactly did I really give an opinion on the situation itself? But thank you for being so informed by such promising people there Jim. You know all and Im not arguing with you my friend.
I have had a father on the department at one time. When wasn’t there alcohol involved in everything done with the department. I remember when they used to have beer cans in the pop machine. I mean seriously this is not a new issue for the department. Most of them are a bunch of big partiers. This isn’t just in Clare but in alot of small volunteer fire departments, I’m sure. How many firefighters do you always see at Bob’s Lounge? This is nothing new but maybe a wake up call that they need to be more professional. And Shelly, Get over it. Im tired of hearing about this.
I have been following this story in 3 newspapers and finally read the police report. I also have a very high level of respect for these men and women who risk their lives to save others. Unfortunately I am relieved to not live in Clare County so I don’t have the worry of this dysfunctional department assisting my family in an emergency because it’s obvious that teamwork isn’t there. It takes just a few individuals to make an entire group look bad and that is what has happened here. The issue here is that Mr. Randle (who is a great guy) had a responsibility as a leader and he failed. Plain and simple, black and white, he failed to do his job. The fellow firemen who were drinking on the fire truck should also be punished and SHAME on Mrs. Randle for putting her husband and others in this predicament. Pointing fingers at eachother only makes the entire department look worse, you have no defense, you were wrong. It happened, you got caught, accept your punishment and move on. You all owe the Clare community an apology and a promise that their safety is your first priority.
As directed by previous posters, I have just read the full report, statements, and interviews. I have 3 questions… What was under the hat on the table if it was not alcohol, seems too many people (sworn statements) saw it to be a hallucination. AND, where is Norm Gages (now Gladwin County assistant prosecutor) statement, which was asked for by the City Manager? I am assuming (stab in the dark here) that he might be able to be reached at the Gladwin County prosecutors office, AND, How can no one find this Adam Reger. He is a member of the Clare Fire Department but no one knows how to get a hold of him? A two second search on Google finds an Adam Reger address and phone number in Fraser Michigan, same age and middle name as the one who used to have an address in Clare.
Are we to believe that the Clare Police Department can not find Mr. Norm Gage (former Clare County prosecuting attorney) or Mr. Adam Reger (a member of the Clare Fire Department)? All of a sudden I am more concerned about these omissions. On the surface it looks like information has been withheld from the public. I certainly don’t want to believe our police department can not find two public (current or former) employees.
Anyone have any ideas?
Interesting, I was wondering the same thing. I have a hard time believing that someone actually imagined a bottle of alcohol on a table. If it was no big deal then why the hat to cover it? Now to lie about it and change stories. What an embarrasment to Clare. Shame shame shame…
I just sit here and read all the statements. Sound like the Fire Chief wife has a drinking problem. She get him fire from waste management and now fire chief. What your next treat. SHELLY
Hello everybody, I think everyone is way off track here. The real question doesn’t have anything to do with the police reports :which I have confirmed are missing some documents. but the question is why did Hible go so far as to take him off the department. I have never heard anyone say he isn’t a good fire fighter, or anything like that, so even if he did or didn’t know about the drinking, no mater who was drinking as long as it wasn’t the driver, why not just take away the chief position and let him be a fire fighter, the other guy who admitted to drinking is still on the department and from what I have read Doug wasn’t even drinking? Maybe Hible made a mistake. Maybe everyone should THINK about it before they start spewing their hate and accusations. I quite frankly feel sorry for Mr. and Mrs. Randle, Ihave read where people are throwing all kinds of accusations at her, for what? Defending her Husband? Asking that he get the same treatment as the others involved? I would think our community would be better than that.
oh, and by the way, as far as the comments about waste management, I did some checking and from what I have been told Doug left waste shortly after Norm Yoder went to work under him, and he is one of the people involved in this, maybe thats just to much of a coincidence………
Clare officials need to be more concerned about the drug problems in Clare and I am not talking about kids.
A seventeen year old arrested for a few bags of weed. We have business people and parents that like their drugs. Pillars of our community GIVE ME A BREAK. They are selling it using it and you would not believe who they are it would shock a few people if you knew. I could fill a note pad with the drug users in this town. You want to clean up Clare do a Drug sweep.
I agree with CONCERNED CITIZEN. You would be AMAZED at the number of business people and parents in Clare County who like their drugs and pretend to be upstanding citizens. Wouldn’t a Dare Sweep burst their bubbles. Watch where your kids hang out!!
Hey Curious
You’d be amazed at what the Clare Police Department can’t find and then again you’d never believe what they’d say they did find. “Oh what a tangled web they weave”…. Black and white doesn’t mean it’s right!
Billy’s Sister