Gary Henderson NOT FIRED - Kristen Brown doesn't attend Board of Works meeting

Kristen Brown, who is one of three members of the Board of Works, had other things to do today as the Board of Works "open door" meeting for Henderson was getting underway.

Kristen and Chief Thacker pushed to get Henderson fired for his 'neglect" of reporting funds, and didn't have the decency to face the man who had all the charges but one dropped.

"Chief Joel Thacker said he and some of his top officers was asking the Board of Works to fire Henderson based on allegations that include misappropriation of funds, conduct unbecoming an officer and violation of public trust."

Henderson didn't get fired, but will receive 72 hours off without pay before he can return to active duty as a Columbus Fireman. We asked if Gary had a comment about the outcome, he didn't have any comment.

Initially before all this started the City had to pay to remove any old/used oil, but then an opportunity came up to sell the oil to a company - inturn making $1800 over a 6 year period. Gary "was only aware of 30 bucks that he approved to begin with."

That money was unrestricted funding the City wasn't accounting for just, like the "Slush Fund" at the City Garage.

Firefighter, Scott Bonnell, followed the direction of his supervisor, Chief Gary Henderson, since 2006 just to learn he was told incorrectly on how to proceed with funds earned from the used oil which was sold to RC Oil.

Kristen Brown said "the issue is not the amount of money, nor what it was spent on, but the sale of a city asset, the used oil, that the money didn’t follow proper accounting procedures and that it was put into a private account rather than a city account."

Gary Henderson was accused of allowing those funds from the sale of used motor oil to be used for the employee Coke fund (which allows beverages, parties, etc.), without requesting the use of funds thru the Clerk-Treasurer's Office.

It is believed Kristen didn't attend because she knew she was wrong and didn't want to face Henderson and or the public.

Henderson had been on administrative leave since June pending the disciplinary "closed" door meeting which was scheduled for today - but was cancelled after an agreement was reached between the City of Columbus and Edward Merchant and John Kautzman, attorney for former Fire Chief Gary Henderson.

We reported about the possible outcome on the 24th about todays meeting - full pay for the 40 hours he missed, retirement and insurance - I think someone actually read the ordinances, the law and found that all charges are baseless.

Congrats to Gary Henderson, I wouldn't want to think about how you feel knowing you're going back to work for the same people who wanted to FIRE you.

Comments (7 posted)

Politics 101 26/07/2012 17:59:28

Mayor Brown gets smacked down and does not even have the decency to show up for the hearing. Sadly, we will probably endure more of this in coming years from Mayor Trash!

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Heretic 26/07/2012 18:13:50

Regardless of it being baseless you should be accountable for what you allow under your watch. Using city property to provide party money is just funny. Also the fact it was going into a private account and thats baseless? At any rate another funny article. You should delete the last one where he was forced to retire.

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Citizen 26/07/2012 18:25:53

Looks like our fine mayor was being thoughtful and generous. I'm so glad to know that our government's money is being spend on the 'coke' fund.


Party it up hard! *rolling of the eyes* This is worse than yahoo news... and 10X more biased.

What a joke!

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Sim 26/07/2012 18:50:30

"It is believed Kristen didn't attend because she knew she was wrong and didn't want to face Henderson and or the public."

It is believed? LOL This is not a story. It is commentary.
It is believed? Are you kidding me?
And if she was wrong, why did Henderson's attorneys make a deal instead of disputing the allegations completely?
DUH!

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Politics 101 26/07/2012 19:12:47

Heretic makes a valid point that Mayor Brown should be accountable for what she allows under her watch. My understanding is that this did not happen under her watch but under the previous administration. Kristen's overzealous and vindictive nature meant she had to take Henderson down and her cronies including Thacker & company became accomplices.

What happened today is a smack down of Kristen and her vindictive nature. KUDOS to the Board of Works (minus our coward Mayor) for doing the appropriate and right thing. Sadly, as I have suggested, we will likely encounter more of this nonsense in the future as Kristen attempts to remove from city government those whose allegiance she cannot count on and those who she can try to make an example of.

I would have to rate this City of Columbus V. Gary Henderson as an EPIC FAIL for Mayor Harvard.

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Fly On The Wall 26/07/2012 19:46:27

When counsel told the mayor that the city did not have the type of case that could remove and terminate former Chief Henderson, the F bombs FLEW at City Hall. Kristen was so loud visitors could hear her outside the mayors office. One person inside the meeting said she thought Kristen's head was going to spin like Linda Blair's in The Exorcist.

Sadly, those who work with our Harvard educated mayor are accustomed to foul language and berating on a daily basis. The People of Columbus 1 Mayor Oracle 0

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missy wilson 26/07/2012 21:43:48

First of all I was there - only public comment was one from one lady citizen that didn't know the Henderson's. She said the way this has been handled is shameful and she blamed the mayor for all the Henderson's have gone through.

Second, the mayor was in the building as her car was there and her door was shut - she recused herself - which to me personally (and only me) she knew she would be unable to keep quiet. I felt bad for the new chief for having to sit there without the person who told him to fire Henderson. All charges were dropped except the one about the oil.

Third, it has already been noted in the Republic that the city garage sold scrap metal for years which amounted to many more dollars that the $1800 that was received for used oil (which the city in the past had paid to have picked up).

Fourth, the city came to Henderson's attorneys to make a deal - not the other way around.

Fifth, 112 hours unpaid vs being fired, losing pension, etc - I think (and again only my opinion) a big win for Henderson.

Sixth, Henderson will now be working for someone who tried and failed to fire him - in your face Mayor Brown and Chief Thacker.

Finally, there were a total of 8 charges in the beginning - all were dropped except the one that Henderson admitted - he has never said he did not do this - but his attorney's and evidently the city's attorney decided it wasn't a firing offense.

This is a big win for the employees of the City of Columbus - they can now stand up for what is right, not what Mayor Brown (in her infinite wisdom) decides to do - legal or not!

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