Under a cloud of secrecy rumors fester; Kristen Brown lied, or...

I get it P101.

There was a problem with the process in that it was not handled in the way we were promised.

Fireguy is working overtime to polish a turd. The facts are pretty well known although they are not public because, generally, stand up guys like Dan Cleland are not going to run to the newspaper or Columbuzz with the dirty laundry.

I also heard that three people turned the Mayor down for the job although, as I understand it, 1 withdrew his name from consideration and two declined her to her face. Dan Cleland did withdraw his name from consideration so that makes three that declined the job.

You and sojourner are correct that Cleland withdrew his name from consideration after being on the job and he did confide in several people that he was threatened with disciplinary action. His meeting with the Mayor was described as tense and unpleasant. Voices were raised.

Apparently, Kristen is a B to work for and publicly taking her on with her popularity is not a good idea. Firefighters can be hot heads but not stupid.

Most of this stuff is known in hushed circles throughout the Columbus fire service but it is not chatted about because we don't know where everyone comes down on this.

To answer the question about whether there are qualified candidates to be the chief from within, sure there are. A lot of us cannot understand why she went outside the department and you are also correct in that we had no input about this selection. The Mayor did this on her own.

The Columbus Fire Department is a professional organization and will remain as such but to say we are all universally thrilled with this decision and that it is OK is a lie and therefore I think I pretty much know why Fireguy doesn't know as much as he thinks he does.

Wonder why she did this (selecting a new FC) without consulting anyone. I was afraid of this when she became mayor; it would be all about her, and too bad if you don't like what she's doing.