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| Chief Dave Stapinski (center), flanked by fellow firefighters |
"Our books are open to anybody," Chief Stapinski told Commissioners. "To see our name put in the newspaper in the same article with the fire station in Harrisburg that's embezzling money, that's just a little bit hard for me to stomach. ... To everybody that reads it, it looks like we're trying to embezzle money."
Last November, Commissioners unanimously authorized Lafayette College's Meyner Center, at a cost of approximately $7,000, to perform an efficiency evaluation and cost-benefit analysis of the Township's support of fire services.
No impropriety was suggested or even hinted.
But its no secret that volunteer fire companies are often victimized by embezzlement. Curt Varone, a career firefighter and practicing attorney who writes for Firehouse Magazine, has tracked 54 instances, nationwide, of insider theft at volunteer fire companies since 2008.
After the meeting, Cheif Stepanski invited The Bethlehem Press to visit his station as well.
14 comments:
Fire companies are out of control. They don't realize that their money comes from tax payers either through donations or funding by the Township.
Open books don't prove a thing. The way they spend money recklessly is what needs to be reviewed.
Everyone respects the job they do but often they forget they are volunteers and are accountable.
Township's should appoint the chief operating officer and fire chief. That would eliminate a popularity contest.
Oo great another assoshit of one of the solicitors law firm depleting the very funds needed to protect the community. The only reason a fireperson would do this is because they have seen there funds being used by the local political parasites for there pet projects. Case in high site right now palumpas failing federal funded failing projects before the arena. TC spa blamed bethlehem for there demise when in fact this was planned from the very begining. They think the feds can not follow the money, oops let it slip. Kick backs to all involved.
8:07, well stated
True fact: 80% of their income is generated solely by the awesomeness of the mustaches.
As a public servant and boro councilman..I salute these fine gentlemen for offering their financials to the township. Only thru cooperation will we continue to protect the safety of our community and do it responsibly and in full view of the public so that there is no question about transparency and spending tax dollars wisely and prudently. When boro entities work together..everybody wins including the tax payers. One such company in Bangor..Liberty..is now doing the same as these volunteers. They have reached out to the boro and want to be on the team. Our other two companies are still thumbing their noses at us and the public. Appeals are now pending against them in the Pa. Office of Open Records for failure to produce their financial info. This is a fight the tax payers will win.
I have more respect for a volunteer firefighter than a so called "career"firefighter. Look how the "career" firefighters gamed the system in Bethlehem by abusing sick time to generate astronomical overtime. I guess when you sit around most of the day you can devise such schemes.
Are those mustaches real?
Just to be clear, no one has ever suggested or hinted at any financial impropriety at either township fire company. Why, if that is so, do I mention embezzlement at other fire companies? do that only to demonstrate why it's necessary to institute controls and why the Township is spending $7,000 for a study. I have nothing but respect for anyone who volunteers his time the way these guys do.
Of course the mustaches are real. Notice how one came without one to keep things from getting out of hand. Regardless of having firefighters in the room, all that awesomeness in the room can lead to an explosion.
They get way too many trucks to win ribbons in parades. Heck some like the one in my Township don't even fundraise. They are too good for that. What ever happened to pancake breakfasts and carnivals?
Bushkill Township's pancake breakfast is coming up. I can't recall the date. They have signs up along the roads. $8 for the best breakfast in the area. If you come to their breakfast, they'll come to your fire!
Bernie..please feel free to share the email I sent you from one of Bangors' local fire co. to the Pa. Office of Open Records and myself. I consider this a public matter and the tax payers of Bangor need to see what their FC's response is to a legitimate request for information.
My local park has print-outs of financial statements. In fact, they hand you one at sporting signups so folks get a sense of what it cost to run a park/athletic programs.
Every organization needs to have checks and balances, especcialy when public money is being used.
Hats off to the Company for having this information at their finger tips.
ATTENTION
If you think a Volunteer Fire Department is expensive, Wait until you find out what a paid Fire Department costs!!!!!
Some people should THINK, before the speak!!!
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