I write this editorial in response to an “opinion piece” relating to my level of knowledge and participation into New Hyde Park’s Fire District/Department matters entitled “Fire Department ops misrepresented,” published June 24, 2016 by 50-year fire department member Edgar Teepe.
To be clear, Mr. Teepe does not now, nor has he ever, held the authoritative title of fire chief or fire commissioner and his ramblings do nothing whatsoever to rebut the fact that I have uncovered a litany of improper, unethical and inappropriate actions by the New Hyde Park Fire District Board over the past several years.
I want to emphasize, yet again, that my involvement in fire district matters is not a vendetta on my father’s behalf relating to his wrongful arrest on fabricated charges, and the wrongful dismissal from the Department.
While the actions of the board in dealing with my father, former Chief and Commissioner Michael Sr., and my brother firefighter Michael Jr., were and still are politically motivated and are despicable under anyone’s standards, my investigation and involvement is grounded in issues of impropriety and egregious errors relating to meeting minutes recorded by former secretary, and current treasurer, Marie Cochran.
These errors were conspicuously made after my father’s and brother’s criminal charges were summarily withdrawn by the Nassau County District Attorney and dismissed by the court.
So, while Mr. Teepe and the members of the board are entitled to their own opinions regarding my involvement with this branch of local government, they are not entitled to their own set of facts.
The facts are the facts and no matter how many times you yell from the mountain that I am only on a crusade to vindicate my father, it will not make it true.
Indeed, it was discrepancies in meeting minutes that began my journey.
After uncovering falsified minutes, I petitioned to have board meeting minutes placed online for a more accurate accounting of what is recorded and so the public could easily review the minutes and the board’s business.
To date, however, the board has refused to become more transparent, despite my efforts and a 512 person petition signed by district residents seeking such transparency.
Mr. Teepe’s sentiments are a true testimony to the quality of our civic leadership within the fire department — the same arrogant attitude and despicable behavior from the district staff runs rampant amongst some department members as well.
This should alarm the public.
The fact that Mr. Teepe, in his capacity as a department member, would publicly categorize a community resident’s valid questions and concerns conveyed at open board meetings or in editorials as “rantings” and “tirades” is outright shameful and utterly dumbfounding.
Questioning the operations of government is precisely what the framers of the United States Constitution had in mind when they created our Constitutional democracy over 200 years ago.
Aside from the fact that Mr. Teepe’s behavior is completely unprofessional — and highly offensive to community residents and taxpayers who rightfully voice their concerns, there is no record that Mr. Teepe received permission from the board or the department to publicly comment on any matter, let alone the affairs of the district.
Indeed, pursuant to Rule 45 of the New Hyde Park Fire District Rules and Regulations, “no member or officer shall comment to the public or the media on a district, department or company matter as a member or officer of the department or company without obtaining prior permission from the Board of Fire Commissioners. . . .”
Mr. Teepe signs his “opinion piece” as “Edgar J. Tepee, 50-year member of the New Hyde Park Fire Department.”
As I attend each meeting, I can say that no vote was held in a public meeting to allow Mr. Tepee to comment in his official capacity as a department member.
But I am certain nothing will be done to address this blatant violation of the district rules and regulations because we are dealing with a do-nothing Board.
Mr. Teepe’s continued comments that my inquiries and assertions regarding financial and operating information of the district board “are an incorrect and absurd statement,” is quite telling and quite honestly shows his lack of information.
To make clear, an unexplained motion had been approved where, now, all five sitting Board members are given check signing authority.
Why? Where only one signature is needed, the chairman of the board always signs. In his absence, the vice-chairman is then empowered to have signing authority. This is in addition to the signature needed from either the Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer, a mother/daughter duo. It’s simple arithmetic. Seven individuals should not have check signing authority for the Fire District.
Keep in mind, the board chairman Michael Bonura inexplicably initiated this motion so as to include a fellow sitting board member, his father-in-law James Nagy, to act as a check signor.
With that being said, and with retirements and reassignments being made with fire district employees with family ties, combined with Commissioner Richard Stein’s questionable Florida state residency, which lists a residence and vehicle registered to him in Florida, in addition to his disregard of his responsibilities for the district by missing the last three consecutive open board meetings, and counting, the possible abuse of district funds is a concern and should be reviewed.
This is needed to avoid any appearance of impropriety, especially when it involves taxpayer funds.
Taxes on Long Island are already so high, the last thing we need is to increase them further to make up for corrupt politicians lining their pockets.
It should be noted, the fire department ensures financial information and meeting minutes of the district board are not accessible to be viewed on its www.nhpfd.com website, as Mr. Teepe currently holds the title of fire department secretary.
Clearly, in his position as fire department secretary, Mr. Teepe has chosen along with the District Board to perpetuate secrecy rather than promote transparency.
In sum, Mr. Teepe – my views are based upon sound reasoning and fact, unlike yours and those of the District Board, which appear to be reactionary and based upon the fear of being caught in your dirty games.
For the public’s information, Mr. Teepe, an ambulance operator for the department, has been the cause of numerous ambulance vehicle accidents that have been reported at open board meetings.
Indeed, the alarming number of incidents Mr. Teepe has had just in the three years has cost the taxpayers hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, every year in repair costs and insurance fees.
Remarkably, however, the department still allows Mr. Teepe to respond to rescue calls as a driver for the ambulance, with no lengthy suspension or mandatory driver training given for his actions.
Welcome to the old boys club.
Now, as an update, to the court case currently pending that the fire district is embroiled in — a federal judge denied the district’s motion to dismiss my father’s and brother’s court case, which means both men can indeed push forward with their federal lawsuit.
This lawsuit against the fire district — arising out of the despicable and politically motivated malicious acts of certain former and current members of the board, including an ex-department chief at the behest of the Board — involves Richard Stein, John DiVello, Michael Bonura, John Brown, John Waldron and Robert Von Werne, all in their official and individual capacities.
Given the vindictive actions of the district and department, it is important to note, the residents are unaware of the exhaustion of taxpayer funds being endlessly spent on this ongoing litigation matter, in addition to separate legal fees to district counsel Joseph Frank.
Besides the board’s known malicious acts toward these two fellow firefighting and military service members, this district acts the same way towards their own constituents by continually ignoring the will of 512 residents who petitioned for a newly-designed Department website, one already in service, requesting modern access for them to the governmental process.
So I now ask, who appears to have a vendetta?
The public is now well informed.
Deirdre Dolan
New Hyde Park
