110 W. New York Ave., DeLand, FL
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By Jennifer Horton and Barb Shepherd
posted Jan 29, 2010 - 5:46:22pm
Attorneys for Orange City have confirmed the city has negotiated an agreement for an unnamed person to be paid $25,000 and leave the city's employ.
Attorneys William Reischmann and Gary Glassman said state law prohibits them from identifying the employee. The agreement, the men said, may be finalized Wednesday, Feb. 3.
The settlement payment does not require City Council approval. The city manager has the authority to settle for up to $50,000 without council approval, Glassman said.
The mysterious resignation comes as an investigation continues concerning the Orange City Police Department.
Information about what or who is being investigated cannot be released, pursuant to Florida State Statute 112, commonly called "the police officers' bill of rights."
Attorneys would confirm only that the investigation began after a complaint was received in late November by the police chief and members of the City Council.
City documents — including a copy of the original complaint, e-mails sent by the police chief, correspondence from attorneys, and a copy of the settlement agreement — are being withheld from the press and public until the investigation is complete, again because of the provisions of Statute 112.
All city employees and members of the City Council are under orders not to talk with anyone about the investigation. City Council members are, for the most part, in the dark.
"I have no information," Council Member Tom Abraham said.
Council Member Bill Crippen said he calls City Hall daily for an update on the investigation.
"I called yesterday, and there was no status," he said.
Vice Mayor Tom Laputka was cryptic about what he could and could not talk about.
"I don't have any information, other than the latter part of next week we should be more free to make statements," Laputka said. "I don't understand the reasoning behind it ... but next week, we should know more."
Council Member Gary Blair likewise said he had nothing to discuss.
Council Members Jeff Allebach and Anthony Pupello, and Mayor Harley Strickland, were not available for comment on the latest developments.
The Nov. 29 letter and a follow-up letter outlined police officers' complaints about Lt. Gregory Melvin and frustration at Police Chief Jeffrey Baskoff's failure to take action in the matter. The initial complaint was signed by 20 employees of Orange City's 27-member Police Department.
As the investigation got under way, Orange City's police officers called for representation by Teamsters Local 385. A vote on whether to unionize the department is expected in February or March.
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b-WARE!!!!
Some unnamed person on Monday is going to get a pen from the supply closet and use it at their desk. We can't say who it is nor can we know for sure how many pens they may get but we have sources stating it is going to happen.
"Attorneys would confirm only that the investigation began after a complaint was received in late November by the police chief and members of the City Council. "
Wrong: The investigation officially started the first week of January
"All city employees and members of the City Council are under orders not to talk with anyone about the investigation."
No City Employee's have been directed that they cannot talk about it, minus the Police Dept Employees's. Infact, the Non-Police Dept folks can technically talk about anything they want, since they are not part of the investigation. Lets keep in mind, the investigation is about how poorly Lt. Melvin conducts himself, and his business, and mis-treats everyone around him. It has NOTHING to do with anything else. Meaning that EVERYTHING else not related to Lt. Melvin is not part of the investigation, and does not fall under F.S. 112 and 119.
It did not have to come to this, the Chief could have taken proper action when this started. Instead he took the side of the Lt. and fed the City Manager bad information. The City Council Members need to step up, stop letting the City Manager and City Attorney hide behind F.S. 112 and 119, when infact 95% of the info they are wanting to know does NOT even fall into anything with the investigation
City Council Member "So why did all the shifts get changed at the Police Dept"
City Attorney "Umm thats covered under 112 we can't talk about it"
City Council Member "So, why were there 4 write-ups at the PD last year, and 13 so far this year"
City Manager "112 119, 112, 119!!!"
ON... and ON.. and ON...
STOP IT ALREADY.
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