Happy July 5th!
So much to talk about this morning! I will try my best to update more often. I will have more time since I resigned my position as training officer. My job had gotten way out of control. I was the beck and call girl for my boss, anytime anyone called in sick or what ever; I had to drop what I was doing and fill the slot. I did not have enough time to plan anything. In addition I still had my office stuff to finish. I was wearing too many hats, and I had had enough, so I resigned, asked to be put back on a shift. I probably wouldn’t have minded so much if the pay had been better, but as it was, I was only making about $70.00 more a month more than the other medics in my county. My boss gave my letter to the County Manager and he forwarded it to personnel. It’s a done deal.
There has been a scandal of sorts here in OBX land. The fire departments here are volunteer and funded with tax dollars. The county requested the audits be updated (it had been 6 years), When their repeated request went unanswered they began an investigation. The board of directors in the department suspended the volunteer chief pending the outcome of the audit. This happened sometime in April. And yes, I had to go into work and fill his slot at 9:00 that night, because the fire chief also happens to be employed with the County. He was to upset to finish his shift. Things were going along as normal, the chief went back to work as a medic, but not the fire chief and all the nasty rumors had finally died down. Then Friday morning one of the local papers ran a headline story, front page, huge font, EMBEZZELMENT ALLEDGED IN LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. The paper claims to have an unnamed source that says the amount is in excess of $200,000.00. So, the county suspended the employee/deposed fire chief with pay pending the outcome.
And guess who has to fill his slot? Yep. ME… I know what you’re thinking this poor man accused of stealing from his own department and I’m all concerned about myself. I know. I feel a little bad about that too. Mostly I feel bad for his family. He’s only been married a few years, and his wife is a sweetie.
Before this hit the paper and action of sorts was taken, the county officials voted not to give the fire departments their money to operate, but instead the bills and all financial dealing will be done by the county’s finance department. Talk about a bunch of pissed of departments! And the officials claim they had no idea there was an investigation involving local and state investigators! Crap…
On a more personal note, Jodi and I went to Avalon Pier last night and watched fireworks over the ocean. Talk about an experience I will not soon forget. 45 minutes of fireworks. It was incredible, beautiful, breath taking. Hearing the waves slap the sand, seeing all the colors reflected off the still water. I don’t have the words to describe it.
I’m going to organize the garden shed today, better get to it!