Everyone, that is, except an administration intent on now "mediating" the ensuing dispute.
Sure, why not set up a blue-ribbon commission to study the issue of what's right and wrong here and who to believe (in the face of four witnesses) until the political heat (hopefully) dies down, especially among the Italian-American community?
I don't think I stand alone in this community when I say that there is nothing to mediate. Kimber must go.
Why?
Because the appearance of impropriety is just as important as the reality of it. No "apology" that Kimber can offer at this point can restore the community's confidence in his ability to impartially sit on the Board of Fire Commissioners. How can any Italian-American firefighter who is facing a disciplinary charge ever appear before a fire commission chaired by Kimber, confident in the knowledge that he or she will, at the very least, be given a fair shake?
As the union attorney for any such firefighter, I would be more inclined to bypass a Kimber-chaired board altogether and invoke the union contract by having the matter heard by the state Board of Mediation and Arbitration.
Why else does Kimber need to go?
Because by allowing him to remain under these circumstances, the administration sends a message that racial and ethnic insensitivity will not only be tolerated but condoned. And that further opens the door for other races and nationalities within the fire department to potentially be at the receiving end of Kimber's predilections.
And if Kimber stays, what should be done?
In an effort to avoid a repeat occurrence, the Charter Revision Commission should consider language for inclusion in a new charter that would allow any sitting mayor, and even a citizen, to seek to oust a commission member whose actions or words are deemed antithetical to the role they serve, i.e. a "just cause standard."
The city has only one option - to hope that people like Kimber who have so grievously erred, will do the right thing and step aside for the good of their department.
Patricia Cofrancesco
East Haven |
