Post and Courier report on rogue Fire Department

[vicupstate]

Little watched Fire Department public servants served themselves

Not surprising at all, and WAY more common than it should be.  The state needs to set up an audit office that audits ANY public service district.   This is just another reason to consolidate, eliminate and regulate the thousands of PSDs in the state. 

Quote

A smoldering fire of unethical or illegal behavior has clouded an obscure taxpayer-funded agency in Greenville County, raising questions about South Carolina’s failure to properly scrutinize hundreds of special government districts that blanket the state.

A Post and Courier investigation into Clear Spring Fire and Rescue uncovered an agency where top officials were accused of stealing taxpayer money, showering themselves with perks, promoting a commissioner’s spouse and retaliating against underlings who challenged them.

Embezzlement allegations prompted back-to-back chiefs to step down. Controversy swirled around a firefighter whose pay tripled while his wife sat on the commission. Former chiefs said they feared retribution from the board. And when a lieutenant tried speaking up about what he saw, he was fired, he asserted in a lawsuit the fire district later settled.

     

 

Some of the Fire Department taxes are VERY high here. Parker is one in particular.  Once the sewer consolidation is done, the county needs to work on consolidating the Fiere Departments.  

[bikeoid]

I'm glad the P&C came out with this investigation - I donated to their investigative fund.   Conceptually I'd like to subscribe to Greenville News for purposes of funding a local watchdog, but I still don't understand their zany subscription price games.

 

[hauntedheadnc]

As someone who moved here from NC, I really don't understand how all these special government districts are supposed to work.  In NC, whatever a city doesn't manage the county does for the most part and that's the end of that.   

[vicupstate]

45 minutes ago, hauntedheadnc said:

As someone who moved here from NC, I really don't understand how all these special government districts are supposed to work.  In NC, whatever a city doesn't manage the county does for the most part and that's the end of that.   

In terms of how local government is run, the two Carolinas are light years apart. NC is much, much better in that regard.