Public may get its wish on firefighter Columbus Dispatch Politics

Do you think city employees convicted of misdemeanor crimes should be fired? Click here to vote and comment.

[marco]

come on Chief, if my house were burning down, it is not important to do background,moral or any other kinda of 'test' on fire fighters, the fact that they are there and doing their job is all that counts, do'nt give in to a few 'daugh nuts', which by the way, are beter than 'mountain oysters' HAR!

[Judy S]

Any person who would do such a thing, let alone actually brag about it, does not belong in public service for certain. If he could kill innocent dogs that were actually family pets, imagine how little he would care about a stranger needing saved from a burning vehicle or could you even be sure he would follow proper procedures for live-saving techniques? The type of mental illness that Santuomo suffers from is not acceptable for a public servant, as the number one priority is to provide care and safety for others while doing no harm - and that includes our four-legged citizens as well. It would be an insult to our community, as well as those who work alongside this beastly character, for him to continue his inept decision making and possibly leave more victims along the way. There are plenty other good men and women who could easily fill his boots!

[Mark]

This is why I hate public service unions so much and don't plan on voting for the tax increase. This guy was by all accounts a poor employee minus the heinous dog killing. Any of us in the real world would have been fired long ago. A seven month investigation only to come up with a recommendation to be fired? Seriously?

T.E.A.- For those liberals out there it stands for Taxed Enough Already

[Kim]

On a case-by case basis directly related to misdeamenor along with the performance, attendance and attitude job reviews. DAVID's callousness at work makes the callousness in his personal life no surprise to me. UNION'S (Brotherhood's) were organized to create a fair work environment by presenting power in numbers. Union's have migrated to unfair protection of substandard workers. If Union's don't discontinue preferential treatment, they are going to lose all leverage and respect. David accepted a position of higher standard and didn't perform. He deserves to be dismissed.

[sevans]

Mark, Amen!! I do not plan on voting for the increase either....ESPECIALLY if this sick individual is NOT fired!!!

Mark wrote:

This is why I hate public service unions so much and don't plan on voting for the tax increase. This guy was by all accounts a poor employee minus the heinous dog killing. Any of us in the real world would have been fired long ago. A seven month investigation only to come up with a recommendation to be fired? Seriously?
T.E.A.- For those liberals out there it stands for Taxed Enough Already

[Michael W]

Actually I'd prefer the opportunity to do the EXACT same thing to him that he did to the defenseless dogs - can we arrange that? Let's see how much of a tough guy he really is! Who cares - he's a firefighter! Big deal! He can point a damn hose at a fire - we're note impressed! See ya loser! Since we have your address I'll be watching it closely to see when it's foreclosed on!!

[Rex Mason]

I know a Gahana Police Officer and a State Highway Trooper that needs to be fired for speeding on two motorcycles also. But you can't fire a cop. You have to give them special treatment. What a bunch of BULL CRAP that is.

[Sammie1eye]

It always amazes me how public employees, represented by unions, seem to be protected no matter how vile or reprehensible the employee's actions are. Seven months? Why so long? And now the public has to wait again until Safety Director Mitchell Brown makes a decision - whenever that will be. Even if this pond scum is fired, rest assured that he will appeal. Morons of his sort don't understand or more likely, don't care. More taxpayers dollars wasted. Everything is CYA these days. Hopefully, the Columbus Fire Department will soon be rid of this garbage.

[marco]

before the european aristrcats came over with their 'pets'. The native American Indian knew the value of a 'good dog'. It was quite the honor when viisted by a white man, ending a drought or bringing the buffalo, to serve up his 'favorite' dog. Which tasted beter than vension, bear or horse. Whats next? what polictical party, religion, race, ect. before we let our public servants do their job. who are you to judge anyone? Let alone make threats against a HUMAN BEING! priorities people.

[lams1965]

I thought a Firefighter was suppose to save lives...not take a life. It makes no difference if the life he is saving is a dog's life or on of a human. Shame on him. People who have pets go on vacation all the time. They either use a kennel service or have someone (a friend) feed their pets! My ex-husband watches my dog if my dog sitter is full.

[Ron Mexico]

What's the big deal? Its just dogs.

[concerned]

marco wrote:

before the european aristrcats came over with their 'pets'. The native American Indian knew the value of a 'good dog'. It was quite the honor when viisted by a white man, ending a drought or bringing the buffalo, to serve up his 'favorite' dog. Which tasted beter than vension, bear or horse. Whats next? what polictical party, religion, race, ect. before we let our public servants do their job. who are you to judge anyone? Let alone make threats against a HUMAN BEING! priorities people.

The Indians also scalped their enemies.Doing a job means having good mental health in times of crisis,this guy could afford to take a cruise but not board his dogs. What happens if he thinks his kids are too expensive ??????

[concerned]

Ron Mexico wrote:

What's the big deal? Its just dogs.

The big deal is these were living breathing animals that were supposed to be his responsibilty. If this was his logical way to take care of an inconvience to him what moral compass would guide him in his performance of duty?

[Opie]

Easy answer: Ohio law does not allow anyone convicted of Moral Turpitude to hold an Ohio EMT or Firefighters license, no license, no job!

Moral Turpitude n. gross violation of standards of moral conduct,vileness, such that an act involving moral turpitude was intentionally evil, making the act a crime. The existence of moral turpitude can bring a more severe criminal charge or penalty for a criminal defendant.

[John Cols]

Ron Mexico wrote:

What's the big deal? Its just dogs.

What is next? Oh, your son is retarded, so I didn't save him in a fire, or your grandmother was too old too get out of the house, so why save her? Where does it stop?

I hope that he is dismissed, but I hope more, that Unions will start protecting the people who pay the salaries, not the people who are doing harm, or un law full acts.

For this reason, I will be voting no as well on the tax issues. We need to send a message, that the city must be responsible.

[Liberal I am]

Mark wrote:

This is why I hate public service unions so much and don't plan on voting for the tax increase. This guy was by all accounts a poor employee minus the heinous dog killing. Any of us in the real world would have been fired long ago. A seven month investigation only to come up with a recommendation to be fired? Seriously?
T.E.A.- For those liberals out there it stands for Taxed Enough Already

Mark, I am a liberal, but I don't understand people like you. At the local level for years in this state we have been controlled by Republicans.

They are the ones that kept increasing taxes.

Just like the Chamber of Commerence, in Columbus which is pro republican that is supporting the tax, as well as the big business, in Columbus. I am not for the tax, and a Liberal.

So, Mark, think about what you write, and how you vote. Start looking at records, not labels of people. Become educated, not hatefull.

[fast eddie]

i'm getting ready to go on vacation, would someone shoot this bastard please !

[fast eddie]

Ron Mexico wrote:

What's the big deal? Its just dogs.

whats the big deal you are just a beaner

[cammy]

For those who are siding with this maniac you apparently don't know the whole story. He tied the dogs to an overhead pipe, put plastic on the floor and fired at least 11 shots to the head. He also videotaped it, dumped the dogs in the fire dept. dumpster and then bragged about it to his co-workers. Then in his court appearances he chumped on gum and flipped the bird to the reporters. Real classy guy. This was a thrill kill. He has a mental issue and this proves he cannot be trusted with humans. The other firefighters don't want to work with him. He's a safety and morale problem. Fire him!!!!!

[cammy]

Ron Mexico wrote:

What's the big deal? Its just dogs.

And you're just a moron.