Negotiations Not Going Smoothly

Contract negotiations for one area fire department are no closer to coming an end. The Ohio Township Fire Department is currently working on a temporary contract. But the contract is only one of many issues between the department and the trustee's office. Their relationship is anything but friendly and it appears to only be getting worse. Ohio Township Fire Chief Jim Bealmear has been a part of the fire department since 1979. "I've been here since before it was a department." But now Bealmear says all his experience is being disregarded. "I feel like all the training i went through is being questioned." He points the finger at Township Trustee Lorraine Wittenbraker. The two sides are currently in contract negotiations that are not going smoothly. "It cripples us from making decisions on our own for our fire department," says Bealmear. "I have done a fair contract that protects the citizens, " says Wittenbraker. Wittenbraker took office just last year. "When I came in here I'm trying to do the best job for the taxpayers and the liability of the residents and the best interest for myself." Bealmear says it's not uncommon for a new trustee to renegotiate a contract. But this time he says "It's not standard in anyway." They're at such odds both sides are using lawyers "Normally we don't get lawyers involved." But with just more than a month left to negotiate it may take more than lawyers to get an agreement On top of it the two sides are also fighting over where they get their CPR training. The trustee board says Jackie Schmitt can't teach in the fire house until she signs a facility user agreement. Bealmear says she shouldn't have to sign that contract because she already has one with him. There are group of concerned residents forming a support group to discuss issues in the township. If you'd like more information about that Click Here