Brad Phillips, Chief of the New Carlisle Fire Department, will be resigning from his position on 9/11/2015

The New Carlisle City Council met on Tuesday, September 8 in a short thirty minute session. City Manager Randy Bridge announced at the beginning of the meeting that Fire Department Chief Brad Phillips had resigned along with Kerri Yantis, Jennifer Bowman and Dan Bowman.

Bridge refused to comment further on the resignation and stated that Chief Ritter would be the interim leader of the department until the city has advertised and completed a search for a new chief.

Bridge supplied a copy of the three page; single spaced size 9 font letter complied by Chief Phillips to the media. Phillips used city stationary on which to compose his letter and signed it “former fire chief”. The letter is not dated, however he states his resignation is “effective 9/11/2015”.

The letter contains a number of accusations and disgruntled statements regarding the department members and his dissatisfaction with lack of community support. He noted that he has a problem with some of the “community leaders” who he believes “lie directly to my face, lie to the media and lie to the citizens”.

Phillips suggested that had the city “worked with me as they did against me, how much we could accomplish”. He goes on to say if the community were to “band together” they could resolve the drug problem, repair roads and clean up the city parks.

Throughout the letter, Phillips rants about the dissatisfaction with his performance and his belief that he was a victim of character assassination. He notes in one paragraph “it was mentioned that I was doing a good job, but people did not like my personality”. He suggested that the “perception of my personality is the responsibility of the person perceiving it”. Phillips noted that he did not make people “feel warm and fuzzy”. He suggested that “garbage men don’t make people feel warm and fuzzy but they get the job done”.

Phillips in this same paragraph admits that his communication with senior staff was poor. He suggests that he had a lack of trust for his employees.

Chief Phillips holds out little hope that his departure will in fact turn around the morale and operation of the fire department in New Carlisle. He suggests that during his time as chief shifts were difficult to fill and he notes that department members were reluctant to attend training. He goes on to state “the internal dissenters claim to be the ones who will turn it around”. “They are currently unable to practice in this area as they do not meet the correct certifications” states Phillips.

In his closing remarks he thanks City Manager Randy Bridge for “his unwavering support” and singles out Law Director Lynette Dinkler for her “careful guidance and support during the process”. He also thanked those on the city council who supported him. “You are true leaders in the community”.

Mr. Bridge noted that only one parcel sold in the Twin Creeks subdivision Sheriff Sale. Sheriff Kelly will host the second sale on Friday, September 11. Mr. Bridge will be present at the meeting to take possession of the parcels if not sold. The city will then be able to begin marketing the parcels in an effort to have construction begin again as parcels are sold to interested buyers.

Mr. Bridge and Council Member Rick Lowrey recently rode along with a Beavercreek Citizens on Preventative Patrol member to learn more about the program that is being considered for New Carlisle. Mr. Bridge reported that during the one and a half hour trip they learned what duties the members perform that assist the Beavercreek Police Department. Bridge highlighted examples of duties including home checks, notation of speed limit violations and other not emergency response work.

Mr. Krabacher noted that the local Food Pantry is seeing an increase in the number of retired adults coming in for assistance. He reported that the pantry is in need of donations and that the annual Crop Walk will be coming up soon. You can contact the city for additional information on how to make a donation to this organization.

Following a comment by a citizen in attendance at the meeting Mr. Bridge stated “these are exciting times in our city” going on to state that this comment relates to the fire department changes and the long awaited outcome of the Twin Creeks parcels.

The next regular meeting of the city council will be held on the third Monday of the month at the Smith Park Shelter House beginning at 7 pm.

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