By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
City of San Benito officials confirmed today that the fire department captain accused of reporting to work under the influence of alcohol on Saturday has been suspended.
In response to an open records request the San Benito News filed Tuesday, Assistant City Manager Arturo Rodriguez emailed a statement to the News stating that the captain, whose identity has yet to be released, was placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
The following is Rodriguez’s statement in its entirety:
This is a City of San Benito Personnel Matter. As City Managers, we obviously cannot control a person’s thoughts, but we do have a responsibility to the people of the City of San Benito and the programs we manage; inclusive to address behavior that affects the individual employee(s) and the City. We are addressing all concerns surrounding this behavior in question. We are one of few City Governments that has an ordinance to review the behavior of Civil Service Employees. The City has Ordinance 2426 in place; creating the City Civil Service Risk Management Committee to review such incidents and address them accordingly”. Information regarding this incident is being gathered and a well informed decision will be made. The Captain is currently on administrative leave with pay pending a complete investigation in accordance with City Civil Service Rules and Regulations.
Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the June 13 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
1 comment
It is ironic to hear Mr. Art Rodriguez say “..we obviously cannot control a person’s thoughts,….” in the official statement released by the city.
That is exactly what they did with the Fire Marshal, Mr. Lopez, when he spoke out his personal thoughts regarding the under-equipped and under-staffed San Benito Fire Department.
They wanted to control his personal 30+ year public safety professional opinion. When they couldn’t do that, they branded him a “rogue employee”.
Please spare us the “mumbo jumbo”.