Crime & Safety
Monarch Fire Board To Meet Saturday Amid Discord
The District is reeling in the wake of two deaths of former Battalion Chiefs and an employment discrimination lawsuit.
Saturday morning, the Monarch Fire Protection District Board of Directors will meet for the first time since the death of, one of four senior officers removed last month following an appellate court's decision to rule in favor of two plaintiffs who sued over employment discrimination. Goodson was found with what authorities are calling a self-inflicted injury earlier this week.
The Board was scheduled to meet Thursday, but postponed the session in the wake of Goodson's death. Ken Murphy, a retired Battalion Chief, also passed away Wednesday, succumbing to cancer.
Board critics, including a citizen's watchdog group, are encouraging attendance at Saturday's session to let Board President Kim Evans and Director Steve Swyers "know that we will no longer tolerate their reign of terror and we demand they either represent us taxpayers or resign." The watchdog group has long been critical of district financial and labor matters and was outspoken in opposition to the action taken to remove Goodson and three other senior officers identified in the sex discrimination lawsuit against the agency. Some comments on a website operated by the group suggest the Monarch board bears some responsibility for Goodson's death.
Find out what's happening in Creve Coeurwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Evans emailed a statement to Patch Friday night:
"We are all upset with the news of the death of Fred Goodson. Members of a citizen group, which former board member Richard Gans acts as spokesman for, have made personal accusations and intimidating statements against members of the Monarch Board. We will not engage in political attacks related to the untimely and unfortunate death of a former employee."
Find out what's happening in Creve Coeurwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Evans also defended the board's reasoning , and reminded the public that statements will be limited to three minutes in length Saturday.
Editor's Note: Saturday's open meeting will be held at the Monarch Fire Protection District's headquarters located at 13625 Olive in Chesterfield, beginning at 10 a.m.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.