It is very rare for this blog to discuss anyone by name other than the Fire Chief. In the case of Assistant Chief Harry Tinsley, currently serving as the interim deputy chief it is time to set the record straight. Chief Tinsley is being bashed over at a TV stations website in comments. This is wholly unacceptable as there exists nothing of substance to the allegations. If true, one need only make a complaint but instead the drivel comes out in comments signed by nicknames. Columbia is fortunate to have good chief officers in positions of influence and Tinsley is one of the best of them. Is he perfect? no, who is? But his name is going through the ringer when, as of now, there exists nothing on paper supporting any claims made. People learn from past decisions and apply them as they go forward. At least competent people do and the fact is Harry Tinsley is competent. So is Will Harrel, Jamie Helms, Mike Edmonds, Wayne Lucas, Fred Brandt, Chief Boyd,
We discuss the pictures of an overcrowded nightclub including pictures of the Fire Chief, an ex council member and a local judge. Can it get worse? Yes and it will. MP3 File
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Columbia, Scandal, and Clubbin’
Earlier tonight WIS reported on Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins appearing in photographs at Club Rust as the club was being investigated for violations which never materialized though they were documented. At question is whether Chief Jenkins was influenced by E.W. Cromartie, the former council member heading to federal prison, to take it easy on the club. Chief Jenkins said in statement that wasn't the case at all and the entire report is interesting because it shows council member Devine complaining about the Police Department after an officer said he saw her in the club. She wasn't there. The issue is making news because of the fiasco at Benedict College where it is alleged the fire department null processed tickets over repeated fire violations. Chief Jenkins, not yet three weeks into the position, is now in a very public position of having his professionalism questioned. The fact is nothing has been proven thus Jenkins is not guilty of anything. Still it puts the department back in the spotlight after a tumultuous end to the previous fire chiefs tenure. It also puts Public Safety Director Mike King back on television with a deer in the headlights look. Asked by a reporter about the pictures King seemed dazed. How much more will come out in the weeks and months ahead? It should also be noted City Manager Steve Gantt said the investigation stood on its own merits. As the senior bureaucrat in charge shouldn't he provide a better explanation since the people pay him a generous salary? Further, if Aubrey Jenkins has been wronged who is going to apologize to him?
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Photographs Leave Many Questions
A frank discussion about the poor state of affairs in Columbia and what it will take to get some responsibility and success back in the mix for firefighters. MP3 File
Topics: Columbia Fire Chief In News Is It True? Is it false and if so who will apologize? NIST Report Charleston Fire Department Change Coming??? MP3 File
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Tuesday Night Special Podcast
While reading through the WIS reports on Columbia City Council member E.W. Cormartie I came across this passage which I hadn't noted before. It states: Cromartie's guilty plea is the latest in a string of legal issues he has faced. Columbia Director of Public Safety Michael King on Monday accused Cromartie of conspiring with now-interim Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins in August to help a Vista nightclub avoid an overcrowding violation. Is this correct? Did Mike King accuse the two men of conspiracy? I was unable to find the accusation in previous reports but to be fair I read a lot of websites during the day. If this is true why didn't King address it last year when it happened? As public safety director he certainly had the power to do so if indeed he accused the two men. This should be addressed by council on Wednesday if true. If not true it needs to be corrected.
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Was There Another Conspiracy in Columbia Fire Department
Topics: Columbia Heads Down Rocky Path More Fire Code Violation Issues Matt Lam Does the Job Right Criticism Explodes After Story Last night About Chief Jenkins MP3 File
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Halligan and Hose Special Tuesday podcast
WIS and Jody Barr are looking in to fire code violations and the most recent story involves interim fire chief Aubrey Jenkins, council member E.W. Cromartie (Plead guilty to tax evasion) and an overcrowded night club. According to Wis: An August 2009 incident at a Vista Nightclub resulted in an administrative investigation into allegations that Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins and councilman E.W. Cromartie “were improperly influenced in order not to issue an overcrowding
Topics: Powell gets Nod from CFFA Cromartie the First To Fall What's Next MP3 File
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Special Podcast: Columbia Fire Department
Topics: Powell gets Nod from CFFA Cromartie the First To Fall What's Next MP3 File
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Special Podcast: Columbia Fire Department
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