published: Friday, November 06, 2009

Fire chief defends record; council refuses to budge

Fire chief defends record; council refuses to budge

ROXANNE BROWN

Staff Writer

MINNEOLA -- Former Fire Chief Dave Dobrzykowski won't get his job back.

Despite his version of what happened last month, the City Council upheld former city Manager Sam Oppelaar's decision to fire the chief.

"I really gave it (fire chief position) 110 percent and I'm just disappointed that it wasn't enough," Dobrzykowski said. "I really care about the department and about this town. I'm almost 50 years old, with a mortgage and a family to provide for and to go and start trying to find another job because I had a city manager who wanted to be fire chief is not right."

Dobrzykowski spoke first at an administrative hearing before council members following his Sept. 24 termination for insubordination.

At the time, Oppelaar said Dobrzykowski drove to Tampa to look at a used fire truck, against Oppelaar's instruction, and refused to lower the flag to half mast Sept. 11.

Oppelaar said Dobrzykowski's file contains four letters of reprimand, two letters of counseling and one letter of record. The topics vary, but include violating the chain of command, Oppelaar said.

In his defense, Dobrzykowski said he was a victim of miscommunication and accused the city manager of creating a hostile work environment with intimidation and micro-management.

The city's labor attorney and legal counsel, Dottie Green, recommended the termination upheld based on the insubordination accusations and for failing to be an effective administrator.

"The city went through multiple stages of progressive discipline before he was terminated for insubordination," Green said.

Human Resource Manager Paula Carver and Code Enforcement Director Ramon Flores said management problems have been resolved in the last month since the former chief's departure.

"I guess I was a terrible administrative assistant but I'm a fantastic fire chief. But it's pretty hard to do that with no help. I was only one person wearing 10 different hats and I tried my best to keep up with everything," Dobrzykowski said.

Council members said Dobrzykowski could apply for another position in the department.

Dobrzykowski said he would not sue the city.

The fire chief earned $71,780 annually.