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Fire chief retires citing need for new leadership

By Sean Dalton
Heritage Media

VOL. 18, NO. 42

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 Weave the Web:

Make sure to click on www.heritage.com around the clock for the most in-depth coverage. See most popular stories....Suspect in fatal shooting turns self in.

With one attempt at a $1.3-million federal grant officially denied and another attempt pending, Ypsilanti Fire Chief Jon Ichesco announced his retirement this week. The decision had little to do with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant, which the department is in an even better position to receive on this latest application, due to a reduction in staff since first applying. Theres a lot of straws on this camels back, Ichesco said self-effacingly, earlier this week. Im half retired under a very old Public Act 345 which mandates a retirement age of 65 ... last year I entered into the deferred retirement program and have one more year of it. He said that the end game of where the department is heading, either way, calls for new leadership. Im looking where were going and with or without

the grant were going to have to reduce through attrition, he said. Timewise maybe its better for me to step down and let someone younger move up. Interim City Manager Ralph Lange said hes been gathering input from personnel who have an informed opinion on Ichescos role and value to the city as an employee in order to formulate an idea of what kind of person he needs look for to fill the outgoing chiefs shoes. Lange said that he would like to advertise for a new fire chief soon, but the city is hashing out details with the fire departments union. There is discussion revolving around Ichescos dual role as the fire chief and the departments fire marshal. Since starting his career in firefighting 28 years ago, Ichesco has built up a strong and accomplished specialty as a fire marshal, which he was promoted to within Ypsilantis fire department in 1994. He became the fire

chief in 2007 and retained his fire marshal duties. Weve got a lot of homework to do on that question, Lange said. My inclination is to not have the fire chief be the fire marshal, because thats a big enough job by itself, and so is the fire marshal job. He hopes to find a staff structure with a configuration of those roles that is both acceptable to IAFF Fire Fighters Union Local 401 and financially feasible for a city that is in the midst of financial hardships. Speaking to the SAFER grant, Lange says that the outcome of the latest grant application has little bearing on the direction of the fire department from his perspective as city manager, since that money is a onetime award. Though he was more positive on the latest grant application in terms of wishing to receive the grant, even though more Fire Chief Jon Ichesko, above, is retiring from reghteligibility is reflective of being in a more dire staffing ing after almost a 30-year career. He has served as chief in Ypsi since 2007. Photo courtesy Jon Ichesko.
PLEASE SEE ICHESCO/3-A

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Augusta clerks eavesdropping charges dropped

By Ben Baird
Heritage Media

Charges of eavesdropping and disclosing information gained by eavesdropping filed against Augusta Township Clerk Kathy Giszczak were dismissed Oct. 9. The clerk said she felt confident all along that the charges would be dismissed. She is currently seeking re-election and is running against Kathleen McDonald. The eavesdropping charges involved a recording of a conversation between township Supervisor Pete Hafler and former deputy treasurer Janice Blair from January 2010. In a deposition for a lawsuit regarding Blairs termination, Giszczak admitted to recording a conversation between Blair and Hafler. Giszczaks attorney, Douglas Mullkoff, argued the recorded conversation occurred publicly in the township hall, 8021 Talladay Road. He said private conversations cannot

be recorded, but the conversation occurred in a public place where a third party, the receptionist, was present. Circuit court Judge Donald Shelton granted Mullkoffs motion to reverse the decision to bind the case over to circuit court, agreeing the legal standard for eavesdropping involves both a conversation intended to be private and an expectation of privacy . Testimony from the preliminary examination showed there was not an expectation of privacy in the township hall, which was described as a single 30 by 30 foot room containing several offices separated by cubicle walls and filing cabinets. Shelton said he didnt believe Giszczak intended on recording Blair and Haflers conversation based on other testimony . Former township treasurer Angela Sherbine said at the preliminary examination that Giszczak was being harassed by a man she described as a problem citizen.

Township Trustee William Tobler, who was called by the defense at the preliminary, said Giszczak had a recorder in her office because she was trying to get a record of this harassment. Tobler said she was doing so using the advice of a Michigan State Police lieutenant, who told her she was allowed to have a recorder within her office in the township hall. Giszczak said she has been under attack by a certain group of people, attributing the case as something used to attack her. Since I took office in 2004, this same group of people has tried unsuccessfully to get me out of office one way or another, Giszczak said in a statement. I believe it is because I have uncovered misspending and reported it to authorities. There have been two recalls, daily bullying and intimidation, personal threats, assault and battery; from fish guts to drowned rats in my office. I am dedicated to serving my

community, and I will continue to serve for as long as voters continue to elect me. Nimish Ganatra, an assistant prosecuting attorney with the county prosecutors office, argued at the preliminary examination that the conversation between Blair and Hafler was intended to be private and a crime was committed by recording it and then disclosing it to Sherbine. The recording was a factor in Sherbine choosing to terminate Blair, Ganatra said, based on Sherbines testimony . Chief Judge Elizabeth Hines, 15th District Court, ruled on July 17 during the preliminary examination of the case that it would be sent to the circuit court. She determined the county prosecutors office had met the burden to show probable cause, which is a lower burden than to show beyond a reasonable doubt for an actual trial. Blair, Hafler and Sherbine were
PLEASE SEE GISZCZAK/3-A

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Community Media Lab, located at 215 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti, is offering free workshops through October. The lab offers help on writing press releases, setting up social media accounts, blogging, editing video and creating photo slideshows, among other things, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email communitymedi alab@heritage.com for more information or call 1-267-229-6037.

BRIEFLY...
Luncheon: The Ypsilanti Thrift Shop Ofcers will honor their life members with a salad and sandwich luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Ladies Literary Club, 218 N. Washington St. All volunteers are encouraged to attend. The Director of Meals on Wheels, Ann Harris, will speak. The ofcers

will meet at 11 a.m. prior to the luncheon for a business meeting. Pasta dinner: Lincoln Golden Ages Seniors will be hosting a pasta dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Lincoln High School East Cafeteria. Cost is $10 with children 4-yearsold and under free. The event will include entertainment, door prizes and a silent auction. For additional information call 483-8366. Workshops set at Community Media Lab: The

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