Sedona Fire Chief, Nazih M. Hazime, resigns
Sedona AZ (June 2, 2011) – In a letter to the Sedona Fire District and its Board, Sedona Fire Chief Nazih M. Hazime, resigns less than two years into his contract. The following is Chief Hazime’s Letter of Resignation in its entirety:
Dear residents and business owners,
I have made the decision to resign from Sedona Fire District. My wife and I moved to Sedona with anticipation of staying with the District for 5 years. We came with hopes of making a difference with the fire district and the community and also living out our dream and enjoying our retirement.
SFD is a “1st in Class department”, like none other. When I left Dearborn, Michigan it was bittersweet. I had a great career and department there, and in my position I was supported by a Mayor and City Council that allowed me to work independently in the best interest of the fire department and community.
I had a department that was very good but, it was nothing like the fire department and administrative staff we have here in the Sedona Fire District. Each individual is highly educated and trained to the fullest capacity.
I have not been more proud than I have been here in the year and 9 months that I have been with the staff in the Sedona Fire District. Their compassion, expertise, and passion for the fire service are second to none. I have worked hard to instill cohesiveness with the District and the community and to share our proud tradition of the fire service and what we stand for. I feel this has been accomplished and the community has come together in supporting our Fire District. This we can be proud of, and continue to strive forward with community involvement. There have been challenges, and we have overcome them together.
Working with the District has also been the biggest challenge of my career. We are a great District and will continue to be. We must continue to work towards cohesiveness and be proud of our Fire District, every challenge we face on a daily basis, and every life we save. The governing board is working towards instilling cohesiveness and with every dedicated individual that works in the Sedona Fire District, it will accomplish that. They have made me feel like one of them and I am proud to say that I worked with them.
I am leaving SFD not because of each of them and their commitment to professionalism but, because of mine and my wife’s personal desire to live out our dream here in Sedona. We enjoy hiking, volunteer work, and many things that Sedona has to offer. We have lacked the time to embrace those things together.
I gave a 60 day notice to the Board on April 27, 2011. The Board and I have agreed to a Letter of Intent and it will be finalized next week. I will persist to maintain my course of action and to move this district forward while I’m still in office.
Thank you for your ongoing support and friendship. Be proud of our Fire District and stay safe.
Sincerely,
Nazih (end letter)
The following is the draft Minutes of the June 2, 2011 Sedona Fire District Board Meeting:
~ DRAFT ~
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
Station #1 – 2860 Southwest Drive – West Sedona – Multipurpose Room
Thursday, June 2, 2011 / 3:00 PM
~ MINUTES ~
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL.
Board Present: David Blauert – Chairman;
Charles Christensen – Clerk
Craig Dible, Phyllis Erick, Ty Montgomery – Members
Others Present:
Nazih Hazime, Fire Chief
Terry Keller, Assistant Chief
Sandi Schmidt, Finance Manager
Carla Dufort, Administrative Lead
Blake Whiteman, Attorney to the Fire Board
Approximately 6 Members of the Public
Tricia Greer, Recording Clerk
Mr. Blauert called the meeting to order at 3:05 PM.
II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND MOMENT OF SILENCE TO HONOR ALL AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY, FIREFIGHTERS, AND POLICE OFFICERS.
Mr. Christensen led the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence.
III. EXECUTIVE SESSION.
A. Executive Session – Pursuant to ARS 38-431.03 (A)(1) for personnel issues, ARS 38-431.03 (A)(3) legal advice, and ARS 38-431.03 (A)(4 ) for instructions to counsel Re: Fire Chief Nazih Hazime Employment Contract.
Mr. Christensen moved to adjourn into Executive Session pursuant to ARS 38-431.03 (A)(1) for personnel issues, ARS 38-431.03 (A)(3) legal advice, and ARS 38-431.03 (A)(4 ) for instructions to counsel regarding Fire Chief Nazih Hazime’s Employment Contract; Mrs. Erick seconded, and the motion unanimously passed.
B. Reconvene into Public Session / Possible Action regarding the above.
The Board reconvened into Public Session at 4:39 PM.
Mr. Blauert asked Attorney Whiteman to address the public.
Mr. Whiteman said: the Board has been in discussions with Chief Hazime and his attorney; Chief Hazime has resigned as Fire Chief of Sedona Fire District; the Board and Chief Hazime have reached a mutual agreement and prepared a Letter of Intent as to the terms of the agreement.
Mr. Whiteman did not read the Letter of Intent aloud, but stated the Letter was a public record.
Mr. Blauert then entertained a motion to approve the Letter of Agreement and terms as presented by Mr. Whiteman; Mr. Christensen so moved, Mrs. Erick seconded, and the motion unanimously passed with a vote of five to zero.
IV. ADJOURNMENT.
The meeting was then adjourned at 4:45 PM.
David Blauert, Chairman of the Board
:tg
Eye on Sedona daily news and views for you!
it’s a real sad day for the residents in the Sedona Fire District to see this happen…
wwwhhhhhaaaaaattttttt the (deleted by editor) @#%^%&%#@Q how’d this happen????????? CHIEF STAY & RIDE HERD ON THE JACKA$$ES !!!!!!!!! STAY PUT !!!!!!!!!!!!! PERSONAL AGENDAS & POLITICS SUPERCEDE SEDONA FIRE SAFETY ?????? NOT ACCEPTABLE????? (portions of this comment were edited) DEMAND BOARD RECALL ELECTION !!!!!!
Jill @ retweeted to 323 followers:
sedonatimes SedonaTimes
Sedona Fire Chief Hazime Resigns 9:38 PM via shareaholic app
thks jill 4 starting the drumroll-got from donna-hugely disappointing news-watch how news-nots try 2 catchup 2 sedona times-betcha lots of opines UNworth hearing get pen time in local papers/oddity webs-thx for the skinny st-subscribing 2day
answer this board members….how much money did it cost sedona to find and hire this professional fire chief before you flushed it down the toilet in the scheme to be its new chiefs? is the rumor true that one of the board members tried to get Hazime job and was flatly rejected so started this vendetta against the fire department disguised as a citizens “fix the bureaucracy” tea party election? (don’t print my last name or address in VOC)
choose one descriptive label for the SFDB from the following…o yay…shortlist…LUNATICS
Well they finally got what they wanted. This well respected and educated man was forced out by a bunch of penny pinching wanna be’s. The next step is to appoint another one of thier cronines to “act” as fire chief and the complete distruction of SFD will be assured.
Fire chief… gone,
Fire marshall… gone,
human resource manager… gone,
Telecomm manager… gone,
911 dispatch center manager… gone
And soon to be
Firefighter and paramedics… gone.
The old adage, People get the government they deserve has never rung truer.
A recall is too little to late, the ship is sailed and sunk.
Truly sad for Sedona, but illustrates precisely the ongoing problem we face trying to have honest people serve and represent our best interests. There is a small percent of residents that constitutes part of Sedona’s problem in that they believe they alone have the authority to continue to have power and are willing to circumvent any due process in order to have their way.
Outrageous!
We all know, as “Citizens for Safety”, that the Chief has been badgered and tormented by the current Board!This kind of power should not be tolerated among ignorant, self-aggrandizing lay Board Members. A recall is justified.
Sorry our press release did not make print before the announcement.
Mary Jane Cooke – 928-284-4740
where’s the public outrage that our once excellent, efficient, lifesaving department has been gutted? where’s the demand for a recall of this Dible, Demme, Christianson, Erick, Blauert driven sfdboard that now might have caused citizens to be responsible for the deaths of others for a mere few dollars out of our deeply lined wallets (sedonan taxpayers have plenty of money or they should be living elsewhere).
at first was put out with a story that didn’t have a lot of “he said/she said”. i was frustrated. in retrospect after reading this story in two other places i found bias & it felt wrong. they are garbage news.
how about that. your news challenges me.
once your editor was asked by someone about the “side” you favored on a story & the editor told him to decide & not editor’s to tell him what to think & i remember thinking NAIVE & HOW DO I KNOW IF I SUPPORT YOU?
you won me over. what was i thinking. right-on, i wasn’t & now i am. will be.
great news site. appreciate your patience with me. here’s $60. good work making me think. tell that editor he was right. i hate being wrong but i can admit it. (thanks, Kevin (first name only okay))
…disturbed to read that your Fire Chief is being forced from his job-Vincent states it clearly regarding the problem with good people not serving.
I am a retired civics teacher.
Unless proof is offered of rampant corruption or dire abuse of power, what is the justification for micromanaging any department’s (fire, police, other) policies or decisions? Salaries are paid for performances.
Boards and elected politicians are not qualified to perform the simplest of bureaucratic oversight tasks. It is not the function of any Board to intefere with the corporate mandate. In doubt, ask any Wall Street firm. Ask Donald Trump or Bernie Madoff. Ask any Cabinet Secretary.
Incompentency promotes cronyism and lackluster performances. Arizona politics and business practices are not unlike Illinois. Pity.
Idah Graybeal, Chicago
Indeed, our Chicago visitor is spot on with her comment – Chicago politics executed with Sedona style.
Read yesterday how Sarah Palin may be sneaking into the state and getting Kyl’s Senate seat with her recent purchase of Scottsdale home.
Rahm Emmanuel ushered to Chicago throne (should embarrass honest Dems) and Palin no less an insult for Arizona. You did hit it that on the noggin, Ms. Graybeal. It’s a pity.
Terribly low standards we hold for politicians-egomaniacs and narcissists all with few exceptions. The ME generation gets its just desserts and that’s not worth my or any pity. Listen closely to the rendering of the Stars and Stripes.
Margarette Layton (No Pity for Arizona)
Phoenix
vote Tea Party candidates next election, send a message
It is Tea Party folly that is crippling any forward movement from occurring in our economy. Disrespect and derision of education and women promotes ignorance. We can’t afford any more of that than we already have.
Thanks, but no thanks to Don’s suggestion.
These comments are excerpts from the official minutes taken at the last SFD Work Board Session of 6/8/2011. In my opinion, they summarize the feelings of the majority of the residents of the Sedona Fire District. It’s now time for action before our outstanding fire district is destroyed by a totally imcompetent majority of the board.
Tom Longo
Sedona, AZ
Karen Schmitt – Chapel Area: If you read today’s front page of Red Rock News, you know that Chairman Blauert actually feigned surprise when the Chief finally had enough and handed in his resignation. Oh Really? Were you and your 3 buddies on the Board really that ignorant of what you were doing? That’s just not credible. Applying the kind of pressure you did to the Chief was part of an ugly plan. You claim in the same article, “I always gave him the highest level of respect.” Oh Really? Perhaps in your own mind. I am here to say what the Chief cannot. You muzzled him when he was in your employ, and he is muzzled from now on concerning what everyone knows occurred. In the few short months you have been Chair of this Board, four of you have voted as a block on nearly every issue, with the one critical thinker, Ty Montgomery, usually voting alone. You have exhibited mistrust and disrespect of the Chief and all other SFD employees at every turn by hiring consultants and attorneys at $200/hr or more to verify most everything you are told by staff. Your Board has insisted on signing all checks, no matter how frivolous or inconvenient. You have inexplicably reduced the dollar amount the Chief could authorize on his own. You continue to insist on extremely costly forensic audits at taxpayers’ expense, with no particular goal but on suspicion of hoping to find something amiss somewhere. You have made calls and had discussions all over the state attempting to gather information to use against the policies at SFD. Other fire departments are asking why you don’t trust your own district staff who are much more qualified to give you the information you seek. Whenever the Chief offered to assist in information gathering or asked to be involved, he was turned away like an uninvited houseguest. You continue to believe you know more about running a Fire District than any veteran like the Chief. Chief Hazime’s treatment before the public was so outrageous it was difficult for the public to watch. I never once heard Mr. Blauert address Chief Hazime by his title, “Chief.” Mr. Blauert stood by while another Board member lectured the Chief both publically and privately for his “comportment” with the Board. The most recent insult was when Mr. Blauert himself unjustly accused the Chief of insubordination. The SFD is headed for total destruction unless we members of the public stop this Board from achieving any more benchmarks on the vindictive and punitive agenda. I no longer even care what their reason is. I’m sorry to say they have proven they cannot be entrusted with our money nor our lives and safety. If they were looking out for us as they promised when elected, we would still have our Chief.
Martha Mertz – VOC: In the past several months we, the public, have been taking the measure of our Fire Chief and members of this Board. We have carefully listened and observed all opportunity that presented at public sessions. There were many executive sessions where we were left out. There are some stark realities that we have found and they have led to this outrageous outcome, this day of shame. All of us, you the Board and the Community, have been provided an excellent example of leadership from our Chief; leadership through authenticity, integrity, knowledge and continuous learning, collaboration by listening to every meaningful voice the courage to show up and stand up in the face of intolerance and humiliation. Constantly giving back to his colleagues and to the Community and finally being a fierce advocate for what is right. Those are the qualities we saw in our Chief. We have been confident and proud to have the finest person possible overseeing our safety, and the reputation of Sedona as a safe place for the millions of visitors that we attract. Our confidence and pride does not extend to 4 members of this Board. We have seen a large disparity in both talent and character between the fire professionals and the Board. Perhaps by measuring yourselves against his outstanding capabilities, you found yours to be far less. This dynamic can cause actions that are far off the mark. Where you saw excellence you sought at adherence, where you saw aspire décor you introduced divisiveness and contention. You chose to question and then dismiss the expertise and professional judgment of this department. It wasn’t about doing the right thing; it was about a certain kind of power. It was about abusing that power. We saw, from you, a mission to micromanage, to question beyond reason, to demean in subtle and overt ways, to undermine the professionals in the department. To threaten audits implying criminal behavior; to appoint your campaign manager when another candidate was but 2 votes shy of election; to find ways of hiring a company when a clear conflict of interest existed. These are the leadership qualities we’ve observed from 4 of you. Only Ty Montgomery has shown a genuine set of values and objectives in overseeing the Fire Department. He is to be commended for his courage and wisdom. I don’t believe that 4 of you have the best interest of community nor the Fire Department in mind. I do not believe you should remain in this position. Our community deserves better.
Doug Fitzpatrick – VOC: Most important person for Sedona Fire District, in my view, is the Chief. We have had an excellent one in Chief Hazime. He has the technical acumen, the administrative skills, and the people are second to none, but, as we know, he has quit. The question on everyone’s mind is why. As I understand what has gone on over the last 6 months, and I’ve followed district business pretty carefully, is because you folks think you know how to do the Chief’s job better than the Chief does. You don’t have training, the experience or education but you have presumed to do his job for him. As though he’s had enough of your micro management, and in many cases arrogance, I don’t blame him for quitting, not one bit. Most of our firefighters and administrative personnel are following the Chief’s lead and looking for work elsewhere because the morale of this District is in the toilet. And why is the morale of these good people at an all-time low? I submit the buck stops with you folks. It appears that you are following your political agenda to save us all $50.00 bucks on our tax bill and in the process your dismantling what was a proud and first class Fire District. I believe I am speaking for the entire Community when I tell you keep your 50 bucks.
In case people have missed the Sedona Fire District Board Meeting of Wednesday, June 22, 2011 / 6:00 PM Public Session, enclosed are comments made during the Public Forum portion of the meeting:
Tom Longo
Sedona, AZ
Douglas W. Ayres, Village of Oak Creek: I live on Thunder Road in the Village and have for 25 years. I request that no action be taken by the Board to discuss, establish committee or Chairman or take any action of any type regarding a Fire Chief search.
The reasons for such request are – one – recall petitions are being prepared and will be circulated to remove all Board Members except for Ty Montgomery.
Two – based on considerable expressions of local opinion, there is a high probability that all four recalls will be successful. Thus, search costs of any new Chief would be wasted expense.
Three – current Fire Chief Nazih Hazime has agreed to serve until June 26th. He is therefore still Chief and has stated publicly that he will remain a citizen of Sedona and retain his home here. The best available professional Fire Chief already is locally present – Nazih Hazime. The new Fire Board, thus, would be wise to appoint the best immediately locally available and experienced Fire Chief – Nazih Hazime. The Sedona Fire District has no need to appoint a short-term Chief who would be, as expected, grossly subservient to the current Board majority and its domineering Chairman, and his and the Board’s dangerous ignorance and resultant policies, actions and budget.
If there are questions, I would be glad to debate you on any of them.
Joan Shannon, Uptown Sedona: Mr. Blauert, I’m 69 years old. I do not feel I need a police officer as a babysitter. To have the police department at every meeting to watch us is extreme harassment of us citizens. I feel it is revenge against us because of our criticisms against the Board’s actions.
There’s never been a bad incident at a meeting, even the June 8th meeting; I watched the video today as I was not there. No one got out of their seats and stormed the Board with pitchforks. Your campaign stole the signs of the opposition during the campaign; so, who needs to be watched? I don’t think it’s our citizens. I think it’s the Board.
The Board has harassed us often with outrageous statements against us. Now you want to give another, final insult and want to take money out of our pockets to pay for armed police officers to be here at the meetings to watch us and I think that’s an insult to the public. Thank you.
Richard Collister, West Sedona: I moved to Sedona a couple of years ago and I’m a homeowner here… I felt compelled… this is the first time I’ve been to a Board meeting… I felt compelled to come and state what was on my mind.
Throughout the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen contention, contentious relationships between the Fire Board and the members of the fire department, the Chief right on down to the ranks, and particularly, since this Board’s been elected and when I heard that the Chief resigned as a result of all this contention, I had to come say something.
And you know, I don’t understand what your motivation is. I mean, if your motivation is to save me $100 or $200 on my taxes, thanks, but no thanks.
I also want to say I’m a retired New York City fireman and I’ve seen short-term elected officials making decisions for fire departments when they know nothing about what’s going on.
You know, if your motivation is to save me a few bucks, okay, that’s fine, but let the fire department manage the fire department. The fire department knows how to run itself, and these fine men of integrity, professionalism, that have a care for doing, you know, service to the citizens of Sedona, let them do their job.
I mean if you want to work on the budget, that’s fine, but let the fire department be the fire department. And I’m particularly… when I heard that the Chief resigned, a nice guy, a man of integrity, I just could not understand what your motivation is. You know, the morale of the men, I expect a fire department if I’m in need, my family’s in need, the fire department’s going to respond. They know what they’re doing. I don’t expect you guys to know anything about the inner-workings of the fire department. The fire department can, basically, run itself.
You know, if you want to tinker with some budgetary items or whatever, that’s fine. But, let the men be the men, let the women be the men, let the fire department run the fire department.
Quit micro-managing everything and, you know, I’ve just got to say one thing… when this whole election was taking place, I was quite dismayed at the cowardness of the things that you guys hung up with the salaries of the men. Quite misinformation because you know all of it was not coming from the county, you know, part of it was Federal money or whatever, it’s just a cowardly act.
And I really don’t know what your motivation is. If your motivation is the demise, the killing of morale of the men to save me $100, congratulations, you’ve done it. But let the fire department be the fire department… I’ve lived here for two years now. Just let the fire department run the fire department. If you want to save me $200, thanks a lot, but no thanks. Thank you.
Caroline Johnson, Chapel Area: I am so pleased that Board Member Ty Montgomery has stayed true to his principles. I’m proud to have been part of your campaign. Yes.
Kathryn Reynolds, Uptown Area: I would like to address something…I understand people’s emotions and their passions about things. I get that. But, I have 30 years in finance and education in it, and 10 years in dealing in different business situations with Mr. Blauert, who always was impeccable, a gentleman, kept his word, is respected and trusted because of his ability to do business in such a proper fashion.
Maybe the delivery could have been more palatable, but I dare say that any major transition right now, financially, was going to be hard for everybody. I believe there is a lot of information that has not been disclosed because of confidentiality. I don’t know that for a fact, but being a finance person, I would assume so. And I just want to say that I think you’re getting better government than what you are paying for. He doesn’t need to be here. He doesn’t need the headaches or the money. He’s looking to be of service. And hear me now, believe me later, when it comes to making a budget work, this gentleman knows how to do that. Thank you.
Dick Fishel, West Sedona: This is in response to Mr. Blauert’s Guest Perspective in today’s Red Rock News.
I respect Mr. Blauert’s right to express his opinion, but I would also like to exert my right to express my opinion and address, what I believe, is some misleading information that was in that article.
Mr. Blauert states that the City of Sedona, Sedona public schools, and the police department have all lost employees because of – quote – budget constraints, but that SFD has not laid off or dismissed any employees, implying SFD has not lost employees because of – quote – budget constraints.
The fact is that the Chief eliminated two top management positions and moved their assignments to other management team members due to – quote – budget considerations.
Two current management level vacancies are not now being filled due to budget constraints and eight other current employee vacancies are not being filled due to budget constraints, for a total of eleven positions either eliminated…either being eliminated or not being filled because of budget constraints; so, the fact is that SFD has also lost employee head count due to public budget constraints, just like any other public sectors in town.
The article also states the purchase of SFD’s 100 foot, $1 million ladder truck has been very controversial, leaving by that statement one to assume SFD paid $1 million for the ladder truck when, in fact, it paid closer to $850,000, not $1 million for that truck.
He states that the new health plan for 2011/2012 will save an estimated $300,000, but gives no credit to Karen Daines for negotiating that package.
I also want to remind everybody that the highest vote-getter of any of the three elected to the Board at the last election was Mr. Montgomery. He speaks for the higher number of us that voted for him and we expect him to reflect our concerns and our positions on Fire Board actions and decisions. His Red Rock News Guest Perspective was exactly what all of us that voted for him were feeling and we laud him for telling it like it is. There were no irresponsible personal attacks, name-calling, or demonizing. He presented the facts and his opinion of those facts, and that’s what we expected him to do.
And, finally, to say that the resignation of the Chief, Fire Marshal, Telecommunications Manager, Human Resource Director, and the others had nothing to do with Board actions and decisions is unbelievable.
If you were to ask any of them, and I have asked many of them, if the actions of the Board in taking away their ability to manage their functions and the Board’s rejections of their concern about budget constraints affecting service played a part in their decision to leave, the answer given to me was “yes”.
I am very concerned with the attitude that the decisions of the Board have nothing to do with recent management and staff resignations and the undeserved, horrible reputation we’re getting around the State. That, in my opinion, is being very naïve and out of touch with reality. Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinions
Carolyn Krajewski
Sedonites are hypocrites. Time to move away. Everybody hates everybody/nobody gets along/money is king/screw your neighbors for chump change. Creepy people think they rule the world.
Realizing Fire Chief Nazih Hazime has resigned, the purpose of my e-mail is to convey to the Fire Board that I will miss the informative messages, example herewith, that Mr. Hazime sent out on a regular basis.
Never had the privilege of meeting the gentleman but as a long time Sedona resident appreciated the personal touch conveyed by these messages and would hope a future fire chief might be as caring.
Sincerely,
Eddie S. Maddock
Sedona AZ
——-Original Message——-
From: Nazih Hazime
6/2/2011 9:36:02 AM
Subject: Information
Hello,
Attached are clear guidelines to “make your address more visible” and “how to be prepared when you call 9-1-1″….
….Stay Hydrated – Stay Safe
Nazih M. Hazime
Fire Chief
Sedona Fire District
928.204.8924
Courage to be Safe