Due Process Rights in Medley???

By BILL DALEY/Assistant Editor The Miami Herald

In other council news:

• It did not turn out to be a good night for Bob Ruiz, the town’s electrical inspector, because by the end of the meeting, he was the town’s former electrical inspector.

Vice Mayor Griselia Digiacomo made a motion that he be terminated, new councilperson Susana Guasch issued a second and a vote was taken. The vote was 3-2 to pass the motion.
But there was plenty of discussion and plenty of disagreement among the council.
According to Digiacomo, it was recently discovered that, without any council approval or knowledge, potential contractors approaching the town for permits in the Building and Zoning Department were being charged an extra $350 on top of the regular permit fees — fees that were going directly to Ruiz without the town seeing any of the added revenue.

“To be honest, I’m not even sure how legal it is and I just don’t feel Mr. Ruiz can be trusted at this point,” said Digiacomo. “We need to find a way to keep costs down in order to attract new business, not drive them up.”

“I feel it’s very unethical and we as a town do not want to be known as doing business that way,” said Guasch.

After Edgar Ayala voted yes, the necessary votes were there before Jack Morrow voted no and Martell voted no as well.

“I was mayor of this town for nearly 10 years and never once fired anybody,” said Morrow. “Not because I was soft, but just that I did not believe in trying to ruin people’s lives without just cause. I feel that Mr. Ruiz should be given some sort of due process rights here that he’s not being given.” Martell agreed.

“I would have voted for a suspension myself pending a complete investigation, but the vote to terminate has been made,” said Martell. “But we will need to look further into the matter.”

Looking further into the matter will mean that a special workshop will be held soon (no date was given) to look into the entire process of permit fees at, which time exactly what took place in Ruiz’s case will be reviewed. And if it’s determined that Ruiz was wrongfully terminated, the possibility of reinstatement could be discussed.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/06/v ... rylink=cpy

For I say to you that every idle word that people will speak, they will give an answer for it in the Day of Judgment

Sec. 35-29. - Removal of personnel.

All police officers serving under the Chief of Police or any other personnel of the Police Department shall serve at the will of the Town Council and may be removed with or without cause as a majority of the Town Council shall decide, the majority being the affirmative vote of three Councilmembers.

Sec. 35-27. - Direction, control of department.

The Chief of Police shall have the immediate direction and control of the Police Department created pursuant to this article, subject only to the limitations and restrictions set forth in the charter of the town. He shall devote such time as may be reasonably necessary to the discharge of his official duties, and in his absence from the town he shall designate to act as Chief of Police during his absence or disability one of the other members of the Police Department as acting Chief of Police and the member so designated shall serve without additional compensation.

i agree. i guess this loca just wants to justify why she fired these officers. THere is NO JUSTIFICATION! it's wrong on so many levels. she knows it and eventually she's going down.... she knows that too

Lt good luck from all of us on Wednesday

Does anyone know if the meeting is open to the public? Is it a special meeting? I thought it had to be at town council meeting?

I heard its a special council meeting open to the public at 5:30. be there. it will be good

whats going to happen at this meeting?

Best wishes for Lt. Joe. I will be there supporting you. I encourage all of you to go and hear them out!