The Ellis County Press: Naked image e-mail gets Midlothian fire marshal suspended 1 week

Naked image e-mail gets Midlothian fire marshal suspended 1 week
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Editor on 12/26/2009 23:54:00


JOEY G. DAUBEN
The Ellis County Press
MIDLOTHIAN - Fire Marshal Tom Montgomery used his taxpayer-funded e-mail address
on a taxpayer-funded computer to forward a joke message to several city
officials that included an attached image of a fully naked woman.
He was given a one-week suspension without pay, according to Councilman Ken
Chambers.
I requested from city officials what Montgomery's punishment was after I
inquired about the e-mail.
City Manager Don Hastings immediately investigated the matter and placed
Montgomery on suspension.
A move like that would have resulted in Montgomery's firing in the private
sector. This issue isn't about whether porn was sent as much as it's the venue
it was sent from.
Supporters of Montgomery, who also serves as the assistant fire chief, pointed
out how capable and experienced he was in his city role. Oh, and he attended
First Baptist Church of Midlothian.
To me, that doesn't matter a single bit. When you work for the taxpayers and use
their equipment, you belong to them.
A one-week suspension wasn't good enough, I don't think.
An immediate firing and public apology would be the start.