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Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend November 28, 2004 Lines drawn over contract for new Phoenix fire chief By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune PHOENIX — The city’s mayor-elect and former fire chief charge that the contract given to new Fire Chief Matt Lichtenstein is overly generous and does not follow city policy. The city counters the contract rewards a longtime employee and is in line with other department head salaries. Lichtenstein was hired at $4,572 a month, $587 more than the starting pay of his predecessor, David Tucker. Lichtenstein’s salary is a 50 percent increase from the pay he was receiving as at top-level firefighter, $3,020. The City Council approved the contract Nov. 15, hiring Lichtenstein after a three-month probation. Lichtenstein took over July 20 following the sudden resignation of Tucker after 14 months in the job. Lichtenstein, 33, comes to the post with an associate’s degree and 16 years’ experience as a firefighter, nearly six as a paid employee. Tucker has a master’s degree, two decades of experience in the fire service and eight years’ experience in management.Tucker appeared at the council meeting to challenge Lichtenstein’s contract, citing concern for the fire department’s financial stability. Advertisement He said he worried the City Council would target the public safety levy to help pay for Lichtenstein’s salary. The five-year levy for fire and police was passed in November 2003 to retain the current staffs, add four new positions and replace aging equipment. "I went door to door and sold this levy to the community," Tucker said. "I feel I have a commitment to the city of Phoenix to ensure that those levy funds are spent prudently and to the best benefit of the taxpayers. � When the salary and benefit package is overly generous, then it takes away from the frontline firefighters that are needed to do the job." Vicki Bear, who will replace Mayor Larry Parducci in January, said Lichtenstein’s four-month probation did not follow the city personnel manual’s requirement of sixth months. In addition, his contract allows him to return to his position of firefighter without loss in pay or seniority if he is unsuccessful as chief. Bear and Tucker also objected to the contract’s compensation for private vehicle use and compensatory time of up to 80 hours for covering firefighter shifts. "They are putting things into a contract that goes against the personnel manual and which set a precedent," said Bear. The fire department is funded by $255,000 from the general fund and $301,000 from the public safety levy for a total of $556,000. City Recorder Betty Smith said Lichtenstein’s salary was comparable to other department managers’ and is paid from the general fund. The city’s salary range for the position of fire chief is $3,949-$5,041. She said Lichtenstein’s contract is higher than beginning salary to compensate for the overtime he received as a firefighter. "We couldn’t bring somebody on as fire chief and expect them to take a pay cut," she said. Though he initially declined to be interviewed, Lichtenstein said last week he was confused and frustrated by the turmoil surrounding his contract. "I’m not trying to brag, but I’ve busted my butt for this community," Lichtenstein said. "They say it wasn’t a personal thing — well, go pick on someone else. "I’ve been here since 1988 � surely some of those years had to account for something." He said it had not been uncommon for the council to allow shorter probation periods when promoting from within the city. Councilman and fire department liaison Hal Burks said it was the council’s prerogative to determine personnel issues such as salary, benefits and probation for the new fire chief. "He had a shorter probation, that’s true� and it’s not standard to waive (the six months), but each case varies," Burks said. "Time for probation is not written in stone. As a council we’re able to do whatever we want. I’m dumbfounded and I don’t have any idea why (Tucker) was there" at the meeting to object, he said. Bear said the council should be consistent with its hiring practices. "We should not, just because we know someone, alter that standard," she said. "I believe that’s favoritism. Just because you know someone, just because they’ve been around, doesn’t mean they know how to do the job without experience." Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Advertisement s