East Pembroke installs fire officers for 2015

The 1st asst. chief left the scene of a serious atv accident got charged with dwi(but he works for the sherriff dept so that was probably dropped) and gets voted in again. And safety officer. Lol what a joke!

110% true. Tiny town politics at its finest.

There has been a lot of comments on here and other website about the accident I was involved in. First, I would like everyone to know this accident had nothing to do with the East Pembroke Fire Department or Fire District. I understand the concerns some may have with me moving forward as an Assistant Fire Chief but I am here to serve our members, and community alike, to do the best job possible, so our community is safe and our members go home safely to their families.
As for my court case, the DWI charge was dropped. It was not dropped because I work for the Sheriff's Office as a dispatcher, but because of a blood sample that was collected and tested at the time of the accident. The test results cleared me of the DWI charge. As for the other charges, leaving the scene of an accident and driving a ATV on the roadway, I accepted a plea offer from the court.
I accept responsibility for my actions. I apologize to anyone who was offended by this incident and holds it as a judgement against me. I will always work hard for all in our community in whatever job I am doing. I thank you for your time and hope you all have a Happy New Year.

pretty convenient. representing a town, you still should have lost your job. plain and simple. think an off duty cop riding a snowmobile with some booze in him would still have his job after hitting another atv? nope. gotta realize the standard youre tied to when you represent a town or a city. more than meets the eye as to why the charges were dropped. say what you want but most people arent that stupid. unless of course theyre blinded by being related to you. i mean, that helps.

How long after the accident was the blood test? You left 2 people(friends) laying in the road. No chief , fireman or human being should do that!

is it normal to have your blood tested after being charged with a dwi? like if i get drunk and go driving and get pulled over can i request a blood test to clear me the next day? surprised more people dont take that out. by the way, a public figure accepting a plea deal doesnt take away from the fact that you did something wrong in the first place. the charges in the plea dont change the original charges. just because i get nabbed doing 45 in a 30 and it gets reduced to a parking ticket doesnt mean i wasnt speeding. just sayin. it doesnt make it ok.

so all the people in the blotter that get dumped on for stealing stuff, getting into fights, driving drunk, all of the negative comments shouldnt happen because they just made a mistake? doubt it. public figure, *driving drunk, charges dropped. if anything being in the public eye should bring more ridicule than just an average citizen driving drunk or even just a little tipsy. remember bill clinton? all he did was get a little stimulation. not risking other people lives. look at all the crap he took. ill bet if someone in that crash died you wouldnt be using the "hes a good man defense" and the rug would have to be a lot bigger to sweep all of the charges under. being voted into a public position doesnt mean people like you. it damn sure does not mean youre the right person for the job. could just mean you have the right friends. look at obama. i live right next to the fire hall in east pembroke. i am very aware of what these people are really like outside of the public eye. its awesome when they rip up and down slusser road allllllll summer on their atvs from early afternoon until 3 in the morning when i have a 3 year old trying to sleep. the day of the mud races is a drunk holiday for them every single summer.

". . .if i get drunk and go driving and get pulled over can i request a blood test to clear me the next day?"

Yet another who struggles with reading for content.

As well, come to think of it, I can't think of anyone I admire and trust who hasn't made a serious mistake of some sort in life. The ones to avoid are the ones who deny it.

a mistake that could have killed people?

what im saying is that if it were me that did what he did nothing would have been dropped. period

"a mistake that could have killed people?"

Most mistakes behind the wheel could kill people. You've never made a mistake behind the wheel?

nothing involving alcohol. if hitting a deer is a mistake then yeah, ive made 7 mistakes. otherwise no accidents other than one weather related accident. i cant believe anyone in their right mind would defend drinking and driving.
better change the name of the "police blotter" to the "mistake but good people blotter."
a normal person charged with a dwi lives with it for the rest of their life and it ends up costing them thousands. but when its a fireman its just a mistake.

I thought the new indoor shooting range in Bergen was a clever idea, bound to be profitable. ...But anyone can visit the Batavian and take potshots for free.

C.M. i just blew you a kiss.

George is you are a regular everyday person, who does not have a high profle employer, or relatives you can bet charges will not be dropped

If you're telling me you've only made seven mistakes driving (I didn't mention accidents) you're not telling the truth. Or you're fooling yourself. Or both. Perhaps that has something to do with your apparent bitterness. I don't know.

scott, im not bitter. im an average guy that calls it like i see it. you must be a friend of his or something to condone drinking and driving whether he was drunk or not and you dont know me. i witness first hand what most of these guys are all about. do you?

I'd not heard of Mr Smelski before reading this article. I certainly don't defend drunk driving, and have not done so here -- Mr Smelski was not so charged. But of course you *know* better than that, because, well . . . Zero. Just because!

talk about not reading for content. here, ill blow you a kiss too. :-* he was charged, then he wasnt. kinda like that flag in the detroit dallas game. sorry im not a sheep. never will be.

Yes . The charges were dropped because the blood test, taken at the time of the accident, cleared him. He does not face a DUI charge. And I don't have to know you to see that, for whatever reason, this stokes bitterness in you. It's obvious that you think, without any evidence, that special treatment was proffered. Any other conspiracy-think topics you'd care to discuss?

I do know that the blood was not taken at the time of the accident because he left the scene. Do know there was 2 people laying in the road.

it was a mobile blood test? like in the glove box of the truck? oh yea! i have one of those! never leave home without it. scott whens the last time your wool was trimmed? i have some clippers. ill even hug you afterwards. do you live in east pembroke? have you seen these guys on their 4 wheelers racing down streets in the summer? no. no. and no. my eyes are all the evidence i need there chief.

Thanks, George. But I don't know where you've been.

i said it when this happened that i was surprised it took that long for something like this to happen. a few other people even predicted that this would be swept under the rug and low and behold, BOOM theres a huge bump in my carpet. pretty easy for you to just sit back and read when you dont even live in the town. i can see it from my yard.

"i can see it from my yard."

See what? The huge bump in your carpet?

you know what scott? i retract when i said im not bitter. i may be a little bitter because ive watched these guys use east pembroke as their personal atv race track for 4 years. then one of them finally screwed up and people just say, oops, slap on the hand. hence the reference of me seeing it from my yard. i get that you wont see if from my angle because youre so far outside of the box. ill stop feeding the trolls. (or troll as the case were) offer is still on the table for that shave followed by a hug. im not hard to find.

Seven?!?

Dude - have you ever thought of starting a side business during hunting season where you drive an off-road vehicle in fields where dear are nearby? There has to be a ton of people willing to pay you for your deer attracting skills!

;-)

yeah man, 3 at once in a dodge shadow. superior custom detailing to the front of that car. it was neat.

"I retract when i said im not bitter. i may be a little bitter"

I'm so glad I was able to help you get in touch with your feelings. It's a great start. Reality is a challenge -- good luck! But my work here is done.

if your job was being misinformed then good job. i love you.

The really simple point here is that the fire department is a private organization. They are free to elect anyone they want to any position they want. The members of the department are just as familiar with the facts as everyone else on the site. They made a decision they feel is the in the best interest of their department.

Unless you are a member of that department, you really have no business telling them what they should or should not do.

George , did you ever consider that there are more people than just members of the FD in East Pembroke that own 4 wheelers and ride them down the road , how about all the Patrons of Jim's saloon , or how about the kids my age that ride , one of whom lives at the corner of Slusser and Stegman and has one heck of a loud and fast wheeler, just because you are biased against the FD (which is fine, it's not like everyone has to like them , but remember that they will be the ones saving your butt if your house is on fire or if you have an accident) , does not mean you blame everything that makes you mad on them. How about you acknowledge the fact that there are other people that live in town, own 4 wheelers and dirtbikes, ride them on the road and are not members of the FD.

Interesting to see that one weekend Howard pulls peoples comments because they were defined by him as personal attacks. Yet this forum exchange which he even defines as an attack on someone, seems to suffer no removal whatsoever after many many posts.

Seems a double standard to me.

Daniel, i have no beef with people who ride responsibly. I do however have beef with guys who ride on the road until dawn, which i have witnessed the guy in question do. I dont know you or the kid down the road which most likely means you guys arent out riding like idiots. However, the man in question, yes, i have seen doing it. Up and down slusser road until the wee hours of the morning. No idea what i have to say to make people understand ive SEEN it. Its not speculation. I will agree that a LOT more people do it that arent in the fire department. But then that brings me back to my original point. Since theyre in the public eye those are the ones i can pinpoint because they choose to be what they are. If they want the respect they command then follow the damn rules that everyone else has to follow. And if they break those rules then they should pay the same price you and i are guaranteed to pay. Period. Kyle, agreed. You have to be a wordsmith to avoid censorship on this forum even when there are zero personal attacks being made on my part. Its kind of a cat and mouse game but only the cat is participating.

"No idea what i have to say to make people understand ive SEEN it. Its not speculation. . "

Actual evidence would help, but it's obvious you don't have it, Bubba.

Support public figures that get special treatment. Support drinking and driving. I dont care. Be that flock of sheep. This is exactly why i rarely comment on here. Scott, keep on trolling buddy. Thats what you do and i love you for it. Move to east pembroke and take a look. Otherwise keep your opinions to yourself, unfounded as they are. I dont know you and i can tell i dont want to. Theres nothing worse than a person on the outside looking in acting like they know what theyre talking about. <3 you mr ogle. Ive spent enough quarters on the petting zoo food machines. This summer i suppose i should take notes and put my cell phone camera to work. Itll be kinda boring though now that people know they have to be on their best behavior. Maybe ill join the fire department.

"Ive spent enough quarters on the petting zoo food machines. "

Yes. Its truly hard for a boy with no evidence to support his nonsense. It's truly a good idea to take notes and buy a camera. That’s a small price to pay for credibility. Then perhaps next time you'll be prepared to make your argument cogently.

So it goes from personal attacks to judgement calls. Sounds like censorship seasoned with a little favoritism to me, Attacks are attacks and you yourself gave the opinion that these attacks are in poor taste. So I guess if the attacks are vague enough and by someone you approve of their ok.

You are absolutely right, in the end its your site and your call. But people will judge your integrity by what you do not just what you say.

Scott you seem to think that a fact has to be proven to you in order to exsist in the world. But that just isnt the case here.

People out at all hours and trespassing? They can occur without your knowledge and approval Scott. Your disbelief doesn't make it untrue.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here, Kyle . I would maintain that fact always carries a greater burden of proof than opinion. This is a concept that seems to elude you at every turn.

Scott since you cannot comprehend let me make it simple. Facts do not require that they must be proven as such to Scott Ogle to exist. But truly if you want facts, there are more people than George that have seen the idiots riding atv's at all hours of the night including 12mid to 6am.

http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/atv-reportedly-hits-gas-meter-route…

http://thebatavian.com/billie-owens/atv-accident-injuries-pearl-street-…

Tharon Joseph Kunkle, 52, of Read Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, operating an ATV on a public highway and unregistered ATV. Kunkle was charged after allegedly being observed driving his ATV on Route 5, Batavia at 2:32 a.m. Sunday by Deputy Joseph Corona.

http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/atv-accident-reported-harloff…

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: Fire is actually at 369 Wright Road. It's a former U.S. National Gypsum facility, and after that Stylecraft built manufactured homes at the location. It's currently owned by Bill Eberhardt. A large pile of old railroad ties caught on fire. The fire was reported by the pilot of a private airplane. Alabama Chief Gary Patnode said the ties are from a railroad line torn out 25 years ago. He said the property owner told him he's had trouble with trespassers recently, particularly young ATV riders. Deputy Ron Meides said his report will say that a controlled burn -- there's a large section of the property that is being cleared of brush -- ignited the railroad ties. Mutual aid provided Indian Falls, Pembroke and Akron, with East Pembroke filling in at Indian Falls and Shelby filling in at Alabama. (I have one picture to post, but a weak internet signal at my current location ... will add photo to this post later.)

So there is evidence enough for you. I'm sure you'll come up with a snarky response dismissing it all. However I point out again just because YOU dont accept something as fact. It doesn't make that fact any less true.

(sound of mic dropping to floor)

That better? LOL

Thank you. You beat me to the batavian research because i was almost late for work this morning.

"Kyle forgot the mic drop."

He also forgot the point. Or, like you, missed it entirely.

"what im saying is that if it were me that did what he did nothing would have been dropped. period"

"a normal person charged with a dwi lives with it for the rest of their life and it ends up costing them thousands. but when its a fireman its just a mistake"

You've made repealed assertions that the individual in question managed to evade justice and consequence, on the basis of privilege and association. You've implied that the blood test that exonerated him of the charge was somehow rigged, or was an outright fiction. You have evidence for none of it. This is how prejudice works, and it makes everything you say less credible.

Also, to be charged with something is not the same as a conviction.

ok so prove it was a legit blood test. same boat scott. youre the king of filibuster. you should be a politician. how did he have a blood test at the scene when he wasnt at the scene? time passes, the alcohol wears off through sweating, going to the bathroom, ect. how much time went by before the blood test? howard, who did i defame exactly?

". . .I'm glad that federal law protects me. . ."

Yes, an important element that buttresses the First Amendment. There is free speech, but there may also be consequences for the irresponsible.

"so prove it was a legit blood test"

The burden of proof is on you. You made the assertion -- you back it up.

it is pretty easy to be the sheep. if the cop says it then it must be true. smh. im done here. good talk.

George

I love you man.

Dang! I didn't get a chance to ask what he meant by the 'king of filibuster' comment.

George , I can't help but laugh at you saying you have no problem with people that ride responsibly. Are you telling me that the people leaving Jim's Saloon at 1AM on their 4 wheelers are completely sober? If you believe that then I have some ocean front property in Arizona to sell you. And I personally have also witnessed people riding up and down my parents road (North Pembroke Road) that are coming from the bar and half the time they do not have helmets , so please tell me how all these riders are responsible and how you have nothing against the FD. As for the Mud Races, I have been there and watched the races and the fun the racers, some of whom come from as far as Canada, ride and have a blast, yes it gets loud and people drink later on, but I can hear just as much noise at my parents new house on Angling Road when there is a concert at Darien Lake.

Sorry. Not done. I was thinking on my way home. You know who else was charged and not convicted? OJ soooooo by your logic scott OJ is innocent because the burdon of proof is on....me? I see. As far as burdon or proof, pretty sure thats on mr smelski. Are plea deals public record? Im an american so i have every right to question the validity of a blood test or if there even was one. The dwi he was charged with could have been crammed into that plea deal because of friends in low places. Its a legit concern as a member of the east pembroke community. You dont know just as well as i dont. Freedom. Aint it grand? Also scott, im surprised you and howard like each other so much. Youre like the same person. Usually that ends up in conflict. The filibuster comment. You talk and you talk and you talk for no reason. Kinda just to pass the day and hope that if you dont stop people will just go away. I will also say its pretty arrogant of you to imply that you know more about a situation that you live at least 10 miles away from than someone that actually lives there. (Thanks again kyle) Again, dont know you, dont want to. As a member of the east pembroke community i have every right to ask these questions about a person that represents the community. Sooooo howard, for real, are plea deals public record?

Daniel, whats your point? Are you saying no one in east pembroke ride atvs responsibly? Whats weird about me saying i have no problem with responsible drivers? And who said anything about jims saloon? Im pretty sure thats exactly what i said i have a problem with. The people riding at all hours of the night. Thanks for supplying more proof to scott.

Great to know. Thanks. Kinda hoping its sealed.

"You know who else was charged and not convicted? OJ soooooo by your logic scott OJ is innocent because the burdon of proof is on....me? I see."

Astonishing. Truly.

Right on dudester. :-*

George, In my original post I said why don't you consider that there are other people in East Pembroke that own and ride 4 wheelers such as the Patrons of Jim's saloon, you then went on to say you have no problem with responsible riders and went on to say that it only seems to be members of the FD that ride up and down slusser at all times of the night while completely failing to acknowledge my bringing up the people going to the bar on their 4 wheelers. Further solidifying that you seem to have a major problem with the FD and could care less about all the other people on 4 wheelers.

I never once said thats its only fire department members. What i did say is i have seen fire department members doing it. If it was all fire dept members then we would have the biggest fire dept in ny state. Pretty sure some of the department members also drink at the saloon. So I say again, what exactly is your point and why do you have such a hard on? Are you one of the late night drivers?

By the way. Smelski said in his little ditty on here, which i have screen capped, that the blood test was taken at the time of the accident. SO i say again, how? He wasnt there. Time of the accident doesnt mean at least an hour after the accident when i got to hospital in my buddies truck.

Because the time of the accident is when he smashed into another atv. I mean, to anyone with a brain anyway. Ive actually looked it up. Its a 2 hour window, which to me is plenty of time to sweat and piss away a buzz given the fact he was injured, which makes you sweat a hell of a lot more in a short period of time. If youre the right person. Why is it inconceivable to you that this could be someone playing favorites? Works both ways. Some laws, i tell you, theyre written the right way for a very small amount of people. A close relative of mine is a volunteer fireman outside of east pembroke. He has told me he has been let off from a past due inspection, speeding, and no trailer lights because of the blue light on his truck and the sticker on his window with a fire helmet on it. This DOES happen.

Im the type that asks questions. Kinda like scott. Not the type, however, to just roll with the punches. Especially since im a lot closer to this situation than 99% of you know.

George, I don't think people scroll up and read some of this. They just tend to skip down to the bottom and not read. You couldn't possibly be any closer to this that anyone else posting here including myself.

It's a blatant fact that the "bump" in the rug over dirty actions and favoritism play a major role in small town politics. Some people are just to stubborn or full of themselves to admit the truth. And some people just troll for an excuse to start an argument. I've read most of the articles relating to this and it's just a fact, bigger "bump" in the rug if you know what I mean.

Agreed brian. Its simply amazing the opinions you get from a guy who has no clue what hes talking about and a guy who knows the guy in the spotlight from social gatherings and accident scenes. Really allows you to get to know someone. Firemen get extensive training do they not? TELL ME why his buddy who is also a fireman would move his severely injured body into to his truck instead of waiting for the ambulance. Isnt that rule number one? Dont move an injured body. Thats what first responders are for. Smelski is no small fry. He had to be thrown into that truck. Why? Whats the hurry? Why risk killing the guy? How long did it take to call the cops? How long did it take to get him into the truck irresponsibly for being a professional? How long was the wait at the ER? Weve all been there. Also, i hear chucks charges arent being dropped. Why not? Hes one of the guys they left laying in the road along with his girlfriend. Trust me. I can keep going and all of this is fact. HOW DO I KNOW ALL OF THESE THINGS?? And why is it ok to most if these questions go unanswered?

George , how nice of you to add lines to your post that were not originally after being called out on your bias against the FD , good thing I now went back and noticed the nice line saying "a LOT more people do it that aren't in the fire department" nice job backtracking and doing a little CYA , since that line was not originally there, definitely wish Howard could get rid of the edit feature, if you are not going to accept criticism of what you say then you shouldn't say it at all

Ummm i edited it for a spelling error. You got time stamps champ? That was the original post, with a spelling correction. It would be pretty silly for me to have a bias against the fire department if you actually knew who i am.

In case you havent noticed, kid, ive taken all of the criticism head on. Sorry youre apparently a little butthurt because you ride an atv. Youre cool. Im sure. And i bet your whip is pretty tight. Go to bed.

For you being an east pembroke fireman id think youd be smart enough to avoid this convo.

Actually since i have you on the line here, what is protocol for handling a severely injured person? Not to call 911 and dump him in a truck? Seriously, when is the right time to put said person into a private vehicle and drive away? Is that like one one of those,"in case of emergency break glass" things?

Pretty weird that this installation dinner had the lowest attendence in years. Not one fire commissioner showed up and the sheriff was a no show? You do realize im not the only one in east pembroke thats not happy right? But yea, glorious occassion to people on the outside looking in. Now im done for tonight. I didnt want it to go down this road but people throwing their hat in the ring without a clue as to whats really happening in the good ol EPDP kinda lit a fire under me.

In regards to comment 71 we know exactly who you are George in half of these comments you're the brother in law and in the other half you're the wife of the man who received 0 votes against steve for this position

And you proved it in your last comment because you were not at the banquet so you wouldn't know who was there but you seem to know everything so you must be someone that was there like your sister

5% of what comes out of your mouth is even factual

5% of what comes out of your mouth is even factual

Actually I don't ride an ATV thank you very much, not my thing, way to expensive to own and maintain. As for the attendance by fire commissioners at the installation dinner, in the 7 years as a member I can only think of one commissioner that came to the dinner, and that is because he was a former chief. And no the Sherriff was not there this year, but the Undersherriff was, along with Rep. Hawley, business leaders from the local community and chiefs from surrounding Departments. And for the protocol for handling a seriously injured person, well I am not a medic personally burning can tell you there is this thing that happens all the time called a patient sign off where they refuse transport by ground ambulance. So here is an idea for you, the accident occurs, 911 is called, FD shows up, ambulance shows up shortly after since there is usually one sitting at Pembroke fire hall to allow faster response for the west end, patient analysis is done , Steve signs off and then is helped into a personal vehicle to be transported to the hospital thus freeing up space in the ambulance for others who may be more severely injured. I am not saying that is what happened as I was not there, but neither were you so how do you know what exactly happened? As for you not being the only one in East Pembroke that is not happy, you obviously moved into the area and can move right backout, my Stepfathers family has been living in the area for 60 years with no complaints, and there are plenty other families that have been here just as long with no issues, in fact one such family was at the installation dinner. You make me think of the people that build a house next to an airport and then say how the noise bothers them, they knew it was there and it is not going to move. You can have your own opinion, and obviously you do, but if these guys weren't good guys they wouldn't be where they are now.

Im someones wife? What. Sorry. Missed that. I stand corrected. The newest commissioner that was voted in in december showed up. 4 of 5 were no shows. My apologies. Julie, thank you. Thats a personal attack right howard?

Julie, you used to live with my sister. No beef with you. You sure i wasnt there? Were you checking people in at the 2 front doors of the church hall? Im just asking. Im not fighting eith you. Under sherif isnt the sherif. Just saying. I am pretty amazed the brotherhood is coming out though. Youre all tight knit. I get it. I havent attacked anyone and i wont. I understand imperfections brought to light will make people have an insulting, to some, knee jerk reaction. I have questions youre not comfortable answering. Its fine. Eventually theyll get answered. Daniel, resoect. Your opinion is what is. I didnt change anything. If it helps you sleep, cool.

I also dont get my input from family members. I am a community observer, like a lot of others around here. Thanks peeps :)

Why don't you go to bed and rest peacefully "George" because in the end it will be the EPFD that gets out of their beds tonight and leave their families to come help yours if by chance those sirens call tonight.

If you George are so perfect you should volunteer some of you time apparently you have plenty of free time as you haven't left this feed alone in 2 days sounds pretty personal to me

And daniel. I see your point of view. Been here 4 years. 5 in august. Just because some people like noise doesnt mean everyone else does. If i didnt have a 3 year old i wouldnt care. When those motors are ripping past my house, within 20 feet of it all summer at all hours, it grows tiresome.

Julie, yes, as a member of the community of east pembroke, its very personal.