$50,000 to probe city manager & fire chief’s video treating male firefighters as sex objects
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Previously:
Male firefighters say chief & city manager video treated them as sex objects
Remember the video by the city manager and fire chief of San Luis Obispo, California that offended some male firefighters because it treated them as sex objects (watch it here)?
If you thought — as many wrote in comments to STATter911 — that this was an overreaction by the firefighters, please be cautious. This latest news just may make your head explode.
The city has authorized paying a law firm up to $50,000 to investigate the video. What’s to investigate?
Yes, it was probably a stupid video. It certainly wasn’t that funny. The city manager and the chief admitted it was wrong and apologized. What more is anyone going to learn that is worth spending public funds to investigate?
Here’s an idea. Instead of wasting the money on lawyers who are going to tell you what you already know, put the money to good use. Transfer it to a fund used to buy safety equipment for firefighters.
(Note: Previously I wrote this involved the mayor and fire chief. It has been corrected to indicate it was the city manager and not the mayor.)
Nick Wilson, sanluisobispo.com:
A Santa Ana law firm has been hired by the city of San Luis Obispo at a cost of up to $50,000 to conduct an independent investigation into personnel complaints against fire Chief Garret Olson and City Manager Katie Lichtig in connection with a video they participated in that allegedly sexually objectified city firefighters.
The video, produced by Olson with what he said were humorous intentions, was shown at the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce annual dinner Jan. 20. Olson served as emcee.
In the video, Olson wears a body camera and meets with chamber employees who jokingly refer to “hot,” “full monty” and “shirtless” firefighters.
Two personnel complaints have been filed against the city over the video, naming Olson and Lichtig, and alleging 11 violations of city workplace-related policy, including sexual harassment and conduct unbecoming of city officials.
