BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

INDEPENDENCE — Montgomery County commissioners faced numerous questions from an 89-year-old resident Monday concerning the recent dismissal of Wilbur Schwatken, Jr., as the Montgomery County rural fire coordinator.

Adolph Wildgrube, a lifelong Montgomery County resident now living in an Independence elderly care facility, pressed commissioners for details about their direction for the Montgomery County Rural Fire District #1. On April 20, Schwatken was not reappointed to his rural fire coordinator’s position. Following that meeting, commissioner Tony Fowler indicated that Schwatken’s dismissal was based on the commission’s desire to see the director’s position in a “different direction.”

Wildgrube wanted to know specifically what that “direction” would entail. Commissioners didn’t reveal many details.

“I really don’t know how to answer that question, Adolph, without first contacting legal counsel,” said commissioner Larry McManus, who was the lone member of the commission to vote in favor of reappointing Schwatken.

Wildgrube also asked if a grievance committee had been established to hear Schwatken’s letter of grievance filed against the commission. Fowler, as the commission chairman, said a committee was not formed to hear Schwatken’s grievance. Schwatken’s grievance letter was addressed by the commission at its May 4 meeting.

However, when Wildgrube continued to press Fowler for more information about the formation of a grievance committee, Fowler said county handbook policy provides for a three-member committee to address employee grievances. The ad hoc committee consists of one elected person, one department chief, and one non-elected employee of the county.

Wildgrube was persistent in his quest for information about the grievance committee.

“Was there a grievance committee called to hear Mr. Schwatken’s grievance?” Wildgrube asked.

“There is one,” replied Fowler.

“Well, who are the members of the committee? I want specific names,” Wildgrube said.

“We don’t have members of the committee chosen,” said Fowler.

“Now you say you do have a committee and then you say you don’t. So, which is it?” Wildgrube continued.

Fowler then explained the process by which grievance committee members are chosen.

Wildgrube then pointed his question at commissioner Fred Brown of Coffeyville, who, at the April 20 meeting, joined commissioner Tony Fowler in voting against the reappointment.

“Prior to assuming the oath of office in January, did you know Wilbur Schwatken?” Wildgrube asked.

“No,” replied Brown.

Wildgrube then asked if Brown had been consulted by commissioner Tony Fowler about a change of direction in the rural fire coordinator position.

Brown replied again, “No.”

However, Wildgrube was not amused by the responses, or the lack of information coming from the commission. Wildgrube said he believed Brown had voted against Schwatken’s reappointment as a political favor to Fowler. However, Wildgrube would not elaborate on what he meant as a “political favor.”

“I think you know what I mean,” he said, looking at Brown. “It’ll all come out eventually.”
No further decisions or discussions regarding the rural fire district coordinator issue were raised during Monday’s meeting.
Commissioners indicated that county counselor Paul Kritz had advised them to not discuss the matter of Schwatken’s dismissal during the public portions of commission meetings.