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Hernando Today

Fire Boss May Have Violated Sunshine Law

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TONY HOLT

Published: February 10, 2008

SPRING HILL - SPRING HILL - George Biro made the first motion last month not to renew Chief J.J. Morrison's contract.

In a letter dated Jan. 31, the Spring Hill Fire Rescue commissioner wanted to remind his colleagues on the board he has not backed down from that opinion and even suggested a replacement.

At least one person in the Attorney General's office suggested Biro may have broken the law by sending that letter.

Basically, Florida's Sunshine Law prohibits government boards from communicating with each other outside of the media's presence.

"The Sunshine Law is important because it allows for the public to hold their governments accountable," said Sandi Copes, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Bill McCollum. "That is the very foundation of how our government operates. The public needs to be involved."

Another office spokesman said his "gut feeling" is that Biro did violate the law, but would need to look into it further to make sure. He asked not to have his name released.

"I think he was wrong to do this," said fire commissioner Robert Giammarco. "He should have waited until the meeting to bring this up. That's why we have meetings. He's already stated his position. Why is he doing it again?"

In his letter, Biro suggested to commissioners that Operations Chief Mike Rampino step in and become interim fire chief at least until November.

"This is to let you know that my position on Chief Morrison's contract has not changed," he wrote. "I would like to see the chief's position filled at our next voting meeting Feb. 27, 2008. I would like to suggest Chief Rampino fill that position as interim fire chief and (Assistant) Chief (Kevin) Carroll be moved to interim operations chief until after the referendum vote in Nov. 2008. I hope you will give this some serious thought as I think it (is) best for this (department).

Biro could not be reached for comment.

Morrison is required to put the packets together and send them to commissioners prior to the meeting. He noticed the letter and said he was "surprised to see it," but thought nothing of it.

"I didn't take it as a Sunshine violation at all," the chief said.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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