MCDONALD Panel recommends fire chief's termination; mayor to decide

The mayor says he'll have an answer on the termination 'in seven days.'
By ANGELA V. WOODHULL
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
McDONALD -- It's up to the mayor whether village Fire Chief Michael Badila will be terminated for insubordination and dereliction of duty.
Earlier this month, Mayor James W. Border reprimanded Badila on two accounts.
After a lengthy discussion Wednesday, the village safety committee recommended to the mayor that Badila be removed from office.
In a written statement, Border told Badila that the village had been "put in harm's way" when Badila allowed an illegal fireworks shoot last year.
"The shoot last year listed our fire department as the ones who are insured. In other words, if something had gone wrong, our village would have been responsible," Border explained.
Border also blamed Badila for low morale among members of McDonald's all-volunteer fire department.
In his letter, the mayor requested that Badila start attending fire drills for the volunteers and at least 10 council meetings per year.
"This is the second meeting this month and he didn't attend either," Border said.
The mayor doesn't know whether he will take the recommendation of the safety committee and terminate Badila. "I'll have an answer in seven days," he said at Wednesday's village council session.
Delinquent taxes
In other business, it was noted $46,000 in delinquent income taxes has been collected during the past 12 months by Solicitor William M. Roux.
Council member Glenn Holmes said the money would most likely be used for general operating expenses. Roux predicted that about $75,000 would be collected in delinquent income taxes by the end of 2003.
The township has been investigating flooding problems on Iowa and Illinois Avenues because of the complaints of several local residents.
One abandoned property in the 800 block of Illinois was scrutinized for rodent problems. No pests were discovered.
Two catch basins will be installed at the entrance to Iowa Avenue to help prevent flooding.
The McDonald Community Chest will determine in an Oct. 30 meeting how to appropriate the $5,000 that was collected by area residents this past summer for flood victims. An additional $2,700 raised by the local Lions Club has been distributed.
Councilman Michael J. O'Brien emphasized that during this fall season, residents should rake their leaves only to the curb and not into the street.
Jim Bishop of Pennsylvania Avenue was appointed as a member of the volunteer fire department.