Chris Jones Asks Lauretti For Explanation

To the Editor:

In last week's Huntington Herald, the headline read: "Mayor mum on reason for rejecting Ullrich." I would like the Mayor to give the Shelton Fire Dept. a legitimate reason for denying Mike Ullrich the fire department's highest position, Chief. The reason he gave, incompatible, isn't good enough for the 250 members.

I didn't understand his comments that he made: "I'm not going down that road with these people," and "they all know why - there is a 20 year history there. They want to make it personal and I'm not going to do that."

In his first comment, "these people," who is he referring to? The Shelton volunteer fire department? In the second comment, I haven't found one firefighter to explain to me about that "20 year history," and yes Mayor Lauretti, you have made this personal and political.

I would like to give the residents of Shelton a bit of history regarding the Fire Chief's position. Starting in 1999, the city held a test for the position. I believe that there were two people that took the test. One passed (Soren Ibsen) and one failed (John Millo). Somehow the person who failed the test was given the Chief's job. It is alleged that Millo got the job because his business partner was the Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners. The White Hills Co. #5 and Soren Ibsen filed a lawsuit over the decision and won. Mayor Mark Lauretti chose to ignore the ruling and kept Millo as Chief.

In 2006, there was another test given for the Chief's position. Then-Asst. Chief Mike Ullrich scored #1 on the test. The Mayor wouldn't accept that and had the Board of Fire Commissioners revisit their testing process, and continued to leave John Millo as Chief.

In 2008, there were three candidates who took the test, Asst. Chief from Co. #3 Tim Hongo, Asst. Chief from Co. #1 Mike Ullrich and past Captain Fran Jones from Co. #4. After some political maneuvering, the Mayor got what he wanted, Fran Jones. Back in November 2010, Chief Fran Jones resigned before his term was up. It is alleged that the administration wanted Chief Jones to participate in some unethical decisions. Being the upstanding person he is, he chose to resign instead of following through with the requests that were being asked of him. I applaud you, Fran, for your morality.

Now, here we are in 2011. There was another test given and only two candidates qualified. Past Asst. Chief Daryl Osiecki, Co. #5, and again past Asst. Chief Mike Ullrich. The two met with the Board of Fire Commissioners in executive session, with Ullrich being chosen unanimously.

Now Mike Ullrich, who has given 23 years of service to the City of Shelton, nine of those as Asst. Chief, the Mayor has been quoted as saying that Ullrich is "incompatible!" Who is he incompatible with? The Mayor? Because he sure is compatible with the 250 volunteer firefighters who want him to be Chief. Mike Ullrich is the most qualified firefighter in the city of Shelton and is a true leader, as he has proven at so many fire scenes. If it's about the $15,000 stipend, I bet Mike would tell you to keep it, because he loves the job and members so much.

We, the Shelton Fire Department, are so embarrassed not to have a Chief! What city in Connecticut, New England or even the United States goes without a Fire Chief? We are all volunteers and deserve the best Chief: Mike Ullrich!

---Chris Jones, (203) 414-5046