Merger, Other Concerns Linger As Fire District Board Cancels Last Meeting Before Election

ORLAND PARK, IL — With just days before the April 1 consolidated election, voters within the Orland Fire Protection District remain polarized by rumors of a purported merger of Orland and Tinley Park fire agencies.

As residents press for answers, the Orland Fire Protection District's Board of Trustees on Tuesday canceled its last scheduled meeting ahead of the election, with a lack of quorum rendering the board unable to conduct official business.

Physically absent from the meeting were Board President John Brudnak, Treasurer Jayne Schirmacher, and Trustee Beth Damas Kaspar. Brudnak cited a work conflict out of state that prevented his attendance; Kaspar appeared via Zoom due to a work conflict of her own. Schirmacher, who typically attends via Zoom due to health circumstances, did not on Tuesday.

Three trustees must be physically present to maintain a quorum. Trustees in attendance were Angela Greenfield and Tina Zekich. With a lack of quorum—or the minimum number of board members that must be present at any of its meetings to make the proceedings of that meeting valid—attorney Megan Roche Steigau rendered the meeting invalid, saying proceeding with it would be in violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

The meeting was canceled less than two hours before its start time; a sign taped to the door notified attendees.

In a statement to Patch, Kaspar said that it is not unusual for the board to have to cancel a meeting due to absences.

"I became aware in late morning that I would not be able to get back to Orland Park in time for the meeting due to a rescheduling of a surgical procedure that I was giving that day," Kaspar said. "I immediately sent an email to the Fire District to notify them and also to request a Zoom link. Attendance by Zoom is permissible under our rules, and in fact I did attend the meeting remotely."

Brudnak spoke with Patch via phone Friday, explaining that a work trip in Kentucky kept him longer than anticipated, and that around 3 p.m., it became clear he wouldn't make it back in time for the meeting. He called to notify admin, who notified the other trustees of the cancellation.

"Totally unforeseen," Brudnak told Patch Friday. "Nothing intentional. I’m not backing down from anybody on these agenda issues."

With dozens attending to seek answers and clarity on several key issues ahead of the election, audience members rallied to stay and speak informally with the trustees present, as well as Fire Chief Michael Schofield and Deputy Chief Nick Cinquepalmi. The attorney strongly advised against it, but left the building as the audience stayed. Several spoke to and with those officials present, and to the crowd.

<< READ ALSO: Orland, Tinley Leaders Refute Rumors Of Fire Departments Merging >>

On the meeting agenda had been key items, including a vote to approve appointment of a special prosecutor to probe "any potential misappropriations" of district funds and conflicts related to contract awards from 2011 to the present.

"This investigation is essential for maintaining transparency, accountability, and fostering trust within our community," Trustees Zekich and Greenfield wrote in a statement to Patch.

Also up for approval was a move to direct spokesperson Ray Hanania to issue a press release within two days stating, "that the entire board refutes the notion that we are agreeing to any form of mergers and that this was brought to us solely by the Chief Schofield and the Decennial committee consisting of Chris Evoy and William Bonnar."

Merger rumors have heavily politicized pursuit of the fire district's trustee seats in the April 1 election. Two, six-year seats on the Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees are up for grabs, as well as one unexpired two-year seat. Six are vying for the former, and three for the latter.

Running for the six-year seats are incumbent Kaspar, incumbent Commissioner Donald "DJ" Jeffers, and Bridget Tolan on the Fiscal Voices for Fire Safety Slate. They're jockeying against the Together, Protecting & Supporting Orland Fire slate, with candidates Danielle Dorsey, Christian Barcelona and Jennifer May. A third slate also has two candidates—Mark Mitchell and Paris Stirrat—running for the six-year seats, and candidate Steven Troglio running for the two-year one.

Troglio, May and Tolan are all vying for the two-year seat.

The Together, Protecting and Supporting Orland Fire slate is publicly endorsed by Orland Professional Firefighters Local 2754, widely known as Orland Firefighters.

Fiscal Voices for Safety claim to be the sole slate against the proposed merger, issuing campaign rhetoric and robocalls saying such—but Together, Protecting, & Supporting Orland Fire have rebuked that statement.

Fiscal Voices for Safety allege that plans for a merger originated within the local firefighters union; leadership there says they were drafted by Schofield and shared with them for consideration.

Also in flux are several positions within district administration. Schofield is set to retired May 1; Cinquepalmi's contract expires May 31. The district's finance director leaves the role on April 18.

"We find ourselves at a critical juncture, as key personnel transitions are imminent," the statement reads. "... Alarmingly, there is currently no succession plan in place for these pivotal positions. The absence of a quorum has stalled the essential conversations and approvals needed to facilitate smooth leadership transitions, which are vital for the continuous operation of our fire protection services."

Fire officials and local leaders have continually worked to debunk reports of impending consolidation. Fueled by what officials have called misinformation on social media and in some candidates' campaign literature, the rumors have prompted statements from several local officials.

"You may have heard a rumor that the Tinley Park Fire Department (TPFD) plans to merge with the Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD). I wanted to assure you that there is no basis to these claims," Tinley Park Fire Chief Steve Klotz shared on March 12. "At no time was there any thought of the two departments becoming one, nor would any such merger be beneficial to either department. Like us, the OFPD already has a very capable team of dedicated firefighters who work diligently to protect their community. There is no need for us to combine forces, except during those times when we assist one another on automatic and mutual aid responses."

Similar statements have come from Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz, and Orland Park mayoral candidate Jim Dodge.

Orland Firefighters have pushed for Hanania to issue a press release on the board's behalf.

"... An important item on the agenda was a request for our media representative, Ray Hanania, to issue a press release to clarify that no trustees support a merger," the statement from Zekich and Greenfield reads. "We asked Mr. Hanania to revisit the statement made by Chief Schofield during the February 25 meeting to clarify that there is no merger under consideration, ensuring full transparency with our constituents."

Candidate Danielle Dorsey spoke to the audience about what she called, "deliberate attempts to mislead, deceive, and manipulate" voters. Dorsey alluded to purported misrepresentations of support, accomplishments and experience.

"The Fire District is the backbone of our safety and well-being," Dorsey said in a prepared statement. "We deserve representation who speaks truthfully, who are transparent in their intentions, and who have the best interests of our community at heart."

Candidate Jennifer May—also running with Dorsey on the Together, Protecting & Supporting Orland Fire slate—also spoke, pointing to a recent mailer by her opposition. The mailer, she said, painted a "misleading and alarmist narrative" regarding the merger.

"The mailer suggests that such a merger would lead to disastrous consequences, likening it to a five-alarm fire," May said. "... The narrative being presented in this mailer is not only false, but it also seems to be an intentional effort to create fear and confusion within the community."

Trustees Zekich and Greenfield at the meeting said they'd work to reschedule it ahead of the election.

Zekich on Thursday said they were unable to do so.

"We believe that the community we serve deserves a leadership team that prioritizes their needs and effectively addresses the challenges we face," the statement from Zekich and Greenfield reads. "We are determined to champion initiatives that enhance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the services we provide.

"In the coming weeks, we will work to foster conversations that engage all stakeholders and explore pathways for addressing the pressing issues before us. It is essential that our board operates cohesively and responsibly to navigate the transitions ahead and put forth a cohesive strategy for the Orland Fire Protection District."