Menlo Park fire board censures Kennedy Menlo Park fire board censures Kennedy (July 03, 2002)

By Marion Softky

Almanac Staff Writer

The action of fellow fire board member Steven Kennedy was "inappropriate," the Menlo Park Fire Protection District board decided in a 4-0 vote censuring Mr. Kennedy.

The censure, which involves no penalties, may close an unpleasant episode for the district. Last March, Acting Fire Chief Ed Greene charged that Mr. Kennedy had offered to support his bid for fire chief if Mr. Greene would support Mr. Kennedy's proposal to send a used fire truck to Afghanistan.

The San Mateo County counsel investigated the incident at the request of the district board, and decided there was no basis for criminal proceedings, said Bill Esselstein, attorney for the fire district.

At a June 18 meeting, fire board member Ollie Brown said Mr. Kennedy's action "puts a black mark on the fire district."

Mr. Kennedy refused invitations to respond to the allegations, and sat silently through the debate. Later, he joined discussions on the budget.

"This reflects on us, on you, and on the reputation of this organization," said Bart Spencer, fire board chairman.

Board member Peter Carpenter proposed "a motion of censure for actions Kennedy is alleged to have taken."

The censure is clearly not going to slow Mr. Kennedy down. "I'm sorry we've spent so much time on it," he told the Almanac, adding, "I'm going to run for re-election next year."