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| | Author | Messages | |
cashton
Posts:4
 | | 07/28/2007 11:41 PM |
 Alert | I would like to start out by saying that I am so sorry for everything that the situation I was part of has brought onto this community, fire dept., and city. I am not posting this to defend any of mine, or others actions. The reason I am posting this is because I would like everyone to know that what some have wanted, has now come true. I myself, Cody Ashton, and my firefighter brother, Chris Hertzog have not only lost our jobs, but our young careers. We both have dedicated a large amount of our lives to give back to the community. I hope that some of you can understand my reluctance to post an apology on this forum. Trust me I have read it all. Everything from the distrust of the fire department, to the questioning of my credentials. I can assure you that I am fully certified to be a firefighter EMT. But now this does not matter.
As far as the night that all of this has circled around, I assure you that we were not there to start a fight. Was my fiancé approached in front of me? Yes. Did I approach the gentleman asking for an apology? Yes. Were there any shoves, punches or a brawl? No. Soon after I was approached by Mr. Cox. We had words with each other, as Mr. Cox said himself, bickering. This is when a short burst occurred. Did I push, shove or hit anyone? Absolutely not. This is when PCSO arrived and stopped the situation. This was a short altercation between 2 people. Certainly not a brawl that has been described in the papers.
As for Chief Ashton, I know my words will be muted by others, but he had nothing to do with any of this. He is the only reason that the first situation did not escalate. He calmed the situation. Certainly no one’s life was threatened as was printed. He would do anything for his family, and when I say family, I mean blood and beyond, his sons the firefighters. When the altercation with Mr. Cox occurred he was across the pool table. One can not expect him to bound over a table to stop a altercation that lasted only a few seconds. As for the paper saying that he denied being at Ramsey’s there is a simple reason. He was asked if he had threatened someone in the bar. He replied “I wasn’t at the bar” because he wasn’t at the bar, he was on the patio. Why would he lie about him being there, then admit he got a ride home from Ramsey? A misunderstanding. "And there was no egging on by Captain Lang. He was not even close to the situation, he was out side the patio." (added at 12:21 cause I forgot this important part during my attempts to post this)
We have talked to Mr. Cox recently and he is disheartened about the fact that myself and Chris Hertzog have lost our careers over this. He said this is not what he wanted, which explains why he did not press any charges. I have lost my job for being at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and apparently doing the wrong thing as a probationary firefighter (4 months away from a year). Chris and I had planned on retiring from the Fire Department of Maricopa serving the community, but now that is not a possibility.
Again I want to say that I am sorry for this all. I would like to ask for the forgiveness of Ramsey Harkness, his employees, his patrons, Darren Cox, the City of Maricopa, and my brothers at the Maricopa Fire Department.
I am not posting this for any type of argument, only to let it be known that our intentions were not to start any trouble, and we are sorry for anything that has come of this.
Again sorry, Ex Maricopa Firefighter Cody Ashton
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| | Darci
Posts:481
| | 07/29/2007 12:16 AM |
Alert | | Cody- I am so sorry that you lost your job/ career over this. I know what its like to make a mistake, and unfortunately this one has had grave consequences for you. I never felt that I had a right to an opinion considering I wasn't there to see what happened. I just wanted to let you know that I feel for you and your situation. We too are a young family, and I wouldn't know where to begin if my husband lost the career he loves, and spent so much time working for. My prayers are with you as you move on from this unfortunate situation.... | |
Formerly DRich | |
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| | CopaTruth@yahoo.com
Posts:28
| | 07/29/2007 12:27 AM |
Alert | sorry to read about your loss.
I have to question your dismissal however. With the city admitting they have no policies in place for conduct of the fire department how were you terminated? What was the reasoning? I think you have grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit.
If you were truly terminated, this is very odd especially since Chief Kelleher was stripped of his administrative authority by Interim City Mgr Kolman (see the Monitor article).
So a city delays an announcement by 4 days, issues a half-baked press release citing no policies in place and then fires 2 fire fighters?
Confused. | | | |
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| | TheBoymaker
Posts:785
| | 07/29/2007 4:00 AM |
Alert | | I'm sorry, too. Most of us get to majorly screw up at least once and no one notices. Even if we are 'important' for one reason or another. | |
Poster formerly known as Sassafrass. | |
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| | GilaGuy
Posts:789
| | 07/29/2007 6:25 AM |
Alert | Mister Ashton,
Though I have been quite critical of the incident that took place, I appreciate your taking the time to write this post. Frankly, I think it takes real guts to defend yourself in a place where there are people like me who have taken issue with the actions that were taken. And it takes even more guts to apologize.
I am sorry to hear that this incident cost you your job, but I wouldn't go so far as to predict that this is the end of your career. We're human, and we all make mistakes, exercise poor judgment, etc. Each and every one of us here has that "one little thing" we wish we could do over. The smart ones are the folks who take that "one little thing," remember what it cost them, and find a way not to go that route ever again. Those are the people who fall, get back up, and in time move forth with renewed conviction and find greater success. You can be one of those people. The guts you showed in writing this letter proves that.
While I've been disheartened by this whole incident, including your dismissal since you did not actually throw a punch, the one thing that I know can help you is your age. You have a great many years ahead of you, and it is far better to have made a mistake at 25 and single than it would be to make the same mistake at 45 with four kids. This is not the end of your road, it's just a reminder that public servants are almost unique in their need to keep their heads in the game. In exchange for the right to claim title to a noble profession that doesn't involve selling things or cold-calling prospective clients, those of us who serve others have to behave in a manner that is above reproach...and certainly so during Probation. Is it fair? Perhaps not. But it's the nature of the business, and the price to be paid for entry into one of the world's last honest professions. And now that you've had to go through this, I can guarantee you will not make the same mistake again...which is a very valid point worth bringing up to prospective employers.
I'm sorry this whole thing happened. I wish you success in whatever road you choose. | | | |
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| | utahjazzfan
Posts:96
| | 07/29/2007 7:40 AM |
Alert | Maybe the Dept. felt it wa neccesary to fire these two because of the heat they were getting in the press and on this gossip site. Sometimes the public needs to take the time and get the whole story before making judgement on a situation. For Cody's sake, I hope this is not why he was terminated, but it sounds like a PR move to me.
Now that all of you critics have heard both sides, why not focus more on arguing for their jobs back. What the public wants, the public gets. | | | |
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|  | OBG II
Posts:546
| | 07/29/2007 7:43 AM |
Alert | This pretty harsh
Seems as if a lighter action for C Ashton would be in order.
Herzog is another story; seems proper. JMHO | |
Some people will do anything to get elected!
IMPALIN' THE LEFT | |
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| | garden glow
Posts:698
| | 07/29/2007 8:38 AM |
Alert | STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES......BUT WORDS CAN NEVER HURT ME...
not ringing true in this case!!!!!!!!!
Cody
....what has happened to you and your firefighter "brother" truly saddens me and I am POSITIVE many other Maricopians...
...to lose your job over this situation is in MHO too severe of a punishment...in all my years I have yet to cross paths with ANYONE who has not done something regrettable in their PRIVATE life.....
this was a mistake...a momentary lapse of judgement...we've all been there ...
YOU have NO reason NOT to....HOLD your HEAD HIGH...
My heart..thoughts..and prayers go out to you..your "brother"...your families...the Maricopa Fire Department...and any other person now serving or considering serving the City of Maricopa
......appears to me the citizens of Maricopa have now lost two young and dedicated firefighters because of a few shootin from the hip cowboys with way too much idle time.. who didn't know when enough was enough and managed to build a mountain out of a mole hill...
.....but then of'course that's just MY opinion!
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| | mom2boys
Posts:25
| | 07/29/2007 8:39 AM |
Alert | I can really appreciate the honesty and the integrity that you have displayed here. I read ALL the argumentive things on this when it was originally posted, but hesitated to comment because I am no one to judge others. I can feel the compation you hold for your job in the somber tone you wrote this message and I am truely sorry that this has taken your passion away from you. It is a devastating event that we will learn and grown from, we will all grow in our own ways, but I do hope that you hold this devastating event in your heart and mind and move forward with your head up high.
Neither my family nor I were there the night this happened, and there are alwasy various sides to the story, so I have no opinion of that, but I can say that the saddness I feel is as if this has happened to my own family. I would never wish on anyone to lose their job, let alone their career. I send you my warmest thoughts and I hope that your future will be brighter and you will be stronger. Good luck in your future endeavors.
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| | 85239
Posts:0
| | 07/29/2007 8:50 AM |
Alert | Posted By utahjazzfan on 07/29/2007 7:40 AM
Maybe the Dept. felt it wa neccesary to fire these two because of the heat they were getting in the press and on this gossip site. Sometimes the public needs to take the time and get the whole story before making judgement on a situation. For Cody's sake, I hope this is not why he was terminated, but it sounds like a PR move to me.
Now that all of you critics have heard both sides, why not focus more on arguing for their jobs back. What the public wants, the public gets.
If it was a PR move, they would have released this to the press, crafted the information and done so within minutes of actually terminating the firefighters.
Once again, we are left standing with an empassioned apology containing further conflicting information and no word from the City on the substance of the action taken.
I would call this just another chapter in the PR nightmare that began last Friday. | | | |
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| | utahjazzfan
Posts:96
| | 07/29/2007 9:01 AM |
Alert | I dont know 85239. A PR move is still what Im thinking. Maricopa is so small that a public announcement isnt really neccesary. It may show up in something like "The Communicator"
Or 85239.com eventually. But the best way to spread the news is a forum like this. As long as word gets out to the public about the firings, the FD looks good to all the critics. | | | |
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| | Tigg
Posts:549
| | 07/29/2007 9:09 AM |
Alert | As everyone else has said, I appreciate your apology. It takes guts to come on here and sincerely apologize as you have.
I also have had plenty to say about the city's handling of this incident as well as other items recently. That lack of city planning shows in this as well. Yes, there should be reprocusions for this altercation, but loss of jobs is over the top here. Some combination of: unpaid administrative leave, a fine, extended probation, anger management classes (particularly for the person who actually threw the punch), a mandatory apology to those effected (which you have now done on your own) and/or something similar would surely have been sufficient to make sure that the lessons needed was learned. Even just the fact that the end result of the punishment is the same for both you and Herzog, based on what I have read both in your post and other places, seems truly odd. One person was arguing, another actually threw a punch. There is a HUGE difference between arguing with someone and cold cocking them. The significant difference in the acts should reflect differences in the punishment!
This sound like it was a knee-jerk reaction because they weren't prepaired to answer to the people of this city when questions were being asked. It is unfortunate that such a harsh punishment when far more realistic ones are available.
I think that the majority of people discussing this issue were more upset with the fact that the city was not prepaired to handle this than with the incident itself.
I do hope that you are able to find another job in your chosen career soon and that you use this to help make yourself stronger. | | | |
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| | rattle2
Posts:132
| | 07/29/2007 9:12 AM |
Alert | Good Luck in your future. You might be "down" but you can't count yourself "out". You still have a future keep trying. You said you were on probation. That means that you were an "at will employee". They don't need a reason to fire you. It was easier to fail you on your probation than to keep you around and explain why. Good Luck Cody.  | |
Sometimes we just make life to difficult.
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| | Tigg
Posts:549
| | 07/29/2007 9:14 AM |
Alert | Posted By utahjazzfan on 07/29/2007 9:01 AM
I dont know 85239. A PR move is still what Im thinking. Maricopa is so small that a public announcement isnt really neccesary. It may show up in something like "The Communicator"
Or 85239.com eventually. But the best way to spread the news is a forum like this. As long as word gets out to the public about the firings, the FD looks good to all the critics.
If this is PR then they SERIOUSLY need a new PR person. If this was for PR, they went farther than necessary and if this was for PR, they wouldn't wait to issue a press release. It would have been headline news first thing after the firings.
The stories would have been up on this site and on the city website immediately because the press release would have actually been written prior to the firings so that it could be released prior to either of the 2 who were fired to have the time to respond publicly (and least if they had any idea what they were doing). The city would want to get it's version out FIRST. The city has Scott's phone number, they would have made sure the press release was the response seen first. | | | |
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| | Tjtellez9
Posts:228
| | 07/29/2007 9:17 AM |
Alert | I too believe if there were no policies in place how does the termination of two young firefighters account for a better situation?
My feeling is the ridiculous amounts of whiners and complainers on here who were bitching about "something not being done" had an impact and forced the hand of the community into a knee jerk reaction. I for one believe that disciplinary action was required, but termination? Come on now. Hell a cop shoots someone and they get put on PAID leave.
I will be circulating a potition for their reinstatement under a probationary period. This is pure and total BS. Cody I am sorry you got to be the scapegoat in a situation where the city is trying to cope. | | | |
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| | 85239
Posts:0
| | 07/29/2007 9:18 AM |
Alert | Posted By utahjazzfan on 07/29/2007 9:01 AM
I dont know 85239. A PR move is still what Im thinking. Maricopa is so small that a public announcement isnt really neccesary. It may show up in something like "The Communicator"
Or 85239.com eventually. But the best way to spread the news is a forum like this. As long as word gets out to the public about the firings, the FD looks good to all the critics.
If it was a PR move to not say anything, they bungled it yet again.
The most important thing that any Public Information Officer does is control the information in such a way as to mitigate speculation.
At each step of the way in this whole mess, all anyone ever wanted was to know that the city was handling this with the sensitivity and thoroughness it deserved, while communicating to the public they serve.
Instead, we are treated to a cornucopia of indicision and inaction, culminating in the questionable terminations of at least one firefighter (Ashton).
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| | Tigg
Posts:549
| | 07/29/2007 9:21 AM |
Alert | Posted By Tjtellez9 on 07/29/2007 9:17 AM
My feeling is the ridiculous amounts of whiners and complainers on here who were bitching about "something not being done" had an impact and forced the hand of the community into a knee jerk reaction.
The complaining on here forced a decision, it did not force THIS decision. | | | |
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| | 85239
Posts:0
| | 07/29/2007 9:26 AM |
Alert | Posted By Tjtellez9 on 07/29/2007 9:17 AM
My feeling is the ridiculous amounts of whiners and complainers on here who were bitching about "something not being done" had an impact and forced the hand of the community into a knee jerk reaction.
If what has transpired on this forum has made our city officials nervous and mistake prone, then they are not the city officials I want running my city. | | | |
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| | Tjtellez9
Posts:228
| | 07/29/2007 9:38 AM |
Alert | I know for a fact that those involved with the decision making process are on here and viewing this daily.
And do I believe this forced their hand? Yes. | | | |
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| | Tigg
Posts:549
| | 07/29/2007 9:51 AM |
Alert | | Of course they've been reading this. That does not excuse them from doing their jobs in an appropriate manner. They should be able to read what has been written here and make an appropriate decision. They should not go into panic mode because they don't know what to do or what would be the appropriate response. If they react in fear, that is a very scary thing for people running a city to be doing! They should be able to handle anything that comes by them without fear - certainly without showing fear. It's in the job description that they need to be able to keep their heads in a crisis! They've taken over a week and they still come out with a knee-jerk reaction and a guess rather than a decision that they can justify? | | | |
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