Clint Dixon, a firefighter at the Flagler Beach Fire Department for the past three years, resigned abruptly the last week of December following allegations of misconduct. Dixon resigned on Dec. 27 before the city had a chance to investigate the matter, Liz Mathis, the city’s human resources director, said Tuesday.
“There were some allegations that were brought to light but he resigned before it was even addressed by the city,” Mathis said. “There was definitely no investigation run by HR because as far as I knew he’d resigned for personal reasons.”
Cpt. Bobby Pace, the fire chief, said the allegations centered on Dixon leaving his post, what’s technically referred to as taking unauthorized absences, “probably to meet someone nearby, that’s basically what I heard,” Pace said. “I asked him about it, he said it happened a couple of times.” Very quickly after that, he resigned.
Dixon cited “personal reasons” in his five-line resignation letter to Pace, thanking him and his fellow firefighters “for the wonderful time we have spent together on shift. This is a hard decision but I have to do what’s best for my family and myself.” The next day, Bruce Campbell, who was still the city manager at the time, accepted the resignation in a brief letter, wished him well and thanked him for his service.
Dixon, who was earning $34,244 a year and had been hired on Oct. 1, 2013, had been disciplined last year—and suspended—over matters that included not properly “following procedure” with equipment and a fire department vehicle, Pace said. Pace’s tenure as chief has been remarkably calm, after the turmoil the department went through two and three years ago, when several firefighters, including the fire chief, were fired over various allegations of misconduct. Two of those firefighters sued and eventually won a settlement.
Nevertheless in a small department, and coming after the resignation of another firefighter earlier in December, the ripples are more difficult to conceal. Andy Thomas resigned in early December to take a firefighting job with Flagler County. He was one of six full-time firefighters, not including Pace. He was replaced by Alan Forehand, who until then was one of four part-timers at the department. As a result, the department is hiring.
Shane says
Misconduct for leaving his post? There is a lot more to this story than is being told. How about that he told people at City Hall that he was leaving because his wife got a better paying job in Jacksonville. How about other members and former members of the department contacting me to ask if I heard about Clint getting the choice to quit or be fired after he was caught at the station over the Christmas holiday conducting himself inappropriately while on duty. Captain Pace was then seen at the station the day after Christmas in the morning. Bobby Pace doesn’t show up for anything on his days off, but was there on a 4 day holiday weekend before leaving around 11:30 in he morning.
I went to City Hall today to confront Bruce Campbell about it as his last day as manager. He denied knowing anything about it. So what that tells me is that Capt. Pace took care of this in house which I’m sure is a violation of the city’s Code of Ordinances. So again, the Bobby Pace regime does wrong, but tries to sweep it under the rug.
Like I said, you can say it is from a disgruntled ex-employee, or take what I say as the truth, but earlier today, my phone didn’t stop ringing once it got out what really happened.
Tired of it says
So tell us, what really happened?
Ramone says
Hopefully the new city manager will figure out what’s going on Shane
Justice says
I hope you can find peace and forgiveness in your life. Did this man leave his post, maybe. But he is an honorable and honest man for resigning before he had to put his brothers and the city through another dragged out and misunderstood situation. Flagler beach was lucky to have someone who know as much as he does and who was so loyal that he would go before he would see anyone else suffer for his mistake. The good Lord will bless him endlessly.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
David S says
Hopefully he can go to a bigger department and continue his career.
FB Insider says
“Justice”, you mention an “honorable and honest man”. Are we talking about Mr. William Clint Dixon? Let’s look at a few things for a moment that were obtained LEGALLY through Mr. Dixon’s employee files with the City of Flagler Beach and the City of Palatka:
In a May 9th article on Flagler Live, titled “Flagler Beach Bats Down Fire Department Consolidation, Agreeing Only to Ask Questions”, one paragraph reads:
One of the Flagler Beach firefighters alluded to the department’s recent scandals: “Sometimes you’ve got to take out the trash, and when you take out the trash you see diamonds in the rough,” Clint Dixon said. He pointed to his colleagues as the diamonds in the rough.
Well Mr. Dixon, let’s review YOUR history, you “shiny diamond” you.
In a 4/4/11 Palatka Fire Department performance review, it was noted your supervisor “would like to see Clint have a better understanding of his role as a firefighter.” It was also noted that he needed “a bit more improvement working with others”.
In a 8/18/11 Palatka Fire Department performance review, it was noted your supervisor “would like to see a little more self motivation”and “would like to see your ability to work with co-workers improve”.
In a 1/18/12 disciplinary write up by the Palatka Fire Department, he was disciplined for directly disobeying an order by his superior.
In a 2/15/12 disciplinary write up by the Palatka Fire Department, he was disciplined for signing up for station coverage and working at another agency; not staying within 30 minute response distance.
In a 4/17/12 disciplinary write up by the Palatka Fire Department, he was disciplined for backing into a Palatka Police Departmen patrol vehicle at the scene of a previous crash after failing to obey department policy for having a backer spotter while backing.
In a 2/15/12 disciplinary write up by the Palatka Fire Department, he was disciplined for inappropriate e-mails being sent out regarding union issues.
In a 9/19/12 disciplinary write up by the Palatka Fire Department, he was disciplined for failing to report traffic citation(s).
On 10/3/12, he was suspended for 24hrs without pay for having more than 2 write-ups in an 8 month period.
In a 1/15/13 disciplinary write up by the Palatka Fire Department, he was disciplined for lying about being available for station coverage while he was really out with his wife who later posted pictures on Facebook; only for his co-workers to later find. He was removed from standby signups for 3 months.
Let’s talk driving.
On 6/4/05, he was charged with careless driving in Putnam County.
On 12/09/05, he was charged with unlawful speed (69/60) in Putnam County.
On 12/16/05, he was charged with failure to yield in Putnam County.
On 5/21/06, he was charged with not wearing a seatbelt in St. John’s County.
On 7/7/06, he was charged with not wearing a seatbelt in Putnam County.
On 9/4/06, he was charged with speed in excess of posted minimum in Alachua County.
On 12/12/06, he was charged with unlawful speed (54/45) in Clay County.
On 12/17/06, he was charged with unlawful speed (49/35) in Putnam County.
On 3/27/06, he was charged with operating with a obscured/defaced/no tag in Putnam County.
On 9/2/07, he was charged with not wearing a seatbelt in Putnam County.
On 9/17/07, he was charged with improper backing in Putnam County.
On 1/27/08, he was charged with not wearing a seatbelt in St. John’s County.
On 1/27/08, he was charged with unlawful speed (54/45) in Putnam County.
On 5/28/08, he was charged with not wearing a seatbelt in Putnam County.
On 9/9/08, he was charged with unlawful speed (54/45) in Putnam County.
Let’s skip the obnoxious driving record for a second and touch on the interesting part of his illustrious personnel file: his FELONY ARREST. On 7/7/07, Mr. Dixon was arrested on a 3rd degree felony criminal mischief charge where he was booked by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office at 1:19pm; quickly either bonding out of being bailed out at 1:31pm.
This is the “diamond in the rough” that Captain Pace hired. Maybe he figured they both had poor driving records in common? Maybe the fact they bot had felony charges? Regardless, he should have never had a job as a firefighter after he left the Palatka Fire Department.
“Justice” also stated that “Flagler beach was lucky to have someone who know as much as he does and who was so loyal that he would go before he would see anyone else suffer for his mistake”. Is that so? Maybe it was he knew he was going to be FIRED.
Mothers Worry says
The haters will always hate I guess. Seems everybody has a story to tell after the fact. However or whatever the reason he resigned. Maybe he screwed up, maybe his wife has a better job elsewhere. He stood up and resigned. I’m sure doing so deprived those with nothing else to do a opportunity to stir the crap, so those folks will undoubtedly have a whole lot to say.
Good luck to this firefighter!!
Nun-ya says
As “Mothers Worry” says…haters will always hate. Its funny, all of the things people come up with from a one sided story written by someone who makes money by stirring the crap of Flagler County. He could have saved a hundred homes from fire or a hundred lives from being lost and one wrong move and everyone is so quick to criticize like we don’t ALL make mistakes.
Good Luck Clint Dixon! You did the right thing from the beginning, and were the bigger and better person in the situation. You will be better off elsewhere and I hope more appreciated as well.
Thank You to all of the firefighters and paramedics for everything you do in this county and everywhere!!