Point Blank alderman receives censure

By Tony Farkas
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POINT BLANK — On a 4-1 vote, the Board of Aldermen for the city of Point Blank passed a resolution to censure Alderman Gary Wulf at its June 12 meeting.

The resolution states that Wulf has “developed a negative pattern of behavior by spreading unfounded allegations against the Point Blank Volunteer Fire Department,” that he was “caught up in an endless loop of personal grievances with the VFD that could never be resolved through the City Council,” and that his behavior had resulted in the waste of city management’s time, city resources and the council’s time.

Mayor Mark Wood said in a letter to the council that the city’s handling of the PBVFD issue led to more candidates than normal, meaning the city had to bear the costs of an election which had not occurred for more than two decades. The cost of the election was $10,668.27; only 71 total votes were cast; and the cost per vote was $150.26.

Wulf, a former volunteer, was terminated as a firefighter, and since then has been critical of the VFD, bringing the matter up at a previous council meeting and asking the San Jacinto County Emergency Services District to investigate.

Wulf’s concerns centered around the VFD’s ability to respond to emergencies, finances and misapplication of bylaws.

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However, Wood said the council has refused to take a position in the matter, as the VFD is its own entity not beholden to the city.

Additionally, a hearing by the ESD has shown that PBVFD has performed its duties acceptably and has not breached its fire protection agreement. The ESD also does not take a management role for fire departments.

The censure resolution states that Wulf was part of “an insubordinate group, and in violation of PBVFD directives/policies, as was distorting those violations as personal and political aggressions against himself and selected individuals.”

In other business, the council:

•swore in Aldermen Mike Pagel and Mel Basham, as well as Wood, who won re-election in May; and

•approved seeking bids to replace a roof on the city’s civic center and hired a local man to do lawn care on the facility.