Ellerbee has Resigned

[ENGTKRS]

I understand Deputy Chief Kenneth Ellerbe resigned from the District of Columbia Fire & EMS Department on January 15. I wounder if Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton is going to help him get this money.

Must be nice to have a family member in high places. and who will be the next Deputy. ???

[kenzin]

I didn't know that I was related to Congresswoman Norton. One more thing, looking at things solely from a "money" perspective really shows a "poverty of ambition." Money is good to have, only if you intend to take care of it and do good things with it. I was never concerned about money and for the record, was NOT the one who initiated the agreement. If you knew me, you'd know that I'd been trying to work somewhere else, at a higher level for over a year. I didn't like the way things were going from the time that Joe Morgan was retired, against his will, while we had other members who hadn't been injured in the line of duty working for years at the Training Academy. I probably fell out of favor when I declined to advocate for or sign on to his retirement. Or it could be when I refused to "follow directions" and terminate people when I was chairing different trial boards. Who knows? Who cares? To the poster who blogged that I "fired" people who didn't agree with me-Are you serious?? The Fire Chief is the only official who can take that kind of action. The only terminations that I've ever been involved in (2 to be exact) were for violations of the substance abuse policy and theft. I wish all of you who are left there good fortune and luck. Keep good records, notes and documentation. You never know when you might need it, who you may have to give it to and how valuable it is!!

[Bemiss]

Suprise!!!!!!!

[Brooks]

Never let the truth get the way of a good story!

[regs1]

Kenzin:

Sorry to heard about your resignation from DCFD, but I know in the long run you be ok.

How things in sunny FL, hope everything OK, and I agree with the money wisdom, I am also living proof that there is life after DCFD. Retirement is good, and it's really fun to be on the side lines and watch the administrative show on how dysfunctional things have become.

Keep everything in perspective, and stay in touch

[kenzin]

I have to share this for the poster and posters (or should I say impostors) who a) think that they know me and b) think that they know how I think. When I was a rookie at the Training Academy, in my first month, an African American recruit decided that he didn't like another recruit. He sucker punched the guy from behind while the guy was sitting down. To his surprise the guy got up and gave him a fight he wasn't planning on. Later, when the officers at the Training Academy found out about it they were looking for witnesses but nobody wanted to get involved because we were all new. The African American recruit identified me and my good friend (late Reginald Woods) as witnesses. I told him NOT to identify me as a witness because I didn't share his philosophical or ideological viewpoints, which went right over his head. He insisted and identified me anyway, assuming that I would side with him because of our ethnic relationship. I went in first for the interview and upon exiting was asked by Reggie Woods what I said. I told him that I told the truth and while I couldn't tell him what to say, my advice would be to tell the truth also. He did, and the guy who started the fight was terminated. The other guy was David DelBalzo. I've got lots of memories like that, and more. To those who are left behind and willing to perpetuate untruths, I keep records and since I've never taken any pleasure from being inebriated, have a fairly decent memory, too. Just a few words to the wise. To Regs1, I listened when we used to talk, even if I appeared not to. Thank you for your sage advice. Life here in sunny Florida is warm and the department here is a good one where I have been able to give the employees a voice and a hand in how the department is being managed. There will always be challenges, but here, integrity isn't one of them.

[kenzin]

Hookman!!!! What in the world?? I appreciate the humor, but, I have one lady and at my age would be apalled if my interests were the same as a younger man, trying to chase down lots of women. You on the other hand, are just a youngster and will undoubtedly enjoy all of the beauty and joy that youth has to offer. I don't know how many times I have to tell people that I'm not related to Congresswoman Norton, but there is a poem that relates to some people's foolish beliefs. It's a long one!!

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!


–Rudyard Kipling

[dcfdsid]

I didn't like the way things were going from the time that Joe Morgan was retired, against his will, while we had other members who hadn't been injured in the line of duty working for years at the Training Academy.


You arent the only one (as I am sure you are well aware) who disagreed and still do disagree with Joe's forced retirement.

Sid

[kenzin]

Hookman, regardless of your dreams or behavior, I'll always consider you a cool guy. Keep your sense of humor, that's something that nobody can take away!

[fd141]

Hookman is Crazzzzzzzeeeeeeeeee!!!

[Smith]

I had the distinct pleasure of working with Chief Ellerbe for most of my career. He was my BFC in the First Battalion and was the Firefighting Deputy on #4 Platoon. For the individuals that didn't get to talk to this man one on one (it doesn't count if you were ordered to have a discussion with him) or have a spirited conversation after dinner at 2 Engine will never probably understand who Chief Ellerbe is or better yet where he stood. I for one enjoyed the conversations, the back and forth banter, and the Vitamin Water at 500 F Street.

Good luck Kenzin. I had my first conversation with you after a post on TWD some 9 years ago and chuckle every time I think about chewing on my NIKE when I found out it was you I was challenging. I appreciate you not holding that against me so early in my career and every lesson you taught me during that time. By the way some talk I guess I was either really lucky or the exception to the rule. :D

Many thanks sir,
Smith

[NorthSTAR]

Happy trails Chief. I don't remember you treating me with anything but respect.

[fd141]

But....But.....But.....

[footsoldier]

bushhog,
you may be onto something. but it will take a new mayor, so i'll say 1 yr.

[dcfdslv]

I agree;

Good chance that if mayor leaves, he will be back, but yet again if the present mayor gives in to the black vote, he might dump rubin for a black fire chief.

[SIMPLETON]

I had the distinct pleasure of working with Chief Ellerbe for most of my career. He was my BFC in the First Battalion and was the Firefighting Deputy on #4 Platoon. For the individuals that didn't get to talk to this man one on one (it doesn't count if you were ordered to have a discussion with him) or have a spirited conversation after dinner at 2 Engine will never probably understand who Chief Ellerbe is or better yet where he stood. I for one enjoyed the conversations, the back and forth banter, and the Vitamin Water at 500 F Street.

Good luck Kenzin. I had my first conversation with you after a post on TWD some 9 years ago and chuckle every time I think about chewing on my NIKE when I found out it was you I was challenging. I appreciate you not holding that against me so early in my career and every lesson you taught me during that time. By the way some talk I guess I was either really lucky or the exception to the rule. :D

Many thanks sir,
Smith
sounds like this is a well respected leader within the fire service!
good for you chief all's said and done relax in the sunny south hey on your way stop by HOT'lanta and make an application we're searching for a chief. Since Rubin left. ANY-WAY YOU ENJOY YOURSELF AND RIDE INTO THE SUNSET SIR.

BTW //// THE HOOKMAN IS A FUNNY-MAN, QUICK WIT GOTTA-LOVE IT.

TIMMY'O