Harvard Fire Protection District news (more)
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From excerpts shared by NorthwestHerald.com:
Harvard Fire Protection District's board recently declined a proposal to station police officers at their meetings following Trustee Joe Clarke's concerns about a disruptive attendee. Harvard Police Chief Mark Krause confirmed this decision.
Back in November, Harvard Fire Chiefs Steve Harter and Don Davidson found themselves suspended for 36 hours due to a critical letter they sent to board President Thomas Condon in June, accusing Trustee Clarke of unprofessional and hostile behavior.
At the December board meeting, former firefighter Don Carlson expressed deep dissatisfaction with the board, particularly pointing fingers at Trustee Clarke, who he claimed had been bullying the fire chiefs and staff, tarnishing their reputations. Several other fire chiefs, including Marengo’s Bob Bradbury and Woodstock’s Mike Hill, stood up to defend Harter and Davidson’s integrity during the same meeting.
In a January 2nd memo addressed to McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks, Clarke, alongside attorney David McArdle, argued that Carlson had misrepresented events, pressured his own son into leaving the fire district, and even reviewed his extensive personnel records from his time in the Arlington Heights police force. Clarke stated that Carlson’s actions had escalated beyond reasonable levels.
Clarke further suggested that Carlson might be carrying a concealed weapon and could potentially act violently, likening the situation to someone “going postal.†As a result, he urged President Condon to seek Harvard Police Department assistance to ensure order during future meetings. He emphasized that having a uniformed officer present could help quickly manage any unruly behavior from Carlson if it occurred again.
Chief Krause, along with President Condon, evaluated Clarke's memo and ultimately decided against involving law enforcement at these meetings. Carlson responded via email to the Northwest Herald, expressing shock and outrage over being labeled a potential threat. He clarified that his participation in these sessions was simply to voice his disapproval of what he viewed as bullying tactics from a fellow trustee.
This ongoing dispute highlights the tension within the Harvard Fire Protection District, raising questions about how such internal conflicts can affect community trust and safety measures.