Kenney issues supboena to complel Fire Commissioner Ayers testify on demotions

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Nutter Administration officials say they will comply with supboena to produce Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers to testify on the demotions of 14 firefighers.

The Nutter administration had originally chosen Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Michael Resnick to testify at the hearing on the firefighter demotions instead of Commissioner Lloyd Ayers.

Councilman Jim Kenney says he subpoenaed Ayers because he wants direct answers.

“Mike Resnick has never fought a fire or commanded a fireground, so I don’t know what his expertise lays in,” Kenney said. “The court the gave the city the ability to demote these Lieutenants and Captains gave the authority directly to the commissioner to demote, he decided to demote those folks after having a ceremony promoting them, I want to get his opinion.”

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Kenney says he believes Ayers might have not wanted to demote the firefighters.

“Additionally civil service rules require temporary appointments which is what the administration is calling these Lieutenant and firefighter positions as temporary appointments if they are reversed and the temporary status taken away they are required to be returned to the list which they did not do,” he said.

A spokesman for Mayor Nutter says Ayers will only be available for a half hour to testify and answer questions because of prior committments. 

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