WESTMINSTER : Businessman Named to Merit Commission

Businessman John V. Arnold has been appointed to a panel that could hear the appeal of Paul Gilbrook, the firefighters union president who was fired last month.

Arnold, 50, was named last week by the City Council to represent the public on the three-member Merit Commission, which reviews disciplinary actions against employees.

Anji D. Clemens, an assistant principal at Westminster High School, represents educators, and Randy Hill, pastor of the First Nazarene Church, represents the clergy.

Three other residents had also applied for the post, which was vacated when Earl French, a member for the past three years, resigned last month after he was appointed to the Planning Commission.

The vote on Arnold became unanimous when Councilman Frank G. Fry withdrew his nomination of another applicant and decided to support Arnold. Mayor Charles V. Smith and council members Tony Lam, Craig Schweisinger and Charmayne S. Bohman voted for Arnold.

Panel members serve for two years but may be reappointed. Each is paid $25 per meeting, up to a maximum of $600 a year.

The panel is authorized to conduct public hearings and submit its findings to the council, according to City Atty. Richard Jones. During hearings, the employee may have an attorney and call witnesses, he said.

Gilbrook was terminated in February for alleged grand theft and driving a fire truck with a suspended driver’s license. He has denied the charges and appealed to the Merit Commission.

Gilbrook wants non-binding arbitration, which he claims the firefighters contract provides. City officials said the Merit Commission is the proper forum and have denied his arbitration request.

Alan C. Davis, Gilbrook’s lawyer, said the case could eventually end up in court.