Beaumont council takes no action on fired firefighter

Firefighters show support for colleague seeking reinstatement to BFD
A former Beaumont firefighter wants his job back, and a number of his colleagues want him back too. That message was sent to the City of Beaumont this afternoon before council considered rehiring the 14-year veteran in executive session.

Former firefighter, Richard Mathews said, “I’m here today to ask that James Mathews be put back to work immediately.”

“I think that you have done him an injustice by dismissing James,” said Doyle Vandewater, “I think you have done an injustice to the citizens for dismissing James. I think you ought to do the right thing and re-hire him.”

Firefighters Association attorney, Louis Hebert said, “The man has gone through the procedure, why do we want to drag this out, why do we want to waste tax payers money.”

Family, fellow firefighters and friends stood up for James Mathews Jr. on Tuesday before the 14-year veteran became the center of a city council executive session meeting.

The session was called as a result of an arbitrator’s ruling to re-hire Mathews as a Beaumont firefighter. Mathews was initially fired last October when, according to the arbitrator’s documents, Mathews was arrested, charged and indicted for aggravated assault, while off-duty. He was later acquitted of that charge in a Jefferson County criminal district court. His record was expunged, or wiped clean of the matter and Mathews appealed his termination.

Three weeks ago, an arbitrator ruled that termination wasn’t in compliance with procedure, which makes it null and void.

After council entered into executive session, Mathews’ supporters weighed in on what’s to come. Mathews’ attorney, Alto Watson said, “Legally, I don’t know what the city plans on doing but not reinstating James Mathews would be incredibly unjust.”

Firefighters Association President, Galen Key said, “Hopefully, city council will make the correct decision and put Mr. Mathews back to work and we feel that would be justice served.”

Both the city attorney and city manager declined comment this afternoon. Mathews’ attorney tells KFDM, the city had 30 days to accept the arbitrator’s ruling, which was issued November 10th. That gives the city about a week to decide.
By Ashley Rodrigue at KFDM in Beaumont Port Arthur
__________
Relatives and colleagues of fired firefighter James Mathews rallied a spirited defense of his cause, but Beaumont City Council took no action at its regular Tuesday meeting.
The Beaumont Fire Department fired Mathews after criminal charges were filed against him. He was acquitted of the charge and the record was expunged by a judge’s order. An arbitrator subsequently ruled that the city should reinstate his job.

His case came up for discussion in an executive session at the end of the meeting, but no action was taken.

Louis Hebert, who represented Mathews in arbitration, said the arbitration was legally binding and the city should comply.

“This is a wasted effort to appeal this award,” he said. “It was a sound decision. Mr. Mathews went through the criminal process and the civil service process and was exonerated by both.

“Why do you want to drag this out? Why do we want to waste taxpayer money?”

Retired firefighter Richard Mathews, James Mathews’ uncle, said his nephew had a spotless disciplinary record before he was fired, adding that the unfair job loss created financial hardship for his nephew’s family.

“We can end this unfair treatment today,” Richard Mathews said to applause from many firefighters and supporters in the audience.

Afterward, City Manager Kyle Hayes said nothing discussed in the executive session would be released and there would be no further disclosure until the matter came up on a future meeting agenda.
By Sarah Moore in The Beaumont Enterprise