Will he remembered for his heroism or this petty incident?

Pagenkopf, Lake Geneva Police Sgt. Tom Giovannoni and Lyons Fire Chief Craig Amman pulled a 29-year-old man from a burning house Aug. 15 in Lyons Township.

Pagenkopf and Giovannoni arrived first, entering the house without protective clothing or oxygen masks. They called out to anyone who might be in the house, but had to leave because the smoke was too thick.

Amman arrived next, entering the house without an oxygen mask. He found the man lying face down in bed. He couldn’t move the man by himself so he called to Pagenkopf and Giovannoni for help.

The man survived.

I know that puttingonthewetstuff told me to just let it go but I kept reading the next few blogs anyways.
I can see that if I stick my 2¢ worth in I'm just creating friction between myself and people that I may have to work with one day & when I said what I said on the other blog it was just my feelings of empathy towards someone I met only a few times. I know that I have made plenty of mistakes throughout my lifetime. I thank God that people have forgiven me for my wrong doings when I was younger because I certainly wasn’t the perfect angel growing up.
When I grew up I came from a very abusive home life. I had brooms broken across my head, back and arms. I had wooden spoons, metal hangers & TV antenna used to whip me. I had a broken eye orbit, several black eyes, broken nose & other bones along with welt marks all over my body where I couldn't sit in the class because of the pain. I left home when I was 16 & returned, after service, to visit my mom & dad after their divorce at both of their residences. I forgave my parents for both of their wrong doings and not only continued on with my life but tried to help them in theirs until their passing.
I feel for the entire Amann family and for all they have endured. I feel sorry for the entire town of Lyons who has had to see what a petty mistake can lead to. I feel sorry for the fine firefighters who do work at this department that now must endure a lifetime of shame as to what a few had done to their own instead of handling things diplomatically. Unfortunately, I can also see where the town will not be as gracious in their efforts to support this department. But what will be going through the people’s minds will be, “If I have something happen how will the teamwork be to save me or my property?”
As I said before, people have forgiven and forgotten for much worse & this situation should be laid to rest.
I still respect the work that all fire department personnel do in their efforts to help the citizens of our communities and this will never change. I am in hopes that any member, in any department, does not approach me about this situation in a negative way. Most of you already know, through someone’s blog, that I am a fire photographer. My business with fire departments within Walworth County is strictly a volunteer service to give the departments & their personnel photos that can be used for interdepartmental, media or personal use. Volunteer service means just that: volunteer without pay, from any department, for my personal equipment, gas or vehicle. My work on the web site www.walco-es.org is also done voluntarily. So when I go out on a call I would hope that I get the same respect from all the personnel at the Lyons Fire Department as I have gotten in the past.

Gettinonwithlife, you did a very good job! I know what was in the e-mail to the Amann home from the Lyons Fire Department Tressurer and everyone else should know what it says. Everyone seems to have opinions and now it is time for the facts. Intelligent people don't beleive everything they read in the news paper.
In the end the Lyons Fire Departent will be the real LOOSERS!

People still can't seem to leave these families alone. Just one week to the day of the final court date, his parents get a knock at their door. FD member appeared with a plaque for his father, thanking him for his thirty-five years of dedication and service to the FD. WOW! nothing like rubbing salt into an open wound. And we hear tell it was a neighbor who the FD cons into delivering it. The chief nor any of the officers have the courage to face him personally. Sent the grunt in. Then to top it all, Craig wasn't even almost allowed to stay with his parents during that period, because he had an order, "no contact with fire department personnel" cause his father "was" on the department. Could of nailed him for breaking his bond because of this situation, and now the FD has the gall to come wrappin on their door.

This whole deal has made a "chosen group" on the FD very happy.

You know though, it's been rather amazing, that even some of the FD members (true friends) have given him and his families support. There are "some" good people on that department.

And to you puttinonthewetstuff - gee, you must know the department well. From your blog of 8/28/08 4:09pm. Although it wasn't the Town Treasurer who was involved, huge misprint on the media.

No chance given to pay the $80.00 back, long hours spent you know where.. Couldn't even post bail until late the next day. Attorney did send the $80.00 and a letter back to the town. Town faxed the letter over to the FD and someone "anonymously signed it "not acceptable" and slipped it back under the door of the town clerk. Be grateful you are on the department you are. Not Lyons!

FD's treasurer didn't send a certified letter out, because they were involved in the fiasco as guessed. Core group really out to get him... Get this, while Craig was back in Arizona still uder a signature bond, the FD's treasurer attempted to email them on two different occasions. Wouldn't that have been just great; get him now to break his bond on top of everything else he and his families have gone through.

okay, wouldn't we say enough is enough! It's time to let these families get on with their lives. You've read the articles, know the outcome. Glorious misprints by the media for the Town Treasurer and Town Official. When the FD was behind this all along, including the FD Tresurer who should have been printed.

The support to Craig and his families has been overwhelming and most wonderful for them, we know they are very appreciative, but come on people it's time to leave them alone and get on with your lives...

my2centsworth,
You are wasting your time talking or reading comments here.
I have had people write to me and I won't answer either side.
Den,
Basically you stated that you met Craig a few times & he was hospitable towards you and that you thought this was the wrong way of handling things. I, and many of us who are not going to be a part of this ridicules blog, agree with what you said.
There isn't much difference between FD family and blood families there are always the ones who NEVER do wrong that keep carrying on.
I hope this doesn't carry on beyond this blog session and that people can grow up and leave this and mistakes behind in the past.
After this entire BS episode I begin to wonder whom I can trust at their fires when I need my back covered. There are no departments that are perfect but I can say, with all honesty, that I trust my department & I, and everyone in our department, respect our Chief enough to stand up for him even if he did make a petty mistake like this.
This will be my last blog.
When I sign off I will no longer be back as Puttingonthewetstuff again!
Craig & Shannon, I hope your life gets better in AZ with the family.

im w timsmom. peeps are all over the guilt of the couple who pled on the child sex viewing charges. if this guy wasnt guilty then hed have found the money for the lawyer.

timsmom69,
The reason he pleaded guilty was because he couldn't afford to pay for a lawyer and keep dragging it out. As everyone knows he just went through a large expense of moving everyone down to AZ where his new job was. Traveling back and forth on the plane & loosing out on work has taken a toll on this guy. I am not going to say when but I did see Craig and he had lost a lot of weight. He is not looking too well and this ordeal surely hasn't helped.
A special thanks goes out to all who supported Craig. I know way too much at this point and can not comment on what I do know because I made a promise but I will say I was told that a very interesting letter should be appearing in the Lake Geneva Regional soon.

"The former town of Lyons fire chief accused of using the fire department’s credit card to buy gas for his personal vehicle paid a $728 fine Monday after pleading guilty to misdemeanor theft."
Well, that's the end of that song.
I think it is very refreshing to know that there are still honest, diligent people, “A town official”, who do their jobs. Thanks. I am proud of you. It may not seem to be important to some people, but you did the right thing, and THAT is important. Good Job.