Reading a recent Conroe Courier article one might get the impression The Woodlands Fire Chief, Alan Benson, was fire chief of Oklahoma City, OK in 1995 when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed. Contrary to Mr. Tough’s apparent inference that Alan Benson was the Oklahoma City Fire Chief during this incident, he was not. Mr. Benson did serve as fire chief of Oklahoma City, but not until 2001.
It would be hard to lead the city through the rescue and rebuilding efforts after the bombing as a non-suppression deputy chief, as was Benson’s position at the time. Additionally, from a source close to the chief, we have learned when the actual bombing took place; Mr. Benson was golfing.
Another interesting item in this article is a quote by Mr. Norrell, general manager of the Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC). Mr. Norrell, referring to the golf perks, is quoted as saying, “I think we’ve been direct and up front about the whole thing.”
This statement seems at odds with the information we obtained on Monday of this week. We have information directly from the Attorney General’s Office indicating The Woodlands Fire Department is fighting to redact all but one line of information contained in the golfing invoices we recently requested.
Since The Woodlands Fire Department previously released one of the unredacted invoices, this appears to be another stall tactic in order to prevent the further release of unflattering information before the November election.
Related Information
Vote in the Poll
Oklahoma City Bombing After Action Report - Do a Google search for Alan B. Benson
Chief Benson’s Resume
Fire Chief Golfing on Resident’s Dime - Continued
The Woodlands Fire Department’s Board of Directors
Chief Benson Golf Expenses - October 06
Original Request for Golf Expenses - Benson
Response to Request for Golf Expenses - 2006 Benson
Fire Chief Golfing on Resident’s Dime
Correspondence from WFD Regarding Golfing - 2nd Reply
AG Complaint Regarding WFD Failure to Release Requested Information
AG’s Response to Complaint - WFD Golf
