SOLON TOWNSHIP - Two years ago, Solon Township firefighter Mike Havens was convicted of attempting to distribute obscene matter to a minor. Havens addressed the Solon Township Board, where his career as a fireman was on the line at Tuesday's meeting."I plead guilty to a misdemeanor, if you look at anything else those are all accusations," said Havens.Solon Township Supervisor, Bob Ellick told the board that the severity of Havens' crime just came to his attention.Ellick then passed out the complaint filed against Havens to other board members.Havens claims he was forthcoming about the incident all along, and accused Supervisor Ellick of knowing the exact nature of the misdemeanor."You knew from the beginning and you have made an attempt to say I hid this, and it's not true," said Havens.The township board voted unanimously, charging Havens with misconduct. The fate of his job will be discussed at a hearing March 21st. Some in attendance offered praise for Havens' work and his 18 year commitment to the fire department."I voted for him as firefighter of the year and I would vote for him again today as firefighter of the year," said Solon Township Resident Reese Rickards. However, Rickards later told WZZM 13 he offered additional comments at the meeting criticizing Havens and demanded he resign.Other community members say Havens has no place in public service, and expressed more anger that nothing was done to remove Havens sooner.
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