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CEO Goes Postal On Fire Marshal

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By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: January 8, 2009

ZEPHYRHILLS - Millionaire businessman Marcus Price is taking his personal grudge against the city's fire marshal to the Internet.

Price, the founder and chief executive officer of Goin' Postal, lodged a formal complaint against Fire Marshal Kerry Barnett after a New Year's Eve fracas at Skydive City. On Wednesday, Price launched a Web site aimed at sacking Barnett at www.firemarshallkerrybarnett.com.

On the site, Price offers to sell T-shirts making fun of the fire marshal and the New Year's incident. He blames Barnett for ruining his New Year's celebration by ordering him to stop setting off fireworks at the airport property. Barnett was investigating a nearby car fire that sent one reveler to the hospital.

"We're just trying to have a little fun with it," Price said.

City officials are not amused, however. City Manager Steve Spina has asked the city attorney to look at the site.

"Aside from it being in poor taste and unprofessional, there might be legal issues," Spina said. "We think this crossed the line."

Price sent an e-mail blast to hundreds of local residents and chamber of commerce members shortly after 5 p.m. In his original complaint, Price alleged a history of harassment by the fire marshal that started with the requirement that he install a sprinkler system and fire monitoring system in a retail property in the downtown historic district.

Fire Chief Keith Williams had initiated a formal investigation of the complaint, but Spina stepped in Wednesday and halted the investigation.

"We're going to have the state fire marshal look at Marcus' complaint," he said.

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 779-4617.

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