Keokuk Volunteer Emergency Corps (KVEC) is a valuable organization that helps with water search and rescue and traffic control. As a volunteer organization, it operates with taxpayers’ money and donations from the community. Therefore, it is concerning to know that KVEC’s leadership is not accountable and transparent to its members and the community.
Until recently, KVEC members could vote democratically for the Chief and other ranking members. However, when Dan Tillman became Chief, he eliminated the voting process and installed his wife and friends in top positions within the organization. Dan and his wife, Angie, now control KVEC and its donations. Multiple reliable sources suggest that Dan and Angie have used KVEC funds for personal purposes.
However, what is even more concerning is the lack of transparency and accountability shown by Dan and Angie. They have started withholding finance reports from members, saying “You don’t need to know” and “It’s none of your business.” They also require members to download GPS tracking apps so that Dan can track every location of members, even when they are on their personal time. They withhold critical information from members they don’t like, making KVEC a close-knit group of friends, not a community volunteer organization.
One of the most disturbing revelations is the presence of a registered sex offender in KVEC. While registered sex offenders were prohibited from becoming members in the past, this individual is now attending every KVEC call. It is likely that this individual is a close friend of Dan and has become a member because of him. This situation puts the safety of Keokuk citizens at risk.
The Keokuk Fire Department is supposed to manage KVEC and installed Dan as Chief. However, the Fire Department has remained silent on the matter, even when contacted for interviews.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Dan has imposed a restriction on negative publicity or any information that puts their organization in a negative light. He has instructed their members to deceive others and project a false image of their organization. This kind of behavior does not fulfill the principles of transparency and accountability. Therefore, Dan, Angie, and other prominent members should be held responsible for their actions.
It is time for the citizens of Keokuk to demand action for transparency and accountability in KVEC. Dan, Angie, and their close friends installed in top positions must be removed and barred from joining KVEC in the future. This is the only way KVEC’s public image can be restored, and citizens can trust that their money and donations are being put towards public service, not personal gain.
Updates
An update has been received indicating that KVEC has removed the “community” section from their Facebook page following criticism. Previous to this action, community members were able to freely post and share their opinions, but it seems that this is no longer allowed. Thus, it can be inferred that Dan and Angie have expanded their power to regulate the viewpoints of others regarding the issue.
The Keokuk Volunteer Emergency Corps Facebook page has recently been deleted by someone in upper management, possibly due to the controversy surrounding it. This has raised concerns about the state of KVEC. Is it possible that this could indicate they are on the verge of ceasing operations?
In case there is any relevant information that I may have missed and you would like me to incorporate it in this article, please feel free to leave a comment below or send an email to me@adammiller.blog.
Sources interviewed for this article have chosen to remain anonymous as they fear facing retaliation for speaking out against KVEC’s lack of transparency and accountability.
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