Dallas Fire-Rescue Loses Worst Boss in America, as Chief Eddie Burns Steps Down

Hey, that's not me bestowing that particular appellation upon Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Eddie Burns -- that's from last year's round-up of America's Worst Bosses, where Burns ranked No. 1. You probably know why -- all those sexual harassment and discrimination suits piled up at Burns's feet, which have cost the...

By Robert Wilonsky

July 29, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18855504",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17105533",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105532",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105535",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Hey, that's not me bestowing that particular appellation upon Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Eddie Burns -- that's from last year's round-up of America's Worst Bosses, where Burns ranked No. 1. You probably know why -- all those sexual harassment and discrimination suits piled up at Burns's feet, which have cost the city millions and counting in legal fees. Anyway. He's out effective September 1.

City Manager Mary Suhm's memo to DFR employees follows. She writes he's going "to pursue business opportunities," identified by Scott Goldstein as the Center City Bar & Grill in Arlington, which looks nice -- Burns certainly appears to be enjoying himself. Suhm has a few nice parting words for Burns, who, she writes, is responsible for some "positive enhancements to the organization" during his five-plus-year tenure as chief. No mention of that other award, though.

Chief Burns Retirement Memo

KEEP THE OBSERVER FREE... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.