FIREFIGHTER'S BACK AFTER FINE FOR POT

An Edmonton firefighter who was fined $2,500 after being convicted of
growing pot in his basement is back on the job.

Edmonton fire Chief Jim Sales, after consulting with city officials,
has ruled that Dean Troyer can continue to work as a senior
firefighter, said a department spokesman yesterday.

"The department is satisfied that the courts have dealt with this
matter and it doesn't affect his job performance," said Jean Kirkman.

Troyer, a 17-year veteran smoke-eater, was working yesterday, added
Kirkman.

It emerged following Troyer's April 6 conviction that the city does
not have a blanket policy on employees convicted of criminal offences
and each case is dealt with on an individual basis.

Troyer, 41, was also put on six months probation after pleading guilty
to marijuana possession and cultivating marijuana.

Troyer, who admitted growing marijuana to smoke it to combat
depression and physical pain, earlier compared his pot-growing
operation to a home wine-making production.

Troyer was busted by the RCMP after they raided his west-end home on
Sept. 17, Cops discovered a sophisticated hydroponic grow-operation in
his basement.