Jerusalem Twp. trustees vote to appeal ruling reinstating terminated fire chief

8/28/2013

The Jerusalem Township trustees today unanimously voted to appeal a Lucas County judge's ruling that they reinstate the terminated fire chief and reimburse him for all lost wages and benefits.

John Borell, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor representing the township, said the appeal would be filed with the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals within 30 days.

On Aug. 19, Common Pleas Judge Dean Mandros ruled that the firing of Harold Stanton violated the chief's constitutional rights and the township's personnel policies and procedures.

Mr. Stanton was fired ostensibly for repeatedly allowing an unauthorized person -- township resident Jim Gray -- to be at the scene of fires, assisting the firefighters. Trustees voted 3-0 in March to terminate the chief saying he allowed Mr. Gray to act as a township firefighter, to use township fire equipment, and to assist the fire department during fire and EMS runs "at least five times over the past three years."

The trustees claimed the chief's conduct constituted misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, and misconduct in the conduct of his official duties.