Jerusalem ex-fire chief files notice of appeal over dismissal

3/20/2013

Recently-ousted Jerusalem Township Fire Chief Harold Stanton filed notice today that he intends to appeal his termination in Lucas County Common Pleas court.

In the brief notice of appeal, Mr. Stanton said township trustees' decision to fire him for “misfeasance, malfeasance, and/or nonfeasance” Tuesday was “not supported by reliable, probative, and substantial evidence, and is not in accordance with law.”

Trustees voted 3-0 to terminate the chief saying he had allowed resident Jim Gray, who is not a firefighter, 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.”

According to the trustees’ findings in the matter, the board said it had discussed the issue with Mr. Stanton in 2011 and 2012, and while Mr. Stanton assured them he told Mr. Gray not to assist the fire department and that he would take care of the situation, Mr. Gray was allegedly assisting at the scene of a fire as recently as Feb. 23.

Jerusalem Township is about 30 miles east of Toledo.