OH Fire Chief Resigns Ahead of Potential Firing

MIDVALE, OH—The village's embattled fire chief resigned on Wednesday after being given notice by the administration and council that they intended to fire him.

"I officially retired last night," former chief Michael Woolf told The Times-Reporter by email on Thursday morning. "Maybe I'll run for mayor. Apparently you don't need to have an education or know what you're doing. The same with the council, because not one person on that panel, including the mayor, have any idea what's going on, or do they care about the people in that Village. They only care about themselves and money."

Mayor Donna Kohler appointed village police officer Steven Feck to serve as interim fire chief.

Four of six Village Council members approved sending Woolf his 10-day notice at a special meeting on Monday. The letter, signed by the mayor, said Woolf needed to quit or be fired, in part, "Due to a total disrespect of the mayor, our business owners, our residents, and your own volunteers."

The communication made several complaints about his management, including:

• Woolf brought 13 people to July 3 fireworks at Midvale Speedway, although the business owner had said only two firefighters would get in for free to work at the event.
• He told the race track's owner that he would not inspect the fireworks. He later did inspect and approve the display. The uncertainly caused the owner to worry about how she could be sure she would be able to move forward with the scheduled show.
• The Fire Department responded to three calls in Barnhill after council told Woolf at its June meeting to stop going there immediately because there was no contract with the neighboring village.
• Woolf reacted inappropriately to the mayor's decision to close down a fundraising "boot drive" that had firefighters soliciting donations at Barnhill Road and State Street on July 3. Midvale Speedway's owner told the village that people complained that the boot drive was causing traffic to back up.
• He violated policy by failing to notify the fiscal officer of the amount of a May 25 diesel fuel purchase.

Monday's dismissal letter followed a written warning June 18 from Kohler that asked for a better line of communication between him and village officials. The warning said Woolf seemed offended by any questions the mayor or council members asked in attempts to understand departmental operations.

Woolf said Monday that council was treating him unfairly. He contrasted his discipline with the forced reinstatement of a subordinate he fired. He said village officials made him bring back the staffer because he had not followed progressive disciplinary measures such as giving a verbal warning, a written warning and suspension before the dismissal.

Woolf was paid $110 a month to lead the volunteer department that received a $44,149 appropriation this year.

Village Council is scheduled to meet next at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8 in the park pavilion.

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