MI Fire Chief Put on Administrative Leave Ahead of Millage Vote

WHITEHALL, MI—The chief of the White Lake Fire Authority has been placed on administrative leave just weeks before the public votes on a millage request for the fire department.

Gregory Holman, who has served as chief for more than eight years, was placed on leave Feb. 14, according to a statement issued on Tuesday, Feb. 25, by the White Lake Fire Authority Board of Directors.

Holman was placed on leave while the board’s personnel committee investigates “procedural and operational issues,” the statement reads. The decision to place him on leave is not connected to any criminal wrongdoing by Holman or anyone else connected to the fire authority, the statement reads.

“Once the investigation has been completed, the White Lake Fire Authority Board will make a complete and transparent statement to the public,” according to the statement.

MLive was unable to reach Holman for comment.

The fire authority provides service to the city of Whitehall and Fruitland and Whitehall townships.

In two weeks, on March 10, voters in those jurisdictions will vote on the fire authority’s request for 1.65 mills in property tax for four years to construct a new fire station the Whitehall Industrial Park. A similar request, though for five year, lost by 21 votes in November 2019.

Placing Holman on leave was not related to the millage request, the board’s statement says.

Holman has been with the department for 21 years, having previously served as captain for about two years, a lieutenant and a firefighter.

———

©2020 MLive.com, Walker, Mich.

Visit MLive.com, Walker, Mich. at www.mlive.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.