Excerpts from MyWebTimes.com:
The Seneca Fire Department board is set to make a major leadership change this Monday night, as they prepare to terminate the long-serving fire chief and appoint a new one.
Chief Jerry Sears confirmed on Monday afternoon that he first learned of the board’s decision to remove him several weeks ago. According to him, the board had already decided to promote Deputy Chief Kett Johnson to the position of chief.
Sears admitted he was initially upset when he first heard the news, but he has since come to terms with it. He plans to address the board during the meeting and share his thoughts on the decision. With over 50 years of service, Sears has been a dedicated member of the volunteer department since 1973, and he took on the role of chief in 1984.
Karen Osmond, the department's administrative assistant, said the agenda for Monday's special meeting was released unexpectedly on Friday afternoon, catching many by surprise.
The board meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Seneca Fire Station, located at 121 W. Armour St.
Thanks, Dennis
Excerpts from HeraldNews.com:
A long-time fire chief, Jerry Sears, who served for 33 years, was officially removed from his position during Monday’s Seneca Fire Board meeting.
Now 76 years old, Sears joined the department back in 1973. He recently revealed that he is no longer permitted to enter the fire station, which marks a significant shift in his relationship with the organization.
Sears claims that two members of the board met without the third and attempted to pressure him into retiring before the official meeting. “The President of Trustees, Jerry Johnson, came to my house two weeks ago on June 20 and told me I would be retiring the next day,†Sears said.
He wrote a letter of resignation for the department meeting, but later changed his mind and never submitted it. Despite this, he was ultimately removed from his position during the board meeting with a 2-1 vote on July 10. Kett Johnson was named the new chief, and he says he was first approached about the role on June 30.
“He served the department very well. Everything wouldn’t be what it is without him,†Johnson said in response to Sears’ departure.
Sears insists he would have continued serving if given the choice. He believes his age and recent heart-related health issues may have played a role in the decision. He was out of commission for nearly six months while Assistant Chief Jason Bersano temporarily filled in for him.
Karen Osmond, the administrative assistant for the Fire and Ambulance District, noted that the news of Sears’ departure hasn’t fully sunk in with all the firefighters yet.
Despite the difficult transition, Sears expressed his hope for the best for his team. Meanwhile, Kett Johnson emphasized his commitment to ensuring a smooth leadership transition.
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