“Public safety will always be the most important responsibility for any mayor. When multiple members of Town departments approached me with concerns about the leadership of the Zionsville Fire Department (ZFD), I initiated a thorough assessment of the situation. Based on the results of that assessment and my conversations with the Town Council, I requested the Council’s support of my belief that a change in leadership is needed at ZFD. While I am disappointed that the Council does not agree that new leadership at ZFD is in the best interest of the department and the Town, I am committed to working toward solutions that continue to keep our town safe.
"I respect and appreciate the Town Council’s attention to this issue. I do not believe that the Town’s reorganization documents require the approval of the majority of the Town Council before the mayor can demote an individual from an appointed position. Generally, when a mayor has the power to appoint an individual to a senior-level policy-making position, as a corollary, the mayor also has the authority to revert that individual back to their merit status. Because I believe new leadership at ZFD is critical and the Town Council is unwilling to assist with that, I have no choice but to pursue legal action in order to delineate the authority of the mayor and that of the Town Council with regard to this matter. The safety of the Town of Zionsville must come before politics. As this is currently an HR matter, no further questions will be answered at this time.”