Zionsville Town Council President Objects To Mayor Demoting Fire Chief

From Town of Zionsville:

March 15, 2021

Below is a statement from Zionsville Town Council President Josh Garrett on action taken by Mayor Emily Styron to place Mr. James VanGorder on administrative leave with pay for one week from his position as Zionsville Fire Chief. VanGorder was informed that he will be given new job responsibilities on March 22.

“I am deeply disappointed that after nine months of work by the Town Council to review the request of the Mayor to demote Chief VanGorder, the Mayor chose to effectively demote him shortly after our unanimous vote upholding his position leading the Zionsville Fire Department. I am confused as to why the Mayor engaged the Council to complete the process, and when not given the answer she wanted, now claims that we have no authority in this matter and can act unilaterally. We fully disagree with her decision.

“This goes against the voter-approved Town reorganization which defined roles and responsibilities within the Town. I am disturbed the Mayor is choosing to act as if our Town is structurally the same as her former employer (city of Indianapolis). She is ignoring the will of Zionsville voters.”

“A copy of the Town’s reorganization is available here: Resolution 2014-11, R2A24.”

This press release was produced by the Town of Zionsville. The views expressed are the author's own.