NOTE: The above video is from a previous report on this story. A court ruled the mayor of Zionsville does not have the power to demote or discharge a department head without the town council's approval. The issue came up when Mayor Emily Styron expressed concerns with the leadership of longtime Fire Chief James VanGorder. She asked the council to approve his demotion. "I requested the council's support of my belief that a change in leadership is.
Zionsville mayor files suit, seeks to clear up her power to demote department heads
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March 16, 2021
Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron filed a lawsuit Tuesday that should determine whether the town’s council can keep her from demoting the fire department’s chief.
The seven-member, all-Republican Zionsville Town Council met and unanimously voted Monday to deny Styron’s request that Zionsville Fire Department Chief James VanGorder be demoted after she said multiple department members raised concerns about his leadership. She declined to answer questions about those concerns.
Styron, a Democrat, said the lawsuit is expected to support her authority to demote department heads and further delineate the roles of the mayor and the council.
Zionsville Mayor Asks Court to Let Her Oust Fire Chief
(ZIONSVILLE, Ind.) A fight over the future of Zionsville’s fire chief is spilling into court.
Mayor Emily Styron wants to replace Chief James VanGorder. But the reorganization plan which gave Zionsville a mayor seven years ago says firing a department head requires town council approval. The council unanimously refused, so Styron has placed VanGorder on leave for a week, and is reassigning his duties. She’s also asking a judge to say the council veto power goes against state law.
Council president Josh Garrett calls the suit a waste of time and tax dollars. He argues the reorganization plan was reviewed and upheld by the Indiana Supreme Court. And he says it’s frustrating that all sides spent nine months going through the prescribed process, only for Styron to try to act on her own when the vote went against her.
Zionsville mayor sues town council to demote fire chief greensburgdailynews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from greensburgdailynews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Zionsville Fire Chief James VanGorder has been removed by Mayor Emily Styron, against the will of the town council. It’s a battle that could pit the mayor against the town