Former fire chief files lawsuit against Superior Township
SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP — Superior Township is facing a wrongful termination lawsuit from its former fire chief.
Amy Jere was removed from her position as fire chief of Superior Township on June 16 following a vote by the township's board of trustees. Following the vote, all of the department's remaining firefighters resigned in protest to show support for Jere.
The board cited several reasons for firing Jere, including hiring and assigning equipment without approval and making unapproved purchases.
Jere said the unapproved purchases were made to have the department comply with safety standards.
At subsequent township meetings, members of the community voiced their concerns over Jere's firing and the status of the department.
The vacant firefighter positions were eventually filled by some local veteran firefighters, including Rich Phillips, who is also supervisor of the township board.
On Wednesday, Sept. 13, Jere filed a lawsuit against the township board for firing her for false and unfair pretenses.
Jere claims that she always had power to hire and assign equipment to new employees, and the board would confirm her appointment at a later time. Jere alleges that she was not allowed the opportunity to confirm her appointment before she was accused and then fired for the unlawful hiring.
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The board did not provide any notice for termination or hold a hearing on the alleged reasons, which Jere claims violated her due process.
Jere also claims she was fired in retaliation for reporting safety violations resulting from lack of equipment in the fire department. Jere claims that by firing her for this reason the board has violated the whistleblower's protection act.
The lawsuit also claims that in at least one public meeting, the board presented one of the reasons for her termination that she is a woman and the position of fire chief implies a male employee.
Jere claims that even if it was a small reason, including it as reasoning for her firing violated her civil rights.
Jere is requesting her position as fire chief be restored and she be compensated for monetary losses due to loss of income.
The Superior Township Board of Trustees declined to comment on the subject of the lawsuit or related matters.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Former fire chief files lawsuit against Superior Township
