BY NED ABRAMSON
Enquirer Contributor
GOSHEN TOWNSHIP -- Township officials said Thursday they felt that bringing back Virgil Murphy as fire chief will quiet what has been called a combative atmosphere between township firefighters and rescue squad members.
Trustees voted 2-1 Wednesday night to dismiss Matt Rose as chief after a one-year probationary status, but gave him the option to stay with the department as a full-time firefighter at a $7,000 pay reduction, from $35,000 to $28,000.
Mr. Rose told trustees he would not stay on because of potential conflict with the new chief.
Gerald Burns was named assistant chief in charge of rescue squad operations, "his area of expertise," Trustee Timothy Hodges said.
Mr. Hodges characterized the fire department as having a sort of "we and they" situation, and said the personnel realignments will help rectify the problem.
Mr. Murphy had been chief when the department operated as a private corporation, before being consolidated a year ago with the rescue squad.
Mr. Rose said he was fired as chief because of admitted deficiencies in getting paperwork done on time, and other personal issues.
"It's a big hurt," Mr. Rose said. "I feel like I am losing members of my family."
Residents packed Wednesday night's trustees meeting, many of them saying trustees were being secretive and trying to fix a machine they said is not broken.
"You (trustees) are just messing with people's lives," said longtime resident Gladda Smith. "(With consolidation), the situation became political."
Trustees Chairman James Allen told the Enquirer there had been complaints from the majority of the life squad members about Mr. Rose's leadership, and criticism from the business community.
