BY MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
WOODLAWN - Bob Mynatt, the former chief of Woodlawn's fire department, has been demoted to captain and replaced by an interim chief.
Village Manager Carole Cornelison refused Friday to disclose details behind the demotion, saying there were "personnel issues" and "it was no one thing."
"There was an incident that I didn't feel was handled appropriately," Ms. Cornelison said. "I felt there was a need to make some changes as a result."
In his new position, the former chief is responsible for safety issues - such as fire scene rescues and setup.
Reached Friday, Capt. Mynatt, who became chief in the early 1990s and has served on the department for about 30 years, refused to comment on the situation.
He is appealing the demotion to village council, but a hearing date has not yet been set.
Former Capt. Mark Hunt was appointed interim chief and former Lt. Andre Green was appointed interim captain.
Council member Johnnie Rabb, chairwoman of the safety committee that oversees police and fire issues, said council wants to know why the former chief was demoted.
She added that because council works on a part-time basis, the village manager handles many department responsibilities and did not have to consult council before demoting a village employee. "He has been here about 30 years," Ms. Rabb said of Capt. Mynatt. "In all that time we've never had any complaints about him. (The village manager) has been here two years; we are anxious to know what happened."
