Jerome Township's board of trustees voted unanimously to fire Fire Chief Doug Stewart, ending a monthslong disciplinary saga that involved a $25,000 investigation and drew unusually large crowds to township meetings. Stewart, who had been on paid administrative leave since May 2, was terminated over charges tied to campaign photos taken in uniform and an insubordination incident with the township administrator.
According to WSYX, Stewart was originally accused of violating township policy by appearing in campaign videos and photos while wearing his fire uniform, along with unauthorized communications, unprofessional conduct, and insubordination. The campaign-photo charge traced back to images used by former township trustee Wezlynn Davis during her run for Ohio House of Representatives, which showed Stewart in uniform on township property near fire apparatus, according to Marysville Matters. Stewart and Davis maintained the photographs had actually documented a reconciliation following a dispute over a ladder-truck purchase, the outlet reported.
A Defense Built on Double Standards
During the disciplinary hearing, Stewart's defense attorney, Barbara Letcher, argued that the township's rules against partisan activity were enforced unevenly. Letcher pointed out that Trustee Joe Craft, who ultimately voted to fire Stewart, had previously told Stewart to appear in uniform for Craft's own re-election campaign mailer, per the same outlet's reporting. Craft voted alongside trustees Barry Adler and Andrea Watson to terminate Stewart, making the decision unanimous.
The insubordination charge that trustees upheld stemmed from a June meeting between Stewart and Township Administrator Brandon Standley, during which Stewart used profanity. Stewart testified under oath that the outburst occurred while he was experiencing a hostile work environment and ongoing retaliation, and that he had repeatedly raised concerns about that retaliation to all three trustees, Marysville Matters reported.
Charges Narrowed Before the Final Vote
The case against Stewart did not move in a straight line. Jerome Township trustees had dismissed an earlier round of charges without prejudice on July 27, after Stewart's attorney raised due process challenges, including the argument that Standley lacked statutory authority under Ohio law to lead the investigation himself. That setback prompted trustees to retain private attorney Christina Corl at $250 an hour to conduct a fresh review.
Corl's independent investigation ultimately dismissed two of the township's original four charges against Stewart before the final hearing, including an allegation tied to his private membership on the Union County Republican Central Committee. Corl concluded that his involvement with the central committee amounted to private political activity, not a policy violation. The two remaining charges, the campaign-uniform issue and the insubordination incident, formed the legal basis for his termination.
Packed Meetings and a Mounting Legal Bill
The dispute has not stayed confined to township hall. Special trustee meetings on the investigation drew unusually large crowds, WSYX reported.
Those costs have become a flashpoint in their own right. WSYX reported that records show the investigation has cost roughly $25,000, and some residents have said taxpayers should not be footing that bill. Community members told the station they feel unheard and believe tax dollars are being wasted on the process.
Interim Leadership
Justin French will remain interim fire chief, a role he stepped into after serving as Battalion Chief for Unit 1.
