The fire department by a vote of 14-4 issued a vote of no confidence last week in the chief, who has been under fire because of "his numerous acts of misconduct and abuse of authority, as well as his poor tactical and personal decision making ability," according to the letter that was presented ot the mayor and City Council.
During a speech made to the council last week, Mike Nixon, son of Carthage Fire Marshal Tom Nixon said a "formal had been filed on Aug. 5, including 26 pages of text message transcripts and a picture, by a former firefighter who said Thompson had propositioned his wife for sex, "while promising her an employment position as a secretary at the Carthage Fire Department."
The mayor voiced support for Thompson at that meeting and that support does not appear to have wavered, judging by the statement he issued today:
"This Morning, I have received and accepted a letter of resignation from Fire Chief Chris Thompson. Chris was implicated in a consensual personal matter that was brought to the city. This incident was investigated, in keeping with the policy manual, and dealt with following documented procedures.
Additionally, a group of people led by a former fire fighter who was not selected as Fire Chief spoke against Chief Thompson at a city council meeting and through social media, and brought up several incidents that had happened in the past that were also investigated and dealt with according to city policy and procedures. Much of the current public information is/was based on rumor, gossip and half truths. The City on the other hand must base its decisions on fact, and legal opinion. As in the norm, employees' personal files are confidential and are not public.
The Carthage Fire Department after four years of Chris' management is better trained, the employees are in better physical condition, and thousands of dollars were spent to bring equipment to proper operating levels after years of neglect.
The City will begin the search process to replace Chief Thompson."
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