Wollaston fire chief and deputy chief resign

December 15, 2016

Wollaston Township fire chief Rick Middleton with deputy chief Dave Jackson. / SUBMITTED

By Jim Eadie

In a letter dated Dec. 1 and addressed to Wollaston Township, deputy fire chief Dave Jackson submitted his resignation effective the end of the year. Jackson has been part of the fire department for over 35 years.

“I have always felt appreciated and respected in the past,” he said in his letter. “However, in the past year, many things have changed.”

Jackson thanked his family for their support, as well as Reeve Graham Blair, Deputy Reeve Marilyn Brickles, and Councillor Bob Ireland. “I feel these people have been very supportive.”

Jackson went on to make it clear that he 100 per cent supports fire chief Rick Middleton. “We could never have accomplished what we did at the fire department without the commitment and energy of a great bunch of volunteers,” he said. “Thank you also to community members that were very supportive of me over the years.”

“Dave has been a part of our fire department for many years,” said Middleton when contacted. “I relied heavily on his knowledge of our town and its people in order to expand our relationship with our customers. It is a mortal blow.”

When contacted by Bancroft This Week, Jackson described himself as feeling “defeated in a sense.”

“I am trying not to be negative with this,” he said. “A couple of council members are determined to see things go in a new direction, and I am uncomfortable with it. I asked them to read my letter to council. I am not feeling valued or appreciated by part of council. All I have ever done, is try to do what is right for this community.”

Wollaston Township council met for their regular meeting Dec. 13. There council discussed Jackson’s resignation, among other business.

During the meeting, Middleton and four other firefighters from the department tendered their resignations.

Bancroft This Week will follow up in its next paper.