Fire chief decides not to resign after he's talked into staying

HUBBARD -- Hubbard Fire Chief David Kyle has decided to remain the head of the all-volunteer department.
Kyle had submitted his resignation effective June 30 after a dispute with Mayor George Praznik and Joseph Slick, electric superintendent.
Kyle had said his decision to resign was based on the overall lack of cooperation "by certain city officials."
He has been a member of the 25-member force for 21 years and chief for a year and a half.
Although he tendered his resignation, fellow firefighters declined to accept it, Kyle said, noting they talked him into staying.
The chief had taken offense when accused of following improper procedures after a transformer blew up in front of Auto Zone on North Main Street in June 2002.
After the transformer fire, Kyle would not permit city workers to replace the transformer until the area was tested for hazardous materials.
Kyle said he had followed the proper procedures because the transformer had blown about 100 feet into the air.
Kyle said he's hopeful that communications have been improved.
Mayor Praznik has acknowledged that Kyle made the right decisions but said the chief's resignation was politically motivated because it came a day before the May primary election.
Praznik was defeated in the Democratic primary by Arthur U. Magee, former mayor and county commissioner.