HUBBARD Fire chief quits over dispute

The decision to resign came after a meeting with the mayor and electric superintendent.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Hubbard Fire Chief David Kyle has resigned effective June 30.
Kyle, who has been a member of the 25-member volunteer department for 21 years, told city council Monday that he's resigning over a dispute about a transformer fire nearly a year ago.
The chief said he took offense when accused of following improper procedures after a transformer blew up in front of Auto Zone on North Main Street, in June 2002.
Kyle, who has been chief a year and a half, said he "had enough" after a meeting two weeks ago with Mayor George Praznik and Joseph Slick, electric superintendent.
"It was the straw the broke the camel's back," Kyle said.
After the transformer fire, Kyle would not permit city workers to replace the transformer until the area was tested for hazardous materials.
Slick said today that Kyle got upset at the meeting with him and Praznik. The resignation was "a surprise to me," Slick added.
'About nothing'
"It's a lot to do about nothing," Slick added.
Kyle said he followed the proper procedure because the transformer had blown about 100 feet into the air.
Praznik said today that he believes Kyle made the proper decision in delaying replacement of the transformer.
"He did follow the proper procedure. That's his call," Praznik added, noting the tests were performed in Akron with negative results obtained within hours.
Praznik said he suspects the timing of Kyle's resignation is politically motivated, coming a day before the election.
Praznik is being challenged for the mayoral spot by Arthur U. Magee, former mayor and county commissioner.
Kyle said his decision to resign was also based on the lack of cooperation "by certain city officials." He declined to be specific.
The department, the chief asserted, has been underfunded, but that was not the reason for his decision to quit.
The department responds to calls in the city and Hubbard Township. Kyle said his replacement will be determined by a vote of the volunteers.
yovich@vindy.com