On Friday at 3 p.m., Lee Grant resigned from his position as fire chief of the City of Belleville. His son, Fire Lt. Ken Grant, also resigned.
This leaves nine members of the paid-per-call city fire department, which now is being headed by Interim Fire Chief Brian Loranger, a 23-year veteran of the department.
The brief letter of “involuntary resignation” to City Manager Diana Kollmeyer, dated Feb. 17, was sent by Grant’s attorney Scott E. Combs.
“I left on my own terms,” Grant said.
In the letter of resignation, attorney Combs wrote, “It has unfortunately become clear to us that Mr. Grant cannot acquiesce in the improprieties and inappropriate actions taking place in the City.
“Therefore, Mr. Grant thanks the City for time spent, but is forced to resign and pursue other interests immediately.
“He will pick up and remove all his personal effects immediately.”
At about 4 p.m. on Friday, Grant reportedly turned over his fire chief’s badge to Belleville Police Chief Gene Taylor. Reportedly, the locks were changed on the fire hall Friday night.
Attorney Combs had no immediate comment on the resignation, but Grant said only, “It’s not over. There’s more to come.”
On Tuesday, City Manager Diana Kollmeyer said, “I don’t have a clue what he’s talking about, as far as ‘improprieties and inappropriate actions’.” She said there are none of those in the city that she knows of.
The Belleville Fire Chief position is part-time and pays $8,000 a year. It is the only salaried position in the department, with the other fire fighters being paid per call.
Fire fighters get $14 for the first hour they work and $7 for the second hour and any hours thereafter. They receive $5 per hour for the state-mandated training. For other events, they donate their time.