COLUMBIA, Mo.-- After 12 years with the Boone County Fire Protection District, Sharon Curry submitted a letter of resignation on Friday.
The district hasn't given a reason why Curry stepped down, but Curry's relationship with Chief Steve Paulsell has been a source of controversy. In the last year, the fire district has had several sexual discrimination complaints and one lawsuit. Curry made more than $93,000 last year.
While fire district officials won't give more detailed information or further comment about Curry's resignation, a fire district board member says the board wishes Curry luck in the future.
"Sharon resigned and the board accepted her resignation and wishes her well in her future endeavors and thanks her for her service. It's just like any other employee resigning her position," board member Dave Griggs said.
Curry became assistant chief in 2001 after a promotion from a secretarial position with the district.
In the summer of 2005, the district fired former chief of staff Rob Brown and former assistant chief of training Bruce Piringer. Both men say they were fired because they were critical of Curry and Paulsell. Last November, Piringer filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the district, claiming that Curry's relationship with Paulsell afforded her special privileges.
Last October police arrested Curry at a sobriety checkpoint in Columbia on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
In Curry's resignation letter, she mentioned she was proud to be a part of the fire district's many achievements.
Republished with permission of KOMU-TV.
