CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A Jefferson firefighter has been suspended for 30 days for signing a petition to dissolve the town, said Fire Chief Mark Ford.
George Poe has been with the volunteer department for about four years and also sits on its board of directors, Ford said.
``You don't want to go out and put yourself in a situation where you're making the department look bad,'' Ford said. ``We can't back him on the issue because we have to stay neutral.''
The fire department receives money from the town and doesn't ``want to do anything to jeopardize that,'' Ford said.
Ford wasn't sure if Poe signed the petition as an individual or department member. When asked if Poe's First Amendment rights had been violated, Ford said, ``You have to follow rules and regulations in an organization.''
Poe could not be reached for comment Sunday because directory assistance had no listing for him.
Meanwhile, a Kanawha County magistrate issued a summons Friday for Matthew Alan Smith on a destruction of property charge. Police allege Smith tore up and threw away a petition asking people if the town should be saved or dissolved. Smith was a volunteer firefighter for the town until he quit Dec. 13.
On Thursday, Kanawha County commissioners accepted a petition signed by two people to dissolve Jefferson. Mayor Thomas Lewis submitted a petition he said was signed by 37 residents who want to keep their town. Commissioners plan to discuss the town's future at a March meeting.
