The Town of Qualicum Beach sent this statement to The NEWS Thursday at 5:29 p.m.:
"The mayor, as spokesperson for the Town of Qualicum Beach, today released the following statement regarding recent media coverage concerning the notice of motion put forward by a member of council at Monday night’s council meeting regarding the fire department:
Town council and staff are actively addressing the recommendations from the fire department Administrative Review. The fire chief had been removed from day to day operations during the Fire Service Administrative Review process. With the review of the report now completed, mayor and council have re-instated the fire chief. It is expected that the fire chief will be back on duty effective Monday, April 15, 2013. The Town of Qualicum Beach looks forward to working openly and effectively with the department in addressing the recommendations of the report, while continuing the department’s record of providing excellent service to the community, as cited in the report."
In reaction to the news release, Coun. Bill Luchtmeijer told The NEWS Friday morning council has not had a meeting regarding the re-instatement of the chief in the previous 48 hours.
"That's news to me," he said.
For more on this story, including details of the administrative review and reaction to the chief's reinstatement, see Tuesday's edition of The NEWS.
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