The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

November 18, 2009

Bradley-Prosperity fire chief retains position

By Amelia A. Pridemore

The Bradley-Prosperity fire chief arrested this week will retain his position, fire officials said.

Bruce James was arrested Tuesday on a misdemeanor battery warrant, State Police Trooper 1st Class C.H. Mitchell said.

James turned himself in, and he was released on $500 bond.

State Police Lt. S.F. Van Meter said Quentin Fowler, 22, of Glen Morgan, told troopers James punched him at the Bradley Market on Nov. 11.

Derek Wriston, public information officer for the BPVFD, said James will remain chief.

According to a previous department statement, James had earlier offered his resignation to board members if they did not believe he was capable of doing the job.

One board member made a motion to accept the resignation.

No one would second the motion, and it died.

Tuesday night, board members and department members decided to reject the resignation offer, according to Wriston.

The original motion to accept the resignation, he said, was made by a community member no longer on the board.

The board’s vice president — another person trying to remove James as chief — was removed from his position.

“At this time, we are hopeful that things around the firehouse will return to normal and we can focus on our attention on the evaluation made by the state fire Marshal’s office and fix the problems that were found,” Wriston stated.

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