Oxford Township officials didn’t waste any time choosing a successor to take over for Fire Chief Jack LeRoy following his retirement later this year.
Last week, the township board voted 6-1 to enter into negotiations with Deputy Chief Pete Scholz.
‘I think he’s more than competent and qualified to handle the position,? said LeRoy, who recommended officials consider appointing Scholz.
LeRoy received the board’s approval to retire at the end of October after 14 years as fire chief and 23 years with the police department before that.
The board directed Supervisor Bill Dunn to sit down with Scholz and work out a new employment contract effective Nov. 1.
‘I’m excited about it,? said Scholz, a lifelong Oxford resident and 1971 OHS graduate. ‘I’ve got a lot of years of experience to call on and an excellent crew to support. They’re a very eager bunch of guys.?
Scholz has served with the department since February 1976. He was motivated to join by ‘the desire to give back to the community.?
‘I had some friends at the time that were on the department and saw the enjoyment they got out of being able to serve,? he said,.
Scholz started as a paid-on-call firefighter, but over the years rose through the ranks as an officer.
He served as captain from 1981-82, then took over as assistant chief until 1988 when time constraints and other commitments forced him to scale back.
Scholz remained as a paid-on-call firefighter until assuming the captain’s position again in 1998. He served in that capacity until January 2006 when he was promoted to first assistant chief.
At the beginning of this year, he was promoted to deputy chief, his first full-time position with the department.
As the new full-time chief, Scholz said his goals will be simple ? ‘Continue to provide the best service possible, make sure our department is very highly trained and at the same time, be accountable to the citizens.?
Outside the fire department, Scholz said he’s been in management throughout his entire life. Prior to being named deputy chief, he worked as superintendent for the Pontiac Municipal Golf Course for 11 years.
Scholz has been married to his wife Wendy for 26 years. The couple has four daughters, the youngest of which graduated from OHS last month.
Dunn cast the lone vote against negotiating a contract with Scholz because he felt the board’s quick decision wasn’t allowing him ‘to do what I’m supposed to do as an elected official.?
‘It’s nothing against you, Pete,? said the supervisor, noting he would like time to do his ‘due diligence? and talk with the professionals Scholz works with on a daily basis from firefighters to other fire chiefs to police personnel.
‘I know Pete. I don’t have a problem,? explained Dunn, but as an official it’s important to ‘cover all the bases.?