Newly minted Orland Fire Protection District Board President James Hickey has asked for the district’s three commissioners to resign.In a letter dated Monday — when Hickey was sworn in as a new member of the fire board — he asks chairman Tom Lia, secretary Mary Beth Casper and commissioner Thomas Hayes for their resignations prior to a special board of trustees meeting scheduled for Thursday morning.
Commissioners are involved in the hiring of firefighters, engineers and lieutenants as well as promotional testing and discipline for matters not covered by collective bargaining agreements. Appointed by the board of trustees, each serves a staggered three-year term.
Lia, a former firefighter, fire marshal and lieutenant with the Orland district, said he received the letter today and “was a little shocked.” His term expires next year, and Lia said he will resist stepping down.
“I fully intend on staying there as long as it’s legal,” he said.
Hickey was elected president by fellow board members after a special meeting Monday at which new trustees Blair Rhode and Christopher Evoy were sworn in. The oath of office was administered by Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman (R-Orland Park), who supported Rhode and Evoy in the election.
At Thursday’s special meeting, the fire board is expected to dismiss the district’s current law firm, Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, and name two new firms. Berwyn-based law firm Del Galdo Law Group will serve as general counsel to the district and Chicago law firm James J. Roche & Associates will serve as general counsel to the board of fire commissioners as well as special counsel to the district, according to an agenda for the meeting.