Demotions hit Mich. department after unauthorized station improvements

By Christy Arboscello
The Detroit Free Press

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Clinton Township could get a new fire chief today after its highest-ranking fire officials were demoted and fined for spending $15,000 of the department's money without permission on granite countertops and kitchen cabinets in the station's headquarters.

Chief Michael Phy and Deputy Chief Royal Russell did not seek authorization for the project from the Board of Trustees as required.

They paid Jeff Defauw, a fellow firefighter in their crew who also is a contractor, with money from the township fire fund, community officials said.

"The bid process was circumvented, and a contract was given to a firefighter," township Supervisor Bob Cannon said.

The work done about five weeks ago at Fire Station 4 on Romeo Plank was brought to community officials' attention by unnamed employees in the Fire Department.

The Board of Trustees unanimously agreed Monday night to strip each of the men of their ranks and make them return the money to the township.

Phy was demoted to deputy chief while Russell is now a battalion chief. Phy's salary will be cut to $98,968 from $105,241, while Russell's will be cut to $85,725 from $98,968.

Both men have been with the department for 22 years without incident. Neither of them returned calls Tuesday for comment.

"They were sorry they did this," Cannon said.

The next fire official eligible for the chief's position is Battalion Chief Dan Funkhouser, who has a meeting scheduled today with Cannon and Human Resources Director Bill Smith. Funkhouser said he plans to accept the job.