By MICHELLE KU and RYAN ALESSI
Lexington Herald Leader
After 19 months on the job, state Fire Marshal Al Mitchell has resigned from his post.
Mitchell resigned Monday, citing the amount of travel the job required and ongoing health concerns, said Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet spokesman Mark York.
Mitchell’s resignation becomes effective Nov. 30. He was making $79,766.64 a year in that post.
No replacement has been named.
“The position is an important one for us,” York said. “We will be moving on that as soon as we can.”
Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet Secretary LaJuana Wilcher said in a statement that she “appreciated his willingness and leadership in taking on tough issues.”
She specifically cited his work with so-called “fugitive dust,” the buildup of free-floating dust, usually in larger industrial facilities, that can lead to explosions under the right conditions. A spark from equipment at Corbin-based insulation manufacturer CTA Acoustics caused an explosion that killed seven people in 2003.
Mitchell flew to Washington this summer to testify on the issue before the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
Mitchell, 62, declined to be more specific about his reasons for resigning, but he said he enjoyed his time as state fire marshal. “It’s a really good job,” he said.
Mitchell, the former 6th District Urban County Councilman in Lexington and a former Lexington firefighter, said he is seriously considering another run for council, either at-large or district.
“If I did anything, it would probably be just district again,” he said.
Mitchell was in the middle of his fourth council term when he was named state fire marshal in April 2004.
District 6 stretches along much of eastern Lexington outside New Circle Road.
When Mitchell resigned from his council seat, Mayor Teresa Isaac appointed Wanita Sipe Elison, who had filed to run against Mitchell, to complete his term. Elison was defeated by current Councilman Kevin Stinnett last November.