By Sarah C. Johnson
Hickory Daily Record
LONG VIEW, N.C. — The former Long View fire chief was terminated for questioning a decision by the interim town manager, comparing Long View to the fictional town of Mayberry and responding to a fire while on administrative leave.
James Brinkley, who was hired in 2018, was fired on Sept. 4 after about a month of paid administrative leave, according to Long View town records.
In a termination letter sent to Brinkley, the town listed four policy violations that happened on Aug. 11, Aug. 12 and Aug. 21.
The alleged Aug. 11 and Aug. 12 violations relate to Brinkley voicing his opinion about a decision made by Long View Interim Town Manager Melissa Lalonde regarding the position of finance director, according to the termination letter.
“The actions of Brinkley were executed in a group setting where it normally should have taken place in a closed-door session,” the termination letter said. “These actions were to possibly question Lalonde’s authority abilities.”
Lalonde was the finance director from Aug. 8, 2023, until she was promoted to interim town manager on July 1. Denise Collins was promoted to interim finance director on Aug. 27 . Collins was previously the deputy finance director and was initially hired in March of 2021, according to town records.
Lalonde went from making $90,854 to $110,000 after the promotion to interim town manager.
Brinkley made $87,360 at the time of termination, according to town records.
The other violations listed as reasons for termination related to a house fire on Aug. 21 along 21st Street Northwest. Brinkley responded to the fire and entered the house to look for occupants while on paid administrative leave. Brinkley arrived at the house prior to the Long View Fire Department personnel, according to the termination letter.
Brinkley declined to comment on the termination for this article.
“Mayberry town”
The termination letter accuses Brinkley of violating personnel policies of unsatisfactory job performance and detrimental personal conduct.
Under the job performance section, the termination letter cites the policy violation of “discourteous treatment of other employees, to include negative or divisive comments directed toward coworkers, supervisors or the organization as a whole.”
The letter claims the violation happened on multiple occasions but specifically cited a manager’s meeting.
“From interviews, several employees stated how uncomfortable they felt by the demeanor presented by Chief Brinkley directed to the Town Manager Elissa Lalonde,” the letter said. “Brinkley questioned Lalonde’s executive decision about a town management aspect not directly related to Brinkley’s position.”
The letter said Brinkley called Long View a Mayberry town and said the town would not improve. “Brinkley did not show any allegiance to his employer, the Town of Long View,” the letter said.
The letter also alleged that Brinkley had a meeting with Lalonde and Long View Human Resources Director Sidney Shirley . This letter claimed Brinkley said Lalonde and Shirley took actions based on feelings. The letter did not say what those referenced actions were.
The other job performance violation listed was “personal behavior which so severely damages an employee’s credibility with staff and/or citizens as to render the employee ineffective in his or her assigned duties.”
The letter said Brinkley discussed his opinions about Lalonde’s decision on the finance director position with other employees. The violation also referred to the manager’s meeting with town staff.
“These conversations can be viewed as undermining the position of Town Manager and spreading unnecessary rumors,” the letter said. “Brinkley expressed personal views without having factual basis behind them.”
Aug. 21 house fire
Long View Fire Department was called to a residential fire on the 500 block of 21st Street Northwest around 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 21, according to a previous news release from the town.
The previous release said no one was inside the home when the fire started. The release did not mention any injuries to civilians or firefighters.
Recent statements from the town of Long View said Brinkley called 911 and was the first to arrive at the scene. Brinkley entered the residence without protective gear to search for occupants before first responders arrived.
The town of Long View said Brinkley was evaluated by Catawba County EMS and transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center for smoke inhalation. All responding firefighters were evaluated at the scene. One firefighter was treated at the scene for dehydration.
While on paid administrative leave, Brinkley was not supposed to perform any duties or responsibilities of fire chief, the town said.
Responding to the fire was listed in the termination letter as a violation of the town’s conduct policies. The specified violations were “willful or wanton acts that endanger the lives and property of others” and “stated refusal to perform assigned duties, flagrant violation of work rules and regulations or serious malfeasance of work responsibilities,” the letter said.
The letter said Brinkley entering the burning home without protective gear put himself and possibly other firefighters at risk.
“Fortunately, Brinkley did not have any extensive injuries,” the letter said. “It is understandable as a fireman to have the calling of saving lives, but this incident could have put the other fireman in undue harm in attempting to save Brinkley.”
While on the phone with 911, Brinkley used his designated firefighter call number. The letter said using the call number was not a violation.
“It was found that Brinkley used fire equipment (pulled fire hose) during the incident,” the letter said. “A civilian would not have access to fire equipment and could possibly be criminally charged for doing so.”
© 2026 Hickory Daily Record, N.C.
Visit www.hickoryrecord.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
