The Town of
Chesterton has a new fire chief.
At its meeting
Monday night, the Town Council voted unanimously to accept John Jarka’s
resignation from the position of fire chief and to approve his request to
return to service in his permanent rank in the department of captain.
Jarka announced his
resignation in a letter to the council. He gave no reason for stepping down
as chief.
Then, at the
request of Member Jennifer Fisher, I-5th--the council’s liaison to the CFD--members
voted unanimously to place on the evening’s agenda the matter of naming
Jarka’s successor. Members accordingly took up an ordinance prepared by
Associate Town Attorney Chuck Parkinson, which appoints CFD Engineer Eric
Camel as Interim Fire Chief; and current Deputy Chief Nate Williams as
Interim Deputy Chief. That ordinance the council voted unanimously to
approve.
“On behalf of all
members, I thank you, John Jarka, for the years you have served, first as
deputy chief and second as chief of the department,” said President Sharon
Darnell, D-4th.
Jarka succeeded
Mike Orlich as Fire Chief in May 2014.
Camel has been a
member of the CFD since December 2009. He also serves with the Beverly
Shores Volunteer Fire Department.