Tempers flare as Esto Fire Chief resigns

A contentious debate over the Town of Esto’s budget allocations resulted in the resignation of
Esto Fire Chief Cliff Kimble Tuesday, July 16.

Chief Kimble’s decision follows escalating budget concerns that were highlighted by the fire department’s recent response to a traumatic event.

Kimble fanned the flames of an ongoing controversy regarding the town’s budget priorities, particularly the allocation of funds to the fire department versus community events.

The fire chief addressed town council members about what he says are escalating budget concerns that had previously been brought to the attention of Town Clerk Ben Tew.
“Last year, the fire department was budgeted $8,050 from the town and $4,950 from water bills, totaling $13,000,” said Kimble. “The council amended the budget just four months into the year, reducing the fire department’s allocation to $4,000 from the town and $4,950 from water bills, totaling $8,950.”

Tew stated the fire department was “over $300 in the red” at the time of the meeting. Tew also noted the town allocated $4,800 annually toward the local “Two-Toed Tom Festival,” alongside an increase in town council members’ meeting pay, which rose by $50 per meeting for a total of $250 per session. Later in the meeting, Tew requested a 25 cent per hour increase in his own pay be added to the budget.

“This truly is a slap in the face to my firefighters and our community,” said Kimble. His departure follows a tragic incident over the prior weekend in which Esto firefighters extricated an entire family from a wreck, two of which passed away from their injuries.
Kimble directed much of his criticism toward Tew.
“I have guys who are scarred for life because they are doing what is right for the community, only to face budget cuts and hostility from the town clerk,” Kimble told council members. “We have four brush trucks needing repairs, and I can’t get those done because you cut emergency services funding to spend money on a festival.”
Following Kimble’s resignation, Esto Fire Lt. Robert Sherman also addressed Tew, stating, “You’re creating a hostile environment between the town and the fire department.”
Councilmember Krystal Bien expressed her concern over the cut to fire department funding.
“Asking our fire department to dip into the funds they raised for community events to pay for repairs or maintenance is neither fair nor ethical,” said Bien.
The 2024 Two-Toed Tom Festival budget is $29,360, with $11,000 allocated for two thirty-minute lumberjack shows, which Chief Kimble described as “wildly irresponsible.”
Kimble later told the Holmes County Advertiser he would recall his resignation if the council took “corrective action” when the board meets in a called session scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 24. Meanwhile, Kimble states he will still respond to emergency calls as a volunteer firefighter.
“I will not leave the people in the community unprotected,” he said. “I can’t do that as a person, so the town has a week to decide how they will resolve it.”