Beleaguered Fire Chief Resigns in Solana Beach

Solana Beach Fire Chief Peter Fox, under investigation by the San Diego County Grand Jury and the target of a no-confidence vote from his firefighters, resigned Monday.

However, Fox retains his position as the Rancho Santa Fe fire chief.

Fox, being investigated by the grand jury for allegedly using on-duty firefighters to perform personal errands, had been chief of both departments since 1980, when he took over from his father, James Fox, who retired as chief.

Solana Beach Mayor Margaret Schlesinger said she was “very surprised” by the resignation. Fox could not be reached for comment Tuesday. His resignation raises questions about the continuation of the agreement that binds the Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe fire departments together, Schlesinger said.

“It may affect the future of the (agreement),” Schlesinger said. “We won’t know until we discuss it Thursday” night at the Solana Beach Fire District Board meeting.

City Manager Michael Huse said he hopes to fill Fox’s position from within the ranks of the two departments.

That may not be easy because the vote of no confidence lodged Friday by the 15 rank-and-file members of the Solana Beach Fire Department also applied to Chief William Roebuck, Chief David Holmerud and Capt. James Ingham, who are potential candidates for the job.

The vote by the firefighters was tied to allegations of improprieties in the department, said Bob Keilholtz, president of the Solana Beach Firefighters Assn.

“We encourage the continued investigation by the grand jury and the City Council,” Keilholtz said. The association sent a letter to the city manager reporting the vote.

Huse appointed battalion chief Dallas Neville as interim chief. Keilholtz said that Neville was “acceptable” as an interim chief.

Huse said he was concerned about the vote of no confidence. “It’s an expression of dissatisfaction for whatever reason,” he said. “That’s what we want to explore, not necessarily to rid ourselves of those employees so named in the letter. We want to find out what the real problems are and solve them.”

Several Solana Beach firefighters have been questioned by the grand jury, which is looking into allegations made in a letter sent to the jury by a fireman whose name has not been revealed. The letter said:

- Marijuana was grown on the Solana Beach fire station grounds and the issue was glossed over in an investigation.

- Fire Department personnel accepted offers of free entry into nightclubs that require cover charges.

- On-duty personnel were used for personal errands by Fox and other fire officials.

- On-duty personnel have worked at Fox’s house.