Oliver Fire Chief Questioned

by Malcolm Petch - Story: 31476July 04, 2007 http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-31476-21-.htm#31476

Oliver Town council has relieved Chief Dave Janzen of his duties after he was interviewed by police in connection with suspicious roadside grass fires in 2003. Oliver & Osoyoos RCMP confirm they have reopened their investigation into the fires from 2003, which occurred before the Vaseaux Lake and Okanagan Mountain Park fires. The files were re-opened to allow a review of the investigations and to conduct interviews with different individuals. “It is not at all uncommon for investigations of this nature to be revisited,” says Cpl Dan Moskaluk of the Osoyoos RCMP. The RCMP are hoping their efforts will bring them further information relating to the original investigations. On Tuesday, Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes told media that deputy fire chief Danny Skaros is presently serving as acting fire chief while the investigation is ongoing. Asked about Council's decision to relieve the chief, Oliver councilor Pat Hampson says, “My perspective is he's been questioned by the RCMP, but any more than that we're not privy to.” “Mayor Hovanes is official spokesperson for council on these matters.” Both the town hall reception desk and the mayor's office remained unavailable for comment. Cpl. Moskaluk says, “At this time we have not laid any charges and these incidents are still under investigation.”