Unionville-Area Fire Board Faces Public Anger, Legal Questions Amid Leadership Crisis

The ACW-Unionville Fire Department faces mistrust after resignations, embezzlement charges, and payroll disputes. The public criticizes board transparency and legality, while a new search for leadership intensifies amid ongoing community and internal unrest.

ACW-Unionville Fire Department rocked by resignations, embezzlement charges, pay disputes, and Open Meetings Act concerns.

UNIONVILLE, Mich. — June 9, 2025 — The Akron-Columbia-Wisner/Unionville Fire Department is facing a leadership vacuum and growing public distrust after the abrupt resignation of its newly appointed fire chief, internal conflicts, and lingering fallout from a criminal case involving a former chief.

Shawn A. Kish, who took over the department at the beginning of 2025 following the arrest of former chief Nicholas J. Sakon for alleged embezzlement, stepped down on June 1. Kish cited ongoing disputes with members of the fire board, particularly related to changes in fire call documentation and payroll records, as central to his decision.

Kish alleged that the board altered official department reports without proper authorization and raised concerns that those alterations may have crossed legal lines. Firefighters and community members voiced similar worries during a May 28 special meeting, questioning the integrity of the board’s record-keeping and its adherence to open government rules.

Fallout from Prior Leadership Adds to Pressure

Kish’s resignation follows a turbulent period for the department. His predecessor, Sakon, is currently facing felony charges for allegedly using over $5,000 in department nonprofit funds for personal expenses between May 2023 and late 2024. If convicted, Sakon could face up to a decade in prison, according to reporting from Thumbnet.net and Tuscola Today.

Kish was brought in to stabilize the department after Sakon’s departure. However, he has publicly said that persistent issues—such as unclear policies, alleged document manipulation, and poor communication—created an untenable environment.

Firefighters Frustrated by Sudden Pay Changes

Adding to the unrest, firefighters have expressed concern over a recent payroll change that shifted compensation from an hourly rate to a flat fee per fire call. They argue that this adjustment significantly reduces earnings during long-duration incidents. Kish and others requested meeting minutes documenting this change, but said those records were never provided, leaving them in the dark about when or how the decision was made.

Board members acknowledged the oversight, with one member admitting that the minutes from a prior budget meeting, where the change may have been discussed, had not been appropriately shared.

Open Meetings Act Allegations and Community Frustration

Community members have also raised flags over the way the board has managed public meetings. At the May 28 session, a scheduled agenda item about department leadership was reportedly removed without explanation, and residents were told it wouldn’t be discussed despite public interest. Some argued that such a decision, made without prior notice, could violate the Michigan Open Meetings Act.

The meeting itself, which had been contentious from the outset, ended abruptly without clear answers to the public’s questions. Audience members expressed disappointment and frustration at the lack of transparency and accountability from their elected representatives.

Fire Chief Role Now Vacant, Search Underway

Despite the controversy, the fire board is now advertising for a new fire chief. According to Thumbnet.net, applications are being accepted through June 15. Kish’s future with the department remains unclear, although social media posts suggest he may be transitioning to a role with the Elmwood Township/Gagetown Fire Department.

Meanwhile, the ACW-Unionville Fire Department, which serves the communities of Akron, Columbia, Wisner townships, and the Village of Unionville, continues to operate with interim leadership as trust in the board wanes.

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