The Jerome Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday night to fire Fire Chief Doug Stewart, concluding that he improperly participated in partisan political activity and engaged in unprofessional conduct and insubordination. The board’s decision in Union County came after two days of testimony and deliberation. The political activity finding stemmed from photos of Stewart wearing his fire chief uniform and standing in front of township fire equipment that appeared in a campaign advertisement for Wezlynn Davis, a former candidate for state representative. The board also cited Stewart’s conduct during a June 8 meeting with township administrator Brandon Standley. According to the findings, Stewart used profanity while discussing the investigation and threw a separation agreement. Trustee Andrea Watson acknowledged Stewart’s years of service but said they did not diminish the seriousness of the findings or the testimony considered by the board. Stewart declined to comment after the vote. He had previously denied wrongdoing. Jerome resident Eve Hochhauser questioned whether the investigation justified its expense, saying she believed it had not established grounds for firing or suspension and had resulted in unnecessary legal fees. Her criticism underscored the public costs and accountability questions surrounding the township’s handling of the matter. The trustees said the fire department continued serving residents without interruption during the proceedings. Watson credited interim chief Justin French with helping the department move forward as the township turns its attention to the agency’s future.