Fire marshal faces probe for conduct

INVESTIGATION

Jackson Township Fire Chief Randy Little was authorized by township trustees Tuesday night to investigate the township fire marshal’s conduct in the wake of recent charges filed in Grove City Mayor’s Court.

David Scott Burris, 41, was stopped Aug. 30 by Grove City police for failing to signal before changing lanes on Hoover Road near the Dartmoor Road intersection.

Subsequent investigation led to Burris being additionally charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and having a weapon while intoxicated.

Burris, who goes by his middle name Scott, has retained one of central Ohio’s most high-profile defense attorneys, Sam Shamansky, to represent him. Burris is scheduled to make his next appearance for a pre-trial hearing in Grove City Mayor’s Court on Oct. 25.

Burris was also charged with disorderly conduct for an incident early Sunday morning when he was found on the ground outside a Stringtown Road bar, according to WSYX-TV (Channel 6). No charges are shown filed in mayor’s court, according to an online records check by The Dispatch on Tuesday night.

Burris and Little could not immediately be reached for comment.

Jackson Township Trustees Jim Rauck and Stephen Bowshier authorized Little to investigate Burris, Rauck said.

Township Trustee David Burris, who is Scott’s father, recused himself from the discussions. The elder Burris has been a township trustee since 1998.

As fire marshal, Scott Burris is in charge of the fire prevention bureau. The Jackson Township Fire Department also covers Grove City and Urbancrest.