Airway Heights Fire Chief Dismissed Amid Controversy

Questions surrounding the firing of Airway Heights' Fire Chief continue to strain city hall.
Toby Combs was let go in May, and now a citizens group investigating the release is running into roadblocks.  Under the law, former Chief Toby Combs is allowed to appeal his termination.  But a civil service group charged with handling that appeal says it can't even get into city hall.  The city's own commission charged with keeping government in check can't even do its job.  Former Mayor Joe Martella chairs the three-person civil service commission.  The group is reviewing the termination of ex-Fire Chief Toby Combs, who was let go in the Spring.  But Martella says he hasn't seen one document.  "We've been locked out.  We don't have a key to the civil service office.  I've been there 18 months and we still don't have a key.  We appoint a secretary and they won't recognize her, and we're at a standstill."
Mayor Brian Grady, who let Combs go, has refused to comment on his move.  And even though he appointed Martella, Grady isn't talking to him either.  Martella says he's been accused of being biased because he's a long-time friend of Combs'.  "But I'm one of the original firemen here.  I'm the only one left alive of the original group, and I'm concerned about Airway Heights.  I have been for forty years."  The Airway Heights City Attorney says members of the citizens group aren't supposed to have a key to city hall because they aren't employees.  The attorney also says a hearing on Combs' termination is set for later this month, and at that time, commission members will hear the facts.