Using Facebook, Cole resigns from both town posts

Selectman and Assistant Rescue Chief Jason Cole

LEBANON - Jason Cole, Lebanon’s embattled selectman and Assistant Rescue Chief, tendered his resignation for both positions in a Facebook post on the Lebanon Rescue Department Corporation’s Facebook page on Tuesday night.

The post was recorded about 7:20 p.m., and notes he will step down from both positions at midnight on Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve.

Cole said he was resigning because of work schedules as a full-time employee with the Rochester Police Dispatching Unit and his desire to spend more time with his family.

“I am resigning as Selectman due to the fact that my schedule at my full-time job now prohibits me for (sic) serving my community as much as I should and this position is crucial for operating the community,” he said in long-winded post. “I have enjoyed serving the two terms as Selectman and will once again serve down the road once my work schedule allows and my children are older.”

He also said no one had asked him to resign or step down.

“No one has asked me to resign nor forced me too (sic), I just feel now is the right time so I can spend time my awesome three children and family,” he said.

Cole said he would be resigning as assistant Rescue Chief for many of the same reasons, namely work schedule and to spend more time with his family.

The post makes no mention of the job status of his wife, current Rescue Chief Samantha Cole.

Cole has come under fire of late for his absences at selectmen’s meetings and the financial plight of Lebanon Rescue, which was shown recently to owe the town more than $200,000 when it was supposed to be self-sufficient and require no taxpayer money.

The Lebanon Voice was unable to speak with Cole to confirm his resignation.

Selectmen Chair Karen Gerrish and Selectman Ben Thompson were not immediately available on Tuesday night.

Facebook comments on the Lebanon Rescue Department page thanked Cole for his service and wished him well.