Commissioners fire general manager of Lansing-owned utility

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The general manager of a Lansing-owned utility has been fired amid allegations that he failed to fulfill obligations as its leader.

Board of Water & Light commissioners voted Tuesday to terminate J. Peter Lark for "just cause." Although a specific incident wasn't cited, one commissioner says Lark simply didn't meet expectations.

Lark received criticism for going on vacation in the wake of a December 2013 ice storm that left more than 40 percent of the utility's service area without power. He refused to resign, and commissioners ultimately renewed his contract for an eighth year in July.

Lark says he was surprised by the board's decision because he didn't receive formal notice about the possibility of dismissal.

The board appointed Dick Peffley as the interim general manager.