By Michael Hall
The Brunswick News
GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — A former Glynn County commissioner and police officer says the county’s search for a new fire chief is flawed.
David Dowdy, a Glynn County commissioner from 1997 to 2000, took issue with the hiring of interim county fire chief Chipper Gardner in a paid advertisement published in The News Thursday and questioned the decision by county administrator Alan Ours to look for someone outside the department for permanent replacement.
Dowdy, who had spent more than 20 years as a Glynn County police officer before his election to the commission, pointed out in the ad that Gardner has no EMS experience, is currently the chairman of the Spalding County Commission and is a member of the Association of County Commissions of Georgia. He noted that Ours also is a member of the statewide county organization.
Dowdy also said in the ad that Ours was not accepting internal applications for the chief’s job.
The position came open upon the retirement of fire chief Al Thomas in July.
“County administrator informed current GCFD employees applying for fire chief that they do not qualify and would not get an interview. Several do qualify. Why not hire from within?” Dowdy said in the advertisement.
He also questioned the decision to hire Slavin Management Consultants of Norcross to take applications and screen candidates when the county has a human resources department.
Dowdy said Thursday he preferred not to comment further until he hears how the county responds. He added that the advertisement spoke for itself.
Ours did not dispute Gardner’s lack of EMS experience and said it is a well known fact that Gardner is also a commissioner in Spalding County.
“We have an excellent captain over our EMS,” Ours said, adding that meetings in Spalding County every two weeks are not in conflict with Gardner’s responsibilities as interim chief.
Ours pointed to Gardner’s 25 years of experience as chief of the Spalding County Fire Department as more than enough to qualify him to run Glynn County’s department temporarily.
Three internal applications were accepted for the chief’s position, but Ours said the applicants did not meet the requirements they are looking for in the national search.
As to hiring Slavin instead of using the county’s human resources department, Ours said the firm was better suited and had better resources to conduct a national search. “Our ultimate goal is to have the best fire department in the state,” Ours said.
Glynn County Commissioner Richard Strickland, who was a county police officer and former director of the county’s Emergency Management Agency, said Dowdy’s ad was off base.
“His allegations are absurd,” Strickland said.
He added that he agrees with Ours seeking a chief from outside the department because there are some issues within the department that will be better addressed by a fresh philosophy. Strickland did not elaborate on what the issues are.
Commission chairman Mike Browning said Ours has kept the commission informed about the search.
“He does have our support,” Browning said. “We think he’s going about this in the proper fashion.”
If Dowdy has a problem with how things are going in the county government, Browning encouraged him to reach out to the commissioners to discuss his concerns.
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(c)2014 The Brunswick News (Brunswick, Ga.)
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