By Todd South
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
DALTON, Ga. — Citing ongoing concerns about funding for the Dalton Fire Department, Chief Barry Gober unexpectedly announced his retirement during a Public Safety Commission meeting Tuesday.
“If we’re all consumed with cost, then it’s just a matter of time before those same problems show up at our door,” Chief Gober said about the trend of budget cutting and public safety funding in Dalton. “I don’t think we can afford to have that happen.”
A 29-year veteran firefighter and chief for nine years, Chief Gober said that with funding cuts, his department can’t meet public expectations.
Dalton Mayor David Pennington said he was shocked by the announcement, especially since the City Council has not completed next year’s budget.
He said the city has revenue problems this year, and the council cut the Public Works Department by 27 positions. But Mr. Pennington said there have been no cuts in police or fire department staffing. The city even bought a $345,000 firetruck.
The council is reviewing budget proposals andl likely will vote on the budget in December.
The mayor said he had not talked to Chief Gober about his worries, but, “Public safety is the council’s number one concern.”
The chief was at the Public Safety Commission’s monthly meeting for regular reporting, but then the board went into executive session. Members came out and voted to accept Mr. Gober’s retirement request and appointed Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Satterfield as interim chief, both effective Nov. 14.
Lane Ashworth, chairman of the commission, said the police and fire departments were asked to submit three budget proposals; one with the same funding as the current year, a second with a 5 percent reduction and a third with a 10 percent cut.
“We’ll always have concerns about any reduction in the budget, especially when it comes to public safety,” he said, “it’s up to the mayor and council.”
Mr. Gober said he sees the direction the city is headed.
“You can just pay attention to what’s gone on in the community in the last 11 months, and I think we can expect more of that to come,” he said.
Copyright 2008 Chattanooga Publishing Company