The public safety board presented its top three candidates for the fire chief position Tuesday afternoon to the Banks County Board of Commissioners. No action was taken but one commissioner questioned the decision of the public safety board.
Public safety board chairman Bobby Caudell presented the names of the three people interviewed by the board — interim chief Jeff Taylor, Steven Bowles and Gregory Wainwright. Twelve people applied for the job.
“I can’t figure out how you came up with these when you have others with a lot more training,” commissioner Charles Turk said.
Turk asked what qualifications were used for selecting the candidates to interview. Caudell said the board used the county’s personnel requirements for the position.
“These were the ones we felt were most qualified,” Caudell said.
Turk said, “One hasn’t been in fire service in 12 years. Did you see that? I’m sure he doesn’t have certification.”
Ray Holcomb, a member of the public safety board, said this person, who was not identified, said he is certified
Turk said another candidate couldn’t tell him if he is certified or not.
“I can assure you, if he doesn’t know, he isn’t certified,” Turk said.
While no announcement was given on what the next step will be, the BOC will likely interview its top candidates. The BOC is not bound by the recommendation of the public safety board.
I will say it publicly if Charles Turk votes he is not on the up and up and should be removed from office as he can NOT vote without bias on this subject !
To be honest the whole list of twelve is awful !
This so called Public Safety Board even picked as their first choice "Jeff Taylor" (good ol'boy at it's finest). He has more history with the fire dept. than any applicant, however he almost has the least amount of training, except for the their second choice who has been out of the fire service for 12-14 years "WOW" that was a good selection for second pick. Now you educated people let the elected commissiners all 5 of them do their job. It is their responsibility to make sure back ground checks are done and investigate each applicant to select the most "qualified". If you think you know so much why were you not at this meeting getting all the facts straight instead of getting the one sided story this paper prints. There was a lot more info presented at this meeting than was printed in this paper. So if you want to have something to comment on here about then go to the meetings and get it for yourself.
Most expierance but less training? Hey genius expierance equals qualified a lot of times.
Sure you could hire a guy with a pile of certifications(AKA Richartd Crowder) but if he has crap leadership skills or no public relations ability(AKA Kitchens) then you gave the county a worse situation then what we have.
I don't think Jeff is the man but then again the "former" fireman who are applicants should also be tossed.
Time to hire someone who doesn't have a clue who Turk or Wells are or for that matter has any ties to the area. Only then will we get unbiased leadership and a new sense of direction.
The correct way to interview for a high profile position such as fire chief would be to bring in experts from all around the state, as well as, the county officials. The experts can interview on the skills and ability and the county officials would have a chance to interview on a more personal level. Banks County desparately needs someone strong in people skills also, as we have the worst reputation of any department in the state.
Lets get some strong qualified people in this department. This means QUALIFIED paid staff leaders AND QUALIFIED volunteers. Lets work together like a community should and build our fair county instead of acting like spoiled children and destroying it!
I believe we should go outside of the county and fine a qualified person and put him in charge and put this issue to rest.This whole thing started back with Perry Dalton was chief and couldn't control a meeting.
Surprised they didn't beg some of the OLD school boys to try out for FC! Bray!! Lee Burks!! Where's Gilbert at? Heck......Kevin Nix wasn't asked to apply? Geeeeeeeez, too bad we are such a joke!