By Betsy Finklea
The agenda item entitled “fire chief requirements” was tabled at the Dillon County Council meeting on Wednesday.
Last year, the council changed the requirements for fire chief. Fire chiefs were elected by the members. The change required that the county administrator appoint the fire chief from the full-time engineers on the county’s payroll in an effort to establish more accountability.
It was rumored that the council may change this at the meeting, but the item was tabled. Chairman Archie Scott said that he was tabling the item because a poll of council showed that the majority did not wish to change this at this time.
Scott said he was “disheartened.” He said he felt the fire departments should reflect the community. Scott asked County Administrator Clay Young to consider looking and the demographics and at the minorities. He said there were qualified minorities, but they were not considered for chief.
Young said he would be happy to do this.