After deliberating behind closed doors for over two hours, Augusta commissioners voted to name Dekalb County Deputy Fire Chief Antonio Burden as the new Augusta fire chief.
The vote was 6-3, with District 10 Commissioner John Clarke, District 3 Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight and District 8 Commissioner Brandon Garrett voting no.
Analysis: Survey of Augusta Firefighters Show No Support for Current Candidate
District 7 Commissioner Sean Frantom, who was expected to oppose Burden and proposed a motion in the Administrative Services Committee to start the selection process over from the beginning, was absent from the meeting.
In Frantom’s absence, Clarke made a substitute motion to begin the process over, but that motion was denied by a vote along the same voting lines.
McKnight has also been a vocal critic of City Administrator Odie Donald’s secretive recruitment process, and she texted her displeasure with a touch of sarcasm.
[adrotate banner=”29″]
“I’m sick! Welcome aboard, Antonio Burden, new fire chief,” McKnight commented.
Even though Clarke had fought hard to prevent Burden from being hired over more qualified candidates, he was conciliatory in his statement to the media.
“While I am very disappointed in the events of hiring the fire chief, I am not surprised,” Clarke said. “I continue to have full faith in the men and women of the department to continue to serve with dedication and professionalism the citizens of Augusta, which they always have.”
Citizens were quick to add their comments on social media, with some calling the decision to hire Burden “disgusting” and “sickening.” On the Augusta Political Watch Facebook page, one poster, Ronnie Scott, was particularly blunt.
“The (majority) Augusta Commission with the hiring of Burden got up turned around dropped their pants and bent over and told the citizens of Augusta to KISS THEIR ASS. We will do what we want, not what is right for Augusta,” Scott commented.
[adrotate banner=”19″]
Prior to the Commission meeting, Donald sent a letter to commissioners and the mayor that stated flatly, contrary to media reports, he personally did not add any candidates to the list of finalists for the fire chief position. However, an email Donald sent to Human Resources Director Anita Rookard tells a different story.
In the email, Donald specifically asked Rookard to request information on Adam House, as well as Burden, even though neither men were recommended as a tier one or tier two candidate by the recruiting firm GovHR. See the email here.
MORE: Fire Chief Candidate Was Previously Weeded Out By Selection Firm
In his letter, Donald did admit to having met and having prior professional experience with one candidate, but he did not provide the name of the candidate.
While Burden still has to agree to accept the job of fire chief and negotiate a salary, the 6-3 vote to hire him means the job is his if he still wants it.
Scott Hudson is the Managing Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com.
[adrotate banner=”44″]
