The Augusta Press conducted two surveys, one for the general public and a second confidential one for Augusta firefighters, and the results show that the Augusta Commission finalist, Antonio Burden, is hardly anyone’s favorite.
Burden received one vote on each survey respectively.
In fact, only one candidate, former Augusta Deputy Fire Chief Sterling Jones, rose to the top with 48%, in the public poll. In the firefighter poll, Jones was the clear favorite, polling 70%. The Augusta Fire Department has approximately 270 firefighters out of which 60% responded to the poll.
Some firefighters left comments in support of Jones:
“Been a firefighter for three years. I believe that Jones has all the qualifications and the respect from the department to provide a high quality of service,” wrote one firefighter.
“Former Deputy Chief of Augusta Fire, interim 911 center director, meets all required credentials. Actually exceeds all required credentials. Fair, firm, honest. A large portion of firefighters want to see him lead our fire department into the future and show what he is capable of without having to operate under the hard-pressing micromanagement thumb of the former fire chief,” another firefighter responded.
One firefighter lamented the deterioration from within the department, writing:
“Our department is decaying. We need an experienced, educated, and respected Fire Chief to lead our men and women. Some that can bring unity back to the department and respect back to the rank system. A leader that will help bring back the sense of Honor, Duty, Sacrifice, and pride to members and our citizens.”
While the other candidates, Anthony Jackson and Carl Randolf, only faired marginally better than Burden in the two polls, it is clear from the comments that, should Burden get the six votes necessary, he will be attempting to lead a department that is hostile towards the secretive hiring procedure that made him the top candidate.
“The Burden should not be ours to bear,” wrote one firefighter.
“They need to conduct an actual hiring process. Instead of just picking whoever is willing to be the best puppet to the commissioners! Please start thinking about the community and the firefighters that put their lives on the line daily!” Another responded.
Respondents to the polls had the option to vote to start the process over with new candidates. In the public poll, the start over option received the same amount of votes as Jones with 48%.
In the firefighter poll, the ‘start over’ option received 23%, which was nowhere near the support for Jones, but far more than the votes for Burden, Jackson and Randolf combined.
The comments submitted by both firefighters and the public at large show a large amount of distaste for the way some commissioners and City Administrator Odie Donald went about attempting to shoe-in Burden.
Donald stated that he never had direct contact with the recruiting firm, GovHR. However, emails show that Donald specifically asked the city human resources director to add Burden’s name to the interviewee list even after the representative from GovHR made it clear — not once, but twice — that Burden was not qualified.
“This is a waste of time. The city and the department does (sic) what they want, when they want to. No one in positions cares (sic) about the fire department or the city. They are out for their own and (what) they can get done for themselves,” wrote one firefighter.
MORE: Augusta Firefighters Union Does Not Support Finalist Candidate For Fire Chief
Now that the court injunction against the city has expired, the Administrative Services Committee is set to discuss the fire chief issue on May 25 with District 7 Commissioner Sean Frantom adding to the agenda an item motioning for the commission to “start the hiring process for the fire chief over with the process decided by the Commission.”
Up to this point, Frantom has received criticism for not being as vocal on the matter as his colleagues District 10 Commissioner John Clarke and District 3 Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight. However, his motion to start over seems to show he is tuned into public opinion.
Frantom could not be reached for comment.
Scott Hudson is the Editorial Page Manager for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com.
