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Cocke Fire Civil; Service
Members of the Cocke County Public Safety Committee this week moved ahead on plans to establish a civil service program for the county fire department. County Attorney Carter Moore said he believes the state legislature will have to pass a private act establishing a board before the pan can be initiated. And he pointed out that the legislature is in adjournment and won't meet again until next year. Member Clayton "Skip" Ellison, himself a county fireman, asked Moore to request an attorney general's opinion on moving ahead, "and accepting this and getting all of our people lined up for the board, pending the legislatures approval. They've never turned down a request for such a board." Moore agreed to ask State Representative Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) to make the request. Although the proposed regulations are patterned after the Newport fire charter, committee members asked for several changes. The salary scale in the fire department will be set by the legislative body, not the civil service board. Also applicants for the civil service test will be asked to pass a physical fitness test before applying. Ellison pointed out that the cost will be $10 per applicant and he expressed concern that some who take the test may not be able to pass the physical requirements, costing the county for the testing. The EMA Director and his staff will not be covered by the regulations. The board will be made up of one member chosen by the firefighters, one by the county legislative, and the third is to chosen by the first two members. If they cannot agree on a third member, the clb and the firefighters will each choose four individuals, and the eight will chose the third board member. The committee voted to recommend that the legislative choose Shannon Ball as it's representative on the civil service board. Ball is a Newport City firefighter. Committee Chair Calvin Ball pointed out that county firefighters are ineligible to serve on the civil service board, "and so Newport firefighters shouldn't either." But Moore pointed out that county firefighters are not eligible because they are directly affected by decisions of the board. Member Shalee McClure Benson argued for having a member on the board who is familiar with firefighting. Tennessee law prohibits an employee under civil service from political campaigning while on the job, but the local regulations will include that prohibition as well.
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The fireflies are coming!
Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
Gas prices drop
Tennessee keeps all US House seats
Monday, April 26, 2021
Boat accident victim ID'd
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
Cocke County Wildfires
Friday, April 23, 2021
Leaving WNPC
Mathis announces candidacy
Newport drug roundup
Cruise Against Cancer
Jobless numbers
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