Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Tennessee legislature declines to intervene in Cocke County Fire Civil Service Board dispute
The Tennessee legislature has declined to intervene in an on-going battle between the Cocke County CLB and Mayor Crystal Ottinger regarding a fire civil service board. In April, 2016 members of the Cocke County Legislative Body(CLB) approved a plan to establish a Fire Civil Service Board for the county fire department. Commissioner Love Henderson said her research showed the CLB in 2000 had voted to establish such a civil service board but it never was set-up. The board was enacted over the objections of Mayor Ottinger, who in the past hired firemen, and who recently fired Fire Chief William Smallwood. In a January meeting, the county Fire Civil Service Board put the finishing touches on plans to hire a new firefighter which is funded under the current county budget, but which is opposed by the mayor. Because there are varying views with regard to state law and the establishment of a fire civil service board, the CLB asked State Attorney General Herbert Slattery to render a decision on the legality of the board. Earlier this year the AG declined to issue an opinion saying the issue is a local one. In an effort to clear the air, the CLB asked State RepresentativeJeremy Faison ansd Senator Steve Southerland to pass a bill specifically giving the county authority to establish a fire civil service board. But Tuesday Faison issued as statement on his social media site saying that the Local Government Committees in the two chambers have decided against taking any action. He says there is a precedent with the executive branch to have “checks and balances” when it comes to the hiring and firing of a position. Faison says he understands the CLB wanting to have a part in that decision making. “That being said, I have often said that I believe in local control and that Nashville and DC should never be bullies or try and force their way,” the lawmaker said. Faison added that the committees, “are not willing to intervene on this local issue. The people of Cocke County have elected the CLB and the mayor for 'local' work.” He encouraged local residents to “continue to reach out to your mayor and CLB members and express your desires”. So where does that leave the Cocke County Fire Civil Service Board? Cocke County Attorney Carter Moore, Tuesday afternoon told the NewsSource, " I've opined that our current civil service board is illegal, at the last meeting and at an earlier meetings. So I guess they now will go back to the drawing board or do something. They were wanting me to report back (on the legislature's action) and I will be able to report that the motion failed".


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