Longtime Biloxi fire chief 'shocked' to learn some on city council want him removed
Jul. 6—Biloxi Fire Chief
"I'm just as shocked as anyone," Boney said. "I'm not sure what the motive is. We have a (Class) 2 fire rating. We are the top two in the country as far as fire ratings go. I don't know what the agenda is here."
With a top fire rating, residents are able to get lower insurance premiums.
Efforts to remove him as fire chief, Boney said, come at a time when there is a pending investigation into allegations of wrongdoing against a
"There is currently a disciplinary investigation going on with (the battalion chief) and that's where it is at," Boney said, adding that he could not name the subject of the investigation or the specific allegations against him because it's a personnel matter.
"There is no punishment that has been given out at this time," Boney said. "It's still under investigation."
Boney has no idea if the personnel matter has anything to do with an effort not to reappoint him to the post.
"And at this time, I don't have the luxury of discussing it," he said. "But my job as the chief is to protect the city and the employees and they all have due process, and we are going to afford everyone due process."
Mayor
"The mayor fully supports
"He is especially proud of the accomplishments of the
Boney has been a
He joined the department in 1984 and worked his way up through the ranks, becoming one of the department's youngest battalion chiefs in 1993.
He became fire chief in 2013 following his appointment by the late Mayor
Council reacts to fire chief appointment
Council member
Tisdale said those council members who have any objections should also let the people he represents know what the issues are.
Council member
Councilman
"There's going to be a vote on these directors," Glavan said. "Each council member has a vote."
It will take four or more votes of the 7-member council to approve or deny the mayor's recommendation.
Shortly after Glavan and several other current council members were elected 8 years ago, they voted against Holloway's initial recommendation for fire chief. Holloway then recommended Boney and he was approved by the council.
Glavan said if a director is not appointed, "I hope it's a sound decision if somebody's going to vote no."
Chief earns top honors
Since he took over, Boney pushed to get new fire trucks in the city along with new equipment for firefighters to help protect them from carcinogens.
In 2015, the
After joining the fire department in 1984, Boney worked his way up through the ranks to become the youngest battalion chief in 1993.
The award recognized his efforts to organize and lead relief efforts to storm-stricken communities in
At the end of June, Boney became president of the
It's the first time in over 90 years a
During his tenure as a firefighter and chief, Boney also founded the
"I have no idea why this is happening," Boney said. "There is obviously an effort not to reappoint me, and I am just shocked."
Council meets Tuesday night
The
The council could go into executive session to discuss the matter without addressing it with the public, since it is a personnel matter.
___
(c)2021 The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.)
Visit The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.) at www.sunherald.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Detroit Public Library main branch closed through Labor Day for flooding cleanup
Athene Leads Minority Investment In Australia’s Challenger Limited
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News