Commissioners approve Prater as EMA director
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The commissioners also approved the plan to hire a full-time maintenance man for the county in another meeting which saw little controversy from the local legislative body.
County Executive Kenneth Rogers was pleased with the commission’s reaction and positive votes.
“They voted unanimously to approve the EMA director,” Rogers said, “and voted unanimously to hire the maintenance man. Everything went really well.”
In an interview yesterday, Prater said he was gratified with the vote and support of the commission.
“I appreciate the county commission putting their confidence in me,” Prater said, “and we’re going to do the best job we can with it.”
Prater said things are already moving along and he plans to address several issues of importance as far as the EMA is concerned.
“We have a lot of stuff in the works,” he said. “We’ve just got to get them ironed out and get them going. We’re working on several grants that we’ve got to get finished up and get back in circulation for the county. And then we’re going to look at trying to broaden some programs and get some of the other agencies involved in it.”
Prater said he plans to keep the current assistant director.
“Right now the assistant director will remain the same,” Prater said. “That’s Jim Cunningham. He’s been in there for a good while, and I’ve talked to Jim and he’s going to stay with us.”
As for the clerical vacancy, created when Richard Myers’ wife resigned along with her husband, Prater said no decision has been made as yet.
Prater said the county’s current status is pretty good as far as the EMA is concerned, but some documentation needs to be updated and that will be one of his first projects.
“I think we’re in fairly decent shape,” he said. “Of course one of the grants involves our Emergency Operations Plan, that we already do have in place and in effect, but it’s got to be updated.”
Rogers said that now the plan to hire a maintenance man has been approved, his office will begin the process of finding an individual to fill the position. Those interested should contact the County Executive’s office for information on the qualifications and how and when to apply.