No plans to hire someone soon
The year long search for a new executive director of the Pierce County Industrial Development Building Authority (IDBA) finally ended with the appointment of Blake James, but the search for a new public safety director might have to wait until next year.
James was officially offered his new role at the IDBA on Sept. 5, replacing former director Matt Carter, who had held the position since 2011. James is set to assume his new responsibilities at the IDBA effective October 1. Who will replace James as public safety director has yet to be decided and according to county officials it will not be decided in the near future.
When asked about hiring someone to fill the vacated public safety position County Manager Raphel Maddox said “we’re not” with no further elaboration. County Commission Chairman Neal Bennett offered a little more info, saying, “We probably won’t look to hire someone until next year.”
James is on record as saying he believes there is someone available with sufficient training ready to step into his shoes as public safety director, but the “will of the county commission will have to go from there.”
The Blackshear Times will follow this story as it develops.
