Hiring decision for fire department assistance tabled; prosecutor appointment came down to straws

The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors delayed the approval of hiring an employee to assist the volunteer fire departments in the county and they also appointed a new county prosecutor by a draw of straws.

Emergency Management Director and Fire Services Coordinator Danny Manley had discussed and received approval at a previous board meeting to move forward with selecting a person to assist him with administration work with those voluntary fire departments who wanted help with administrative paperwork.

The administrative help would be available to all the fire departments, but not mandatory according to Manley. Manley would also take the responsibility of overseeing the expenditures of the fire departments to ensure the money was being spent on items needed and the money drawn from the correct county account for each department.

At Monday’s meeting, when Manley made a request to hire the person at a salary of $36,000.00 and a motion was made to accept the request, District 3 Supervisor Hudson Holliday asked for the process to be stopped and at which time he voiced concerns about the need for this person. Holliday said he had met with individuals with the fire departments that were not on board with this move. Manley responded saying that he had met with those involved and did not get that feedback and told Holliday that some of those people may not be telling him (Holliday) the truth.