Posted by bugman1 (anonymous) on January 1, 2009 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

NEXT TIME THERE IS AN ARTICLE ABOUT FIRES OR FIRE PREVENTION REFER TO DAVID DRIVER AS TEMPORARY FIRE CHIEF.

Posted by bobbyb (anonymous) on January 1, 2009 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Isn't everything temporary? I am, You are, everyone is. This computer I have is and this web site is.. And so is this great buzz I have. So time for another drink.. Happy NEW Year!!!!!

Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 2, 2009 at 7:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bugman, that is "buggin" you to death, isn't it?

Posted by Dowhatsright911 (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why do we have a temporary fire chief? What happened to the previous chief? Looks like he did a good job! IS THERE SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE DEPT? IF THERE IS THEN THE PEOPLE OF CLANTON NEED TO KNOW. SOMEBODY STATED IN THE PAST SOMETHING ABOUT NEPOTISM WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?

Posted by bugman1 (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You are right Dowhatsright911, the previous chief was perfect, but when your uncle is the mayor ANYTHING GOES. That is why nepotism has been mentioned and something needs to be done.

Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on January 3, 2009 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WHOA! Let me look that one up ... hold on! Nepotism! Yeah, that could be some bad stuff. That's one of the "no-no's" in business ethics 101.

Posted by bugman1 (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you look in the city handbook nepotism is in there.

Posted by bugman1 (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Steve, Wikipedia defines nepotism as the showing of favoritism toward relatives and friends, based upon that relationship, rather than on an objective evaluation of ability, or suitability. For instance, offering employment to a relative, despite the fact that there are others who are better qualified and willing to preform the job.
And I am pretty sure that there are others on that dept. that are more qualified than this Driver fellow.

Posted by danwright (Dan Wright) on January 4, 2009 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There has only been one perfect human being to ever walk this Earth and it was not the previous Clanton Fire Chief.

Certifications held by the individuals being discussed through the Alabama Fire College, source: Alabama Fire College

Teel:
http://www.alabamafirecollege.net/pr_ind...

Driver:
http://www.alabamafirecollege.net/pr_ind...

Posted by DonyaDriverJohnson (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks Dan Wright!! Even though I am David's sister, I didn't realize just how qualified he is for the job as Clanton Fire Chief. As far as bugman, why does it bother you so much that you feel it necessary to continually comment on the fact that David is considered fire chief? I found your definition of nepotism but you left out some of the rest.

"Nepotism is the act of favoring one's family members in a situation where doing so is considered inappropriate. For instance, a manager in a firm is generally expected to promote the most competent persons, in order that the firm may succeed. For that manager to promote an incompetent relative over a more-qualified employee is nepotism."

My understanding is that if a person is NOT qualified than it is nepotism. If I am understanding you correctly, people should be punished for being in the family of a person in power whether qualified or not, is this correct? Do you actually think that Uncle Bill(Billy Joe) can just take and give jobs without the consideration of the City Council? If that is the case than why do we spend so much time and effort electing a City Council?
Also, Steven or as I know you Steve, I am going to try and believe that you were not insinuating that we are inbred. I hope that you were just trying to lighten the mood.

Posted by NoSugar (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is my understanding that David Driver has been appointed by the City Council as Interim Fire Chief. This usually means that a department is in a transitionary period as was the Police Department a few months ago. Some times these appointments are temporary and some times they are made permanent.

I do not believe any one should be appointed because of who they know but as kws said above many of us are related in Chilton County. I do not believe that should automatically disqualify any one.

I do believe most vacancies should be filled from within when qualified applicants exist within a department. It is my understanding that only 5 individuals within the department hold the desired certifications to be qualified as a fire chief according the Alabama Fire College's standards, although other requirements can be required by each individual political subdivision.

David Driver is a career firefighter for Prattville. Ashley Teel works for Alabama Power. Per the website listed above David Driver holds far more certifications than Ashley Teel. David Driver has also grown up in the volunteer fire service and been very close to various other aspects of public service. This speaks volumes about who is more qualified.

Clearly our elected officials thought a change needed to be made. I am inclined to believe that this was because of the growth we will be experiencing with Jeff State. The growth will likely bring the need for a more qualified fire chief who can devote more time the departments activities.

David Driver shows a genuine love for the fire service and people of this county. He seems to be an all around good person, although some disagree. He also shows character and integrity, which as I have said before are very desirable qualities for leaders. We would be very fortunate to have him as our fire chief as this city moves forward.

I believe we have elected good people to our City Council. I think they will be very fair in appointing a permanent fire chief, and choose the most qualified applicant. I really hope that happens soon so bugman can be assured that The Advertiser Staff is using the correct wording when referring to the fire chief.

Posted by Ohara3 (anonymous) on January 11, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ashley Teel did serve for many years as Clanton's fire chief. No one is perfect but the fire department ran smoothly and effectively for these years under Ashley Teel. Often it was said that Clanton had a good fire department and one that it could be proud of. If there is such a thing as a born fireman, Ashley Teel is one. He began as a volunteer for the Gap of the Mountain Fire Department for no pay simply because of community service. After moving into Clanton, he decided to apply to join their fire department and was accepted without any problem. He was a volunteer when at the removal of Ronnie Terrell as chief, he was asked by the men of the department to become their chief. He was voted into the position by the men of the department except one vote and served in that position at the pleasure of the city council and the mayor until recently. He served tirelessly and honorably with dedication to the men of the department and the community of Clanton. Much of the time he dedicated to the department could have been well spent with his family but he chose to serve his community.

Yes, Ashley Teel works for Alabama Power Company in their Safety Department where he teaches and has to be prepared for all kinds of safety situations which this experience from there could only serve to benefit the community.....and by the way, his paternal grandfather, Durwood Teel was a Clanton Volunteer Fire Department member in the 1920's. I do not think he is kin to any one of the council members or the mayor. He just loves being a fireman and you can not find a young man with better leadership qualities, character and integrity as he. He has long told the city council and the mayor that he did not want the job nor have time for the job when the time came for a full time chief but there is a problem with nepotism in the running of the Clanton Fire Department. A fire department needs to be working together as a team. It can be dangerous if they do not. Fire fighting used to be the number one most dangerous occupation that one could have, and I guess it still is. Any fire chief needs people skills as well as certifications. Clanton's Fire Department is in a shambles right now as a result of going around the city's own regulations and rules hand book in the placement of the new fire chief. The morale of the men is at a big time low....and the men (volunteers) are the backbone of a good volunteer fire department. I am not convinced that Clanton is ready for or needs a full time chief now. Any money spent on a full time chief could and should be better spent on volunteers and equipment.

Posted by Levelheadedinclanton (anonymous) on January 12, 2009 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No one is arguing that Ashley Teel did what he could for the Clanton Fire Department. There were good times and bad as with any organization under any leader. The problem was that no progress was being made. No training being conducted. No accountability for for actions, or lack of action. Ohara3 stated that firefighting is the most dangerous job to have. I agree. But without proper training, it is even more dangerous. Without organized leadership, it is even more dangerous.

Nepotism has been discussed multiple times. The definition has been given within the comments of this article. Nepotism is not a problem at the fire department. David Driver was not appointed because he is the Mayors nephew. I was told by a previous council person that the Mayor did not want to appoint David because of all of the gossip that has come from it. David was appointed by the city council...not the Mayor. It was David's qualifications that moved the city council to appoint him. Qualifications in the form of formal fire service training classes, fire service experience, and experience and knowledge of the City of Clanton. He has the focus and vision to lead the Clanton Fire Department into the future, regardless of his last name. He is working to make the department proactive, instead of reactive. Keep the members and the citizens safe before tragedy strikes, as much as possible, instead of making changes in response to a tragedy that could be prevented.

Ohara3 also stated that morale is at a "big time low." That is because David Driver is raising the bar. He is expecting "the men," as Ohara3 put it, to come into the 21st century of firefighting and emergency medical service. There are standards that all firefighters and EMT's are required to meet, whether they are volunteer or career. Standards that help to ensure that the citizens of Clanton get the same quality of service that the citizens of any city or community get. Just because things have "always been done that way" doesn't mean that they have always been done right. Change is often resisted, as it is now with the Clanton Fire Department, but the changes that are taking place are for the good of the city and the citizens of Clanton.

Posted by bugman1 (anonymous) on January 12, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The problem with David being chief is that there are others on the fire department that are more qualified and have more experience in a higher position on a full time fire department. We feel that they would make a great cheif if given a chance. Why not let the clanton fire dept members vote on who they want as chief.

Posted by seriously (anonymous) on January 14, 2009 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Now that bugman has revealed that he/she is a disgruntled member of the department that is against change a lot of questions are answered.

Posted by NoSugar (anonymous) on January 14, 2009 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said, level head. Bugman our growing city has great potential, we have come a long way. It is time to raise the professionalism in the fire department to meet our growing needs. It should be operated like the professional city department it can be, staffed with the most qualified people to do the job, not as a social club based on popularity votes.

Posted by DonyaDriverJohnson (anonymous) on January 15, 2009 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I want to start off by saying, Steve your apology is accepted, no offense taken. I really didn't think that you meant anything by it but thanks to you and your wife.

Now, I would like to say that I am tired of the word nepotism, it is only used when the situations and circumstances are not going the way people expect them. It is being used as a defense or an excuse. Please let's just move on. The real issue is that some didn't like it because David is now the fire chief and Ashley is not. I truly do understand the disappointments that come with you or a family member feeling like they have been treated unjustly, our family has had our share of this, it has happened to me.(believe it or not, we are not exempt because our last name is Driver) No one will remember what happened to you, they will only remember how you and your family members handled it.

As far as the fire department, it is what "the men" make out of it. The way I see it is that the City Council voted on the rules and regulations, now it is up to "the men" to follow them or resign, the choice is their's. After all this is a job and if you stay at the same job long enough you will go through changes, some you will think are wonderful and some you will think stink but either way you have to go through them. If "the men" choose to let this situation grow then, No, it is not going to get better.

Bugman just let it go! This much energy could be spent in a much better way.

Posted by seriously (anonymous) on January 15, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bugman,

What qualifies the members of the department to "elect" a Chief that they feel would make the best choice? Remember, those are your words.

Since you are stuck on neopotism prove to us that this person that "we" want is the most qualified. It should be easy to do, right?

While we are at it tell us what other City departments let their personnel "elect" their boss (read Chief) and co-workers. It seems that this is a bigger issue than the change of leadership.

It is obvious your priorities are in the wrong place. A true public servant would take this change and make it work for the community. Your comments more than prove that you are concerned with yourself rather than serving the community.

And to ohara, born firefighter does not equal Fire Chief, they have different roles in an organization.

Posted by KevinDriver (anonymous) on January 15, 2009 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Over the past few weeks, several people have had a lot to say on the subject of Clanton's new fire chief. Some of these comments have been in favor of Chief Driver and some have been against. However, one word that keeps coming up is nepotism. Based on some of the above comments, nepotism can mean several things. However, being David's brother, I personally know what some of these people are insinuating. To these people, I would like to say that you should be ashamed of yourselves because even though you call yourself "Bugman" and various other silly names, you can't hide the fact that you know David. Because you know David, you also know that he would never make a change in the department for person reasons. Your comments, however, prove that your personal gain comes before the needs of the citizens of Clanton. David truly loves the fire service, especially the Clanton Fire Department, and would never use any position for personal reasons. If you will decide that you love the Clanton Fire Department as much as you want everyone to think you do, Clanton will be a better place to live.