AuburnPub.com - Hammon named Auburn's provisional fire chief

Hammon named Auburn's provisional fire chief

By: The Citizen staff report

Monday, April 30, 2007 3:52 PM EDT

Choosing years of leadership over tests scores, City Manager Mark Palesh has appointed a former Auburn firefighter who had once left for a western New York department.

Charles Michael Hammon will become the city's provisional fire chief.

The Batavia Fire Department captain will head the department starting Wednesday.

He will serve as provisional chief until he takes the promotional exam in November, at which point he must score among the top three to remain chief permanently.

Hammon will make $73,600, according to the city's budget.

Last fall, Mayor Timothy Lattimore and then Interim City Manager Michael Long explored bringing Hammon on as either fire chief or public safety commissioner.

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There are 21 comment(s)

Firefighter's Son wrote on May 1, 2007 2:52 PM:

" Overspending for Overtime...writes that "renewed blood is not a bad thing." Isn't it possible that the two candidates (currently employed as members of the AFD) if given the opportunity to work on the overtime problems that the fire department faces, might have come up with an adequate solution? Again, my point of building a team from within the ranks. "

Tired of overspending for overtime wrote on May 1, 2007 11:47 AM:

" Renewed blood is not a bad thing. We may see positive changes happen instead of the same old thing all over again. Staying in the same job, position, location for years on end tends to put one in a rut, kind of like a hamster in a wheel. Change is good. Let's not condemn the situation before it is in place. So many nay sayers in this forum seem to have issues with spelling and grammer. What might that lead one to believe? "

John wrote on May 1, 2007 11:09 AM:

" Everyone supports the firefighters and their jobs. however, the fire union has held reign over the city finances for the last 4 years causing xtreme expenditures. The union failed to pitch in last year when 3o layoffs of other city employees was threatened. the current Coity Council has given C.M. Palsh his orders and he is doing their bidding so they don't have to bear the heat on this issue.The firefighters had their chance to prevent this outside appointment as Chief but failed to step to the plate in time to prevent it. "

I can't stop myself wrote on May 1, 2007 10:46 AM:

" ...and one more thing(Mr Palesh), explain to those who pay your salary, your track record from the previous municipalities. "

Curious wrote on May 1, 2007 10:42 AM:

" Mr. Palesh, please tell the citizens exactly how many years of command experience your interim has? "

what? wrote on May 1, 2007 9:21 AM:

" Even if he scores in the top three they still look at the promotional list first. Hammon for a year. "

Firefighter's Son wrote on May 1, 2007 9:06 AM:

" I believe that Mayor Lattimore and Mark Palesh missed an opportunity to really build "a team". Mark Palesh should be building a team from within the city of Auburn. He had two very qualified candidates to choose from. While I'm glad that the choice for provisional chief is a former member of the Auburn Fire Dept.; the opportunity to build morale and show support from our leaders has been missed. "

Rk wrote on May 1, 2007 8:09 AM:

" Palesh can't honor his own contract,then brings in an outsider as a PROVISIONAL chief. Hammon is a squatter, He left Auburn to go some where else and said he's already applyed two other places for chief job. Morabito has 6 years as a captain, scored higher than Hammon on the last test and Morabito will stick around. What are you going to do when Hammon doesn't score high enough on the next test? Keep giving him tests until he does. Auburn at its finest. Well Tim you got till Nov. to find 1497 more jobs. You've hired a secertary,(2) won't count the first one,a city manager and now a fire chief,keep up the good work. "

R W A wrote on May 1, 2007 8:01 AM:

" It no wonder moral sucks. Hire from within the city and the dept. "

taxed to the max wrote on May 1, 2007 7:17 AM:

" This is a good move. It is high time the city made a positive move with this fire department. They have been running slipshod over this city for years, they are the reason we are in a deficit situation. That department needs to be reorganized. "

Same Old Stuff! wrote on May 1, 2007 6:52 AM:

" The Auburn politics will NEVER change. Why not appoint from within the department where people work with and understand the problems and may be able improve the situations. If he does not score in the top 3 in November, your city manager should be admonished for his present deed. Did he have a selection committee for the new Fire Chief's position? A committee would be better than just one person selecting an applicant. Auburn NEVER EVER changes. No wonder people are leaving and those who left years ago do not even return for a visit! While this new appointee may do a good job, he left Auburn once....will he leave Auburn again? "

fritz wrote on May 1, 2007 5:53 AM:

" good get rid of that whole dept.overpaid under worked. bring in the volunteers!! "

was1 wrote on May 1, 2007 12:09 AM:

" I support the 16 man minimum, they do need to train, and they do need to eat (trips to Wingman�s) I Think we need the fire dept. to be ready and able to respond to all the crazy stuff they go to�. So now let�s take a look at the (BS) I think we can get people to do that same job for a lot less money. Auburn has been bullied around by the AFD union too Long, Time to go and reevaluate the cities needs. I�m not saying cut them out but make the pay more resizable. 60k a year for a job that you sleep at is a bit much. I say we give them all they need to do the job safely but look at the cost to us tax payers. good luck Mike!! "

Guts wrote on Apr 30, 2007 10:11 PM:

" Another "Bobble Head" Yes" man. Just what the Eskimo kid and the Y-Feild Yanker wanted, just like old times right Timmy. "

confused wrote on Apr 30, 2007 9:58 PM:

" vinny - what do you mean at the expense of the citizens they protect? "

confused.... wrote on Apr 30, 2007 9:54 PM:

" I'm sorry, vinny, but I really don't understand your comment. How are things going to change at our (the citizens they protect) expense? "

Don wrote on Apr 30, 2007 9:39 PM:

" Bye bye Lattimore in November. The Capt should of came from the dept. Is that why Quill was ran out??? "

vinny the guinea wrote on Apr 30, 2007 9:17 PM:

" AFD this is the start of the end of the gravy train. It's over. You guys do a great job but now things are going to change, and at the expense of the citizens you protect. "

S.W. wrote on Apr 30, 2007 7:55 PM:

" THAT IS "NOT" FARE TO OUR LOCAL FIREMEN TO GIVE THE JOB TO SOMEONE OUTSIDE. IT SHOULD BE WITHIN THE DEPT. "

Leonardo wrote on Apr 30, 2007 7:21 PM:

" Pack your bags Palesh. You and Lattimore will be gone by November. "

MGD wrote on Apr 30, 2007 6:49 PM:

" Good luck...you reap what you sow "

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Hammon named Auburn's provisional fire chief

The Citizens' Say

There are 21 comment(s)

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