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Dow leak sidetracks search for new chief
Published November 3, 2009
FREEPORT — City Manager Jeff Pynes said he still is reviewing applications for top cop, and city officials expect to be on schedule with a new police chief by year’s end.
Pynes said focus on a pipeline leak at Dow Chemical that caused 65 homes in some of the city’s northernmost neighborhoods to be evacuated led to the police chief search being shelved last week.
“The evacuation kind of threw us off, but I’ve got the data and we’ve got a strong citizens review board, and we’re just going through their recommendations,” Pynes said. “But I don’t think anything is delayed, this is just part of the process.”
City staff began searching for a new chief during the summer, after Pynes resigned to take over as city manager. Pynes had been handling both police chief and acting city manager duties since late 2008, when City Council fired former City Manager Gary Beverly.
Thirteen people have applied for the police chief position, including a Houston police lieutenant and Surfside Beach Police Chief Randy Smith.
Pynes said there are no front-runners.
“What’s important is spending the necessary time to fill it with the right person for the job,” he said.
City officials have said they are looking for someone who is a critical thinker who treats people fairly and has compassion.
Nathaniel Lukefahr covers Freeport for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0151.
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