Few reportedly on short list for new post

Augusta-Richmond County fire chief among names for job in nation's capital, station says

Web posted May 11, 2000

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 See previous story: Spokeswoman: Fire chief won't leave

By Mark Mathis
Staff Writer

A television station in Washington reported Wednesday that Augusta-Richmond County Fire Chief Ronnie Few is at the top of the list of three fire chief candidates presented to the city's mayor.

Citing sources within the mayor's office and people familiar with the search, WRC-TV (Channel 4) said Chief Few, New York EMS Deputy Chief Paul Maniscalo and former Detroit Deputy Chief Greg Love were the three names submitted to Mayor Anthony Williams this week.

Chief Few would not comment on the report, nor would he reaffirm his claims earlier in the week that he was not leaving Augusta, department spokeswoman Katrice Bryant said.

``We're no longer commenting on that,'' she said.

The remarks made about Chief Few staying were true Monday, Ms. Bryant said, but she wouldn't comment about whether that had changed in the past two days.

Mr. Williams is expected to name a permanent fire chief in the next two weeks, said Jenna Mehnert, chief of staff for Washington's deputy mayor of public safety and justice.

Ms. Mehnert would not confirm the identities of any of the candidates on the list sent to Mr. Williams.

The search to fill the position sped up this week after interim Washington Fire Chief Thomas Nippett resigned Friday over a funding dispute.

Mr. Nippett, who had been the interim chief since December, abruptly left after the city's financial control board overruled the mayor and vetoed a $4 million fire department funding request.

Chief Few has been the top firefighter in Augusta since 1997, when he moved from East Point in Atlanta.

Reach Mark Mathis at (706) 823-3227.