Brian Green, a spokesman for a local citizens group, defends Augusta Fire Chief Ronnie Few against unfavorable reports in the media. JEFF JANOWSKI/STAFF

Group hits media for Few squabble

Concerned Citizens of Richmond County says fire chief should be allowed to assume new job without controversy

Web posted June 14, 2000

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By Mark Mathis
Staff Writer

A citizen's group Tuesday condemned the controversy surrounding Ronnie Few's nomination to become the next fire chief of Washington.

OTHER STORIES: • Fire chief nears OK for Washington job • Chief answers questions • Capital supports fire chief • Few addresses allegations • Augustans back Few in capital • Agents confiscate fire records • Fire official resigns from department • Few pays $642 bill for calls • Officials' phone bills top $1,000 • Mayor is unsettled by debts • Chiefs group covers late bill • Chiefs' bill goes unpaid • Ex-fire chief bids farewell to Augusta • Group hits media for Few squabble • Fire chief reports to grand jury • Few faces final vote by D.C. council • Few accepts D.C. job

``The present controversy surrounding Chief Few's appointment is unwarranted,'' said Brian Green, a board member of Concerned Citizens of Richmond County, a community-based organization that focuses on local issues.

The source of the contention are reports by Washington and Augusta media about the Augusta fire chief's involvement with the special grand jury investigating city government, Mr. Green said.

While the current grand jury and its predecessor have not directly accused Chief Few of any wrongdoing, the chief said Thursday that his ``third or fourth'' appearance before jurors was made that day.

Chief Few has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing by him or his department and has said that the grand jury asked him questions about his administrative philosophy.

Because the investigation into the fire department is just one part of a larger probe, Mr. Green said the media should leave the issue alone.

``If a guy's leaving, he's out of here, whether you like him or not,'' he said. ``Let's focus on the county commission we have here if we want to hold an investigation on the inner workings of the county government and the system that's been in place for years and the reason why we're stagnant here in our community.''

Chief Few, who is scheduled to take over the Washington job July 10, said he did not know the specifics of the Concerned Citizens' press conference and would not comment.

``I'm at peace,'' he said. ``I'm not mad with anybody now. All I want to do now is keep working, because they're still paying me. I'm going to keep working for the citizens until my last day.''

Reach Mark Mathis at (706) 823-3227.