Commissioners Willie Mays (center) and Lee Beard (right) and businessman James Riles spoke in support of Ronnie Few at the capital Wednesday. RON THOMAS/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Few addresses allegations

Web posted September 28, 2000

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  WRDW-TV: Supporters speak out for Ronnie Few

By Heidi Coryell
Staff Writer

WASHINGTON - Augusta officials painted their former fire chief as an honest man persecuted by biased media before Washington City Council members, who had questions Wednesday about ongoing investigations and possible legal action against him in Georgia.

Seeking appointment as fire chief of the nation's capital, Ronnie Few defended himself in front of a council judiciary panel regarding alleged wrongdoings during his four-year tenure in the Garden City.

``I never did anything wrong or knew anyone who did anything wrong,'' Chief Few said. ``I would never jeopardize myself ... or embarrass myself.''

Wearing a navy uniform with the District of Columbia's seal on the sleeve, Chief Few shook hands with friends and colleagues who turned out to support him at Wednesday's hearing.

Augusta Commissioners Lee Beard and Marion Williams and Mayor Pro Tem Willie Mays arrived in Washington on Tuesday to take part in the hearing for Chief Few, who left Augusta in July to become acting fire chief in the District of Columbia. An Augusta convenience store owner and resident of the city, James Riles, also spoke on his behalf.

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

They were among more than 20 people who showed up to support Chief Few and reassure Washington officials that he is the most qualified and responsible candidate to be appointed full-time chief of the district's Department of Fire and Ambulance Services.

Chief Few's supporters touted his accomplishments while in Augusta, including the improvement in department morale, the introduction of female firefighters to the force and the securing of more than $20 million in funding for new and renovated fire stations.

But they spent a larger portion of their time dismissing articles and editorials that appeared in The Augusta Chronicle about problems that have plagued the Augusta Richmond County Fire Department during Chief Few's tenure.

"When you read the lines, also read between the lines,'' said Mr. Mays, referring to Augusta news accounts circulating among city council members. "There are people in Augusta who don't allow folk to win, who have made character assassinations the first order of business.''

Washington City Council members were concerned about an ongoing investigation of Chief Few's former department, which includes probing of alleged mismanagement of a ``media awards'' bank account and outstanding bills for a fire chief's conference.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents used warrants to seize fire department records last week after it was determined there was probable cause to suspect that department employees had committed crimes, District Attorney Danny Craig said.

But some council members said Augusta commissioners' testimony put the investigations "into perspective.''

Officials blamed the negative publicity surrounding Chief Few on prejudiced attitudes at The Chronicle and in city government.

"We are in 2000, but in Augusta, we're still thinking in the 1960s,'' Mr. Williams said. "Black and whites.''

Mr. Riles said the lack of trust between black officials and The Chronicle caused them to withhold information from reporters earlier this week about their planned testimony in Washington.

A group of witnesses from East Point, Ga., - including the city's mayor - also testified on Chief Few's behalf. Chief Few worked in the Atlanta suburb for more than 20 years before arriving in Augusta.

Council member Harold Brazil, who is chairman of the judiciary committee and moderated the hearing, is one of many Washington officials who has announced his support of Chief Few.

"Those things are out there in the public record. And you can address them and I'm hopeful we can walk away from them today,'' Mr. Brazil said.

Although Chief Few has been acting chief of the department since July, he must receive at least three votes from the Washington City Council's five-member judiciary panel to win a recommendation and have his appointment moved before the full commission.

That vote is not expected until next month, after comments from Wednesday's hearing have had a two-week period of public disclosure, a press secretary said.

One of Chief Few's detractors also was on the agenda to speak Wednesday. Dorothy Brizill, who represents a District of Columbia watchdog group, said she was not impressed by what Augusta officials had to say.

"They attribute all Few's problems to the fact that he is a black man and he lives in a racist society,'' Ms. Brizill said. "(Former Washington Mayor) Marion Barry always played the race card. The last thing this city needs is a new Marion Barry.''

Reach Heidi Coryell at (706) 823-3215.

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