Chief answers questions

Web posted September 29, 2000

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By Heidi Coryell
Staff Writer

WASHINGTON - When Ronnie Few departed for the nation's capital, he left Augusta with an abundance of questions but few answers.

At first, they were questions about his appearances before a special grand jury investigating city government operations.

Then, after he became acting chief of the District of Columbia's Department of Fire and Ambulance Services, more questions surfaced about unpaid phone bills, problems with a ``media awards'' bank account and outstanding bills for a fire chief's conference. He never has returned phone calls from The Augusta Chronicle seeking comment on the matters.

But by the time Chief Few left the Washington City Hall building Wednesday night, he had answered most of those questions, some better than others.

District of Columbia City Council members spent about an hour Wednesday directing questions at Chief Few as part of a seven-hour judiciary hearing that precedes his confirmation as full-time chief.

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

Chief Few explained that his department has been scrutinized largely because he was an agent of change, implementing new policies that did not sit well with traditionalists in the system.

For example, his decision to provide pay raises to some employees and not others ruffled the feathers of some older firefighters. He said his training incentive programs were too innovative for those used to being handed their raises and promotions without working for them.

``I couldn't give raises to everyone,'' he said.

As for the unpaid cell phone bills, he said the $2,855.48 figure for phone calls he made from January to June is misleading. A fire chief is required to call constituents. And he told city officials in Augusta that he overpaid the amount due.

Augusta City Administrator Randy Oliver said he was not aware that Chief Few had overpaid any of his cell phone bills.

Does he know why the city's former Public Information Officer Katrice Bryant resigned?

``No, but it doesn't surprise me that she left,'' he said. ``The position of PIO is one that I organized. I don't think Augusta really understood the position.''

Augusta commissioners have discussed eliminating the position when a new chief is hired in coming months.

Chief Few also said he had not heard from Ms. Bryant since she resigned.

``I think she just left,'' he said. ``I lost track of her when I came up here.''

A variety of questions concerning his department's role in a countywide special grand jury investigation prompted mostly vague answers.

``I'm not the best person to answer questions about the grand jury investigation,'' Mr. Few said. ``I've done no wrong, so I'm not concerned about it.''

He addressed concerns about a probe into alleged mismanagement of a ``media awards'' bank account and outstanding bills for a fire chief's conference with similar responses.

``I would be speculating,'' he said. ``I don't deal with a lot of money. I'm not trying to be evasive, but I'm trying to make sure things are set in stone, and I feel like it's structured very soundly.''

He said he is innocent and has done nothing that would cause him to be indicted.

``I've done the right thing,'' he said, speaking not only to the Washington council members, but also to a room full of firefighters and Washington area television crews and reporters. ``I've done absolutely nothing wrong.''

So, why the silence?

``My experience there in Augusta stays there,'' Chief Few said. ``I enjoyed my time there, but I'm here now.''

Reach Heidi Coryell at (706) 823-3215.

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