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Carthage council appoints Jason Martin as fire chief after public support and council debate
Summary
The mayor’s appointment of interim Chief Jason Martin to the permanent fire chief post was approved by council after public comments urging the appointment and council discussion about process. Martin thanked colleagues and referenced recent difficult calls handled by the department.
The Carthage City Council voted on March 11 to accept the mayor's appointment of Jason Martin as city fire chief, following public comment and council discussion.
Resident Misty White urged the council to appoint Martin, saying, "Jason Martin is the finest candidate for the position," and urging the council to restore public trust by moving the appointment forward. Several other speakers — including council members who serve on hiring panels — also spoke in favor of Martin.
Councilmember Peterson addressed earlier procedural concerns and said those were his reason for a prior "no" vote in committee, but he told the council he would vote for Martin at the March 11 meeting. Peterson said, "at no time have I ever questioned interim chief Martin's skill, competency, and ability to fight fires and be a fire chief."
The mayor put the mayoral appointment to a voice vote; council members voiced "aye" and the motion carried. The motion on the record was "to accept the appointment" of Jason Martin as City of Carthage fire chief. No roll-call tally was recorded in the public minutes; the transcript shows a voice vote and the chair declared the motion carried.
Interim Chief Martin thanked the council for the support, saying the interim period had been a chance to demonstrate capability and that "nothing worth having comes easy." He also referred to a recent difficult call, describing a drowning of a young child that affected the department and said he appreciated a planned debrief for personnel.
Several council members publicly said they intended to vote to confirm Martin. The appointment was the subject of public comment earlier in the meeting; Misty White urged the council to put the question back before the hiring committee if needed, and other speakers offered testimony about Martin's conduct and qualifications.
This was a formal mayoral appointment considered and accepted by voice vote at the March 11 meeting.
