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Terry Knowles confirmed as Chattanooga fire chief amid council concerns about interview process
Summary
The City Council confirmed Mayor Kelly's appointment of Terry Knowles as Chattanooga's fire chief. Two council members abstained, citing concerns about the hiring process; several colleagues and Mayor Kelly defended the selection and the process used by interview committees.
The Chattanooga City Council on Aug. 5 confirmed Mayor Mack Kelly's appointment of Terry Knowles as the city's next fire chief.
Councilman Kelvin Henderson moved the confirmation; the motion passed with seven yes votes and two abstentions. Councilwoman Dotley and Vice Chairwoman Noel said they would abstain, citing concerns about the interview process rather than the appointee himself.
"While I respect the individual selected, I have concerns about the selection process," Councilwoman Dotley said before recording her abstention. "With that in mind, I remain fully committed to supporting the Chattanooga Fire Department, its personnel, the incoming chief, and their continued efforts to serve our community with excellence."
Vice Chairwoman Noel also said she supported Knowles personally but criticized the process, calling it "flawed" and saying she had raised concerns with the administration. In contrast, Councilman Henderson, who said he served on a second-round interview committee, described a scoring matrix used in the first two rounds and said he believed the most qualified candidate had been chosen. "From sitting in on that committee, I believe that the most ... qualified person was chosen," Henderson said.
Mayor Mack Kelly, who said the decision was ultimately his, defended the administration's hiring and said the three finalists were all strong candidates. "We've done a great job of cultivating talent in the department ... but there can only be one, and that was my decision," the mayor said.
Terry Knowles addressed the council after confirmation. "I wanna first off thank Mayor Kelly for this incredible opportunity ... to serve the men and women of this outstanding department," Knowles said, calling the appointment humbling and pledging to support department personnel.
The council recorded two abstentions and seven yes votes; the clerk announced the confirmation immediately after the roll call. No vote against the confirmation was recorded.
Ending: Council members who expressed concerns said they intend to press for a clearer, more uniform hiring process for future executive selections even as they pledged to support the confirmed chief and department staff.
