Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz announced today that he’s asked Police Chief Richard Eddington to supervise the Fire Department on an interim basis.
Fire Chief Greg Klaiber is retiring next week, and Bobkiewicz says the city “will conduct its own nationwide recruitment process” to fill the vacancy.
The city manager says he hopes the new fire chief will start work Jan. 1.
He says Eddington will supervise the Fire Department’s deputy and division chiefs in the meantime, but operation of the Fire Department will otherwise continue as usual.
Why not promote the deputy chief?
This makes about as much sense as putting ketchup on a hot dog. Some people do it but not many. Chief Eddington may or may not be able to do the job but how much does he know about Chief Klaiber's job? Why not let the Deputy Chief do the job since he already knows the job. At least, he should know the job. He should be a candidate for the permanent position.
Personal grudge
I’m sure this has NOTHING to do with the fact that the current Deputy Chief was the Firefighters Union president at a time when the City Manager thought cutting fire staffing (already below national standards) would be a good idea, and was promptly shown the errors of his ways.
But I’m sure that’s just a coincidence…
Deputy Fire Chief
You got that right….and everyone should assume that he will not get the Chief’s job when posted……except that it should be the logical choice….but then, how many logical choices are made by WB.
Too Many Hats
So, the Police Chief doesn’t already have too much on his plate already? Or did the shootings, attempted rapes and robberies get taken care of while I wasn’t looking? No offence to Chief Eddington, but the City Manager’s idea might work in smaller, quiet suburbs… It ain’t gonna fly here. The citizens should be outraged that the City Manager seems more concerned about past personal grudges than the safety of the people of Evanston.
Agree. Why not promote the deputy chief?
There's a reason there is a Deputy Chief, just like there's a reason for a Vice President. They can take over when the Chief is unavailable. Uh, the Chief is unavailable. We should ask out Alderperson why this is so.