Starke County is keeping its options open, when it comes to the Emergency Management Agency director position.
Lewis Matzat is leaving the position next Monday, after asking the county commissioners to bump it back up to full-time. During Monday’s meeting, the commissioners agreed to advertise the opening as a part-time job but with the potential for full-time.
EMA Advisory Council member Dave Pearman felt there’s some potential to make it work as a part-time position, such as hiring a military veteran who doesn’t need the benefits or sharing EMA staff with a neighboring county. But advertising the potential for full-time would leave the door open for other experienced candidates, as well.
“It’s kind of a real unique role to fulfill,” Pearman said. “I’ve always said I like the idea of somebody from emergency services. Military would be good, too, I think, just from that chain-of-command structure, things like that.”
Pearman volunteered to handle any EMA duties while the position is vacant, with Brad Hazelton also willing to step in when he’s unavailable.
