MOUNT VERNON — During a special meeting of the Knox County Emergency Management Executive Board, Thursday afternoon, board members unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Knox County EMA/Homeland Security Director Marie Blubaugh submitted by Blubaugh before the meeting.
Blubaugh’s resignation letter, read to the board by Assistant Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville, stated she had made the decision after meeting with her attorney. The resignation was effective immediately. The special meeting had been scheduled last week by the board to discuss the future of Blubaugh’s employment amidst allegations of misconduct.
Allegations against Blubaugh had included the misuse of her assigned county vehicle, a lack of communication by the director with her staff, and the forwarding of a recorded phone call between Deputy EMA Director Brian Hess and Mount Vernon Fire Chief Shawn Christy to Fredericktown EMS Chief Rick Lanuzza without the knowledge of Hess or Christy.
EMS Board Chairman Allen Stockberger said the board had been made aware of Blubaugh’s alleged misconduct Feb. 17, one day after the board voted to renew Blubaugh’s employment and raise her salary by 3 percent.
The board met in an emergency special meeting Feb. 19 to place Blubaugh on a paid administrative two-week leave while the allegations were investigated.
Board members placed Hess in the position of Interim EMA Director during the Feb. 19 meeting. The board voted during Thursday’s meeting to retain Hess as interim director until a decision is announced about the hiring process to fill the director’s position.
The board also met with former EMA Director Larry Hatton, who retired almost two years ago. The board voted to authorize Stockberger to meet with Hatton, Hess and Knox County Human Resources/Safety and Loss Director Emily Marth today to form a temporary agreement to hire Hatton as a consultant.
The board plans to formalize a contract with Hatton during a special meeting scheduled for March 23, when the hiring process to fill the director and deputy director positions will also be discussed.
“I think Brian has to be an integral part of that,” board member Richard Mavis said of the contract discussion.
“I appreciate the board recognizing my expertise in the emergency management field,” Hatton told board members.
“I do not want to be the director, I had that role,” Hatton clarified. He said he was interested in sharing his experience with Hess and assisting with the transition.
“An interim thing is all we’re looking for,” Stockberger explained. “Just until we get our direction determined.”
Hatton said he would be able to introduce Hess to EMA directors and staff from throughout Ohio who he will need to establish relationships with. “It’s a very tight-knit group,” Hatton said.
The retired director said he would also be able to provide advice and guidance in areas Hess may not yet have had exposure to as deputy director. Hatton said he would also be able to provide occasional on-call coverage for emergencies in the county. Because EMA is required to have around the clock response coverage, Hatton said he would be able to cover some of that time to allow Hess to spend time with his family.
Stockberger also suggested to the board a request be made of the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office to draft a written county policy concerning the use of recorded phone conversations. The board agreed.
