MOUNT VERNON — A meeting with state officials Wednesday gave Mount Vernon city administration more information, but not enough to make a decision as to the future of Mount Vernon Fire Chief Shawn Christy.
“We had a meeting yesterday, but the only thing that came out of that meeting is that information has been collected, but there was no decisions made where we’re going to go with this at this time,” Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said. “I think the reason for that is we’re still collecting some information and I think there’s still some discussions to take place. I think, without question, everyone at that meeting felt we needed to move this ahead as quickly as possible. ... We will, in a short time, get to a position where we can establish our route.”
Christy is on paid administrative leave from his position while the Ohio Department of Public Safety and city officials investigate the re-certification of his paramedic credentials. Each paramedic is required to complete a minimum of 86 hours of continuing education within a three-year cycle and Christy’s re-certification would have taken effect today if not for the investigation.
Mavis said representatives from the city law office talked with officials from ODPS this week in an effort to glean what information they had collected in the matter.
“They did have written information and they talked to a state representative. That would be put in, as far as the investigation goes, with the information we collected locally,” Mavis said. “In my opinion, though, there will still be additional information to come from the state. ... I think what they had kind of fit in with what the local people had put together. I think it’s information they can continue to add to the file.”
The state board will not meet until Aug. 17, but Mavis is hoping to have their portion of the investigation complete so a decision can be made sooner than that.
“After the meeting I have a better feeling that we’re getting close to the end of the line as far as the information collection and the investigation. Once that is complete, we’ll know what direction we’re going to take on this,” Mavis said.
