Some Henry County commissioners want more information about the dismissal of Fire Department Chief Brenda “Nish” Willis and are considering launching their own investigation into the matter.
At a meeting on Tuesday, county commissioners Dee Clemmons and Bruce Holmes voiced frustration that they did not have more of a say in the termination.
Willis was fired March 21 by County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews, who would not publicly discuss her decision.
Holmes said he thought Willis’ dismissal was a “huge mistake.” And, he said, the county failed to follow established practice of reaching out to commission members on important decisions on senior level staff.
“Today, I still really don’t know why Nish was fired,” he said.
Commissioner Blake Prince said he, too, objected to the firing and expressed his opinion before the chief was terminated.
“Perhaps had others done the same, this situation would be slightly different,” he said. “It bothers me when we come back after the fact and talk about why decisions were made.”
Willis was the first woman to hold the position of fire chief in Henry County. Previously, she worked as the chief of the Riverdale Fire Department and deputy fire chief of airport operations with the Atlanta Fire-Rescue Department. She was one of the first 20 female firefighters hired by the Atlanta Fire Department.
Though she attended Tuesday’s commission meeting, she declined comment, referring all questions to her attorney, A. Lee Parks Jr. Parks could not be reached Wednesday for comment.
When asked about the dismissal, Henry spokeswoman Melissa Robinson said, “The county is moving in a different direction.”
The firing has caused an uproar in the south metro Atlanta community, where residents took to Facebook, Twitter and newspaper comment sections to complain about what they saw as a lack of transparency among county leadership.
During Tuesday’s commission meeting, several people praised Willis and questioned the county’s decision.
“For someone who has spent more than 40 years serving their country in the Air Force and as a first responder, I feel like Nish deserves and has earned more of an explanation than just ‘We’re moving in a different direction,’” said Jo Hudgins, Willis’ friend and former roommate. “I think the citizens of Henry County deserve to know what that direction is and was Chief Willis given an opportunity to take the fire department in that direction.”
Jim Hudgell, a fireman, said Willis has strong support from the emergency response community and is considered an impeccable leader. Hudgell, who broke his back and was walking Tuesday with the support of a cane, said Willis came to visit him and offered her support, even though they did not know each other.
“It’s wrong that you fired this lady,” he said. “I’m telling y’all right now, you made a huge, huge mistake.”
Board members disagreed on when they were told about the firing and how to remedy the situation. They also discussed whether they should force the county manager, who now has sole discretion in firings, to consult with them first about decisions involving senior staff.
Hobson-Matthews, who has been the target of much of the public ire, defended her decision, saying it was one of many personnel changes she has recently made. She also said she welcomes an inquiry from the board into the decision and others.
“There have been some comments made tonight regarding a full blown investigation and I welcome that,” she said. “I will provide any and all information the board wants to see.”
Commission Chairwoman June Wood said that she supports Hobson-Matthews.
“I highly respect Cheri,” Wood said. “Do we agree on everything, no ma’am. But I have the highest respect for her and what she is doing to lead this county.”
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