July 03--BILOXI -- Firefighters who attended Tuesday's City Council meeting applauded Mayor A.J. Holloway's choice of Anthony Shook as fire chief, but the council voted against the appointment.
"I just didn't feel he was qualified to do the job," Councilman David Fayard, a retired firefighter, said after the 5-2 vote.
It was the first meeting for five new council members, and a vote to table the appointment to give them more time to research Shook's qualifications failed.
Councilman Paul Tisdale said it was important to take action quickly because as long is there is a vacancy, different camps will form for and against a candidate.
"At this point, morale is a big issue," Councilman Felix Gines said.
Holloway said he has another candidate in mind and probably will submit a name at the next meeting in two weeks. Until then, Mark Dronet will continue as acting fire chief.
In other action:
- Fayard was elected president of the council and Tisdale vice president.
- Roberta Avila with the Concerned Citizens Taxpayers Coalition said the group wants to know the name of the minor league baseball team that could be coming to Biloxi.
- The council approved an interlocal agreement with Harrison County to pave Woolmarket Road.
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