CARMEL – In the wake of Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell’s decision not to reappoint Emergency Services Commissioner Adam Stiebeling to another term this year, she has formed a committee to help her select a new agency leader.
The county is advertising for a new commissioner and a seven-member committee, led by county Personnel Commissioner Paul Eldridge, and consisting of at least four members of the first responder community, will develop questions to be asked of candidates. The committee will narrow down the selection to three people who they will recommend to be interviewed by Odell. Two will be short-listed for further interview with a new commissioner announced on March 12 when she delivers her annual state-of-the-county address.
“I am glad to see that the administration has created a committee made up primarily of first responders – the people the position is going to affect,” said Ed McCarthy, deputy chief of the Putnam Valley Fire Department. “Rather than just make a political appointment, which would be within the county executive’s right, she is willing to take our input.”
