UPDATED @ 4:19 PM. Last Four Years Of Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management A Failure - Commissioner Meet

 HOUSTON COUNTY:   On December 29, 2016 Houston County Emergency Management Director Steve Carlisle will retire as the Emergency Management Director.

Carlisle was initially hired ten years ago by Clark Matthews as Deputy Director. Both Matthews and Carlisle were Ft. Rucker fireman under the federal retirement system.

Clark Matthews served as Deputy Director to then Shelby Womack, EMA Director. When Womack retired the Houston County Commission hired Matthews as EMA Director.

The position of Emergency Management Director is a unclassified position and a direct hire of the county commission. The EMA Director reports to the County Commission Chairman.

Matthews liked EMA. He had a federal retirement from his years at Ft. Rucker. After ten years with Houston County Matthews became invested in the Tetirement Systems of Alabama. That gave Matthews two government retirements, one being federal and now one being state.

When the time came for Matthews to hire a Deputy Director for Dothan - Houston County EMA, Matthews reached out to his former fellow Ft. Rucker Fireman ( retired) Steve Carlisle. Reports are Matthews told Carlisle "come on bud it will be like old times".

Having the federal retirement under his belt, and after Matthews explained to Carlisle in ten years he could have two government retirements, the federal he had and the state he would be vested in within ten years.

Carlisle accepted the Deputy Director job.

As soon as Clark Matthews got vested in ten years for his second government retirement, Matthews left.

The Houston County Commission hired the Deputy Director Steve Carlise as Emergency Management Director. Carlisle then hired Houston County Sheriff Dispatcher Lee Adams as Deputy Director. Carlisle also hired Kris Ware as Officer Manager.

As soon as Carlisle got his ten years into the Alabama Retirement System,  Carlisle retired effective December 29.

MATTHEWS HIRING OF STEVE CARLISLE - EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

During the time Clark Matthews was to hire a Deputy Director for EMA Iwas in Abbeville. I met a lady who worked there. She told me that Steve Carlisle had been promised the job as Deputy Director of Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management.

Shortly after meeting her I had the chance to speak with Clark Matthews and told him what this lady from Webb who lived in Abbeville said. Matthews said that was a lie.

Later, after the ladies prediction came true, and things surfaced, it turned out the lady knew what she was talking about. Matthews solicited Carlisle to apply and promised him the job, "just like old times" and they would both get two government retirements.

STEVE CARLISLE, LEE ADAMS, KRIS WARE TENURE

WITH DOTHAN - HOUSTON COUNTY EMA

Before the storms that struck two weekends in a row, I personally told Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver there were problems in the Emergency Management Office.

Culver met with Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams based on what I had told him. But Mark Culver did nothing.

When the storms struck two weekends in a row there were problems and issues. When I returned to Dothan there was a press conference at the main fire station of Dothan Fire Department. I was late and stood outside the room. 

Several questions were going through my mind during the press conference. The main question was, why was a weather related Reiss conference going on at Dothan Fire Administrative Building and not Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management Office.

That question got answered later. During the press conference Dithan Fire Chief Larry Williams referred to " Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management" as the "Houston County Emergency Managent". When Williams said that, Iknew there were issues.

Since that time Dothan has distanced themselves from the operations of Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management. When issues have occred the City of Dothan have held seperate briefings from Emergency Management.

Under the Carlisle-Adams-Ware Adminstration with Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management, EMA has really become a non essential entity.

APPLICATIONS

When the Houston County Commission went to make decisions on the appointment of a Emergency Management Director Clark Matthews contacted Chairman Mark Culver. Matthews wanted to come back. As a retiree in the state system Matthews could draw up to $ 30,000.00 a year.

When the Commissioners found out if Culver’s discussion with Matthews that was quickly halted.

Rickey Stokes discussed with commissioners applying. But Rickey Stokes was told if he was EMA Director he would have to get rid of Rickey Stokes News. I offered to sell it to my son, but was told by the Commission the name, rickeystokesnews would have to be changed. 

Rickey Stokes was not willing to do that. After the application deadline closed I was told by the County Commission they could not force me to get rid of rickeystokesnews or change the name. But it was to late to submit the application. And I based my decision on false information.

Houston County has received 56 applications from all across the country. Both EMA Staff positions, Lee Adams and Kris Ware, as I understand have applied.

As I understand the applications were submitted to the commissioners for review and a Certian number selected for interviews. A committee of 5 has been selected to interview and make two recommendations to the Houston County Commission.

A special meeting has been called for Monday where the process forward will be discussed.