WH Council member asks city manager to resign at meeting
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Council member Bill Powers called for the resignation of City Manager Ronny Fite at Tuesday's regular meeting of the Whitehouse City Council. Powers briefly referred to past executive session discussions and said that Fite had cost the city a lot of money over the years and continued to do so.

Further discussion was quickly averted as more than one council member called for a point of order, as this was not a scheduled agenda item.

Following Powers' remarks, which came during consideration of agenda item 9.F. (discuss separating the Fire Chief and City Manager jobs), Fite received support from council member Dale Moran, as well as members of the city's volunteer fire department who were in attendance.

Calling the agenda item inappropriate, Moran said, "We have no authority talking about what he does in his own private time serving the city."

Assistant Fire Chief Darrell Crymes, who asked to address the council, also said the agenda item was inappropriate. "I know what it takes to run a fire department," said Crymes, citing his own 27 years of experience, "and I'm seeing tonight that some on the council do not know."

Crymes pointed out that volunteer fire department members vote on a fire chief, with that person coming before council for approval.

"We've chosen him, and that's who we're gonna keep," said Crymes.

Fite is employed by the city as its city manager. He serves as a volunteer on the city's fire department and has been the fire chief since 1993. He also voluntarily handles the duties of fire marshal, although the city included funds in its budget this year to hire a fire marshal.

Fite has 37 years of volunteer fire department experience. His position as fire chief is unpaid.

Powers' comments came after the council had been discussing the possible need and cost for a paid fire marshal. Powers also said he had requested the original agenda item.

In regard to a paid fire marshal, Fite said he had not advertised the position, but had looked into it personally on a one-to-one basis. He also said that one reason it was taking so long was because the credentials required for the job were not matching up with the pay the city was offering.

Although not questioned directly at the meeting, Fite de- fended his commitment to his job as city manager and his voluntary service.

"My city business always comes first, that's always been my rule," he said. Fite also presented the council with an overview of fire calls from Jan. 1 through April 16 of this year. He said that of a total of 127 calls, he responded to 28 and only five of those occurred during city hours. He also said the VFD makes every effort to let him know as soon as possible if he is needed on a call.

In other matters, the council set a special meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 29. Mayor Jake Jacobson said he had a meeting scheduled for the first of next week with City of Tyler officials about a possible water contract and wanted to have the meeting set in case there was something for council to consider.

Council also approved:

-- a proclamation for a National Day of Prayer on May 1;

-- a special meeting at 6 p.m. on May 20 to canvass election results, with regular meeting to follow at 6:30 p.m.

Council members also heard from Parks and Recreation chair Rhonda Skinner about getting restrooms and lights for Gardenview Park. Fite said he would have cost estimates for the next Parks and Rec meeting.