Council update: Mayor discusses city fire chief’s unexpected resignation

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

RANDY WALKER

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 (Corrected Oct. 25, 2017, 7:55 a.m.) — The buzz around town and on social media Tuesday was the unexpected resignation of Bardstown Fire Chief Randy Walker, who apparently left copies of his resignation letter at City Hall late Monday and turned-in his city issued equipment and uniforms. Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton took a few moments Tuesday night during the Bardstown City Council’s meeting to offer additional details about Walker’s resignation.

“Everyone sitting here tonight probably has a question in their mind about the resignation of Chief Walker,” Heaton said. “All I can say is that it took all of us by surprise.”

Walker left copies of his resignation outside the human resources director’s office,  the mayor office, and on the desk of Chuck Montgomery, whom Heaton named to serve as interim chief until a new chief is hired.

Heaton said there were no conflicts he was aware of between Walker and the members of the fire department, or between Walker and other city personnel.

In press release issued Tuesday morning, Heaton said he spoke to fire department personnel Tuesday morning and was told that prior to the resignation, the city fire department was running smoothly and morale was high.

Sources within the firefighter community said Walker’s residence appeared to be empty on Tuesday.

A search committee will soon be formed to begin the process of hiring a new full-time chief, Heaton told the council.

Walker is a native of Louisa, Ky. He was sworn-in as Bardstown Fire Chief in January 2016.

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