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New Georgia Chief Suspended for Alleged Felony Theft
WINDER, Ga. - Barrow County's new fire chief has been suspended pending the resolution of a felony theft by taking charge that accuses him of stealing cable television service.
The chief, 40-year-old Donald Towne, took over the job on June 21.
Barrow County Commission Chairman Danny Yearwood suspended Towne without pay on Monday. Towne was arrested Thursday in Cairo, where he worked as fire chief until a few months ago.
Yearwood says Towne insists he's innocent of the charge.
Commissioners plan to decide at a meeting on Tuesday whether to retain Towne while he fights the charge.
The county has named John Skinner as interim fire chief. Skinner held the interim post before Towne was hired.
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Information from: Athens Banner-Herald, http://www.onlineathens.com
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The chief, 40-year-old Donald Towne, took over the job on June 21.
Barrow County Commission Chairman Danny Yearwood suspended Towne without pay on Monday. Towne was arrested Thursday in Cairo, where he worked as fire chief until a few months ago.
Yearwood says Towne insists he's innocent of the charge.
Commissioners plan to decide at a meeting on Tuesday whether to retain Towne while he fights the charge.
The county has named John Skinner as interim fire chief. Skinner held the interim post before Towne was hired.
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Information from: Athens Banner-Herald, http://www.onlineathens.com
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brian Mackie on
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Commissioners plan to decide at a meeting on Tuesday whether to retain Towne while he fights the charge.
Question for the legal professionals out there reading this. Can they really terminate him just because someone thinks he did something wrong? Does the "innocent until proven guilty" NOT apply down there? just asking!
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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With Georgia being a "right to work state," The Commissioners might very well be able to fire him. Of course, it may also depend on contract language, if there is one, and/or perhaps Civil Service laws.
Of course I don't qualify as a legal professional (AKA attorney) and as a result, this comment is a personal opinion only.
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