The Jefferson city council by a 4-1 vote approved appointing Jack Williams as fire chief. The position has been vacant since the death of fire chief Randy Love last month.
Williams has been captain of the volunteer fire department for six years. He is chief deputy sheriff and is the only candidate for county sheriff on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Williams told the council at its Aug. 23 meeting that he was elected by his fellow firefighters by a 22-1 vote.
Council member Lisa Jaskey asked if there would be a conflict of interest in serving as sheriff and fire chief. Williams replied that in Boone the fire chief is the police chief. Williams said if a conflict develops he would resign from the fire chief position.
Council member Dave Sloan questioned Williams’ place of residence, noting that he lives in Churdan, not the Jefferson fire district. Williams said he works in Jefferson, and that he has always been allowed to leave his sheriff’s office duties to go to fire calls. He said he would be able to leave a fire scene if needed because the chief does not enter a burning structure but stays outside directing the other firefighters. He added that he and his family will be living in the Jefferson fire district by this time next year.
Sloan voted against the motion to appoint Williams as fire chief; all other council members voted in favor.
New patrol officer – The council unanimously approved hiring Kyle Terlouw (pronounced Ter-loo) as patrol officer with his first day on the job Aug. 26.
Terlouw grew up in Sully and graduated from Lynnville-Sully High School in 2012. He attended Iowa Central Community College and then the University of Iowa. He graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminology.
He will attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in the coming months. His starting annual wage will be $39,516.
