U.S. search urged for 911 head

WARREN -- Members of the Trumbull County 911 Review Board, as expected, are recommending to county commissioners that a nationwide search for a new director be conducted.
The review board met this week and asked that a headhunter be hired to conduct a nationwide search to replace Timothy Gladis.
This review board consists of two township trustees, two mayors, two fire chiefs, two police chiefs, a county commissioner, a representative from the state highway patrol and a county representative for Homeland Security. The committee's chairman is Commissioner Daniel Polivka. All were appointed by commissioners.
Gladis was fired by commissioners in July, after RCC Consultants Inc. made some recommendations to county officials on the 911 operation.
County Administrator Anthony Carson Jr. said the headhunter approach is not uncommon among bodies looking to hire an official such as a 911 director.
Darlene St. George, Howland Township administrator, said such a nationwide search was conducted when the township police chief position was last open. It did not eliminate local people from consideration and the person eventually chosen did come from the area, she said.
The director search is perhaps a first step toward making the 911 Review Board more involved in running the 11-year-old 911 system. The RCC Consultants report says the 911 Review Board should have more input on decisions such as budget and performance review.