Franklin County’s EMA chief says it’s time for the job to be full-time, and the commission agrees.
By Samantha C. DePoy
Staff Writer

FARMINGTON – Clyde Barker remembers well the Ice Storm of 1998.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t remember seeing his wife, Louise, or his Strong home much during the three weeks the state was frozen over.

During those 21 days, Barker, Franklin County’s Emergency Management Agency director, was home for less than two hours.

The rest of the time he was making sure area families were getting into shelters, making sure emergency response personnel had what they needed and zigzagging across the county making sure people were safe and warm, considering the circumstances.

He slept in his automobile or in shelters or just went without. His gasoline bill for his automobile during those weeks came out of his pocket. It was equivalent to two months’ pay.

“That was a bad situation,” Barker said. “Somehow, everything fell right into place. It was a great experience that we all got through – I wouldn’t want to go through it again though.”

Barker and his family won’t have to. On Tuesday, he turned in his short letter of resignation to Franklin County commissioners. He said the job’s long hours and his age were starting to affect his health. As of Dec. 31, he’ll be retired.

At least from that job.

Barker will continue serving as a selectman and road supervisor in Strong, as well as a chief civil deputy for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, where he serves legal papers.

He’ll also start collecting Social Security, Barker said.

County commissioners expressed sadness as they accepted Barker’s resignation with regret. He’s been EMA director since 1991.

“As far as I am concerned, I can’t imagine a better director,” said Commissioner Fred Hardy.

Commissioner Gary McGrane had a similar sentiment and, before moving for approval of the acceptance, said the county appreciated all of Barker’s work.

“I hate to second it, but I will,” said Commissioner Meldon Gilmore.

The EMA director is budgeted for a 20-hour week with a salary of $15,902. The office has a full-time secretary, Olive Toothaker.

Barker told commissioners the director’s job should be full-time. Over the past 10 years, especially since Sept. 11, 2001, the job responsibilities have been consuming more time and energy, he said.

“It’s quite demanding. It’s just unbearable the time it takes to do this job,” he said.

Commissioners agreed to increase the position’s hours. Commissioners also agreed to ask the Budget Committee to put as much as $30,000 in the budget to fund the post. The new job will be 32.5 hours per week, with entry-level hourly pay of $13.72. The federal government will reimburse half the money for the job each year.

Barker suggested that the feds could be tapped for even more.

“I brought in a lot of money, and there a lot more money out there to get,” he said. “Someone has got to be on the ball. I hate to leave you fellows. I’ll still be around though. You’ll see my smiling face.”

County Clerk Julie Magoon said advertisements for the job will be in papers by the start of next week.

Barker began working for the county in the early 1960s.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes,” he said, reminiscing back to when he was the night turnkey at the old jail, meaning he was the only one there to supervise prisoners and the facilities.

“I’ve enjoyed my work here, I really did.”

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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