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The Thorsby Town Council voted to hire James Conner as the town’s new fire chief during the July 16 meeting.

Conner is a lieutenant with the Tuscaloosa Fire Department, which he has been with since 2005.

He also served as fire marshal of the McAdory Area Fire District from 2010 to 2013.

“My training, knowledge and experience has gotten me to this point,” Conner said.

According to Conner, the time he spent as an instructor at the Alabama Fire College allowed him to gain a unique perspective that he can use in his new role as fire chief.

“It has given me the opportunity to oversee several training exercises,” Conner said.

His objectives in the first year are to focus on strengthening community relationships and to begin the implementation of increased training and in-house inspections.

“The first six months is me getting a lay of the land,” Conner said.

However, he also sees the first months as a chance to set the foundation for the future.

Conner will fill the void that was created after the termination of former Fire Chief Lee Gunn on May 21.

For the past couple of months, Josh Parker served as interim fire chief.

In other news from the meeting:

• Randolph Estrada was approved as a reserve officer.
• The police department is putting a pair of 2014 Dodge Chargers up for sale.
• Mayor Robert Hight performed a walk-through of the storm shelter on July 9, and it has been officially declared fully operational.
• The Swedish Queens will be planting a Japanese Maple Tree at Richard Wood Park on July 26 at 7 p.m.
• It was approved to pay the bills and transfer the funds.