Tommy Willis says proud of both his jobs...being a Battalion Chief for the Augusta Fire Department and working for 1-800-Board-Up, a Company that secures homes and businesses after fires.
But, says he keeps the two separate....
“I ain't that stupid...1-800-Board-Up, I’m proud to be a part of but I understand and have always understood that it would be a conflict of interest if I did it on duty. Never have, never would," said Willis.
After a fire at the Gordon Motel Apartments in August, 1-800-Board-Up got the job securing the property. It is just one of the jobs the company has done at Augusta fires.
But, Willis says he doesn't benefit from the number of jobs going to the company.
“I get a salary. I don't get paid by Board-Up. It doesn't matter to me one way or the other,“ said Willis.
Fire officials, however, are concerned about an appearance of a conflict of interest and were making sure all the company's advertising materials are no longer in city fire stations.
“We just wanted to make sure that materials that give the appearance of some kind of endorsement of one vendor over another are taken out of the firehouses,” said Operations Chief Carl Scott.
Willis believes he's done nothing to hurt himself, or his brother, Fire Chief Howard Willis, who has been under fire from a group of firefighters who have called for his resignation.
And, Tommy Willis says his brother knows what he's been doing.
“I told Chief Willis, point blank, 'I ain't stupid, I’m not going to jeopardize my job and I’m not going to jeopardize your job,” said Tommy Willis.
Augusta Deputy City Administrator Bill Shanahan and Deputy Chief Mike Rogers met with Tommy Willis Monday afternoon, and at this point, Shanahan says Willis’ outside job doesn’t violate city policy or create a conflict of interest. “There is no evidence and there’s been no complaints,” says Shanahan.
So for now, Willis is free to continue working for the Board-Up company.
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