08/02/2023
On July 25 the Public Safety Director hiring committee held interviews to fill the permanent position. There were two candidates. The committee consisted of August Police Chief and Assistant City Manager Jared Mills, Bucksport Town Manager Susan Lessard, Delta Ambulance Director and Winslow resident Timothy Beals, Winslow Council Chair Peter Drapeau, and myself. Each of the three independent committee members brought expertise to the table in selecting the best candidate.
Chief Mills has more than two decades in law enforcement and also has the experience of operational management of multiple City departments. He understands the interactions required between all first responder departments and how other departments also loop into the equation. Due to his years as a Police Chief he is acquainted with both candidates.
Susan Lessard has been a manager for 43 years. She oversaw the Public Safety Department in Hampden, and she implemented a new Public Safety Department in Bucksport. She has a wealth of knowledge in what it takes to manage these departments, what it takes to implement one and what the potential pitfalls are.
Timothy Beals represents the citizen interest, but also brings the EMS perspective to the hiring process. Despite that expertise his most valuable input was as a resident of Winslow in pointing out the ways candidate responses to questions impacted community members to engage or to disengage the public.
Neither Ms. Lessard or Mr. Beals have personal knowledge of either candidate.
The interview consisted of twenty questions covering topics such as personnel management, community engagement, labor contracts, budgeting and problem solving. They lasted an average of two hours. Both candidates did well, and each had their particular strengths. After interviewing both candidates the committee scored them independently, and afterward had a discussion to determine who the top candidate was. Prior to giving my own feedback I let our independent committee members and Councilor Drapeau provide their opinions and indicate their choice. I went last. The committee was unanimous in its decision and the independent scoring bears this out.
After allowing the committee a week to mull their recommendations over the decision remains unanimous. The Committee has selected Interim Public Safety Director and Police Chief Leonard Macdaid to fill the permanent position. The decision of the committee members is a testament to his professionalism and leadership as exhibited in his responses to the interview questions. In particular the Committee felt that he had the strongest sense of community, and being a member of the Town of Winslow, not just his own department. This mindset is needed in a position that oversees employees from very different industries, and is required to coordinate with other departments critical to the health and safety of the Public. Congratulations Director Macdaid!
