The appointment of William Clay Buser to the position of Mason County Emergency Management Director was discussed by the Maysville City Commission Thursday.

Buser will be taking the place of Tim Nolder, who recently retired from job, though he will not be sworn in until Tuesday at the Mason County Fiscal Court meeting.

During the meeting, a memo from Maysville City Manager Matt Wallingford recommending Buser to the position was read aloud.

“I am confident Clay has the education, knowledge, personal skills and work ethic to be an excellent EM director,” he said in the memo. “His public safety background will only enhance his abilities to prepare for or mitigate any natural disasters the community may experience. I respectfully ask the board of commissioners join the fiscal court in appointing Clay as our next emergency management director.”

On Thursday, Buser said he was honored to accept the job and was looking forward to getting started.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve Maysville/Mason County,” he said. “I’m looking forward to advancing the office so that we, as a whole, can be as prepared as we can.”

Buser said he is a native of Mason County, having graduated from Mason County High School before serving in the United States Army for four years in Iraq. After returning home, he joined the Mason County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy and worked there for eight years. He then began working in the Property Valuation Administration office until he found out the EMD position was coming available.

According to Buser, he applied for the job because he believed he was the perfect candidate.

“The job is really important,” he said. “I believe I have the skills to make it successful. You’re the center cog in a wheel. You have to bring all of these state and local officials together in the middle of a disaster to help prepare and mitigate disasters. I’m very excited.”

Buser will officially start the job on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the city commissioners also approved the first reading of an ordinance removing the portion of Union Street from Forest Avenue to the railroad tracks from the street sweeper route.

Other items discussed at the meeting included:

— Approving a municipal order that would allow city officials to use drones for code enforcement, tourism and economic development.

— Approving a letter of support for the Women’s Crisis Center.

— Approving a resolution recognizing the importance of hemp.

— Approving a resolution allowing the city to acquire 212 East Fifth Street for no monetary value as the building was condemned and the owners requested the city take control of the property.

— Appointing Tommy Woosley to the Fleming-Mason County Airport Board and Tandy Nash to the CVB.

— Appointing Mike Dunigan as a full-time employee at the Maysville-Mason County Cemetery.

— Appoint Kelly Thomas to communications.

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William Clay Buser
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_Buser-mug-2.jpgWilliam Clay Buser

Christy Howell-Hoots

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