By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

            Chiefland Fire Chief James Harris has worn his bunker gear for the final time at Chiefland Fire Rescue.

            The Chiefland City Commission said goodbye to its chief of nearly 13 years at Monday’s meeting, awarding him a plaque for his service.

            “I will say the fire department has truly grown under James. I’ve watched the camaraderie and the bond at all levels,” said Mayor Chris Jones. “It’s been a real honor on my behalf to work with you.”

            Commissioner Rollin Hudson, the senior member of the board, joked that he could say a lot of things about Harris, but he complimented him on being straightforward when talking about the department.

            “You have always been plainspoken to me and you meant what you said,” Hudson said. “I didn’t have any problem with you. That’s why I didn’t have to talk to you much.”

            Commissioner Lewrissa Johns said she hasn’t been a member of the city commission for a lot of years but she came to appreciate Harris’s work as chief.

            “I would like to thank you for your service to the community. Also, I think the succession you left us was why it was so easy for us to find another fire chief. I liked your leadership and appreciated that,” Johns said.

            Harris’s successor, Chiefland Fire Chief Dwayne King, is experienced and interviewed well for the job, city officials said. He was seated in the chair Harris always occupied at city commission meetings when he was chief.

            Assistant Fire Chief A.D. Goodman also had high praise for Harris.

            “It’s been a great honor to work with Chief Harris. He helped me in the fire department and also helped my professional career and personal life,” Goodman said.

            City Manager Laura Cain said Harris has constantly given her nice words. She wished him well in her retirement.

            Harris left one month shy of 13 years with the department. He retired as a professional firefighter from the City of Gainesville before taking the job as Chiefland’s chief. He began his career as a rookie firefighter in Chiefland.

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City of Chiefland Regular meeting December 13, 2022; Posted December 14, 2022