Oktibbeha County Emergency Management Agency Director and District 1 Constable Shank Phelps is retiring from his two positions effective July 1.
Phelps must step away from both of his jobs to draw state retirement from his combined 26 years of service as constable, OCEMA director and sheriff’s deputy, which means supervisors will likely name an interim constable and add the position to November’s special election for chancery clerk and the countywide referendum on a potential OCH Regional Medical Center transaction.
His absence from the constable position could be temporary, as Phelps confirmed he will run for his part-time position.
“I love my jobs — all I’ve ever done is work for the people of Oktibbeha County in some way — but sometimes you just know when it’s the right time to move on. I’ve worked hard to get where I’m at, and I’ve got my years in with the state. I look forward to spending more time with my parents and my family,” he said.
District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer said the board could name an interim constable as early as Monday if Phelps’ transition paperwork is in and finalized with the county by then, but the decision to move forward quickly is not set in stone. Until an interim is named, Trainer said, Phelps’ workload could be split between the county’s two other constables.
Supervisors could also name an interim OCEMA director and begin the process to fill the appointed position.
“Shank has always been a pleasurable guy to be around. He’s a person who put his time in and helped so many people, and he is probably someone who has the ability to get back into politics or public service in the future,” Trainer said. “It’s a blessing to be in the position he’s in. I’m not saying I’m jealous, but I’m a bit envious.”
Supervisors tapped Phelps to replace former OCEMA Director Jim Britt in 2015. Under Phelps, OCEMA moved from the old Oktibbeha County Jail to the second floor of the County Education Building. The move also allowed the county to replace decades-old telecommunication infrastructure with state-of-the-art equipment.
“No matter if you stay in a job two years, 10 years or 15, you want to leave that job in a better place than when you got there. I have no doubt in my mind OCEMA has moved forward with the new building and equipment,” Phelps said. “Everything we’ve accomplished in the last two years, however, hasn’t been for Shank. It’s been for the people of this county. I’m very blessed to have had this opportunity, and I couldn’t have asked for better bosses.”
Following Phelps’ hire as OCEMA director, the organization’s deputy director, Kristen Campanella, sued the county, alleging supervisors did not hire her because she is a woman.
The civil complaint also alleged Britt “entertains prejudice against females” and swayed the board to hire Phelps as his successor.
The county’s defense argues its employment decision was made in good faith and with legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons and that Campanella failed to show she had been treated differently from other employees in similar situations.
Oktibbeha County is cited as the lawsuit’s defendant, not Britt or Phelps.
A December trial date was reserved in case the litigation continues to that point.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.