WEST POINT — While in executive session, the West Point selectmen named Shasta Plunkett interim electric department superintendent at the Water and Light Department.
Plunkett, who City Administrator Randy Jones says has worked for Water and Light for more than 10 years, became a controversial figure in October after being acquitted of disturbing the peace. A Water and Light customer had accused Plunkett of confronting him at a gas station one morning and loudly demanding the customer pay an outstanding bill.
“Despite whatever personnel issues there are, (Plunkett) is probably the most multi-tasking, technically minded person” at the Water and Light Department, said Jones, who serves as general manager for Light and Water. “We”re lucky to have him. He understands the technical end of the electrical stuff and understands the business end. He”s got a lot of savvy.”
Pittman, who opposed the appointment, said Plunkett is too controversial to head the electrical department.
“Too many things have happened. He”s not a people person at all. There have been too many run-ins. Too many complaints from customers. He”s got too much baggage,” said Pittman.
Despite Jones” endorsement, Pittman says Plunkett does not have the trust of many employees at Water and Light.
The board split on the vote to give Plunkett the interim position with Collins moving to promote Plunkett and Ward 4 Selectman Keith McBrayer seconding the motion. Cannon and Pittman opposed the promotion and Ward 1 Selectman Rod Bobo abstained from the vote. Ross broke the tie.
Jones says Plunkett is the only person to apply for the permanent position, thus far. He says the board will set the schedule for naming a permanent electric department head.
“We”ve been advertising the job now for about a week. I”m not sure they won”t let this thing run for a few months to see how (Plunkett) does on the job,” said Jones.
The electric superintendent job has been vacant since former Superintendent Paul Young retired in November. Jones says Plunkett has helped fill in for that position as well as the office manager and accountant roles vacated when Jan Wray retired Jan.1.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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