Nissel

CHARLES TOWN — During Thursday evening’s Jefferson County Commission meeting, several public comments were made referring to county administrator John Nissel.

One included Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency Treasurer Steve Harris, who officially read into the record the agency’s letter of no confidence in Nissel. A vote to submit such a letter was made Tuesday evening at the JCESA meeting, where that board discussed what it perceived as Nissel’s role in bringing about the resignation of agency director Bob Burner, as well as Nissel’s alleged “lack of professionalism and poor performance related to the county’s transition of Emergency Medical Services.”

Several individuals spoke on Nissel’s behalf, including Karen Smith, a former resident of Shepherdstown, who called Nissel a “man of utmost integrity.”

“Jefferson County is lucky and blessed to have John Nissel, who has and will always pursue the best interest of those he serves,” Smith said.

While no responses are given by commissioners or staff during the public comment portion of the meeting, Nissel had included a “personnel action” item under his administrative report. That action included Nissel reading an extensive letter addressing his service to the county over the past year, including the progression of the change from a volunteer ambulance service to a county department.

Nissel spoke of his initial desire to hire a consultant to handle the changeover. However, he pointed out the JCESA staff said they had nearly “90 percent of the work complete” and that he was assured the department staff could complete the remainder of the work to facilitate the transition, as well as complete all steps necessary to convert the board-run agency to a county department.

Despite the efforts of the JCESA staff, Nissel indicated they were not able to complete the job.

“The Jefferson County Commission staff is stepping up, and the March 1 deadline will be met,” Nissel said.

Nissel went on to share a list of accomplishments he has had in his short tenure as county administrator, including planning an upcoming transportation summit, working on solving the response plan versus quickest route dilemma with emergency service, working on a website revision for the county and conducting an energy audit of the downtown county buildings.

Nissel noted the Jefferson County government has worked under its current model for the past 10 years, but he has seen staff morale falling.

“I can’t manage the negative,” Nissel said, as he then notified commissioners and the room of attendees that he would formally resign his position effective today. “This culture is not what I expected, and the environment is a distraction to me and my staff.

“I am sorry for this inconvenience,” he said, stressing that his decision was not influenced by what he termed as “bully tactics on social media.” “I will diligently, until my departure, work my work for the county.”

Nissel’s statement was met with exclamations of dismay from many in the room, who shouted out well wishes. No official comment was made by any of the four commissioners present, and the meeting was simply adjourned, as Nissel’s item was the final one on the agenda.

Newly elected Commissioner Jennifer Krouse published a public statement last Friday on her official Facebook page, where she wished Nissel well.

“In the brief time I worked with John, I found him to be very personable, competent, responsive and helpful,” Krouse wrote. “That said, I believe he and I had different visions for the proper role of the county government.

“Mr. Nissel’s experience comes largely from Montgomery County, Md. The majority in Montgomery County view big government as the solution to people’s problems. I see government AS the problem: the smaller, the better,” Krouse said. “Mr. Nissel’s resignation means that the commission will have to act decisively to find the person best willing and able to serve the citizens of Jefferson County.”