Montgomery County Commission chairman Tony Fowler on Wednesday would not provide details about the commission’s reason to not reappoint Wilbur Schwatken, rural fire district coordinator.

However, Fowler, who has been commissioner for two years and was named chairman in January, says the commission has new goals and vision for the rural fire director position.

Fowler said he could not talk specifically about Schwatken’s dismissal. However, he did refute claims that the commission did not consider the recommendation of the Montgomery County Rural Fire District board of directors, which voted unanimously to recommend Schwatken’s reappointment.

“As far as the firefighting side, we do listen to the fire board carefully and have never said “no” to any budget request,” said Fowler. “But as far as the administrative side, we feel that it’s something quite simply where the director position needs to be put in a different direction.”

Fowler said the situation regarding the vacancy in the director position will likely be discussed at next Monday’s weekly commission meeting. The commission could consider hiring an interim director until candidates for a full-time director position can be interviewed, he said.

Fowler said he had someone in mind — although the person’s name was not revealed — who might be able to handle the interim duties. However, he said he realized that the hiring of an interim director “might be putting salt on a wound” because of the commission’s decision to not reappoint Schwatken.

Fowler said that as the chairman of the commission, he listens to the concerns from the rural fire district board. He said he realized that rural firefighters likely will bring the issue of Schwatken’s dismissal to the commission table next Monday.

“I’ll be glad to sit and listen to their concerns,” he said.