After hearing several reports, attention eventually turned to the fire department. Bradley read aloud an email by a candidate who applied to the position of fire chief but requested that his name be withdrawn, saying that he was “no longer interested in the position” but expressed gratitude for the opportunity. This was part of an arguably complex issue over the employment status of Platts, who requested at a meeting in July 2017 that he be reclassified as a part-time employee for the Argo Fire Department while he worked full-time with the Homewood Fire Department. The council eventually agreed to allow Platts a trial period in which he was granted his request until the period expired on Jan. 24 this year.