Robin Krockum is again top cop in Demorest. The former chief who was fired by the city manager on April 16 and reinstated by the city council on May 5 was sworn back into office at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 10. Mayor Rick Austin delivered the oath of office in front of Krockum’s family, friends, and fellow officers in an informal ceremony outside the city police station.
“I’m excited, I’m really excited,” Krockum says. “I appreciate the mayor and council giving me the opportunity to serve the people of Demorest again.” Krockum also appreciates the support he’s received from Demorest residents and beyond. Although these past few weeks have been difficult he says “the main thing is I’m just glad to be back.”
In the open
During Sunday’s swearing-in, the police chief and mayor stood in the sun out in the open in stark contrast to how Krockum’s former successor was sworn-in 25 days ago.
After Kim Simonds abruptly fired Krockum, she immediately and without proper authority hired Greg Ellingson to replace him. Simonds and Demorest City Councilman Nathan Davis staged an impromptu secretive swearing-in ceremony without notifying the full council.
The council later replaced Ellingson with Assistant Chief Casey Chastain who held the job for less than a week before turning it back over to Krockum on Sunday. Chastain says he’s glad to be turning the keys back over to his former boss.
“I’m happy everything worked out. I’m happy he’s back. I’m happy to go back to my job. I like my job, I didn’t want his,” Chastain says. With all the recent upheaval he says “It’s been hard for all of us but I think it’s made us all closer.”
“This moment is the beginning of the conclusion of a very long three-and-a-half weeks of an event that should have never occurred,” Austin says.
On Saturday, the city council agreed in principle to a legal settlement with Krockum and his attorney. It includes a cash settlement for back pay and legal fees but Krockum says it was never about the money. “I would never make the citizens of Demorest pay for this mistake.”
Now that he’s sworn-in, Krockum can legally return to work on Monday. A formal swearing-in ceremony is scheduled during the Demorest City Council meeting Tuesday night. Also during that meeting, the council is expected to discuss Simonds’ future with the city. The mayor asked her to resign from her $80,000 a year job last week. She refused. Councilman Davis and Councilman John Hendrix both also offered to resign. They have not.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 12. Now Habersham will carry it live on our Facebook page and here on nowhabersham.com.
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