OZARK: 5:00 PM Tonight at the regular scheduled City of Ozark Council meeting the leave of absence request of Charles Ward, Ozark Director of Department of Public Safety was granted.
During the Administrative Meeting held just prior to the regular meeting where votes are cast, Director Charles Ward requested a leave of absence to seek election to the Office of Mayor for the City of Ozark.
Incumbent Mayor Mark Blankenship was present for the meeting. Mayor Blankenship, in his first term as Ozark Mayor, is seeking re-election.
Charles Ward has always lived in Ozark Alabama. He began as a dispatcher for Ozark Police and Fire. Following service as dispatcher Charles Ward then moved to Ozark FIre Department. Ward worked in the fire department until he went into law enforcement.
Before law enforcement and while working with Ozark Fire he also worked emergency medical services. Charles Ward even worked for Pilcher Ambulance. Ward has worked field and administration.
That law enforcement was as an Alabama State Trooper. There Charles Ward moved through the ranks to Corporal, Lieutenant, Captain, Major and then Colonel. As Colonel, Charles Ward commanded the entire uniform division of the Alabama State Troopers. All the while Charles Ward maintained residency in Ozark Alabama.
It was nothing to see Colonel Charles ward on scenes all across the state. He even worked wrecks as Colonel in addition to administrative duties.
Upon his retirement Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship and the Ozark Town Council tapped Ward to be the Chief of Police for Ozark Alabama. Into his tenure as Chief of Police the position of Fire Chief and Police Chief were combined into the Ozark Department of Public Safety with Charles Ward as now the Director.
The leave of absence is effective immediately. In the command staff of police and fire there are Deputy Chief’s. These two gentleman, immediately, are the two men in charge. One over police and one over fire.
Election for Mayor and Ozark City Council is in August. Ward will return as Mayor or Director of Department of Public Safety. The decision will rest in the hands of the registered voters for the City of Ozark.
