State replacing Garrett County emergency chief

The administration of Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley says it plans to replace Garrett County's emergency management chief to correct deficiencies revealed by Superstorm Sandy. 

 

   Israel Patoka, executive director of the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, said Monday that the county needs a full-time director. Brad Frantz has been working on a contractual basis since he retired in July after nearly 38 years in the job.

 

   The October storm spawned a blizzard left some people without electricity for more than a week. Patoka says the county needs faster communication and response times.

 

   Frantz says everyone in the county did an exemplary job. He says most of the problems were created by people the state sent in.

 

   County emergency management directors are appointed by the governor.