Anderson Mayor Elect Kris Ockomon Announces Appointments

ANDERSON, IN - The lobby at Anderson City Hall was so crowded you would have thought there was an anti-property tax meeting going on. People from all walks of life showed up for a press conference held by Anderson Mayor Elect Kris Ockomon to announce his appointments to the Anderson Safety Board, Anderson Police Department and Anderson Fire Department.

Ockomon formed a bi-partisan panel to give him a list of suggestions for these important positions in the city. Using that list, he made the following decisions.

Anderson Fire Department Appointments:

• Fire Chief David Clendenen, who is 1st in Command over operations and personnel. Clendenen is a third-generation Anderson firefighter with over 22 years of experience. During his career he has been an EMP, Captain, and Assistant Battalion Chief.
• Deputy Fire Chief Jerry Burmeister, who is 2nd in command and oversees fiscal affairs. Burmeister has served the city of Anderson at the Anderson Fire Department for over 25 years and has coordinated the Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraising for over 15 years.
• Dave Cravens, who is 3rd in command over EMS and medical supplies. Cravens, a certified fire investigator and Department of Homeland Security EMT, is responsible for Search and Rescue. He is also owner of General Nutrition Center (GNC) at the Anderson Mall.
• Steve Buck, who is 4th in command over training and certifications. Buck is a certified fire investigation instructor and has been a part of the Anderson Fire Department since 1996.

Anderson Safety Board:

• H.L. Baker, former Dean of Students at Anderson University.
• John Bostic, General Motors Retiree, community activist and member of the Madison County Council
• Dick Wiley was chosen as Safety Board Chairman. Wiley is an Anderson Fire Department Retiree and local businessman.

Anderson Police Department:

• Anderson Police Chief Darron Sparks oversees police operations and personnel. Sparks was at one time Assistant Chief of the non-Uniform Division and a training coordinator. Sparks currently is a detective of juvenile investigations. He is trained in special weapons and tactics and is President of National Dogs Against Drugs / Dogs Against Crime Organization, which assists law enforcement canine training.
• Assistant Chief of the non-Uniform Division Keith Copeland oversees training, administrative staff, juvenile and narcotics. Copeland has served the City of Anderson for over 31 years in various capacities. He's been named Policeman of the Year, has received a distinguished service award and was recognized by the FBI for helping solve a string of bank robberies.
• Assistant Chief of the Uniform Division Mike Lee oversees patrol officers and traffic. Lee has been in the laboratory section of the Anderson Police Department for the last 10 years. He has coordinated hundreds of major crime scenes and is responsible for training and work product review of the crime scene technicians.
• Major Tony Waters oversees fiscal matters. During his 18 year career with the Anderson Police Department, Waters has been a uniform officer and police detective.

Most of the information was supplied by Mayor Elect Kris Ockomon's office.

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