St. Lawrence County has a new emergency services director.
County lawmakers hired Joseph Gilbert during a meeting Monday night.
The county will pay Gilbert $60,000 a year, slightly more than what his predecessor, Marty Hassett, earned,
The county can afford to pay more because it will not have to pay for Gilbert's health insurance, which is covered as part of his military retirement.
Gilbert starts work Tuesday.
Gilbert is a 22-year Army veteran who did three tours in Iraq. He is currently an independent contractor on Fort Drum.
During his Army career, he was responsible for the Department of Defense crisis response in six Northeastern states.
He was the operational lead for the Army's response to hurricanes Hanna and Gustav in 2008.
Earlier this year, legislators met in executive session and directed County Administrator Karen St. Hilaire to ask for Hassett's resignation or fire him.
Hassett resigned, but gave St. Hilaire a letter rescinding the resignation on February 24, the day it took effect. Despite the letter, the resignation stuck.
Hassett has since attempted to get his job back by requesting a hearing before the full board to discuss the reasons he was asked to resign.
Lawmakers voted to deny Hassett the opportunity to withdraw his resignation.
See our earlier story.
