McCracken County judge executive and county commissioners are hiring the former CEO and president of Paducah Economic Development (PED) who was fired in September.
Scott Darnell will serve as a consultant to the McCracken County Fiscal Court through his company, Align P.M. Darnell’s temperament became a concern, according to a report from the Paducah Sun, before he was fired. The Sun obtained a heated text message exchange with Paducah Mayor Brandi Harless.
McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer said Darnell’s impressive work serving at PED convinced county officials to hire him even though he was previously fired.
“I guess the simple message is that we liked him and they didn’t. We think that he’s a resource that we can use once we get his information,” said Clymer.
Paducah Mayor Brandi Harless’ opinion is at odds with that of Judge Clymer. She said she voted to fire Darnell last fall because of his poor job performance. Mayor Harless says she wants to support the county in working as a team on economic development.
The Paducah Area Reuse Organization also hired Darnell as a consultant after he was fired in September.
Paducah Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilson said the decision to hire Darnell as a consultant is solely the county’s decision and declined to comment further.
