Outgoing Collierville Fire and Rescue Chief John Selberg refuted claims made by the Town's mayor and city administrator Molly Mehner that he used offensive language toward Mehner, which contributed to him being placed on paid administrative leave.
Mehner made an announcement Aug. 10 that Selberg was placed on leave due to alleged inappropriate comments in the midst of his "employment status" and "underperformance" being under fire. A special-called Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on the chief's employment status was postponed Aug. 14.
Selberg's resignation and retirement was then announced by the Town Aug. 21. Collierville Mayor Maureen Fraser weighed in on Selberg's retirement in a statement released by the Town late Aug. 21 at 8 p.m., saying
the fire chief's situation "could have been handled far better."
“This could have been handled far better, no excuses,” Fraser said in the statement. “I assure you, the town administration, board and I are already in the process of addressing our procedures and protocols for communicating in a timelier fashion. We are making changes going forward. To the best of our ability, this will not happen again. Collierville deserves better.”
In her statement, Fraser also reiterated Selberg had not met Town expectations and backed-up Mehner's previous claims he said, "I don't work for f**king Molly Mehner" after a public meeting, which led to the leave.
Fraser also cited that the Town can only release limited information about the situation due to an internal investigation and lawsuit in motion regarding the chief's leave.
Selberg releases counter comments
Selberg then refuted Fraser's and the Town's claims in his own statement on Aug. 22, denying the profanity-laced comments to Mehner.
“First, I have today (Aug. 21) seen Mayor Fraser’s comments that I made a 'vulgar statement, in public about the town administrator.' I categorically deny making any such statement. If anyone says I made any such comment, that is simply untrue,” Selberg said.
He said he "remained quiet out of respect for the department, the town, and the men and women who serve this community," though wanted to defend his "integrity."
“Although I had never been told by the BMA that they were ready to move on from me serving as chief, town administrator Mehner apparently decided that I needed to move on,” Selberg said. “But instead of honoring my contract and the town’s obligations to me, she appears to have chosen to fabricate stories about my performance and character.”
Selberg addresses concerns made against him
Selberg was appointed by the board as the Collierville fire chief in April 2022, after serving the city of Germantown.
Selberg defended his efforts to establish an ambulance service, strengthen internal operations and maintain physical test standards for firefighters as well as maintain communication with the Town.
Selberg wrote the response letter to Mehner Aug. 7, which was obtained by The Commercial Appeal through an open records request, explaining his surprise at the board's dissatisfaction in the direction of the fire department under his stewardship.
However, Mehner described "a long history of underperformance" by Selberg in his role as fire chief, including lack of improved internal focus, lack of improved communication with fire department employees, lack of communication with the BMA and administration on fire incidents and a lack of improved understanding of fire department step and career development plans.
Tenure accomplishments and decision to retire
Selberg highlighted other aspects of his tenure including pay step plan he devised in 2024 for firefighters to address concerns about pay that has largely impacted the morale of the fire department, though it remained stagnant for the last two years.
He also said he had been working with Collierville human resource director Bill Burke on increasing vacation time for new firefighters as Collierville offered less than other area fire departments.
Selberg said the conflict over his role would "risk distracting from the mission of the fire department," which is why he "made the painful decision" to retire.
“This was not the timing or the manner in which I hoped to leave, but I do not want this situation to cause further division or disruption within the department,” Selberg said. “I loved the job as fire chief, I love Collierville, and I love Collierville Fire & Rescue. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the outstanding men and women of the department.”
Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Corey.Davis@commercialappeal.com or 901-293-1610.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Collierville fire chief denies 'vulgar' claims by mayor, city admin
