City approves new leaders

NEW COUNCIL MEMBER— Kasey Shumake was sworn into Place 5 of the Rhome City Council Thursday.
AMY NEAL/WCMESSENGER

Wise County Messenger
BY AMY NEAL - aneal@wcmessenger.com
January 18, 2023

The Rhome City Council approved the hiring of a new fire chief and appointed a new council member to Place 5 at their meeting Thursday.

Scott Estes was named Rhome Fire Chief while Kasey Shumake was sworn into his position on the council.

Estes has been involved in the fire service for 40 years and has previously worked in departments in West Texas, the Metroplex, and Wise County.

The first decade of his career took place in Abilene. He was eventually hired in Southlake, where he served for 22 years. After retiring there, he decided his working days were not over. Estes worked for the Westlake Fire Department on a part-time and full-time basis for five years. In 2020, he became the Wise County Emergency Services District No. 1 Fire Chief.

“I don’t call Abilene home,” Estes said. “I call Wise County home. My wife and I wanted to get back here.”

After leaving his position in Wise County, Estes relocated to South Texas. He has worked as an insurance agent and firefighter in La Vernia.

When the Rhome Fire Chief position opened up, Estes was eager to apply and return to Wise County.

“It is a blessing that I got this job, and this is where I need to be,” Estes said.

Former Fire Chief Darrell Fitch retired in June following eight years as the department’s leader. Being familiar with the area, Estes appreciates the legacy that Fitch has left behind.

“I want to continue what Darrell started,” Estes said. “I don’t want to change everything. I don’t think it has to all be changed. It just needs to be improved upon as the city grows.”

City Administrator Amanda DeGan said she believed Estes was well-suited for the role because of his prior experience and his vision for the future.

“I talked to both finalists and came to the conclusion that Mr. Estes would be the best choice for our city,” DeGan said.

Mayor Pro-Tem Josh McCabe moved to approve Estes’ hiring, which was seconded by Council Member Kathy Konegni and unanimously approved.

Fulfilling a vacancy in Place 5, Roanoke Police Officer Kasey Shumake spoke before the council prior to his appointment.

Shumake works in the traffic and motor division of the police department and connected his experience with issues currently facing Rhome.

“With Roanoke, I basically watched it grow up from a dirt road all the way to what it is today,” Shumake said.

He highlighted the city’s need for new infrastructure related to roadways and sewage. Shumake said he has first-hand experience communicating and working with TXDOT and the Roanoke City Council in similar situations.

“When we moved here, it reminded me of Roanoke, and I thought I could do a lot of good here,” Shumake said.

Four other applicants also presented their qualifications to the council. Shumake’s appointment was unanimously approved after the council emerged from closed session.