COVINGTON, Ga. - Covington Fire Department (CFD) Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal Tony Smith filed his letter of resignation with the City of Covington at the beginning of the month.

Smith said, in his resignation letter to Covington City Manager Leigh Anne Knight, the decision to resign was not an easy one for him to make.

“The past 20 years have been very rewarding,” Smith wrote in the letter. “I’ve enjoyed working for the city and managing a very successful team dedicated to providing a safe quality of life for the citizens and visitors of the community.”

Smith said, in the letter, the city has continued to provide for his family and he never imagined himself working anywhere else.

“You are aware of how the past couple of years have really been a struggle for me and as promised I truly have given my all,” he wrote in the letter addressed to Knight. “I have nothing left to give. My family and my health have suffered as a result of the stress of my work environment.

“I have pondered over this decision for months and I’m at peace with it.”

According to the letter, Smith had enjoyed his time with the city until recently.

“I no longer fit into the model of the city’s fire department,” Smith wrote in the letter. “I hope I have served the city well. I truly took my job personally. Every decision made has been in the best interest of the citizens, visitors and public safety.”

Smith offered his services as a consultant during the transition phase of his position and wished the city the best of luck going forward.

CFD Chief Stoney Bowles said Smith’s resignation was a personal decision and offered no further comment.

Smith did not respond to interview requests from The Covington News by press time.