By Chris Rosa

Thomas Falgout, who has worked for the Boys and Girls Club for the last 15 years, has declined the job as Abbeville’s Park and Recreation Director.

When Falgout interviewed for the position Tuesday, he informed the Abbeville City Council and Mayor Mark Piazza that he had also applied for a Boys and Girls Club position in North Carolina. He told them that if he got the job in North Carolina, he would decline Abbeville’s position.

The City Council went ahead and approved hiring Falgout but also named Abbeville’s own Jason O’Brien as the second choice if Falgout turned down the position.

Well, at the end of the week, Falgout informed the Mayor that he has been hired in North Carolina.

O’Brien was then offered the new Parks and Recreation Director job.

O’Brien was a football player from Abbeville High and went on to play football at Northwestern State, where he received a Master’s Degree.

“Wow, I know Jason,” said Falgout. “He was a former Boys and Girls Club member. I am happy for him. He is a good guy.”

Falgout thanked the City Council for wanting to hire him and had been looking forward to the opportunity to work in Abbeville again. He had been the director of the Boys and Girls Club in Abbeville in 1993 and 1996.