BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The newly hired Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency Director abruptly resigned the $97,000-a-year post she accepted Friday, citing concerns about a six-month interim contract, year-to-year contract renewal and “historical issues” with the position.

Karen Blackwood was interviewed and hired late Friday by the Baldwin County Commission. She e-mailed a letter of declination Sunday afternoon.

Commissioner Bob James said Monday that commissioners are likely to address the issue at tomorrow’s regular commission meeting, where they may review resumes of the three remaining candidates, start a new search, or take some other direction.

“After additional consideration and discussion with my family, I have decided that I am not comfortable relocating my family with the uncertainty of a six-month employment contract, followed by year-to-year employment,” Blackwood stated in the email. “This is a major concern.”

James said the initial six-month term was to bring all department heads to the same annual contract renewal date coinciding with the yearly rotation of the commission chairman.

“Due to the unreliable nature of contract employment and the historical issues with the director’s position, this situation does not allow for the stability that I needed for my family,” Blackwood stated.

The Atoka, Tenn., resident, who has been an emergency management officer for the U.S. Navy since June 2007, was apparently referring to a critical assessment earlier this year by the state EMA, and the abrupt resignation of director Melvin Stringfellow in April.

Seventy-one candidates from across the nation applied for the job. Commissioners collectively chose six candidates for interview last week. Two of the six pulled out of the mix before scheduled interviews.