We have a lot less money to spend on fire and police and other direct services.

This is a hard time for the fire department and, in fact, the city as a whole.

It's affecting the morale of employees, hanging over their heads. We need to get it over with sooner rather than later. It's much better for employees and residents.

A lot is going to be determined by the market. We?re hoping to be a catalyst.

We've worked hard with every department to minimize cuts to services. But there's no way around it. These are major cuts, and they are going to be felt throughout the community.

That kind of leadership is what I was looking for in a chief.