Salisbury finally has a permanent Fire Chief.
Richard Hoppes has been promoted from acting to the permanent fire chief after having lost two previous bids for the top spot.
In 2009 he south the job after the retirement of former fire Chief David See and again in 2012 when See’s permanent replacement quit.
At the time, the City Council majority rejected Hoppes despite Mayor Jim Ireton’s backing.
Instead, they agreed to allow him to continue on in an acting position.
This time in a closed door session the Salisbury Daily Times reports Hoppes got the backing of the new council majority with the new Council President Jake Day telling the paper that this would bring stability to the fire department.
Late Monday the Mayor issued a statement hailing Hoppes’ record citing a 28 year firefighting career.
Day would not say which way the council members voted but did say that he and Council Vice President Laura Mitchell were pleased with the choice.
