Thank you to Fire Chief Oliver Stewart, who is retiring after 35 years with the Natchez Fire Department.

Stewart’s work in Natchez as a firefighter began in 1980 at the age of 26. He said it didn’t take long for it to become his passion.

His career spans many years protecting property and saving lives.

The job of fire chief here is an important one. The person leads one of the area’s most critical public safety departments. Solid leadership in a fire department is important everywhere, but it is critical in Natchez.

Our historic city has scores of irreplaceable wooden structures and downtown features buildings that are so incredibly close to one another that if one building catches fire, a high probability exists that neighboring structures could be destroyed, too.

Like Stewart, the next fire chief will oversee more than 50 employees in a department that covers 465 square miles in the city and county, all during a time of economic uncertainty.

The city has begun the process of hiring a new fire chief. While the city has set no deadline for naming Stewart’s replacement, we urge the city to choose candidates and ultimately the next fire chief in front of the full view of the public the city leaders serve.

City residents have an interest in the next leader of our fire department so let’s make certain lots of sun shines on all interviews and deliberations.