The reborn Canton Fire Services Committee met Tuesday evening to determine what the city's mission should be in regards to this contentious issue.
Councilman Glen Cummins, who heads up the committee, said that he felt the mission should be to, "provide quality fire and EMS services at a reasonable cost."
The committee, which included Cummins, Mayor Gene Hobgood, City Manager Scott Wood, and Councilmen Jack Goodwin and Hooky Huffman, will also feature two non-voting citizen members. They are Dan Casey, a resident of Laurel Canyon, and Clay Cowley, whose experience working for the Woodstock Fire Department makes him an impartial expert on the challenges the city is facing.
Local resident John Rust, who is running for the Canton City Council in November, was also in attendance.
The committee is considering various fire service options, including merger with Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services and having the city "go it alone" to improve the fire situation in the city.
"We need this city to have a fire department for the city to grow after you're gone and I'm gone," Huffman said. "I am here for the city."
Please watch the attached video to view highlights of the meeting.