WESTMINSTER : Council Picks Panel to Weigh Finances

A citizen panel that last year recommended budget cuts in the Fire Department--a proposal that eventually led to an unsuccessful recall drive against the mayor and three City Council members--has been revived to look at the city’s finances.

The council last week appointed the members of the Financial Review Committee, most of whom also served last year. The committee met for the first time Thursday.

Committee members are Art Gandy, Ray Maggi, Leonard Cowles, Stephen Holliday, Marge Shillington, Nancy Feightner, Earl French and James Evans.

Each member of the council appointed two committee members. Councilwoman Charmayne S. Bohman has not made her appointments but is expected to do so at the council’s July 12 meeting.

City officials said the committee will work on financial issues selected by the council. Last year, the panel looked at city operations and was asked to recommend ways to cut costs.

Last year, committee members recommended more than $1 million in cuts in the Fire Department budget, creating a political storm that culminated in the June 7 election to recall Mayor Charles V. Smith and council members Craig Schweisinger, Tony Lam and Bohman.

The recall, led by the Westminster Firefighters Assn., failed.

Some residents have suggested that the committee look at the possibility of contracting fire protection services from the county.