Mesquite Fire Chief Derek Hughes, shown earlier this year at a water district meeting, suddenly resigned from the fire department on Monday.
Mesquite Fire Chief Derek Hughes resigned suddenly on Monday evening.
The resignation came without warning, and without two weeks notice.
"It's just time," Hughes said on Tuesday.
"My wife and I have talked about it, and it's time to get out of the fray of living the public life," Hughes said."I want to live more stress-free."
The resignation came on Monday during a meeting with City Manager Tim Hacker, Hughes said.
When asked if there was a specific reason for choosing to leave at this time, Hughes said "nothing monumental."
"I've thought about this for a while," Hughes added."I've got a couple of things I'm working on.I'll just be taking back my life for me."
Hughes has been with the Mesquite Fire Department for 15 years, spending the last 10 as the chief.
During that time, he has been one of the most popular city officials among both his subordinates and the public. banner
In a MesquiteLocalNews.com opinion poll in April of 2009 which asked "Which Mesquite city official does the best job?", 1038 people voted for Hughes.
Former City Clerk Sheree Goessman finished second in the voting with 939.
Because Hughes' resignation is immediate, Deputy Chief David Peterson will serve as the acting chief until a new chief is named.
According to Mesquite City Code, the new chief will be appointed the City Manager.
Hughes becomes the third high-ranking city official to depart in the last six months.
Goessman was terminated in February of this year as part of a layoff at the city.
Longtime City Engineer Allen Bell officially submitted his retirement earlier this month, with the retirement set to take effect on Dec. 31, 2010.On July 1, Bell began using the substantial amount of vacation time he has accrued, and has been away from the city offices in anticipation of the Dec. 31 date.
While he will no longer be the chief, Hughes believes the fire department is in good shape.
"It's a great team over there," Hughes said."They've got a good staff at the fire department."
Commentary
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 It is not right that the LDS church is dragged through the mud regarding other peoples choices. It is not the churches fault that someone acquired land from them. It is not their fault that Derek Hughes decided to resign for whatever reason. For those of you that don't know, Hughes is a LDS member and a return missionary.
Y'all just want to find someone to blame. Hughes made a decision...if he was being "forced" out perhaps it was for good reason. If there was no reason and he truly decided he wanted a stress free life then leave it alone. If he was forced and had nothing to bite him in the arse (judging from prior posts of greatness) then it seems he would fight to retain his position.
Again the church has nothing to do with each individuals personal decisions. If the church had that much sway over so many people then this wouldn't even be an issue;
we all would have chosen the right. By: KIM
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Hmmmmm . . . .city officials bailing out like rats on a sinking ship?
Chamber board members dropping like flies?
Common denominator: Tim Hacker By: Old One
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Known Hughes for many years. Remember his appointment by sneaky Montgomery. He has done a great job and it seems this young man's resigning is not all that kosher. Something happened and the public should be informed. He has done many wonderful things and to suddenly quit does not seem right. Time for Workman to do his thing and find out. By: redi-kilowatt
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 If the City of Mesquite doesn't quickly offer David Peterson the position on a permanent basis, it would be a crying shame. He is immensely qualified and a very effective leader! Thanks for your service Chief Hughes! By: Terry Ogden
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 If anyone thinks in this economy someone would just quit a high paying job "Because he felt like it" then you are crazy. Hughes (like Groessman) got forced out because he disagreed with Hacker and got the boot. This is just plain B.S. what goes on in this city government. Here is a word of warning for Hacker -start looking for a new job because when Holecheck gets kicked out of office YOU are outta here. By: Fireman
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Derek, Congratulations on doing a great job we will miss you as Chief and for whatever the reason it sound like you and your wife made the choice together. Good luck in what ever you do in the future. By: Yvonne Johnson
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 These faithful hard working city employees have served us for many years and are getting kicked out by Mayor Holecheck because they disagree with her and Hacker is the hatchet man. Derek, Sheree and Allen all got screwed by this city and we are doing nothing about it. We should be ashamed. If you want to ask the mayor what the heck she is doing to good people, show up at the mayors coffee on the 30th and ask her why she supports dubious people like those in Desert Falls and why she supports Library Randy Ence but won't support the real people that make this city a great place to live. Mayors coffee July 30, tell her we are tired of this corruption. By: Wife of F/F
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 This just does not make any sense.. thisngs just don't add up!!! what is realy going on here?? By: Resident
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Thank you Chief Huges for your wonderful service! You will be missed! By: JJ
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Thanks for your service Derek. You have been a class act and put together a great team. The best of luck to you and your family in whatever you choose. By: George Rapson
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Unbelievable. Look at how much Derek makes and then THINK - is anyone going to give that up in these tough economic times? By: Cop wife
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Derek Thank you all you have done You will be Missed Good Luck By: randy johnson
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 HACKER HAS GOT TO GO!
ANOTHER FINE SERVANT WITH YEARS OF SERVICE GONE THANKS TO THE QUEEN AND HER COURT!
CANNOT WAIT TILL ELECTION AND HEADLINES THAT SAY HACKER AND HUNT ARE OUT WHEN THE NEW MAYOR COMES IN-AND IT WILL NOT BE THE QUEEN! By: JOEY
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Truth is the mayor thinks the fire department is way overstaffed for this city. Overheard in the mayors office -90% of the time those guys just sit on their butts and watch HBO. By: City Hall worker
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Welcome to Mesquite at it's finest! To Derek I say Thank you for a job well done. To the citizens of Mesquite I say WAKE UP. This seems to be happening behind closed doors in the different departments of Mesquite more often then not. I saw a saying the other day on a car window... it said VOTE THEM ALL OUT. This includes my local officials too. Corrupt Government must be stopped! Problem here in Mesquite is we are still small enough that there are people in our local government that are able to play little Hitler’s! VOTE THEM ALL OUT!! IT IS WE THE PEOPLE!
By: LONGTIME RESIDENT
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Derek Hughes has been a big part of the growth of Mesquite. His personality and calm demeanor is a great quality. I wish him and his family the best. You did good Derek!!!!!!!
It is very sad that Mesquite is turning into a ugly place to live.
I hope things can get changed around... By: Blondie
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 My favorite mayoral candidate will be the one running against the QUEEN and her court. Workman needs to do some investigation on this resignation and inform the public of the truth...... By: Gary Krull
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Resignation? I don't believe it at all. Let's bet Timmy "forced" the resignation? Bad economy, and all of a sudden a resignation? No way, not sensible at this time. There's more to this one! It's time for Mr. Workman to get to work and find out exactly what happened. By the way, are we EVER going to find out what cuts the administration took??? Did they take cuts? Come on citizens, jump on the wagon with me. Let's apply public pressure for the cuts to be released. There is no other way it will be done. Mr. Workman, please help us there is no else to turn to. We know how City Hall feels about you so whats the difference? By: Natuve
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Mr.Workman, can you please correct the name I put in my last entry? I hit the u instead of a i key. Can you spell it properly? Please? By: Native
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 The lesson for us here is: the mayor, hacker, library randy, gustaveson and this city government runs a secretive, screw the people, smoky backroom deals, insider only government that won't tell the people anything. I wish Mr. Workman would take them all to task but he doesn't have enough support of the people to print the real truth about what goes on in city hall. Like someone else said, go to the mayors coffee and tell the mayor this is absolute crap. We want the truth and we want it now. By: Eye on Mayor
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Met Chief Hughes a couple of times in passing and we should all be thanking him for a job well done and for all his years of service. Now that your free Derek how about running for Mayor yourself. We could use some young blood and someone with a vision of prosperity for this city besides personal interests and personal power trip personalities. By: Bb
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 WOW, here we go again. Hughes is one of the better people we have in this town. Have you noticed a pattern developing. Only certain people that seem to have a mind of their own which lends them to quality work for the good of Mesquite are the people that Hacker , the queen semimayor and her LDS handlers want out of the way so they can push their adjendas. My fear is that this corrupt group will do a great deal of damage before we can vote them off the island. New mayor and city council. All of this bunch can go back to whatever town they live in since many of them are not Mesquite residents. The fact that good people are leaving in a very down economic time tells me that Mesquite is definately not a place to work in town Govt nor is it a quality town to live in. This idiot mayor and her moron LDS handlers are just short of a corruption investigation, but it does show just how arrogant and unafraid they are of prosecution. They are now busy placing blame on those they can set up to take the fall. This bunch is unbelieveable in their methods. WE must act and be very careful to watch every move these criminals make. By: steelgiant10
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Good luck Derek! By: Mike Traxler
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 HEY CITY HALL WORKER-OR THE QUEEN OR HACKER -WHOEVER YOU ARE-
FIREMEN WAT TILL THEY ARE CALLED OR NEEDED-YES THEY DO WATCH TV BUT GO OUT WITH THEM WHEN THEY ARE CALLED OUT ON A HOT DAY-WANNA CUT UM?HOPE YOU NEVER NEED THEM BUT I FOR ONE ARE HAPPY WITH THE RESPONSE TIME AND TOP NOTCH WORK THE FIRE AND POLICE DO!
WHY DON'T YOU GO AFTER HACKER'S CAR ALLOWANCE?
YOU SOUND LIKE THE MICRO MANAGING QUEEN MAYOR TO ME-ENJOY THE SHORT TIME YOU HAVE LEFT IN OFFICE-YOU AND HACKER AND HUNT CAN GET A JOB WITH YOUR LDS FRIENDS WHEN YOU ARE ALL KICKED OUT! By: JOEY
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Sorry to see you go Chief. I like many others doubt seriously the reason. Another hatchet job by Queen H & her minions!
Scares the heck out of me to know that David Peterson could be the Chief. His qualifications are out-dated and his leadership qualities can be written on the end of a pin! Probably a good thing you are gone. The City & Peterson can really bring down the department & you wouldn't want to be a part of that after 15 years. Have a good life. By: Ray
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 "City Hall Worker"- I hope that you were quoting something and not agreeing! I'm sure many people sit on their butts at work doing non work related things. The difference? These people can save lives and work hard doing so. They give up whole days with their families for OUR community. When others go home at 5 to their families, they don't!! I think they are entitled to that.
Back to the point.... Derek has been an amazing asset to this city for well over 15 years. He's done a great job and has sacrificed a lot to get where he is in life. I pray that only good things come to him and his family. I believe he is better off not working in such a negative environment. No matter what I will always have his back and I'm very happy to see so many other people do too. I am proud of my big brother!! By: lil' sis
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Derek,You have done a great job hope you well in the future you and your lovely wife have been a great asset to the city of Mesquite, Again thank you.
Ted Miller By: ted miller
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Geez Holecheck, what is the matter with you????? Here is the answer to all this mess you keep creating. Make Desert Falls pay up the $8 million they owe us and stop firing employees and laying of good people. Get with it Susan, the people are sick of it. By: Big idea
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 If the people really want this to change then:
1. start a recall petition for the Mayor.
2. make it clear to the city council that if they want to be re-elected Hacker must go.
3. support a charter -government
Otherwise, expect more of the same. Action speaks louder than words.
By: mmcgreer
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 This has stink all over it! In this economy, a man with 15 years service just up & quits? If you people believe that, I have some oceanfront property in Arizona for you. This is WRONG! Chief is not the kind of man that would just up & quit without notice. He was PUSHED out. Greatest fear is Peterson, who is not in the least interested in the success of the department, will become Chief. Chief of what Peterson? Your group of LDS F/F? To make a comment about the department sitting around watching TV 90% of the time shows how little our leaders know. Live the life of a F/F for a day, if you think you can. See what they see. Our wannabe Mayor & her LDS puppeteers have shown once again that they don't care about Mesquite. They live for power. Just hope it's during a commercial if they need a Paramedic. If we don't have the money for fireworks, or have to cut the departments so greatly, why could the city afford to donate to the Veterans, the Art Museum & why could MPD afford new furniture & such? Something stinks about all of this & it is time Mesquite wakes up! We once were a fabulous place to live & work. Now we just STINK. Notice how many good families have moved out? Wake up Mesquite, while we can! Hold them accountable, because they don't give a crap about WE THE PEOPLE! By: F/F Family
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Derek--You have been such a solid GOOD influence in Mesquite for a long time. We are all fortunate to have had you at the helm. You'll do well wherever your path takes you--hopefully, a less stressful and more enjoyable one! I wish you the very best in your future endeavors. By: Melanie
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 I've been acquainted with Chief Hughes for nearly his entire life as a City of Mesquite public servant. And, while we are not close personal friends, I know Derek to be a caring and compassionate person.
Whatever shortcoming, indiscretion or other perceived question of character that may have led to his abrupt resignation, I know with absolute certainty that Chief Hughes posseses a big, good heart and selflessly dedicated his adult life to serving this community to the very best of his ability.
I truly regret Dererk's departure from public service, especially under the circumstance reported. To be clear, with a wife and four children to support, resigning will not afford Chief Huges the benefit of unemployment insurance benefits. I hope that fact weighs heavily upon those who may have conspired or compelled Chief Hughes' departure.
Whatever the true reason or cause for his sudden leaving, I want to thank Chief Hughes for his devoted service to our community and wish for him, his wife and family the very best. May you all be blessed with life long good health and happiness!
RGR
By: Arthur G. Renbard
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Morris Workman for mayor!!!!!!! By: FF mom
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Hold your head high Derek Hughes! You are a great father, husband, leader and true friend. My whole family wishes you nothing but happiness in whatever your future brings. By: Megan Giolito
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 There is one of the Queens coffee town meetings scheduled for 7:15AM, Friday, 7/30/10. I will do my best to be there. I have some questions for our "mayor'; can I use that term here? I think it would be great if everyone who reads and speaks out here would attend and ask her direct questions. The harder the better. Let's see if she has the nerve to answer anything truthfully. Be there in full force!!! By: steelgiant10
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 WOW! what the **** is going on in this town? I think the truth will come out. What is the city covering up? More questions than answers..go get em Morris.. By: Lady in Red
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 I think everyone would be shocked to know the real story behind all of this. And you would all be so very wrong with all your comments. By: Matt
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Regardless of the reason Matt, doesn't take away from Derek doing a good job and being such a good man. Who's to say you know the whole story? If you "think" you do, I'm sure you're the one thinking wrong. Obviously you're a fan of the Mayor and can't stand the people of this town knowing how crappy it's ran!! By: Annon
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 The mayor should ask for Hackers resignation as city manager. He is obviously not managing the city well. Oh, I forgot he is one of the "good old boys club" By: Vic M
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 EVERYBODY knows how I feel about our Mayor and her inability to be Mayor! I have always had the utmost respect for Chief Hughes and his commitment to Mesquite. For the first time, in a long time, I am willing to hold off judgement against Mayor H. or Hacker. I would love nothing more than to blast her, but this all seems a bit strange to me and I am willing to think there are 2 sides to this story. In the meantime, Chief thank you for your commitment and long service to Mesquite. I know you will be missed. By: Martin Bauer
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Do tell Matt! Since you seem to know. Why don't you enlighten us all? Or maybe you're just another "Hater". By: New Resident
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Derek with you gone there will be a big hole in wha's left of the heart of this city. We will miss you. As for you not airing all the reasons publicly that shows the amount of class you possess. For you to walk away in this oconomy I know you and your have toiled over this for soe time. God less you and your family. Reguarding the city officials it will come out just how coorupted you are. Selfish personal agendas have no place in Government but unforunately it is common place. Your time will be up! By: Concerned
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 He was forced out, someone knows to much about someone high up and Derek? let see who would gain from Derek leaving? By: oh no
Posted Date: 07/21/2010 Derek, I enjoyed working with you over the last several years. You are a great Fire/Rescue Chief and have a lot of care and compassion in your work. Good luck with your future endeavors. By: Sheree Goessman
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 Here is a FYI for any one like the City Hall Worker who commented that the fire fighters just sit on their butts and watch HBO all day, you are all wrong!!! These fire fighters are always studying and training so they are prepared to save yours, your friends, and your family in troubling times. I do many ride a longs with the crews and I know first hand that they work hard to stay on top of the ever changing field of medical and fire. They used to go to the gym to stay in shape so they do their job efficiently until the public complained too much. So now if they watching TV more than normal than thank your selves for not understanding them needing to be shape.
As for City Counsel pushing everyone out of the city I couldn't agree more. I think that Chief Hughes has more going on than what is be said. He is good at his job and he loves fire fighting! Thank you Chief for all of your hard work! You have been wonderful!!!!!
There have been many pushed out of the city besides just Allen Bell and Sheree Groessmen. What about Jeri Pierce, Mark Woods, Rachelle Secrist, Destiny Adams, Dorothy Higgins, and the others? I was one of them because I knew too much and was tired of how things where going so I started to tell people what was going on. Next thing I knew I was out of a job.
Joey- Micro managing and car allowance doesn't even touch the surface of the misuse of funds, the "good ol boys", and the micro managing. Hacker is a problem but he and the Mayor are not the only two to blame here. There is a couple more in City hall that needs to be stopped or put in their place (Mike Callahan and Bill Tanner). Have you ever known a public works director having enough power to tell the police what types of cars they can get? This is just one example of the power that the public works director has. He also sits in his office most of the day and watch his camera’s that he has all over the place. He put those cameras up for “security purposes” but why does he have to make watch his employees as much as he does? If he can’t trust them then get rid of them instead of micro manage them! Hacker and Callahan are too spineless to stand up and do what is right and that is their biggest downfall.
WONDERFUL MESQUITE!!! LOL yeah right!
By: Tired of small town politics
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 Derek - I have truly enjoyed coming to know you in the last few years, and will miss your terrific smile, gentle manner, and your courage and devotion to your job. I will miss you, and wish you, your wife, and your family nothing but the best! By: Jolene M.
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 I apologize. I didn't say they sit on their butts and watch TV. What I said was -overheard in the mayors office is that "the good old boys network" thinks that is what happens. I love f/f and I thinks the mayor should go before any f/f ever goes. Sorry for the confusion. If she wants to cut the budget, start with Hacker. And Tired of small town politics is absolutely right -the good ones are being forced out. By: City Hall Worker
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 Terry Ogden is wrong about Dave Petersen. Petersen's only qualification to be chief is that he's already a bishop. By: -
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 Will all you readers please answer one question for me? Why in the hell won't this mayor call Desert Falls on the carpet and tell them to pony up the millions they owe the citizens of Mesquite rather than running every city council meeting like it is a gosh darn tea party? Thats right - a gosh darn tea party. By: Mad as hell
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 Here's a great idea. Donna Fairchild for mayor, Morris Workman for city manager, Bill Nichols for Economic Development Director. By: Kathy L
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 Well, when are the residents of Mesquite going to realize Mesquite is pretty much dead and gone. It will never recover, because the town was ran by greed. I'm sorry to here of Derek leaving he was a great leader, I worked with him for a short time. Ch.Petersen will do a great job and is fully qualified. But residence you need to start looking for other places to make a living. The Walmart will be the next large place to close, I give it a year....... then what? By: mookie
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 You hit it right "Tired of small town politics". Bill Tanner has way too much power and it didn't take long to see this. He either has something on someone or is just a beer drinking buddy of Timmy? No way should he EVER have power over everyone from a paperclip to the type of car purchased. When is the last time he was in a pursuit or tried to stuff a person in the backseat of a car? It's time for City Hall's full-time people to get swept out next election. Timmy needs to realize he can be fired, Tanner needs to realize he can be replaced, and those who are elected need to realize they can be unemployed by a mark of the ballot. Serving the community in an elected position is not a right, but a privilege. When you violate your privileges, they are taken away! It's that simple! It’s time for a broom to sweep clean next year. We need people who will stand for the citizens, not the power base at City Hall! Drive by the lot at Mesquite Blvd and Desert Drive, is it worth 1.7 million dollars in today’s economy? I think not! Let's make more deals like that and then lay off or threaten to lay off more city employees. Let's make them take cuts, but not take cuts ourselves. It all reeks of the Feasance Sisters: (mis, mal, and non) plus throw in there misappropriation! Time to sweep the doors at City Hall! By: Native
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 The are a lot of questions out there and there should be, the current administration has a problem of selective carring for issues regardless of the people of Mesquite, and Hacker keeps coming into play, but then they come up with bring bck Nichols, who is a nice guy, and promoting Fairchield, they are the ones who hired Hacker and praise him so becareful of how you change things or you wind up with more of the same. Remeber who told people of Mesquite to move if they didn't aggree with her, well shes back so be carefull. By: Richard
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 Good luck Derek in your future endeavors! I don't know you personally, however, I have heard great things about your commitment to excellence! Since we moved here a few years ago I have come to the realization that Mesquite is run by the LDS "good ole boys club". And you know who you are! All the corruption cover-up's of the LDS co-founders of Mesquite have been quite obvious! The Queen and her cronies should be ashamed of their underhanded agenda's... It's time for the citizens of Mesquite to take a stand! We need new leaders!! By: New to Mesquite
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 So, why did everybody vote these folks into power in the first place? Your votes make it all happen and your votes made this all happen. What happened at the voting booths last time around? By: Scott
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 Well ya'all, the displeasure with the city has been going on for months. I wonder though, why no one goes to the city council meetings. Of course the fact that the meetings are held in the afternoon doesn't help. Most towns hold the meetings in the evenings to citizens are able to attend. A news story here in Calif. just revealed a city that is paying the council members and some department heads 6 figure salaries. The people are so outraged that they are packing the council meetings. That is what should be happening in Mesquite. The November election won't come soon enough. The biggest way you can send a message is to vote out everyone who is up for re-election and also not vote in anyone who is associated with that "good 'ol boys" network. With the city's population growing, thanks to Sun City, the message needs to be sent that the antics will stop now and change isn't just coming, IT'S HERE! By: Kit
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 Derek, I was shocked to hear you had left the department. I deal with many police and fire officials and none are more dedicated, honest and hard working than you. Big loss to Mesquite! Please stay in touch. Roger By: Roger Combs
Posted Date: 07/22/2010 Mayor, Don't fill the fire chiefs position for awhile. That will save about 100 grand and you can hire back the crossing guards for the safety of our kids. I'm sure some good Mormon will get the job anyway. Right library Randy? By: recall the mayor
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 CHIEF DEREK - Keep standing tall! *** I STILL remember when you started "this job" - ya done good, BUD! THANK YOU, MOST sincerely! ;-) Postscript = FOR: Greg Lee @ The EUREKA, is there any chance the family could "spring" for a couple of complimentary steak dinners{!} - at "GREGORY's" - for both the FIRE CHIEF DEREK and CITY ENGINEER / Economic Development heads (in the day) ALLEN & 'YOLI' BELL families? By: GUM
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 Okay. Here we go again with the intellectual giants of this town. The man resigns. He has his own personal reasons for resigning. Should I be privy to those reasons? No, I don't think so. How everyone on this town jumps all over an article and speculates what they want to be happening is just staggering to me.
I can tell you what I heard personally from a City worker and that is that the fire fighters union would not relent at all or work at all with the City with trying to cut the budget so some people could stay employed. Now that not only affects the fire department but other City employees also. In these economic times it might actually be better to go without one day of pay than to go without a job altogether. Now don't jump all over that either. I'm just trying to make a point.
Secondly, from reading what City Hall worker had to say, I think the mayor had better keep her door shut at all times because there are obviously people running around there that don't have the best interests of the City at heart and are willing to overhear any snippet of conversation and throw it out to the wind. I think they need to go back to their desk and do their job that we are paying them for instead of spying on what the mayor may be doing.
And, once again, for all those wonderful super intellects out there that can somehow read between lines and come up with the truth, our current mayor was not investigated by the FBI. Out last mayor was. Now why you all think our current mayor is out to do this City in, I don't know. I haven't seen any of that.
Yeah, yeah. I know. Maybe you don't like her personality, but I truly don't think she's out to screw anybody. Sure, she may have made some mistakes, but maybe you should ask the City how much money they had to pay out because of mistakes the last mayor made. And, oh, by the way, that's your money that was paid out.
So quit with the queen and her court and every other stupid thing you have to say. If you have so much time on your hands, go out and volunteer to do something and get a life! By: Chloe
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 Okay. Here we go again with the intellectual giants of this community reading a newspaper article and blessing us with their commentary on what they don't really know. The man resigns. He has his personal reasons for resigning. Should I be privy to those reasons? No, I don't think I should nor should you. And why everyone is now blaming the mayor is beyond me. I don't remember reading that in the article. How some of you can somehow read something and speculate and now it's the truth is beyond me. I also heard from a City employee that the firefighters union would not work with the City at all or relent at all when it came to making cuts and that affects all City employees; not just firefighters. And for the City Hall worker who seems to have the time to wander the halls and listen in on other people's conversations, please go back to your desk and do the job we are paying you for. I personally do not want to hear snippets of conversation and then have someone throw it out to the wind to be misinterpreted. Go to your desk, sit down and do your job. And, Madam Mayor, maybe you should keep your door closed when having conversations. Yeah, I know. then they'll be saying you're not open to the public. Oh, well. I guess you can't win, can you. At least not in this town.
As far as I can see, the City employees are trying to do the best they can during difficult times for everyone. By: Chloe
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 If the mayor doesn't leave this position vacant for awhile to save some big bucks, then you know there is more to this story. This is a good chance to save some money Susan -what do you say? By: Amy
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 Chole, although your paragraph(s) had good intentions, you are wrong. You based your opinion not on fact, but hear say. I know for a fact, the fire dept. gave up money, and personnel. All city depts. came through for this city, you should be proud of all of them, and the city officials for their efforts. So now, get yourself a new blog name because your credibility is shot. By: Eye in the sky
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 For Chloe, you are naive. The mayor told the fire chief to get out. He would cut the budget for safety reasons so he had to go. He disagreed with the mayor so he is gone. Simple as that. There is a culture of fear in city hall so don't be naive about it. Hacker is a bully, Holecheck is incompetent. You are obviously a supporter of an incompetent politician but thank goodness we, the people, (remember that part in the founding fathers writings) have this forum to express our views as popular or as unpopular as they may be. Chloe, this administration has wasted millions of dollars on pet projects, several people have gotten sweet heart deals from Susan, the city is in shambles and it will get worse and Susan has not accomplished one single thing as mayor. Not one single thing. Fortunately, we have this forum to express our displeasure at losing a good fire chief. If it were up to people like you and Hacker and Susan Holecheck everything in Mesquite would be done in secret and behind closed doors as you have advised the mayor. That is precisely what is wrong with this city government. Having said that, thanks to this newspaper for giving you Chloe the right to express your opinion. By: City employee
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 Hey Chloe, the firefighters lost pay just like all the other city employees (except management and council) By: -
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 I can't, for the life of me, understand how such a small city can have so many issues. All this mystery makes me wonder what the heck is going on. Someone has to know something about these resignations. Please, someone let the taxpayer and concerned citizen know what is really going on. Mr. Hughes, I wish you and your family the best. You seem like a very nice and competent person. By: ginger
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 I have an idea. If providing essential city services is currently breaking the city’s bank, then how about we just dissolve all of the city’s public safety departments all together? I’m sure nobody that you know has ever experienced a medical emergency, or lost everything they own in a fire. So why waste city dollars on a fire department? And being a victim of a crime could never possibly happen to the good tide paying members of this community, so having a police department must be even more frivolous spending. Come on, we all know the first rule of finance “Pay yourself first” and that’s exactly what our city administrators are doing. Don’t expect them to give up anything out of their own contracts to help pay the bills. But buyers beware! You always end up getting what you pay for, and we are most certainly paying for it now. By: Buyer Beware!
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 The candidate that runs for mayor needs only one manta, they will terminate the city manager on day one. Nothing else is needed. Replace the Queen and fire the city manager. Time to try and sell the library site, too. The Mormons got their money so they can shut up. By: redi-kilowatt
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 its well known that fire chief and Timmy and Billy are drinking buddys. and someone knows something and said something to someone in city hall.Will see who else will be leaving. By: what!
Posted Date: 07/23/2010 It is well known that Hacker is a bully at city hall carrying out the mayor's orders. Saying that the city wants to become more "business friendly" is bunk..it is a reason for Hacker to give sweet deals and look the other way for his bigshot friends and certain council members that think they are above all rules and codes. The city by doing this has just opened the door for a multiude of discrimanation lawsuits because codes and rules will be decided on a case by case basis. Since so much staff has been cut in the building and planning dept, why not combine the depts thereby cutting out one director and one administrative assistant...money that could be used for crossing guards and other city services cut.. By: Pat
Posted Date: 07/24/2010 Being new to Mesquite I'd like to think I can look at this situation without personal attactments. Dont know Hughes or "city officals" personally. But I agree something is up!! I believe "oh no" hit it on the head, WHO gains from Hughes leaving??? The city sure isnt gainning anything by letting this unpopular "resingment" happen. Peterson doesnt gain by being dragged into the ugliness. And Hughes doent gain by being unemployeed. More lay-off's and "resignments" or "retirments" are sure to come. This city needs to watch whos coming in, or rejoinning, the Mesquite "Family", not the ones being pushed out! By: outside point of view
Posted Date: 07/24/2010 Mayor, please leave this position unfilled for a while and save $100,000 a year plus benefits. Return the crossing guards so my 6 year old can be safe. Thank you By: Worried Mom
Posted Date: 07/24/2010 I have known Chief Hughes for many years though not personally I have worked arround the fire and ems. I remember Hughes stirring things up between the old chief and the old EMS director. I too remember the sneeky Montgomery appointment and Peterson being brought in to keep Derek from screwing up. I have watched alot of the volunteers leave because of the department politics. I see that there are more captains and officers than fulltime firefighters. I also see 3-4 fire trucks and ambulances at the rec. center at a time ( what a waste of fuel and resources). I think that this change is long over due. I can see where those outside department, city, and the chiefs own politics could be fooled but I am encouraged and look for better things to happen. By: Anthony
Posted Date: 07/24/2010 I guess Petersen is not going to get the job, there is already a opening job listing on city web page for chief of fire. By: hey look
Posted Date: 07/25/2010 Hey Anthony why don't you think before you open your mouth and insert your foot! There are a total of 4 Captains. One for each on duty shift. And one Captain who is the EMS coordinator. There are a total of 23 fire fighters. These 23 are also either EMT's or Paramedics. So you do the math.....there are NOT more captains than fire fighters! And as far as the fire trucks being at the recreation center that is their work out time! If you know half as much as you THINK you do then you would know they work out to stay in shape. This is so they can be in shape to drag people out of burning buildings. ( have you ever worn turn outs or an air pack when it is 100 outside?)Extricate them out of vehicles (you try lifting the jaws of life). Hopefully I have made my point but with your level of ignorance I doubt I have! I am tired of the publics ignorance and lack of understanding of what these men and women do. It's not a desk job. It demands commitment and dedication not only from the fire fighter but their families as well. By: Truth
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