By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

It surely was a bittersweet moment for Hays Fire Chief Gary Brown Thursday night as he stood before the city commission for the final time. With Brown were three city firefighters.

“Ahh, Chief. This will be the last time you do this,” commented Mayor James Meier.

Brown is retiring from the Hays Fire Department today after 45 years as a firefighter, the last 15 years served in Hays.

Wearing his dress uniform, Brown had a smile on his face as he noted the promotions of Aaron Dome to Fire Captain and Tim Detrixhe to Fire Lieutenant. He also introduced a new firefighter, B. J. Hill.

“We’re very happy to see all these changes in the fire department and people moving upward,” Brown concluded.

As Brown was about to return to his seat in the audience, Meier jumped in.

“I don’t think we can let this go by without talking about one more person, and that is the chief. I think it’s appropriate to thank you for your service and what you’ve done for the city of Hays.”

“There’s never been a negative word said about you,” Meier noted, “and we’re so glad you came to Hays. It’s going to be a great loss.”

Brown said he would be “staying in Hays for a while while we figure out what we’re doing.”

The other commissioners and City Manager Toby Dougherty echoed Meier’s thank you and stood to give Brown a standing ovation as did the entire audience in the commission chamber.

A come and go public reception will be held for Brown this afternoon from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.