DOWNEY - The position of deputy fire marshal left vacant with the promotion of new fire chief Lonnie Croom has been eliminated by the city of Downey, which instead plans to fill an open assistant fire chief position.The City Council signed off on the move Tuesday, which was recommended by Croom as a way to "retain a level of experience and expertise required by the department." The personnel change is "basically cost neutral" because Croom was hired at a lower annual salary than previous chief Jeff Turner, said human resources director Irma Youssefieh. The pay difference will be seen when Croom's salary increases in the future. City officials did not say who will fill the assistant fire chief position. -Eric Pierce, city editor

********** Published: February 10, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 43