Taylor Council Says No To Fire & EMS Name Change

Smith grew up with Nelson and spoke highly of him. He went on to say that he has friends and family in the Phoenix area who know Nelson as a Phoenix firefighter, and said he is a good man, a man of integrity.

Smith said he was concerned that Burden had approached the Snowflake Town Council about the proposed department name change first, and reminded everyone that the fire department is under the direction of Taylor, not Snowflake.

He further noted that he had been approached by a member of the Snowflake Town Council, and his arm was twisted to vote in favor of the name Silver Creek Fire & EMS Service. He did not like the fact that this went to the Snowflake Council before it came to Taylor.

Smith moved to name the newly formed fire/EMS department Taylor-Snowflake Fire and Ambulance.

Councilman Gary Solomon quickly seconded the motion.

It was noted that this is the current name on the intergovernmental agreement with Snowflake, so Smith then moved to leave the name the same. Solomon seconded that motion and it passed with in a 3-2 vote with Smith, Solomon and Mayor Fay Hatch voting in favor, and Councilmen Jason Brubaker and Carl Cosper opposing the measure. Vice Mayor Shawn Palmer and Councilman Lynn DeWitt were absent from the proceedings.

“I thought we ought to discuss it out of courtesy to the fire department,” said Cosper, noting that there were many firefighters present.

Chief Burden came to the podium and turned the time over to Clifford Maxwell, who had approached the Taylor Council in June regarding the issue.

Solomon said he sat in meetings with both towns and the past town manager, and said, “We want to make it clear, this is Taylor’s program.” He insisted that it be kept that way, asking, “Now how are we going to address that?”

“It’s still Taylor’s program,” said Maxwell. “The only reason I brought it up now is because we’re rebranding. Why rebrand and then change the name.”

Maxwell explained that they would use both town logos on patches and signs, and were rushing to get approval to make new signage.

This request went to the Snowflake Council first because that meeting was held before Taylor’s, Maxwell explained.

Several times Solomon referred to having said at that time that it was a good idea. “I’ve changed my mind,” said the councilman.

“I thought we were going to discuss this,” said Cosper. “I thought Cliff was coming to make his point. The decision was made before we discussed it,” though he noted he wasn’t sure he liked Silver Creek.

“One concern I have is now you’ve got the foot in the door, what’s going to happen,” said Smith, noting that Mayor Hatch told him that joining the fire departments was not consolidation. “To me it’s consolidation, where’s it going to end?”

Councilman Brubaker said that he thought everyone was aware of the request to change the name. He said that firefighters and paramedics brought this request for a name change to the Taylor Council and the Snowflake Council. “Something has happened that warranted you to make an effort. I’m wondering what is the sequence of events that encouraged you to take this action?” asked Brubaker.

Maxwell started to answer, but was cut short by Councilman Solomon.

Brubaker said he understood that first was the rebranding, and second they mentioned that there was much talk about Snowflake-Taylor and Taylor-Snowflake, and asked, “Any other reasons you would like to share.”

John Mercer stepped up and asked to speak. Mercer lives in Snowflake, but is a fire captain in Taylor, and said that there is a difference between the Snowflake Fire Department and the Taylor Fire Department. “We’ve just had a new beginning here; the two towns agreed to have one department to serve the full community… this is a new beginning,” he said.

“Why can’t we do it under Taylor-Snowflake?” asked Smith.

Brubaker said he felt that something had transpired from months ago to now that has made firefighters want a name change.

“We just don’t want the whole Taylor-Snowflake butting heads,” said Maxwell.

“Is there somebody in Snowflake that doesn’t like that we’re in charge?” asked Mayor Hatch.

Maxwell responded, “No, not that I know of.”

“Yes, there are some hard feelings,” said Chief Burden, noting that the name change would help firefighters neutralize things. “It was more for morale, not Taylor, not Snowflake fire department.

“Instead of voting on it, can you table it?” asked Maxwell.

“It’s already done,” said Mayor Hatch.

The following day, Chief Burden said, “The firefighters were very disappointed in how we were treated, but we are going to make the best of it. When it comes down to it, the citizens don’t care what name is on the vehicles when we arrive, they just want us to put the fire out or take care of their emergency.”