We join those who applauded at Monday night’s city council meeting when Interim Police Chief Dwaine Winkels and Interim Fire Chief Paul Stieler were appointed chiefs of their departments.

We believe the appointments were long overdue.

Both men have been capably handling the duties of the chiefs and already know the personnel and departments very well. Both have ideas on what is best for their personnel, their departments and their community.

While it’s admirable that the city took the time to study whether combining the two positions into a director of public safety was a good option, we agree with the task force that keeping the two positions separate is the best option for now.

And now, at least for the time being, the city is saving because assistant chiefs will not be appointed and the departments may see some restructuring. The option is still there to add assistant chiefs if needed.

We are pleased the appointments were made and now things can move forward for both departments &045; for the good of the community.