Editor's notebook

CHIEFS - If things go well at the county Fire Department, attention focuses on firefighters' vital work - and not on budgeting and administrative problems at the department's offices.

Things have gone well since December 2006, when David L. Stokes, a department veteran, was tapped by County Executive John Leopold to take over as fire chief. And Chief Stokes - who announced his retirement last week - deserves recognition for that as he steps down after a short but productive stint in the department's top job.

By instituting money-saving plans in his first six months, Chief Stokes got the department under its budget...