FIRE CHIEF TO RESIGN, HEAD TO ARKANSAS

Cape Girardeau Fire Chief Dan White resigned Monday to become fire chief in Bentonville, Ark.

His last day on the job will be April 13. The city has not named an interim fire chief, and officials say they will immediately begin a search for a permanent chief.

White, 49, said Bentonville officials sought him out for the job last week. He said the move will be a good one for him, his wife, Carola, and 16-year-old stepson Dustin Lawrence because they all have roots and family in Arkansas.

"That's where our families are," he said. "We've missed them being here, so it will be good to get back to them and be near the friends we left when we came up here."

White became Cape Girardeau fire chief in January 1997. Prior to that he was fire chief for 11 years in Springdale, Ark.

During his time in Cape Girardeau, White helped secure use of a river rescue boat from the Missouri Water Patrol, expanded Community Emergency Response Team training, formed the beginnings of a tactical rescue team and purchased a new fire truck.

White said he is proudest of the professionalism of firefighters and others at the fire department.

"I became really attached to the individuals themselves at the fire department," he said. "They were very professional, and I could always count on them to do the job well. I feel I've developed some pretty good work relationships there."

White said Bentonville is a growing community, and he is looking forward to the challenge of helping its fire department expand to be able to fulfill the needs of the community.

City Manager Michael Miller said the city is sorry to lose White.

"He has been a valuable asset and a good member of the city staff team," Miller said.

Carola White, who works in Cape Girardeau for Dr. Dan Seabaugh and Dr. Tom Critchlow, said she has mixed feelings about leaving Cape Girardeau.

"It's a good challenge for him and his professional career," she said. "One of the big things we will miss is our friends. We've been very active in our church, and that's going to be a source that we're going to miss too."

Dan White said he appreciates all the support he has received from Cape Girardeau in the last four years.

"Ever since we've got here, all the people of Cape Girardeau have been very accepting and supportive of me and my family," he said. "That's something I will never forget."