Bell announces picks for police, fire chiefs, public service director

Mayor-elect Michael P. Bell today announced his picks for Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Director of Public Service.
Mr. Bell confirmed that Chief Michael Navarre will continue to serve as Chief of Police Operations and Chief Mike Wolever will remain Chief of toledo Fire and Rescue. Both men are veterans of the Toledo safety services.
Chief Navarre joined the Toledo Police Department in 1977. He was appointed deputy chief in 1994 and was selected to succeed Gerald Galvin as Chief after a nationwide search for candidates in 1998.
Chief Wolever joined the Toledo Fire Department in 1978. He was subsequently promoted to battalion chief and later became a deputy chief and assistant chief in 2002. He was selected to serve as Fire Chief when Mayor-elect Bell retired from the Department in 2007.
“I’ve had the pleasure and the privilege of working with Chief Navarre and Chief Wolever for many years to ensure the safety of the City and the region,” Bell said. “I know they will continue to work for the protection of our community and look forward to serving with them again.”
The Mayor-elect also announced his selection of David Welch for Director of Public Service. Welch currently serves as Commissioner of Field Operations in the City’s Department of Public Utilities. He has previously worked in the Department of Public Service as Commissioner of Streets, Bridges and Harbor and Commissioner and Manager of Solid Waste. Prior to joining the City, Dave was an Environmental Health Supervisor with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. He has also served as President and Vice-President during his terms on the Toledo Board of Education.
Mr. Bell was elected Mayor with 52.3 percent of the vote total. He ran as an Independent in his first bid for elective office. Toledo’s former fire chief and former State Fire Marshal, he received his education from the Toledo Public Schools and The University of Toledo. He will take office on January 4, 2010.