COLUMBIA, MO (February 16, 2011) -

Four candidates for city ofColumbiafire chief will be here Feb. 17-18 for interviews and other events to familiarize them with this community.  Candidate names and brief background statements were released Monday.

Thursday, February 17

• All candidates meet with senior city administrative staff,8:30 a.m.
• Individual meetings and tours with Chief Bill Markgraf and meetings with fire administrative staff starting at9:45 a.m.and rotating through the day
• Forum with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1055,7 p.m

Friday, February 18

• Individual interviews with the citizen committee appointed to advise the city manager starting at8:45 a.m.and rotating through the day
• Individual interviews with city manager starting at2:30 p.m.and rotating through the afternoon

Open Sessions

• The public is invited to meet all candidates at an informal roundtable reception on Friday from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in conference rooms 1A and B, City Hall, 701 E. Broadway. Feedback forms will be available for those who want to record their opinions.
• News media are invited to an informal open session with individual candidates on Friday in conference room 1A, City Hall.
  • 2:30 p.m.                Gary W. Birch
  • 3 p.m.                     Charles P. Witt, Jr.
  • 3:30 p.m.                Thomas E. Solberg
  • 4 p.m.                     Jeffrey A. Grote