SAINT JOHN, N.B. – A small but opinionated crowd took part in the first of four community workshops was held last night on the west side.

One thing people seem to want is a different service delivery model explored for things such as fire and emergency services.

Performance Concepts has been hired by the city to put the workshops, and company spokesperson Todd Macdonald says the fire department is something they will be looking at. “We’re confident that the fire department understands its’ business. I don’t want to pre-judge what those discussions are going to tell us but we’re going to do our due diligence for all the services that we are being paid to look at.”

Councillor Bill Farren says he got a clear message from the crowd. “People want services delivered differently.”

The next workshop is set tonight at 6pm at Lorne Middle School in the north end.