I recently moved from Cranston to Cary, N.C. I still go online each morning to Projo.com to check on developments in Cranston. In a Jan. 3 story, Cranston Fire Chief Richard Delgado was quoted as saying, in response to Mayor Michael Napolitano’s possible proposal to cut all departments’ spending by 5 percent, that: “It’d be very difficult. We’re down to bare bones.”

I suggest Chief Delgado contact the Cary, N.C., fire chief for suggested cost-saving measures. Cary has a population of 110,000 compared with Cranston’s 80,000, yet Cary’s fire department budget is 60 percent less, at $15.4 million, compared with Cranston’s $24.6 million.

Of course, the fact that there are no public-sector unions in North Carolina is a major reason Cary’s costs — and taxes — are much lower than Cranston’s. Additionally, however, Cary’s highly regarded fire department gets by with about 25 percent fewer firefighters, even though Cary’s population is a third larger!

I also compared the police budgets. Cranston’s, including the animal control function, is $17.7 million. Cary’s, including the animal control function, is 15 percent less, at $15.4 million. How does Cary do it and still be acclaimed as one of the 10 safest cities in America for six years in a row?

Perhaps Cranston’s police chief should also contact his Cary counterpart. (I’ve found Cary government officials to be very responsive to my numerous inquiries and requests. I’m sure Cranston officials would receive similar courteous and helpful treatment.)

JAMES F. DAVEY

Cary, N.C.

The writer is a former state representative from Cranston.