Defibrillators

The contract gave the firefighters something that they have wanted for the past few years: job security.

"We sat down, and both the union and the district are on the same page," said Local 3918 President Anthony R.

Lancia Jr.

He added the most important objective for the firefighters was getting the contract and taking care of their pensions.

Gallitto agreed with Lancia.

"It is the best possible service to give them a contract that will make them feel comfortable," Gallitto said.

"They need to know they have a future at South Fire." Over this week, residents of the South Fire District will notice the union out distributing fliers to the public.

They will help to educate the public on the importance of the budget and try and get them out to vote.

The chief is also asking the community for help.

He said anyone who has any questions is advised to call the department at (860) 347-6661 or to e-mail the chief at chief@southfiredistrict.com.

On April 24, the South District residents will get their chance to decide on the new budget.

Voting will occur from 6 a.m.

to 8 p.m.

at the firehouse, located at 445 Randolph Road.

Gallitto is asking the voters for some help.

"It is imperative - we need people to get out and vote," Gallitto said.

"We presented a fiscally sound budget and we are asking for their (vo...

The company had been expected to report first-quarter EBITA of 302.7 million euros in the period, the survey showed.

The company made "strong progress'' in the quarter toward meeting its targets of between 5 and 6 percent average annual sales growth and EBITA of above 7.5 percent of sales, according to the statement.

Philips "feels good'' about the full-year sales forecast, chief financial officer Pierre-Jean Sivignon said in an interview.

Philips said last month it plans to have sold its entire stake in TSMC, the world's largest maker of custom-made chips, by 2010 after last year's sale of a majority stake in its chip unit to a group of buyout firms.

First-quarter sales at consumer electronics, the largest division by revenue, fell 8.9 percent to 2.21 billion euros as the World Cup spurred revenue in the year-earlier period.

EBITA as a percentage of sales rose to 1.5 percent from 1.4 percent a year earlier.

The company repeated a goal for profitability of about 3 percent this year for the division.

The company, Europe's biggest maker of televisions, in January forecast a "challenging" first quarter for the unit as prices of flat-panel televisions decline.

Philips owns a third of LG.Philips LCD...