Mr. Butts said last night that if offered the position, he would be "excited about taking it."

Mr. Butts served for 15 years from 1991 to 2006 as Chief.

Mr. Butt and others on the board declined to say whether the couple had quit or been dismissed.

Mr. Butts did not return a telephone request for comment yesterday.

Mr. Butt, it turns out, was waiting to be sent home when he died.

What Mr. Butt actually told anyone will most likely remain a mystery.

Mr. Butts said he had recused himself from the issue.

Mr. Butts should never have been tried, but he was.

Mr. Butts did not return calls to his office yesterday.

Mr. Butts prefers to view it all in simpler terms.