A large turnout is expected at today’s Logansport city council meeting by both Logansport firefighters and residents who are worried about the future of fire protection.
Despite a potential solution found last week to the problem of funding the fire department, Capt. Rex Danely expects as many as 200 people to attend and voice their concerns.
“There are still a lot of other things that have to be to be talked about,” Danely said. “We are being asked to change our vacation, our longevity payments and clothing allowance. These still need to be discussed, but hopefully we can get out on the good side of that, too.”
Danely is selling T-shirts to publicize the firefighters’ position. Demand, he said, is greater than he could have imagined.
“I bought 130 shirts and we went through that in about two days,” Danely said. “So I bought another 120 and we soon sold those, then another 70 and we have about 40 or 50 T-shirts left.
“We have had a real good response from the people to back us. Some admit if they have to pay more taxes they would be willing to do that to keep us on. It’s nice to know that people respect what we do to keep them safe.”
While the city council will not be voting on any issue related to funding fire protection, there is time allocated in the agenda for citizen comments. Danely is encouraging those who plan on attending to congregate outside the city building at 4:30 p.m.
Those who might turn up include a portion of the 801 members of a Facebook group formed to protest the city’s proposal to cut 10 firefighters.
In an interview last week before the announcement that the jobs might now be saved, the group’s creator, Katie Hopper, said she formed the group as a public forum for people to express their concerns.
Among the suggestions for cuts in the city government outside of the fire department highlighted in the group profile is eliminating both the deputy mayor’s position and health insurance for city council members. The profile also questions the wisdom of restricting fire protection on the city’s south side when a train might be blocking the railroad and in attracting the business investment that the city needs.
“My husband and I have two small children, and we want to know that, heaven forbid, if we ever needed to call upon the fire department in event of an emergency, there would be adequate personnel and quick response time,” Hopper said.
“I want to know that the firefighters are of sufficient numbers to ensure our safety as well as their own. From what I have read, a cut in the number of firefighters would compromise both.”
The T-shirts are priced at $6 to $7 dollars each depending on their size and include the slogan “Save our Logansport firefighters.” They can be purchased from the Logansport Fire Department’s central station on High Street, or by calling (574) 721-1268.
“We hope that if people see the shirts it will raise awareness,” he said.
• Kevin Smith is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at (574) 732-5148 or kevin.smith@pharostribune.com
Want to go?
What: Logansport City Council meeting
Where: City council chambers, City Building
When: 5 p.m. Monday
Local News
Related Photos
-
SIGN OF SUPPORT: Many residents and firefighters are expected to show up at tonight’s city council meeting to express their concerns about the future of fire protection in Logansport. P-T photo | Kevin Smith
Discussion
Fire safety concerns
<b>Large turnout expected at today’s council meeting</b>
- Local News
-
-
No jail for driver in fatal hit-and-run
A 25-year-old Logansport man admitted Thursday to leaving the scene of a deadly wreck last year, but he will not serve any time in jail as the result of a plea agreement.
-
Board backs 51 percent spike in utility rates
For Paul Hartman, the issue facing the Logansport Stormwater Management Board is pretty simple.
-
13-foot statue celebrating arts to stand in Logan
Logan’s Landing danced a little closer Thursday to sprucing up the downtown area and crafting the arts and design district it’s been longing to create.
-
Stormwater board OKs rate increase
The Logansport Stormwater Management Board this morning approved a 51 percent increase in its monthly rates.
-
LHS senior prank
As a senior prank, Logansport High School students moved the cow from in front of Happy Burger West to the Berry Bowl this morning. It was all in good fun, though. Bob Shanks, the owner of Happy Burger, was even on hand to pose for pictures.
-
‘It’s not about you’: Local mom shares journey of adopting foster children
Foster parenting isn’t always easy, says Juanita Jackson. Between caseworker visits and baby-sitting restrictions, the 42-year-old balances work and caring for five children as a single mom.
-
Longtime Lewis Cass teacher fired over license
Notwithstanding the impassioned pleas on Scott Rouch’s behalf, the Southeastern school board unanimously voted to cancel his teaching contract for “neglect of duty and other just causes.”
-
Jeremy Franklin charged with two felonies
A special prosecutor this week filed three charges, including two felony counts, against the son of the Logansport mayor.
-
Logan multiplex still in the works
Plans for a multiplex in Logansport are still in the works, but at least one city official hoped the process would move a bit quicker.
-
Ambulances moving: Hospital says change will save $200,000
Rural/Metro, Cass County’s newest ambulance service, told Logansport Memorial Hospital that it plans to move out of the ambulance garage at the end of its lease in September.
- More Local News Headlines
-
No jail for driver in fatal hit-and-run
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
