Dunbar council to donate $500 to fire department
DUNBAR – Christmas came early for the Dunbar Volunteer Fire Department and the police. Council agreed Monday to give a $500 donation to the fire department and to have the police car repaired at a cost of $425.
However, the fire department donation vote was not a unanimous one.
Councilman Frank Zadell, who voted no on the measure said, “If this were my money I wouldn’t hesitate. But it’s not. It’s taxpayer money and I want to make sure that the fire department is doing everything they can to raise their own funds.”
Council President John Maddas, who is also a lifelong member of the fire department, said this is the first time in a number of years that he can remember the fire department asking the borough to help out with a donation.
Zadell said he believes that “God helps those who help themselves.” He also said, “I’m all for helping them out, but I think they can help themselves out a little bit more. If they have to hold an extra ticket raffle, bingo or spaghetti dinner, then they should do it.”
Councilman Redding Bunting said that’s not always as easy as it sounds. “It’s hard for two working people in a family to find the time to volunteer at these functions,” said Bunting.
Zadell agreed and said he always donates to groups who ask for donations. “Even though I donate the maximum, not the minimum, I still think they could do more to help themselves out.”
Zadell also took issue with higher phone bills created by fire department members.
Treasurer Diana Homer reported that the fire department telephone bills have been about $20 a month higher over the past couple of months.
Homer said that it was her impression that some of he calls made by fire department members may be personal calls. Bunting said some of the out-or-state calls probably had something to do with members talking to private dealers about one of the fire trucks.
Zadell continued by saying, “If they are doing all they can and still need a donation then that’s OK. But it’s so much easier to sit back and expect the borough to come up with the money. We’re sitting here right now tonight questioning the telephone bills. I sure don’t want to be paying a phone bill for personal calls. We already pay their utilities and we pay their phone bill and I think that’s enough.”
In other unrelated matters, Councilwoman Kathlene Dynes questioned Mayor Herman Izzo about weekend police protection. Izzo told Dynes that a police officer is scheduled to patrol the borough on Saturday.
Izzo also reported that the borough collected $515.19 in fine money last month. Izzo said police issued 15 traffic citations, four traffic warnings, one non-traffic citation and assisted one other police agency in November.
Dynes also reported that everything is going well with the housing authority.
Street committee chairman William Wilson asked secretary Rachelle Hughes to order more winter salt.