Firefighters deserve support
I am extremely disappointed about the decision rejecting the $25,000 annual allocation to New Haven Hose Co. by the Connellsville City Council’s “Dynamic Trio.” Do they have any conception of what it takes to operate and maintain a fire company? They do not need a full accounting from New Haven Hose Co. in order to have an idea of the potential overhead costs, such as building maintenance that includes utilities, property and liability insurance; vehicle maintenance: repairs, general maintenance, tires, etc. fire equipment: fire suits, hoses, first aid necessities, tools for entrapment situations, ladders, along with upkeep to ensure they work properly.
Volunteer firemen contribute their time to accommodate a schedule of approximately 128 hours, out of a total of 168 hours per week. Their training and education, sacrifice of time with their families, including holidays, and maintaining other jobs, hazardous risk of life and limb and maintenance of their own private vehicles is all without any costs whatsoever to the city.
Fundraisers are not free of expense. Firemen contribute their time, and the fire company pays for items to use in fundraisers.
These are the basic overhead costs to any fire company. Connellsville’s $25,000 allocation might cover a quarter of their costs, if not less.
New Haven Hose Co. is a benefit to the city in more ways than one and they certainly have more than earned that $25,000. So Dynamic Trio: Allocate it to them.
For years, in the parades, the firemen have given their time, hard work preparing equipment, which they keep in pristine condition, and the anticipation of catching a gleam in children’s eyes, who hope themselves of becoming volunteer firefighters someday. Unfortunately, once these children are older, they see “politics” at its worst and the lack of official acknowledgement for a job well done. Thus, their interest diminishes for becoming volunteer firefighters.
I praise Bruce Jaynes for attempting to achieve his goals in helping the city’s street department. I praise Joe Childs for his input at council’s Nov. 12 meeting because he certainly knows the exorbitant cost required to operate a fire company. I praise John Truxel for putting his foot down.
The Dynamic Trio are narrow-minded and can’t think for themselves, nor can they see the overall picture. They must realize that every action has a consequence and each consequence helps shape the final picture. Either that picture can display a well-rounded, productive community, or a ghost town which no one cares to reside in or visit.
If the next election doesn’t produce a turnaround at the voting polls, people need to consider relocation.
The future forecast for Connellsville could be burned-out buildings, decreasing values and potentially unsaleable homes. Shopping will require travel at least 20 miles to the north or to the south.
This town needs more common-sense people on council, perhaps, one of whom should be a business-minded person, with accounting experience and a good rapport with people who care about Connellsville. From where I sit, three positions on the Connellsville City Council need to be replaced.
Robin Leighty
Leisenring