Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council Examines Rural Fire Protection

Rural fire protection and what, if anything, it should cost residents was the focus of Monday night's meeting of the Gurdon City Council.

Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith informed the council, and about 10 citizens in the audience, the Gurdon Fire Department currently charges $500 for each truck used and $25 per man who battle fires.

Smith said there have been two complaints on these charges recently, with residents unhappy with being charged at all.

He said memberships have been discussed for rural fire protection, but there could be problems if a wrong address is given and the address is not that of a member.

Some fire departments, he said, will not respond to fires at non-member's homes and this is a dangerous situation.

However, he said this would not be a problem with the Gurdon department, as its firefighters have the attitude they should respond to all fires.

Smith said a compromise would be to sell memberships, but respond to all fires within the boundary, worrying about the paperwork later.

The memberships, Smith said, could be $25 per year, and would waive the cost of the trucks, but not the men.

"The Gurdon Fire Department is not trying to make any money (fighting fires)," Smith said.

"When there's a fire, it's not just the property on fire that's in danger. The surrounding property is, too."

He said when the 911 emergency telephone system is put in place, the GFD will have a specific boundary, as will all area fire departments. However, he continued, the GFD will help any department that asks.

Jake Vickers, Gurdon fire chief, said in order for the department to get turnback funds from the state, they must agree to give mutual aid to other departments. He said, though, the department would respond if asked anyway.

Smith said Gurdon is a small town, and considers areas surrounding it as part of the community as well. "We need to work out something," he said. "We can't lose time figuring out who should go (to a fire).

"If the department charged what it cost to operate the truck on a fire, it would be more than the $500 it charges now," he continued.

The council agreed to look into the situation and try and have some type of answer at its February meeting.

In addressing the street department, Smith said the signs are up at Miller and Front streets at the railroad tracks, but are currently covered. The covers will be removed Jan. 23, with officers of the Gurdon Police Department on hand to make sure motorists "notice" and adhere to the signs.

Jim Caldwell has been working as the street supervisor since Bobby Joe Arnold died in December, Smith said. However, in order to be fair, he said the position should be advertised and applicants interviewed by the council's personnel committee.

Recommendations, Smith said, should be brought to the February meeting. He said this does not mean Caldwell will not get the job, but he must apply for it as well as any other person interested.

Gurdon residents who have cable television will be getting 10 more channels, Smith said, but the bill will be $21 per month.

He said the city received a letter from TCA Cable, the parent company, stating new equipment is being installed, thereby increasing the channel capability of the system.

While Gurdon franchises TCA Cable, Smith said, the city has nothing to do with regulating the company's rates.

In other business, the council heard the 1995 budget review, and learned the city was slightly over its projections. The overage was about 0.2 percent.

The panel, though, approved and adopted last year's budget as amended and required by law.

The board also heard about the 1996 budget proposal again.

The council had approved the proposed budget in November 1995, but because of increases in insurance it had to be redone from scratch.

The total general fund revenue is anticipated to be $51,400 for the current year, with anticipated expenses amounting to $516,375. This will leave an unappropriated balance of $5,025.

The council approved and adopted the proposed budget.

The Rev. Bobby Marshall then spoke to the council on progress he's seen in his projects, including the Beech Street Youth Center.

Marshall said the center has four pool tables, video games, air hockey and other recreational activities for young people.

He said no smoking, drinking, using drugs or "gangbanging" is allowed. In fact, he told the council there have been young people forced to leave who have tried to cause trouble.

Young people can work at the center, earning from $10 to $25 nightly. However, in order to work there, they must maintain a "C" average in school and have their principal sign off in agreement.

Marshall said there are three retired teachers who work with people at the center to help them earn their GED.

Additionally, he said, the center is applying for grants to help keep it operational and expand. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff sent representatives to Gurdon recently to help Marshall prepare a grant application package.

In closing, Marshall said Gurdon needs a public swimming pool for young people during the summer months. He said there are plenty of old houses which can be razed if the money for a pool could be raised. However, he said the council's support is needed for this to occur.

As the meeting came to a close, councilman Russ Hansen informed the panel he will soon be moving outside the city limits and must, therefore, resign his seat as Ward 6 representative.

The resignation, he said, will be effective Jan. 31.

While the council accepted the resignation with regret, it was agreed Hansen needs to provide a letter to this effect as well.

Smith said the council members need to get names of possible replacements for Hansen and bring them to the Feb. meeting for discussion.