The Lamar County commission voted unanimously tonight to build a new fire headquarters on Roberta Drive on land it already owns.
Comments
Tue, May 21, 2013 - 07:07 PM
Wow...what an angry little tirade you went on there. I see alcohol has not made you [...]
Tue, May 21, 2013 - 06:04 PM
Julia, is there anything going on here that you in particular actually do not think [...]
Tue, May 21, 2013 - 05:57 PM
Seriously, what difference does it make if it is allowed to be purchased every day o [...]
Tue, May 21, 2013 - 04:42 PM
Hi Carol,
In poking around, I came across the Quarter Horse Assn and they have so [...]
Tue, May 21, 2013 - 02:02 PM
Renting a movie or taking kids to the movies doesn't compare to buying alcohol. If 6 [...]
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Around 450K should still be lurking about in the General Fund from the Ag Authority rip off scam. Perhaps all of that money can put a dent in the firehouse budget. That is unless its been spent without our knowing.
I am also assuming that these stations that must be manned 24/7 take into account that the young volunteers do not stay at the station 24/7...and when they are there, they are more than likely hosting a party of some sort...or enjoying a sleep-over with their under-aged girlfriends. Does the Piedmont station even respond to enough fire calls to warrant a live-in staff? I think not.
In fact, I think its all a ruse so that some young 18 year old boys could move in together and party-it-up outside of momma's house. I am sincerely disappointed in this county for permitting this behavior, and the citizens for not being more vocal. If your house were on fire (cause lets face it, if its a medical emergency, first responders & an ambulance will be tending to you), but again, if your hosue were on fire, would you really want a group of untrained immature boys who may or may not be inebriated, throwing their girlfriends into the back of a truck to be your best line of defense? Tisk Tisk commissioners!
I agree with 'Probably Wasting My Time' in that the funding seems to be a bit elusive right now. Where is this money going to come from? Is it hopeful stimulus dollars? If so, that would mean this project is "shovel ready" which it is not, to my knowledge.
Is it SPLOST money? I hope not. However, the above notes show that "Lamar citizens voted to use SPLOST funds for just such a station," Thrash added. Awesome. Add another possible 2% sales tax to our bills.
It can't be Ag Authority as they control their own finances I believe and the commission no longer has the ability to re-appropriate those funds.
As for using local people for jobs, Albritton himself is out of Thomaston. There is nearly $42k taken out of Lamar.
Scanlon Engineering, I believe, is out of Griffin. There is another $11k taken out of Lamar.
So how is anyone committed to hiring local people so far?
Lastly, I would like a little more solid data on the ISO ratings based on a new fire station. I think we should see some data on a potential Suppression Rating Schedule if this station were, in fact, built.
Oh, and lastly, who will create, evaluate, and maintain the standards (i.e. volunteer hours, training hours, etc) required by each live-in volunteer to fall under the rent free plan?
I am not saying that this may not be a great addition and a great safety mechanism for Lamar. I am simply saying that it might be too idealistic without enough real planning and thought to execution and maintenance.
83 fulltime paid firefighters want 24 hours for work. Not volunteers. You know how many people? More than 17,000 people. And how many pets? 2,000 pets. Save live. Save homeowners and saves business. Long long time ago... 6 arson, 12 pets killed in fire, 28 people killed in fire and hundred thousand injuries & killed crash.
$1.3 million? Is that what the final pricetag will be?
83 fulltime paid firefighters? Is that what we are hoping for with this new station? If so, why have we not made efforts before in order to secure them as paid, fulltime personnel?
And where does 17,000 people come from? What number odes that represent? Amount of people protected?
And I am really lost by the random pet number. Is that the number of pets that will be protected by a new fire station?
Please expound.
Secondly, as to the data on ISO ratings and record keeping, I'm quite sure Chief Andrews would be willing to provide this information if you would ask instead of bashing it on this forum. LCFR has made great improvements in training and documentation over the past few years as well as other areas. While I am no longer associated with the department I can assure you that the core group there are making a determined effort to do the right thing.
the IDA so that you can be considered for local
projects
No here is the first I have heard of the new fire station design which they are spending money out of county
I have heard many people say you need to support local business but is evident that the
county is not interested in doing so
Hint: I am not from Brooklyn. I lived there for some time.
Keep it quiet or you'll be out of a job. Remember, he was "Mr. Ag" and I hear he's still hanging around the IDA meetings for a handout.
Get 'em Boy before Waldo finds out!
Inmates make a fraction of what normal workers do and they already receive housing and accommodations. That leaves me again to ask.
How will local labor forces be used and will this project stimulate the local economy at all?
Allow me to say one defensive thing. No one in this forum is bashing. Least of all me. These are questions that come from the decision made last night at the commissioners meeting. It doesn't matter now what any of our thoughts are as commission has voted. However, these questions and others still deserve to be addressed at the project progresses.
I have no problem with hiring either company spoken of. They are both proven companies and will do a fine job for the money, I am sure. I don't have their entire roster so I don't know if they employ Lamar Co. folks or not. My initial comment was made to towards Thrasher.
[from article]"Commissioner Nancy Thrash, who pitched the plan, said Albritton was committed to hiring local people to work on the project."
I do think that your past association with the department colors your comments and makes you a bit more passive about the issues that could confront such a project.
You mention doing "the right thing." Please define what that right thing is. Is it building a new fire house? Protecting more homes in the county? Finding housing for volunteer firefighters?
I attempted to post earlier to answer your questions but the post was too long to be accepted. I'm sure these issues will be addressed (hopefully before they become an incident). As to my association with the department lets just say that it did not end well. I was, and still are, highly critical of 'The Redneck Brigade' but I have to give credit where credit is due. Chief Andrews and his Officers are trying to adhere to nationally recognized standards and train to them. They have made several major accomplishments for a department of its size and makeup. The live in program in my opinion is thinking outside the box. They have exhausted every other means of funding personnel so this is one option to man the outstations. Will it work? Maybe, maybe not. There should be strict oversight of the program and constant monitoring of the stations. If the department doesn't I'm sure the taxpayers will.
On a side note, I am sorry your first response was not accepted. I will check into how many characters can be entered and add that to the initial message to those wishing to post comments.
If we do in deed NEED a new fire station let us build the best available at the lowest price possible. The locals should be competative to what the market bares if not it would be the tax payer who looses.
If the station is built and the "rent free" living policy goes into full effect, who will create and maintain standards for those living areas and their occupants.
Also, will they be co-ed facilities or will there be separate living quarters for men and women, respectively? If not, who will handle internal affairs regarding potential sexual harassment should their be any?
I hope this new station will not have the same employees. Coming down the 4 lane, at the Milner exit, a fire truck pulls out,lights and siren going, several vehicles pull over to the side to stop and let it pass. When the firetruck gets about a mile down the road, its lights and siren are turned off. The truck is still traveling about 70 mph. I found it strange and followed. It then turned and went to the station near Grove ST. What kind of fire department do we have??? And to think my tax dollars are funding this kind of fire department!
However, I have family in the Lamar Fire Dept. and hear of calls being cancelled all the time, it's very common.
I don't doubt that every volunteer is trained. In fact, I am sure they are.
The concern is over funding, job stimulation, continued training, proper certification, etc. It does not help your argument to speak so aggressively. No one is "running [their] mouth." This is an open forum with room to debate and pose questions and answers so as to continue being an educated public.
I get as frustrated as the next by the idiotic comments that are often left on these open forums and I find them very discouraging.
Thank you for your continued readership and your comments. They are much appreciated as is the Fire Dept. which your husband represents.
Just for accuracy, my last name is spelled Odom as it clearly shows on all of my responses. Furthermore, I am not trying to be a pot stirrer unless there is some pot to be stirred. If not, then my harmless comments and questions would simply be overlooked. Clearly there is concern over this project and others see it as well.
I do appreciate the time you took to tell others not to take the time to post. And since this is not a blog by definition and no one here is blogging, I am not trying to increase bloggers.
Oh, and you don't have to submit the same comment twice because you want to change your author name. We got the point the first time.
I'm a Lamar county taxpayer, and have no problem with a new fire station.
But, and I truly don't know the answer to this, when taxpayer funded monies are being allocated for a building project, does a call for bids go out?
Since it's essentially my money being spent here, would it not serve my interests best to have local citizens grading and building the projects I've helped to purchase?
Really, I don't know the answer to this. I feel stupid even admitting this but maybe I'm not too old to learn.
Oh, and one other thing. Why does Lamar have a volunteer department? Do only large cities have the budget for a paid department?
Yes large cities and big cities county. Wait you will see. He can show you architect. Look bigger fire headquarters.
No volunteer department. 3 years ago I hear fire chief want 9 fulltime positions. Chairman Jay Matthews said I have no problem going for 3. We are fooling ourselves if we think we can go for 9. The chairman noted applying for 9...
9 career firefighters can stay at the station 24/7.
We could operate with 9 if the Fire Tax funds were used as they were intended instead of being diverted to other projects (illegally).
The idea of 9 firefighters staying at the station 24/7 is misleading. There would only be 3 firefighters on duty at a time working 24 on / 48 off shifts. This would allow for the safety that they desperately need.
Some citys and or counties do bypass these laws
and not require a registered Architect as has been proven by more than one structure existing in Barnesville/Lamar County
Georgia state law also requires that the building be constructed by a state licensed commercial contractor
Three rookies? Sorry momma. Not at the piedmont fire station 24/7. Josh was wrong and the twins too. Hang out with friends like "free rent".
Support our firefighters.
Support our Troops.
"Duty, Honor, Courage and Warrior"
Fire Chief picks 9 firefighters names.
"Adam Andrews, Luke Andrews, Joe Anderson, Josh Campbell, Chris Canavaggio, Matt Christian, James Chute, Cody Chute, Josh Cowart, Carey Fogarty, Andrews Forsyth, Josh Humphrey, Justin Langley, Kevin Lively, Kristopher Lively, Douglas Matthews, Ernie McWhorter, John Meyer, Joseph Peters, Will Reeder, Nathaniel Rooks and Brandon Scott".
I know hard time. I know obama bad. I talk to Nancy Thrash, Jay Matthews, Jimmy Hearn, Wayne Patterson and George Brown. Any accident or a burning building or medical?, you must pay for it.
12,500 square feet "fire headquarters" $41,800.
5,400 square feet "4 trucks"
3,600 square feet "firehouse" (bed, kitchen, living and bath)
2,200 square feet "office, tower with a training, meeting room"
3 Milner FFs "Milner Station"
Vote (pick 12). Career firefighters:
"Adam Andrews, Luke Andrews, Joe Anderson, Josh Campbell, Chris Canavaggio, Matt Christian, James Chute, Cody Chute, Josh Cowart, Andrews Forsyth, Josh Humphrey, Kevin Lively, Kristopher Lively, Douglas Matthews, Ernie McWhorter, John Meyer, Joseph Peters, Will Reeder, Nathaniel Rooks and Brandon Scott".
Vote (pick 4). Volunteer firefighters (sick call, holiday or vacation):
Chris Bowden, Dexter Brown, Jody Burks, Brandt Harvil, Mike Hood, Carey Fogarty, Glenn Forsyth, Don Killingsworth, Justin Langley, Gerry Larkey, Bernard Ogletree, Ryan Rooks, Sam Sherouse, Melissa Storey, Clay Tillery, Scott Trull, Robbie Vickery and Ed Walton.
Retired: Jack Doss, Kevin Chute and Charles Muise.