Headlines
Related Photos
-
PROGRESS PHOTO/Krystal J. Carman
Discussion
Helping firefighters
Legislators deliver $5,000 checks to rural departments
October 29, 2008 — Rogers County rural fire departments received a little extra padding for their operational costs Tuesday.
“I know it’s not more than a drop in the bucket for what it takes to do what you do, but it’s double the amount you were getting before,” state Rep. Ben Sherrer told the fire chiefs. “It was the biggest knockdown, drag-out in the legislature, but I’m proud we got to duke it out over this.”
Each of the departments, — Chelsea, Catoosa, Tri-District, Verdigris, Foyil, Inola, Northwest and Limestone — received $5,000, twice as much as the they have received in years past.
Battling with big cities for dollars to aid rural areas of the county is something Sherrer and state Rep. Chuck Hoskin say is worth the fight.
“If it were up to big cities, we wouldn’t get anything,” Hoskin said. “It’s up to us to fight that fight. No one does a better job with the money they get than the rural fire departments. With the dollars you get, you do great things with.
“It’s easy for guys like Ben and I to stand up and fight for you.”
The fight for the increase in dollars came after Sherrer said he experienced first hand the wildfires that plagued Rogers County and the state in 2005.
“A 40-foot wall of flames, to someone who’s not a firefighter, is a scary thing,” Sherrer said. “I did not understand the role of rural fire departments until then.”
Tri-District Fire Chief Bob Anderson, who also heads up Rogers County Emergency Management, said all departments worked together during that time, keeping county residents safe.
“We didn’t lose one house to the wildfires in Rogers County,” he said. “We work together. We’ve got a good thing going here.”
Hoskin expressed his appreciation to the departments.
“We came here tonight to present you with this money, but we really came here tonight to thank you for what you do,” Hoskin said. “The people who depend on you need to be protected just as much as those in bigger cities like Oklahoma City and Edmond.”
- Headlines
-
-
NEW DORMS: RSU going more traditional
In just a year, Rogers State University will double the number of students sleeping, eating and studying on its campus. That’s twice the students walking to class in the morning. Twice the students calling RSU home.
-
DEQ: Public drinking water in Oologah is safe
Public drinking water in the Oologah area is not contaminated by heavy metals from the local Public Service Company of Oklahoma power plant according to officials at PSO and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
-
County will not use carryover for new hires
Rogers County Commissioners oppose spending money carried over from last year’s budget — in spite of county officers who say they need money now.
-
Rogers County men arrested on burglary charges
Sheriff’s officers are hoping the recent arrest of two Rogers County men will halt a recent bout of burglaries.
-
Crews zero in on courthouse design, cost
Rogers County’s new courthouse has been nudged over and stretched to take advantage of the closing of Missouri Street, according to schematics unveiled Monday.
-
Sheriff: ‘Extraordinary’ need for new deputies
The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office may lose the ability to provide even basic services if it can’t hire more deputies this year, Sheriff Scott Walton told commissioners Monday.
-
Symphony League hosts membership drive
The Claremore Symphony League will host a wine and cheese reception to launch the membership drive for 2010 - 2011. The reception, to be held at the Will Rogers Memorial on September the 23rd from 5:30 to 7:30, will feature wine tasting and the presentation of the Honorary Chairman of this season’s Symphony League Ball.
-
Felony charges filed against former Chelsea chief of police
Formal charges were filed Thursday in Rogers County against a former Chelsea police chief.
-
Report hits Oologah power plant for river pollution
Waste improperly handled by the AEP/PSO power plant in Oologah may be contaminating the Verdigris River, according to a report released this week.
-
Groups support bicycle safety overhauls
Bicycling groups across the state said they support a new legislative package designed to protect riders and motorists. However, many cyclists are calling for the state to do more to educate residents and enforce existing laws and practices.
- More Headlines Headlines
-
