Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Dear Editor: Value Our Fire Dept. Volunteers

Dear Editor,

I would like to address Charles Shank’s letter to the editor regarding the Whitehall Street crossing. I agree; this is a disaster waiting to happen. I have waited to pull out taking a left turn several minutes - this is becoming a very busy street. BUT this is not a city problem, this is a business problem' this is Town Pump's responsibility. The Town of Whitehall should not be bailing out money for this.

Also, I salute Mr. Granvold for walking out of the Town Council meeting. I too am sick and tired of the bureaucratic politics, federal, state, and city, being used to suppress the people who are trying to do the best for their community while these politicians use their authority to push their agenda. To Fire Chief Granvold and your crew; you are a very great asset to the Whitehall and surrounding community; all of the volunteer fire department should walk down Main Street with their heads proudly held high. Thank you for your bravery and service.

Roy McBride, while you are running away from danger and life-threatening situations these guys are running into it. Have you a clue what these brave men and women face every time that whistle goes off? Three AM awaking, jump from a warm soft bed into their turnouts and face a tragedy of a car roll-off accident that possibly took a life and spend hours while the accident is investigated and cleaned up. OR, just sitting down to dinner with their family when the siren roars, and off they go to fight a fire and save a life. Missing their child’s school play because they are held up at the last fire call and can’t leave due to the job requirement. They put on their SCBA fire masks with air and go forth into a flaming home or church or car to save a life and property. Before you say “NO” to these brave members of our society, take off your political blinders and join these strong men and women - join the Volunteer Fire Department. While they volunteer to do this, you get paid to show up to these council meetings. Yes, what is it a $50.00 incentive to ask that you come to all the meetings? The Volunteer fire department has its monthly meetings also. They also have their unscheduled meetings, early morning, at dinner, missing their family events, and many other inconveniences that cause stress in their family life - and their incentive comes from the heart. These guys protect the community's life and property. They don’t have the choice to give themselves a raise or decide on what hours are convenient to them. Firefighters -They are FIGHTERS. I can’t answer for Joe where he was when you proposed “safety mill levy” but I was checking my ballot NO as to trim the fat that was projected to line the pockets of bureaucratic beneficiaries of this bill. Mr. McBride, next time close your mouth and listen. Wake up and hope you don’t smell smoke - but if you do: who are you going to call?

Pod Moriarty

Whitehall, MT

Editor’s Note: Everyone, please research the next public safety mill levy when it is presented for vote. If passed, it could alleviate situations such as these!

 

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