Mansfield Fire Dept. eyes 2 new pumper trucks
– The Mansfield Fire Department is one step closer to getting the “green light” for purchasing two new pumper trucks.
The Mansfield Board of Control gave its “consensus” approval on Tuesday to a fire department request to spend $1.4 million on two new pumper trucks. That approval is based on determining the best way to pay for the new trucks, which will also require the approval of City Council.
The fire department’s proposal wasn’t actually on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting. But, on Monday, Fire Chief Steve Strickling was notified that Atlantic Emergency Solutions was planning a seven and a half percent price increase starting in February.
Dave Remy, the city’s public works and interim safety-service director, knew what the email meant. If Mansfield didn’t act on the matter as quickly as possible, the cost for those two trucks would increase by about $100,000.
Chief Strickling told the board that the trucks would replace the department’s aging equipment. He also made sure to mention that the old vehicles wouldn’t be scrapped, simply moved to the city’s reserve fleet.
Strickling said the trucks underwent refurbishing about seven years ago, in the hopes they’d get five more years of service. Needless to say, it’s long overdue for the department to get itself a couple new sets of wheels. Of course, the question of where exactly the funds will come from, has yet to be answered. It was a point of discussion at Tuesday’s meeting.
The department could possibly borrow the money and pay for the trucks over time, using the fire department’s capital improvement funds. Another possibility would be the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Mayor Tim Theaker pointed out the next City Council meeting is Feb. 1.
It was very possible that approval might not be received by the Atlanta Emergency’s price increase deadline. He asked Strickling to contact the company and see if they would keep the current price with the “consensus” approval of the control board and not City Council approval.
Ashland’s Ruth Currier earned national dance reputation
Now, some local history. Did you know that Ashland native, Ruth Currier, was an American dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher?
She was a principal dancer with the José Limón Dance Company from the late 1940s into the 1960s.
She later served as that company’s director following Limón’s death from 1972 to 1978.
She also taught on the dance faculties of the Juilliard School, Ohio State University, Bennington College, Sarah Lawrence College and the American Dance Festival.
Snow Trails GlowTubing has begun
Now, we’d like to take a moment to highlight an event that you should know about.
Tonight, schedule a ride to SnowTrails and go GlowTubing with your friends and family at Snowtrails in Mansfield. Glow Tubing is snow tubing with a light show in the dark. Grab a ride on the Ohio Party Bus or make your way over on your own. You can ride from 7 to 9 p.m.
We’ll see you there!
Melanie Miller announces her candidacy
Next, From Ashland Source. Melanie Miller announced Tuesday that she will seek the Republican nomination for the newly created Ohio House of Representatives District 67 seat.
She said: “I am running to represent Ashland and Medina County because we need someone in this position who will work hard to make sure that our freedoms are protected, our families and children, both born and unborn, are supported, and our local businesses and communities have the tools they need to be successful.”
“People want a representative with substance — someone who will do more than simply recite an empty political talking point.”
Miller has served as the Executive Director of the Ashland Pregnancy Care Center for the past seven years, and prior to that she served as the Director of Youth Programming at the Salvation Army Kroc Center.
“I’ve talked with people all across Ashland and Medina County, everyone wants someone who will actually work hard to help solve the issues facing our communities, someone who will do their homework and make sure that the legislation that passes in Columbus will actually help and not hurt our local communities. I believe my track record shows that I will do just that.”
Miller is married to Ashland Mayor Matt Miller, and they reside in Ashland.
“I will champion the conservative values that have built our country, and I will work hard to make sure that Ashland and Medina County get the support that we need from Columbus to continue to grow our communities.”
According to Miller, who serves as an Advisory Board member for Ashland’s Salvation Army Kroc Center and as secretary of the Ashland County Ministerial Association, policies that encourage strong, healthy families will be a top priority.
Richard Bud Williams
Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember the life of Richard “Bud” Williams of Mansfield. Richard was born in Hamilton, Ohio in 1938 and graduated from the Columbus Trade School and proudly served in the U.S. Marines from 1955-1959 with an honorable discharge.
He was a great fisherman and loved to be outside, especially at Charles Mill Dam.
Bud enjoyed bird watching, fishing and his animals; he loved all his dogs and cats throughout the years. He is survived by his children, “Bo,” Raymond, “Sis”, and Randy, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and siblings, Ronald and Nona.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five siblings and his loving wife of 61 years, Mary Lou Williams, who passed in 2018.
