County commissioners tour two new firetrucks; new fire equipment puts county 'in good shape'
By SPARKY NEWSOME

This new tanker was recently delivered to the Metasville Fire Department.

An unusually short meeting of the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners was characterized by reports of various groups and departments of various groups and departments while almost no official action was taken. In fact, the highlight of the evening was the tour of two new fire trucks after the meeting.

Simultaneously with the meeting of the commissioners last Thursday, January 11, was a meeting of the county's fire chiefs. For that meeting, the two newest fire trucks were on display in the parking lot behind the courthouse. A new tanker for the Metasville Fire Department had been picked up by Metasville chief Randy Danner about a week earlier. Danburg's new pumper had arrived just that day.

Details of the trucks' capabilities and functions were explained to the commissioners and others in attendance. County Administrator David Tyler said the two truck were budgeted items and cost about $300,000. The purchase of the two trucks "puts us in good shape," he said.

Both of the trucks can be used to fight fires directly allowing firemen to use hoses and nozzles. One of the main differences between the "tanker" and the "pumper" is in overall storage functionality. The "pumper" can haul a certain amount of water and also has storage space for turnout and specialty gear. The "tanker" maximizes water storage by sacrificing space for other items and thus can haul up to 2,000 gallons of water.

Both trucks will be outfitted with radio equipment in the next few weeks.

Commissioners Divenski Lee, John Howard, Jerry Stover, and Chairman Sam Moore were in attendance for the regular January meeting of the board as were Tyler and a few visitors. Commissioner Donna Hardy was unavoidably detained just before the meeting and would have arrived late had the meeting not been so short. She did arrive in time for the fire truck demonstration.

County Extension Coordinator Marcie Simpson presented her annual report of the Extension Service's programming efforts and said that "Things are going well." She said that County Agent Rick Smith has been in Wilkes County for about a year and is doing a good job and look forward to a busy year in 2007.

Simpson explained that Martha Partridge, Family and Consumer Science Agent, continued to serve the people of Wilkes County even though she works out of Lincoln County and technically is not expected to service Wilkes County. However, the list of her contributions is extensive.

The 4-H program for young people, Simpson said, continues to be strong with enrollment beginning in the fifth grade. She reported that there are currently 111 fifth grade members, 140 members at the middle school, 17 home schooled members who now have begun to have meetings, and 15 members at the high school.

She reminded the commissioners of the recent first place won by the Wilkes County junior team at the state Cotton Boll Consumer Judging competition. In addition to a strong and active BB shooting team, Simpson said there are also 11 participants ready for the dairy heifer show.

Also, Simpson reported that there has been "some talk" of a Energy Educator to serve three counties including Richmond, Columbia, and Wilkes, with a focus on programming for gas and electric efficiency. She said that such a person would be available to visit individual homes and to put on public programs to answer energy-related questions. The position would be funded by an Atlanta Gas Light grant until 2010.

In other business:

.. The board elected Jerry Stover to serve as vice chairman for 2007.

.. The appointment of a replacement for Ross Maynard, who has just resigned from the Airport Commission, was tabled until the next meeting of the commissioners.

Harris Blackmon, acting chairman of the Airport Commission, reported that groundwork for the new parallel taxiways at the airport has been completed and is in "great shape" except for a small problem with people riding 4-wheelers and other 4-wheel-drive vehicles in the area. He said there should be some money available for fencing for security.

"Security is especially important for small airports like ours as we continue to grow," he said. "And we are growing."

.. The board approved a resolution to assist with the acquisition of about $733,000 through the OneGeorgia Authority Strategic Industries Loan Fund for the location and operation of AviGenics, Inc. in Wilkes County.

.. Tyler reported that Local Option Sales Tax for October had been received in the amount of $45,845.37 and that $70,233.27 in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax had been received for the same month. He also reported that pro rata shares had been received from LOST and SPLOST in the amounts of $1,466.41 and $2,249.34, respectively.

.. Moore reminded those in attendance that the celebration activities for the 228th anniversary of the Battle of Kettle Creek will be held Saturday, February 10.

The next regular meeting of the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners will be held on Thursday, February 8, at 2 p.m. in courthouse.

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