Grafton ... top story

[Russell Kanning]

Even though I have not read about half of this thread, it does seem to be getting kind of funny again so I think I'll jump back in for a while. Because I said "funny" you can then tell that I am sometimes quite easily amused.
This thread seems like a pretty crazy place to campain, but maybe I can help with some info about campaining?

i am totally with ya

[Russell Kanning]

If John Babiarz is given power he will abuse it. His aggression against Barskey's at a weenie roast is proof of this.

He says one thing in his political campaigns, but when is in a position of authority, he hypocritically does another thing.

I haven't heard anything about his campaign. The only info I have is this incident and his signs.

[Pat McCotter]

Firefighting in Obion County
— By Kevin Drum
| Mon Oct. 4, 2010 6:26 PM PDT

Everybody is chattering today about the South Fulton Fire Department. Why? Because they provide fire protection for the city of South Fulton, Tennessee. If you live outside the city, you have to rely on the County of Obion to provide fire services.

All perfectly reasonable. Except that the County of Obion doesn't provide any fire services. So if you live in the nearby vicinity and want fire protection, you have to pay South Fulton $75 per year. Gene Cranick didn't pay the fee, so a few days ago, after he started a fire in a couple of barrels in his backyard and the fire got out of control, the South Fulton Fire Department didn't respond when he called. "I thought they'd come out and put it out, even if you hadn't paid your $75, but I was wrong," he explained succinctly.

This has spawned a lot of outrage. How could the South Fulton Fire Department just sit around and not respond? Both the fire chief and the mayor are getting a lot of heat. But I have a different question: why is the County of Obion apparently not generating any outrage of its own? This is not a new problem, after all. The county has declined to provide fire services for a long time, it's been a lively issue for a long time, and they know perfectly well that local cities won't always respond to their fires. Courtesy of the world wide web, for example, here's "A Presentation Regarding The Establishment And Implementation of a County-Wide Fire Department," dated March 18, 2008, describing exactly how fire services work in the County of Obion. Also included in this document: a plan to create an Obion County Fire Department by merging the services of the various municipal fire departments in the county along with a plan to raise about half a million dollars to fund it. Revenue would come from either a 0.13 cent property tax increase, a fee on electric meters, or a flat subscription fee.

The county commissioners of Obion County apparently decided against this plan. Didn't want to increase taxes, I suppose. As a result, Gene Cranick's house burned down.

His isn't the first one, either. The county knew this was a longstanding problem, they knew it might happen again, and two years before Cranick's house burned down they had a proposal in front of them to address it. But they didn't. If anyone should be getting grief over this, shouldn't it be them?

[FreelanceFreedomFighter]

I have a little bit of a different take on this one...

I am part owner of a house in a county area in rural NC. There is NO county fire department, but various local towns that are "within distance" offer their services on a similar subscription basis. Since there are three different town fire departments about the same distance from the rural house, any of them can be used... as long as you agree to pay for their services. Two towns offer the basic same type of subscription service (and it is more than $75/yr... BTW). The third town offers a choice of either the basic subscription service OR a "pay as needed" service. (The third town's subscription service is less than the other two BTW...) We have a choice who we decide to use no matter what, BUT if we didn't pay for one of the subscription services (which we do), then there would only be two options left to us. 1) In case of fire, let the place burn down (I don't think so) or 2) In case of fire without having paid one of the subscription service fees, call up town #3 and pay them UP FRONT to the tune of a few grand to come out and put out the fire! Yep... a few grand or a couple of hundred (average)... your choice. Don't pay, no fire department. (Although, the county DOES have a sheriff who is not part of subscription plan, gets paid by other county "fees" and will come harass people if called. The sheriff's dept can also write traffic citations and is responsible for a number of other harassment... ummm... "policing" actions.  ) As someone who believes that such services should all be voluntary, I don't have a problem with the fire departments' subscription fees. (I'd like to "opt out" of the sheriff if they'd let me, but alas... The only good thing I can say about that is the -current- local sheriff down there has taken the "Sheriff Mack" position of actually serving the people. Who knows what will happen after elections... sheriff is an elected position there too. There are plenty of evil politicians and judges who don't like the current sheriff because of his positions in such matters.)

Anyway, I've watched the guy and listened to what he had to say. He very obviously knew he was on a subscription plan and voluntarily did NOT buy in. His choice... His loss... No body's problem but his own (and his family, but they can look at him for a place to put the blame...) Just my NSHO... YMMV...

[John]

Maybe a 3rd option is to put out the fire oneself?

[FreelanceFreedomFighter]

From the latest information that I've heard, the fire dept was on-hand and the man begged them to turn on the water... going so far as to tell them that he'd pay whatever they wanted. They still refused to do so and subsequently the family's cat and 3 dogs perished in the house. According to a number of current reports, he was willing to pay WHATEVER they demanded so they would turn on the hoses and they still refused.

NOW, I think there should be some sanctions against the fire fighters, fire department and town for not acting because it is obvious that their reasons for inaction became more than the costs. I'm against the entire "free ride" attitude, but I this is starting to look vindictive on the part of the "officials" who were there and could have done something. People in the U.S. have traditionally helped out each other in times of need and having the family begging for help and turning a callous eye/ear is despicable... IMNSHO...

[John]

A highjacking of this thread has ended peacefully. 
Now, maybe, we can get back to the original topic. 

[Russell Kanning]

the strange things we do in the rain
btw the rain is crazy in the greenhouse especially when it is hail

[John]

Got to have a look at what the heavy wind and rain did at the church. I didn't see the hail.
A "few" "small" problems.
Some of the potential problem areas were already under evaluation, and this was/is another good opportunity to see what is currently happening.
One new problem is discovered and has a temporary measure in place. One old problem is solved.

[Pat K]

Hail falls on the just and the unjust.

[Russell Kanning]

the snow falls only on patk

[John]

Hail to the ...
Never mind.

[MaineShark]

Hail to the ...

...chef.

It's dinner time!

Joe

[Pat K]

the snow falls only on patk

I am giving 500 to 1 odds against this.

[shyfrog]

the snow falls only on patk

I am giving 500 to 1 odds against this.

Snow falls in New York. I know. I've been there.

Now, what is this thread about again?