Chair of the Committee for an Affordable Firehall, Myrna Johnson, announced the Committee would disband in a recent release:
“Our work is done.” Myrna Johnson, Committee for an Affordable Fire Hall chairperson, dropped the surprise announcement on a packed house at an information session. “We see our part of this journey has come to an end. After tonight, the Committee for an Affordable Fire Hall will be disbanded.”
The May 2 Open House and information session was held at the Creston and District Community Complex. The culmination of months of research by Committee members was presented. A slide show, facilitated by Deb Cherkas, a business management expert, focused primarily on the affordability of pre-engineered steel buildings, and showed examples of reasonably priced fire halls, particularly the one in Brooks, Alberta. The presentation also included some information about affordable technologies, such as hose hoists, infrared saunas and new turn-out gear being manufactured by a Canadian company.
Though Cherkas admitted a definitive price was impossible to arrive at without a building plan, costs per square foot were shown to be substantially less for post-disaster rated steel buildings, with a price of approximately $198 per square foot. The Johnston and Davidson Class C Cost estimate, endorsed by the Town, but defeated at the borrowing stage by the taxpayers, had come it at just over $326.95 per square foot.
Johnson said the Committee is disbanding because they do not have the authority to implement any of the suggestions they presented.
“We have tried on countless occasions, since the defeated referendum, to work with the mayor and council. We have made offers to share our research and help fundraise…we offered to give a presentation to the Community Fire Hall Advisory Select Committee. Our efforts have been overwhelmingly rebuffed.”
Johnson went on to say the power lies with the people. She urged them to stay informed, and in the upcoming municipal election (October 20) to look for common-sense leadership, candidates who focused on fiscal responsibility, and people who would genuinely listen to the concerns of the citizens of Creston.
“I want to say thank you, Creston,” Johnson concluded, “for allowing all of us who served on this Committee the opportunity to serve our community and our fellow citizens in this very unique way.”
Myrna Johnson
Chair
Committee for an Affordable Fire Hall