TWENTYNINE PALMS FIRE ADVISORY MEETING STARTS OUT ON EMOTIONAL NOTE

Reporter Taylor Thacker attended the Twentynine Palms Water District Citizens Advisory Committee meeting last night. She reports it went straight to the hearts of the audience and committee members when audience member Alice Lear said, “In 2007, my husband had a heart attack and the Lear Avenue Station was there within five minutes to take him to the hospital. It is in my personal interest to see that this station stays open.” Fire chief Jim Thompson responded, saying, “Because of the loss of two full-time engineers, we can not effectively provide service at both fire stations. We are still going to provide service to the other part of town; it will just be a longer response time. The response time is expected to increase by two to four minutes.” The discussion got heated as committee members gave their opinions. “I don’t think it’s an option to close the fire station.” said Advisory committee Director Mary Reeves. Larry Bowden disagreed, saying, “We can’t save every one. Our city needs the best service that it can afford.” Bowden continued, saying, “The only way the Fire Department can be funded right now under the circumstances is by special taxes. They don’t get funding from the city. “We are here trying to find a way to keep both stations open.”