The Twentynine Palms City Council marked the turnover of the fire Department to county control last night. Reporter David Haldane said they also eliminated TV coverage of their meetings…
The moment was almost one for the history books. After years of discord, the Twentynine Palms City Council last night ceremoniously passed the service baton from its local fire department to San Bernardino County.
Though the actual transfer took place July 3, the council marked the occasion by awarding a plaque, posing for group photos and hearing emotional hellos and goodbyes.
“We consider you part of our responsibility; we will bring everything we have to bear on any emergency in this community. What’s the challenge for us? The challenge is to be accountable.”
That’s Mark Hartwig, San Bernardino County fire chief, speaking after commending outgoing Chief Jim Thompson who gave a heartfelt farewell.
In other business, the Council voted to suspend the operation of Public Education and Government Channel 10 by year’s end, and to allocate $306,000 for four properties in furtherance of Project Phoenix. (Charter Communications will no longer operate Channel 10, and the city would have to provide programming in an appropriate format to Charter. Instead, the city will link the meeting’s agenda to an online video, in which residents will be able to click on the agenda, which will take the viewer to the appropriate spot in the online video. This service is expected to cost between $12,000 and $17,000.)
TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL MARKS FIRE TURNOVER, ELIMINATES TV COVERAGE
